July/August 2014
Transcription
July/August 2014
www.inumc.org Hoosier Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 United Methodists July/August 2014 Volume 44 Number 4 1 Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. 200 ‘100 New Points of Light’ launched By Daniel R. Gangler Annual Conference pages 4-9 Church Development page 5 INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Conference launched “100 New Points of Light” during the Friday morning, May 30, session of annual conference. Bishop Mike Coyner hoped 100 congregations would accept his invitation. He asked each to get involved in starting a worship service, Bible study or other organized effort, to reach new people “with the light of Christ.” More than 300 conference members and guests responded crowding on to the plenary stage at the Indiana Convention Center. They represented 201 congregations. Coyner expects many of these new faith communities will be “off-site” in a location outside existing church buildings, while others will be at “off-times” to reach new people beyond our typical worship services. The response was twice what Coyner and conference leaders had planned. They are in the process of revamping their plans to accommodate a larger number of churches who want to be involved than anticipated. What’s next? 43,200 meals prepared page 8 Light in Darkness page 11 Phone: 317-924-1321 or email: [email protected] Those who came forward were led into a separate room where they received packets of information, which included a voucher to request $500, in seed money for their new ministry efforts. Each congregation participating will be assigned an adviser to help local church pastors and other leaders develop their plans and pray for them. The conference directors are seeking more funds, because leaders had only set aside $50,000 from the Discontinued Church fund for each of these new projects. According to Coyner, “That is a very appropriate use of the legacy funds from congregations which have completed their ministry, but we had only anticipated needing $500 each for 100 churches – and now we need $500 each for 200 churches. “That is a good problem, and I am sure we will find the funds. In fact two different persons came to me and offered $1,000 each to help support these New Points of Light,” he said. According to Jennifer Gallagher, Indiana Conference Treasurer, the Conference Council on Finance and Administration will be considering places they can pull the needed dollars. There are specific funds for church development. More than 300 annual conference members and guests representing 200 United Methodist congregations from across the state, crowd on to the stage to sign up for 100 New Points of Light. Those wishing to contribute to this outreach ministry can do so by sending individual contributions to the conference 100 New Points of Light campaign at Indiana Conference Treasurer, 301 Pennsylvania Parkway, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46280 or through the donate button on the conference website at www.inumc.org/100lights. Values undergirding this vision include: • Reach the un-churched, • Reach the de-churched, • Wesleyan Theology, • Lay-driven, • Empower laity, • Outwardly focused, • Entrepreneurial spirit and innovation and • Failing is okay as long as we learn from it – this is a pilot program. The campaign The 100 New Points of Light campaign will be administered by the conference directors and district superintendents. The Rev. Cindy Reynolds, executive assistant to Coyner, will be the leader of the campaign. The Rev. Bev Perry, Superintendent of the Southeast District, will coordinate the activities of the Cabinet in the campaign. Each of the 200 congregations has been or will be assigned an advisor who will be given a handful of churches to oversee and assist as each one moves forward to establish a new form of worship or outreach ministry resulting in reaching beyond the existing congregation to a new population to make disciples. The advisors will be contacting their assigned congregations during the month of July. The Rev. Dave Neckers, Conference Director of Church Development, will continue to train new coach-advisors as they are recruited to cover all 200 churches involved in the campaign. Media presence The campaign will be resourced through the conference website at www. inumc.org/100lights. At that location, participants will find a directory of churches involved in the campaign, the informational packet distributed at the Annual Conference Session, a picture gallery for placing pictures of new worship and ministry opportunities, a place to send and read 250-word stories of Glory Sightings from local churches, a place to make online donations to the campaign and other news and information to support the campaign and the 200 churches involved in it. The campaign also has a Facebook presence for sharing of information and stories by the New Points of Light churches at 100 New Points of Light and on Twitter @inumconference #100lights. The email address for the campaign is [email protected]. www.inumc.org 2 Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 What unites us Many people and caucus groups in our United Methodist Church these days are talking about words like “schism” and “amicable separation” and other ways of dividing our denomination. Why? Because, we have deep differences over issues like human sexuality, the authority and interpretation of Scripture and the application of our Social Principles. In the midst of such discussions, perhaps it is helpful to focus upon the things that unite us. Here is my list: 1. We are united by our faith in Jesus Christ. Once we become professing members who join two thousand years of followers of Jesus, we become a part of the Body of Christ and we discover our unity with all other believers. Our unity in Christ is a gift we receive, it is not an organizational reality we achieve. 2. We are united by our common mission: “Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” Despite our many differences of opinion on a variety of topics, when we focus upon our mission, we discover a unity which gives us power to achieve that mission. That was obvious at our Indiana Annual Conference Session when 201 congregations came forward to declare their desire to be one of our New Points of Light in the coming year and to start new worship services to reach new people. That wonderful response in- From the Bishop cluded people from different church tions, and not the other way around. sizes, differing theological perspecOr as we have said it here in Indiana, the conference exists for the tives and a variety of minsake of the congregations, istry styles – but they were the congregations do not united by a desire to fulfill exist for the sake of the conour common mission. ference. That’s why talk of 3. We are united by our comour being “congregational passion ministries. Every or connectional” is a false time there is a disaster anydichotomy. We are both. We where in the world, United are a connection of congreMethodists join together to gations united for our global respond with care, matemission, so our congregarial goods and hands-on tions are really what I call efforts. At such moments, Coyner “global churches” – churchno one asks about differes which are both local and global. ing theological perspectives. The 6. We are united by our desire to have United Methodist Committee on our congregations and our supportRelief (UMCOR) and other ministries ing structure exhibit these characterof compassion through our United istics of fruitfulness, as described by Methodist Church are offered to all Bishop Robert Schnase in Five Pracpeple – not just those with whom we tices of Fruitful Congregations: Radical agree. hospitality, Passionate worship, Inten4. We are united by our Wesleyan Gentional faith development, Risk-taking eral Rules, summarized by Bishop mission and service, and Extravagant Rueben Job in Three Simple Rules as: generosity. Do no harm, do good and stay in 7. We are united by our Wesleyan unlove with God. From the beginning derstanding of God’s grace, namely of the Wesleyan revival, those rules Prevenient Grace, Justifying Grace have governed the way Methodist and Sanctifying Grace. We are not people work together, and we would do well to focus upon those rules in our discussions about difficult issues. 5. We are united by our commitment to vital congregations. In fact, our UMC is focused upon how the various conference structures can strengthen the ministry of our local congrega- Arkansas bishop thankful for Hoosier gift to tornado relief INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner received a thank you letter today, May 12, from Arkansas Bishop Gary Mueller. Mueller wrote: “It is with the deepest possible gratitude that I thank you and the wonderful people of the Indiana Conference Disaster Response Committee for your generosity in sending the Arkansas Conference a check for tornado relief in the amount of $2,000. The money will be immensely helpful as we seek to offer help and support to those impacted by the devastating storms. But more than that, this act of connection strengthens us, as brothers and sisters reach out to share in this time of need.” For more information about tornado relief in Arkansas, visit www. arumc.org. Bishop Brown takes office as Council of Bishops president ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (UMNS) – San Francisco area Bishop Warner Brown has begun his term as president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops. Bishop Rosemarie Wenner of the Germany Episcopal Area has served as president of the Council since April 2012. Her two-year term ended at the close of the Council’s executive committee meeting on May 4. A formal celebration and the traditional “passing of the gavel” will take place at the Council of Bishops’ meeting in November 2014. Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr., who has served three terms as the Councils’ secretary, was succeeded by Louisiana Area Bishop Cynthia Fierro Harvey. Brown said his hope for the Council is that they can speak with one voice with words of encouragement to the church “in the many places where the church is doing good work, where growth is happening, where lives are being touched and lives are being saved … we have much to celebrate. “We are a very diverse church with a lot of things to learn from each other about how we effectively can be the church and make disciples of Jesus Christ, transform the world and hear and see the needs of people,” said Brown. “In order to do that, we’ll need to talk with each other and be honest with each other and learn from each other. I hope I can facilitate that kind of conversation.” www.inumc.org a “doctrinal” church in the narrow sense of that word; rather we focus upon discovering and living in the grace that God offers to all of us in Jesus Christ. There are probably other things which unite us, and we need to focus upon the things that unite rather than focusing upon the things that divide us. My wife and I just celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary, and I can tell you that such a long-term marriage does not happen by focusing upon our differences, or by throwing around words like “divorce” or ugly descriptions of one another. We have stayed married by focusing upon the love, commitment and blessings that unite us. I invite all United Methodists to focus upon the things that unite us, just as John Wesley himself said: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” from Bishop Michael J. Coyner, Indiana Area of The United Methodist Church “Leadership for vibrant congregations making faithful disciples of Jesus Christ” July/August 2014 Vol. 44 No.4 MISSION STATEMENT: To reflect the teachings of Christ through stories and pictures, thereby sharing key moments and concerns in the life of His Indiana church and its people. To share joy, to share personal faith, to share challenges, and to refresh the spirit. Michael J. Coyner Daniel R. Gangler Editorial Assistant: Erma J. Metzler Conference Assistants: Roscel S. Carandang Brenda Gross I ndiana A rea Bishop/Publisher: Editor: Copyright 2014 Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church. Printed by: Send address changes to: Hoosier United Methodists Together 301 Pennsylvania Parkway, Suite 300 Indianapolis, Indiana 46280 Editorial Offices: Subscription I nformation: HNE Printers, Columbus with soybased inks on recycled/recyclable paper Hoosier United Methodists Together 301 Pennsylvania Parkway, Suite 300 Indianapolis, Indiana 46280 Phone: 317-924-1321 email: [email protected] Hoosier United Methodists Together (ISSN1544-080x) is a bimonthly (Jan., March, May, July, Sept. and Nov.) publication of Indiana United Methodist Communications, 301 Pennsylvania Parkway, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46280, for clergy, laity and seekers. Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, IN. Printed in the U.S.A. Postmaster: Call 317-924-1321. One-year subscription, $12; single copy $1.50 Send the mailing label with your new address to: Erma Metzler, Together, Indiana UMC 301 Pennsylvania Parkway, Suite 300 Indianapolis, Indiana 46280 or email [email protected] Change of A ddress: Commentaries and letters provided by Indiana United Methodist Communications do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of Bishop Michael Coyner and/or the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church. Members of the Indiana Conference Communication Team and Editorial Advisory Group: Matthew Stultz, Team Leader Beverly Calender-Anderson Kelli Kelly Mark L. Eutsler Beth Stickles McDaniel Dan Gangler, Convener Kim Reisman Permission is hereby granted to United Methodist congregations to reprint stories not copyrighted, in church newsletters and websites. Together is supported by the conference tithe. www.inumc.org Conversations www.inumc.org Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 3 Commentary Engaging your mission field By Bob Crossman beyond your membership to include all the people around you whom God has called your particular church to serve. Our call to make disciples and our call to serve come together when we engage our entire community and build positive, incarnational relationships with those Crossman we encounter. Perhaps there was a time when inspiring worship and great music brought people to church. Today, however, in an increasing number of places, the quality of what is happening within the church is not enough to reach those outside the church. Those outside the church, including the growing number of those who state their religious preference as “none,” seek more from the church. They demand authenticity. And even those with no connection to the church understand that an authentic church is a serving church. They respect a church that reads Matthew 25 on Sunday and spends its time and money with the “least of these” during the week. They expect engagement with the community. How can our churches continue to be faithful to the call in Matthew 28 to go make disciples while being increasingly faithful to the call in Matthew 25 to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, and visit the prisoner? Where both of these passages come together is in what many today refer to as a church’s “mission field.” Your mission field goes well Listen and Learn The best way to learn about the mission field around your church is to listen and learn. While demographic reports from public and private resources offer much data about a community, you cannot discover your mission field exclusively by studying reports. Data must be tested by walking around and spending time with the people who live in your community. Ministries that bless communities in Jesus’ name often arise out of unorganized, crazy and chaotic conversations where we listen for the hopes and dreams of people within a mission field. This begins not with big events or large numbers of people. It involves face-to-face conversations sitting in a park, a diner, or a coffee shop. A pastor sat at Venice Beach, California, with a sign that read, “Tell me your story and I will give you a dollar.” A line formed, and she was busy all afternoon! As you listen, don’t let your pre-set ideas or preconceived notions shape the conversation. Rather ask simply what are the challenges, hopes, longings and dreams of your neighbors. As you observe and listen, determine if there are clusters of themes, dreams and challenges that face people in your mission field. What ministries might address the brokenness revealed? You may discover that there are already places within your church where you can build meaningful relationships with members of your community – for example, the participants in your English as a Second Language (ESL) program, the neighborhood youth who play basketball in your parking lot, the households who utilize your food pantry and clothing bank, or the families who receive your annual Thanksgiving baskets. Yet, too often these programs operate in ways that inhibit positive relationships and communicate an “us and them” attitude. Turning Missional Gestures into Missional Encounters A congregation in southern California discovered that their food and clothing bank was inadvertently communicating, “You are not worthy to come to worship, but you can come to the back of the church for Letters to the Editor Hillary Clinton My, my, doesn’t every event have two sides! Together was so proud to flaunt “Saint” Hillary as the daughter of the church and UMW. And the women applauded and cheered when she declined to receive an honorarium. The Methodist Church and UMW are about as far north of the Bible as Hillary is liberal. So no wonder they fit so well. Are you so naive to not understand that her shared faith was just another political speech? Hillary intends to be the next president, and she excels in telling her audience what she thinks they want to hear, no matter if it is in direct conflict with her actions. Aren’t you so proud of Hillary when she is questioned about her role in Benghazi, and on TV she snarls “So we have four dead Americans, so what”? What a God-send miracle, that on the same day we get the Together that the Evansville Courier has an editorial by Cal Thomas. After reading your article, I would have to assume that you think his article contains no truths. I am a Methodist by family tradition, but certainly not proud to say I am one. And I expect that it won’t be long before the Methodist church votes to join the anti-Bible vocalists, and that is where we will part ways. In the meantime, I am enthused that our minister is a time tested moral Bible scholar, and is delighted to preach the Word. I know you could care less about this letter, but the failure to act by the informed, is exactly what leads to the situation at hand, on which I speak. As the Methodist church continues to leave God behind, I feel it is just a matter of time when God will leave the Methodist church behind also. Kenneth Schaaf Dale, Ind. Front page above the fold as they say in the newspaper business, is an article about former First Lady Hillary Clinton (Together, May-June 2014). In the piece it states about our First Lady, “She spoke of the ‘great witness’ of seeing her father kneel by his bed to pray every night. She also said her mother taught Sunday school and was committed to social justice issues. It was her grandmother, Hannah, “a tough Methodist woman” she said who “taught me to never be afraid to get your hands dirty.” How does a woman with such a religious immediate family, become the recipient of the 2009 Margaret Sanger Award (of Planned Parenthood Federation of America)? I wonder if her mother, father and grandmother would be abortion advocates also. What is that “social gospel” that Mrs. Clinton wants to take to the world? Perhaps, the title of the article should be, “Former First Lady shares her desire for votes with UM Women.” Nancy Whitaker Delphi, Ind. a handout.” As a result, very few people were attending their Spanish language worship service. They turned their program upside down so as to incorporate worship, food, clothing and fellowship into a more unified whole, resulting in exponential growth. A congregation in Wichita, Kansas, offers a 30-minute worship time after their ESL program each week. About 125 of the 150 ESL participants stay for worship. In central Virginia, a new rural church, working with de-churched people, began as a movement to love and care for neighbors through ministries such as GED classes and a thrift store. Only after the community relationships were built did they begin to offer worship. Several churches in the Dallas area have added Bible studies and midweek worship inside their clothing bank for the households that rely on that program. In Dayton, Ohio, a church has added a donut and coffee table to their weekly food and clothing distribution. A church member with the gift of warm hospitality serves as host, inviting each person to stay for the 30-minute Bible study that morning. These congregations are finding ways to make disciples and serve, fulfilling the Gospel mandates in both Matthew 25 and Matthew 28. Bob Crossman serves as a New Church Strategist with Path One, General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, which is based in Nashville, Tenn. Questions matter By Andy Kinsey At the recent Indiana Annual Conference Session, I was struck by the importance placed on asking the right questions. I don’t know if anyone else overheard it, but I appreciated how Archbishop Joseph Tobin at the Prayer Breakfast spoke about getting the questions right. The Archbishop shared how it took Roman Catholics and Lutherans close to 500 years to reach an agreement on the doctrine of justification. In 1999, they concurred on what they called a “differentiated consensus,” meaning that they found a way to agree on what the right question was. Later in the morning during the Ordination Service, Bishop Coyner also mentioned the importance of asking the right questions. Quoting the book by Peter Block The Answer to How is Yes, Bishop Coyner stated how important questions are to organizations. Asking good questions may be the most significant thing we can do to guide families, churches and communities into a deeper sense of who they are and what they do. Questions matter. Jesus, of course, asked questions. One of the most famous was before Pilate: “What is truth?” Another was “Who do you say that I am?” He asked more, of course. John Wesley, too, was known to ask questions, certainly of those who would preach but also of those who participated in class meetings and conferences. Questions like “How is it with your soul?” and “What shall we teach?” became ways to guide the early Methodists. The exercises were part self-examination and community discernment, but they were very much part of a common mission to spread holiness. Even Charles Wesley’s hymn “And Are We Yet Alive?” invites us to consider our life before God by singing the question. I wonder what lessons United Methodists might take from Archbishop Tobin and Bishop Coyner’s insights about getting the questions right. What kinds of questions do we need now to be asking? Do we agree on what they are? It took Catholics and Lutherans close to 500 years to agree on what questions to ask. That’s a long time! And yet, after only 45 years as a denomination we are currently facing similar struggles: for example, what is the basis of our unity and life together? What is God seeking to do through us, and how shall we participate in what God is doing? There are more questions, to be sure, but the point is simple: questions matter. They can help guide us. At present may we all pray and see where they will lead us. Andy Kinsey is senior pastor of Franklin Grace UMC and Wesleyan Theologian on the Leadership Table of the Indiana Conference. 4 Annual Conference Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 www.inumc.org Visiting bishop challenges Hoosiers to repent, walk in new direction INDIANAPOLIS – During the opening moments of the 2014 Indiana Conference Session May 29, Bishop Mike Coyner introduced Bishop Gregory Palmer, Resident Bishop of the West Ohio Area of The United Methodist Church based in Worthington, Ohio. He preached during a service of “Confession, Repentance and Renewal.” The service was created to help conference members make a fresh start discerning God’s vision for the transformation of the world. Palmer was elected bishop in 2000 as a delegate of the East Ohio Conference. Prior to being assigned to West Ohio in Bishop Gregory Palmer 2012, he served as Resident Bishop of the Iowa Area (2000-2008) and Resident Bishop of the Illinois Area – Illinois Great Rivers Conference (2008-2012). Palmer’s sermon, “Confess, Repent, Believe,” was based on the passage of Mark 1: 1-15, where John the Baptist prepared the way of the Good News, sharing the importance of repentance and forgiveness of sins. In order for us to fully receive the Good News, we must prepare a route for ourselves. Like John the Baptist laid out in the aforementioned passage that preparation comes from confessing, repenting and believing. Palmer reminded conference members that we must never forget to believe the Gospel. The Gospel is a message of forgiveness, but sometimes the institution of the church isn’t very forgiving. Repenting has an emphasis in turning and walking in a new direction – in a new way. The pull is to turn us back. He challenged the church’s action by encouraging members of the Indiana Conference to trust in the Good News and exercise showing forgiveness to one another and to those who we do not know. Conference approves landmark advocacy, finances, benefits INDIANAPOLIS – Bishop Mike Coyner called the 2014 Indiana Annual Conference into session May 29. He introduced Carolyn Johnson, Secretary of the Annual Conference; Cindy Reynolds, Executive Assistant to the Bishop and Becky Huff-Cook, assistant to the secretary. The following actions were approved: • Archives and History, Landmark motion was approved to recognize the “Helenor M. Alter Davisson Cluster” to the General Commission on Archives and History (see separate story). • Advocacy and Social Justice Team petitions were approved by the conference. • Mission Resource Team list • • • • of Indiana approved advance special projects. The Conference Council on Finance and Administration (CFA) policies were updated and approved. A $13.4 million income budget for 2014 was shared by CFA. CFA outlined the programs of the conference for vitality and growth. 2015 proposed income budget of $13.6 million and expense budget of $14.1 million was approved Friday, May 30. A report of the Christian Conference Task Force was given by Adolf Hansen, chair of the task force (see separate story). Christian Conferencing guidelines were approved. • The Board of Pensions reports were approved in the following actions: ▪▪ The 2015 cost of the Clergy Retirement Security Program – Defined Benefit of 8.5 percent of Plan Compensation is limited to 150 percent of Denomination Average Compensation for billing CRSP-DB). ▪▪ That the Pre-1982 Past Service Rate for 2015 be set at $673 per service year. ▪▪ That the report Sections A through F, H and I, be approved as presented. • The Board of Pension’s Retiree Health Subsidy report is covered in a separate adjacent story. Address reminds us of the role of the laity INDIANAPOLIS – Although there’s no reference to a “lay leader” in the Bible, Conference Lay Leaders Kayc Mykrantz and Ike Williams assured those attending the Indiana Conference Session that laity are vital to United Methodist congregations. Williams stated, “The world out there needs some good friends like us.” The role of laity is to be a friend to Jesus, one another and to the world. According to Mykrantz and Williams, there are seven billion people in the world, out of which two billion identify as Christians. Twelve million of those are members of The United Methodist Church with more than 50,000 being United Methodist clergy. If it were only up to United Methodist clergy to tell the world about Jesus, they all would have to work around Africa University Campaign begins public phase The Indiana Conference Session launched the public phase of raising our goal of $1.6 million for Africa University in Zimbabwe, and received a special “offering” where each congregation was invited to dance their way forward to give money, a pledge or a commitment card to be a part of this campaign to educate Christian leaders on the continent of Africa. Some individuals and some churches have already made “advance” gifts and pledges. During the session, 138 pledge cards were received totalling $206,531 in pledges making the total in cash and pledges to date $768,700.Be part of the effort to let the light of our witness shine through Africa University by visiting www.inumc.org/au. Churches will have an opportunity to pledge to the AU Campaign this fall during their charge conferences. Retiree health insurance plan funding subsidy approved Retiring Conference Lay Leaders Williams and Mykrantz the clock. Mykrantz and Williams stressed that this is where the laity come in. They spend most of their time out in the world where they are able to be agents of transformation in those settings. They also addressed opportunities laity could take advantage of for further training, assistance and guidance to be effective leaders in the Indiana Conference. Indiana Denman Awards to laity, youth, pastor The 2014 Denman Evangelism Award recipients in Indiana are: Laity Award to Lori Brown Bierhaus of Westport; Youth Award to Emma Hawn of Sheridan; and Clergy Award to the Rev. Tim Johnson, pastor of Pfrimmers Chapel UMC in Corydon. INDIANAPOLIS – In response to the discussion of the Retiree Medicare premium subsidy at the 2013 Annual Conference Session, Bishop Mike Coyner asked the members of the Retiree Health Insurance Funding Task Force to continue meeting to review the concerns of the conference and make a proposal to the Board for consideration and submission to the 2014 Annual Conference. The task force met and asked the Rev. George Hunsaker and Conference Director of Administrative Services Brent Williams to seek information on the level of pension being received by retirees. Based on information gleaned from Hunsaker and task force approval, following recommendations for subsidy support for both retired clergy and spouse (if both are on the Conference Medicare Supplement program). The annual conference ap- proved these recommendations: • For surviving spouses over the age of 65, an amount of $250 will be credited towards the premium charged by the Conference-sponsored Medicare Supplement Plans. • All participants who retired prior to 1990 will continue to receive $5/month/service year subsidy for up to 30 years of service. • All participants who retired in 1990 thru 2004 will receive $4/month/service year subsidy for up to 30 years of service. • All participants who retired in 2005 thru 2015 will receive $3/month/service year subsidy for up to 30 years of service. • All participants who retire in 2016 and beyond will receive $2/month/service subsidy for up to 30 years of service. www.inumc.org Annual Conference Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 5 Church development specialist encourages going back to roots By Jennifer Meadows INDIANAPOLIS – The Rev. Bob Farr’s Friday, May 30, teaching session encouraged Indiana Conference members to turn back to their early Methodist roots. Farr, who is Missouri Conference Director of the Center for Congregational Excellence, believes the modern United Methodist congregation is focused more on making members rather than making disciples of Jesus Christ. “We were not an established church,” Farr stated, “we came by horse. We were missionaries. Somewhere we went from missionary to member.” In order to touch base with our roots, we should ask the question that John Wesley asked, “What was the most important thing Jesus said”? The answer is to love the Lord with Farr challenges Hoosiers to be missional. everything we’ve got. Farr believes we need to be on fire for Jesus. “If we are going to go forward friends, we need to recapture our fire.” Along with our recaptured fire for Christ, Farr also encouraged the conference members to rethink how they view service. He said he believes United Methodists are good at charity in our communities, not mission in our communities. We are good at collecting materials to hand off to other agencies to distribute, but he doesn’t classify that as mission work. Instead, he hopes United Methodists go back to their roots of the missional church that got out into communities to build relationships and serve neighbors. Farr stated, “Somewhere along the way, we have frozen in place.” The average United Methodist shares Jesus with someone every 38 years. Instead of sharing the Good News with others, he sees United Methodists stuck in their ways “playing church.” Instead, United Methodists need to shift their focus on developing relationships with the people right across the street from the church because the most important per- son, in greeting new people to a church, is its members. Members need to start seeing themselves as missional outposts for the church. Farr specifically addressed clergy on how they should handle developing relationships outside of their current congregations. Pastors have two mission fields – those you know and those you do not know. Clergy have been trained to be shepherds and chaplains, only keeping care of the flock they have. Farr challenged clergy to see themselves as shepherds and leaders willing to try new things and to become outwardly-focused churches. He also challenged laity to protect and stand behind their pastors. He challenged clergy to get out of their offices and laity to get out of the building and develop disciples of Christ in the communities they serve. Church Development reports gains in growth, hope to establish 30 new congregations in Indiana by 2020 INDIANAPOLIS – Senior Associate Director Steve Clouse began the Church Development Team report by presenting a video about the Fruitful Congregation Journey (FCJ), a growth program for congregations. Building new generations within current churches is the adjustment we need to make. FCJ is bringing new life to churches. Not only welcoming people to churches but also bringing the church to the community. Associate Director Ed Fenstermacher introduced a new Fruitful Congregations Journey program for churches with under 50 people in worship attendance, that is coming this fall. Bishop Mike Coyner emphasized the importance of FCJ in helping congregations reach out to their communities. Church Development is now working with un-churched and de-churched people. New Hispanic congregations are being launched across the state. There are 23 Hispanic pastors now studying seminary curriculum online. Riverside UMC in New Albany and The Branches UMC in Plainfield were featured for their new growth in younger adults. Coyner said the more choices we can provide, the more we will grow as a church. Associate Director Sharon Washington says she said “yes” with God doing a new thing in Indiana. We are just getting started. God is asking us to move deeper into the waters by establishing 30 new faith communities in Indiana by 2020 with the “exceed” campaign. Church Development announced “exceed” to raise $1.5 million to assist in reaching new people. The ultimate mission is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Coyner said we are in the new church-start moment. Church Development helps tell us where the hot spots are. One dream is to start 100 new worship services, or other form of community, during the next year. There are 25 new faith communities that have been created during the past 15 years. Each one of these “new starts” is bringing vitality to a new locations. For more information, visit www.exceedindiana.org. United Methodists worship in the streets of Indianapolis INDIANAPOLIS – Georgia Street had a United Methodist fair Friday, May 30. As part of being the Outwardly Focused Church, the Indiana Conference hosted Community Day on Georgia Street for the city of Indianapolis. Amy Cox kicked off the event, sharing her music with the lunch-time crowd. Besides having the opportunity to worship, attendees had their choice of lunch from a multitude of food trucks. Volunteers of the Indiana Conference greeted and welcomed guests by offering prayer, free balloons and water bottles, activities for the kids, and plenty of smiles. Sixteen Cities, Gospel musical group, concluded the event with worship. Helene Foust developed the idea of worshipping in the streets of Indianapolis when she interacted with a homeless man at last year’s annual conference. He approached her excited that “the Methodists were in town.” He was looking for a worship experience. When Foust invited him to the Convention Center for the evening worship, he declined the invitation because he didn’t want to intrude on our time together. Foust realized a prime opportunity was missed to bring the Good News to our community. Thus, Community Day was developed in order to worship with our brothers and sisters in Indianapolis. The Indiana Conference welcomed a multitude of guests. Even curious individuals at surrounding businesses and apartments opened up their windows to see what was happening in the streets. Foust is satisfied with the reception of the event. – Jennifer Meadows “The dream for this event started last year with a conversation with a homeless man seeking a place to experience God’s power. Today, I am thanking God that the homeless were invited and welcomed, the hungry were fed, prayers were lifted up and we sang to our Amazing God in the middle of the day, in the middle of the city! As I looked around as we sang ‘God of this City,’ I couldn’t stop thanking God for bringing us together to be an outwardly-focused church. There were people in the office buildings looking out. People on the ninth floor of the PanAm building tweeted the band. There was a bicyclist that passed then came back, dropped his bike and started singing with his hands up.” – Helene Foust The Gospel music group Sixteen Cities filled downtown streets with Gospel rock during Community Day, Friday afternoon on Georgia Street. Hundreds lined up to purchase lunch from a dozen food trucks parked on Georgia Street for Community Day, Friday afternoon, May 30. 6 Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 Annual Conference www.inumc.org Bishop shares what it means to be ‘Poured out in Ministry’ INDIANAPOLIS – Using 2 Timothy 4:1-6, 8 as his text, Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner shared with the conference members, guests and especially those being ordained or commissioned, his views of what it means to be “poured out in ministry.” Coyner shared these ideas in his sermon during the Ordination, Commissioning Service Saturday morning, May 31. “We are all going to die, so let’s get that issue out of the way, and then decide how we want to live our lives,” Coyner began. He said, “Paul reminds us that each one of us is an ‘offering’ and a sacrifice poured out to God. Someday we will receive the victor’s crown for completing our faithful lives, but for now it helps to think of ourselves as already dead.” Coyner said he believes that whether laity or clergy, a call to ministry means we are willing to pour out our life for Christ. He quoted Martin Luther King, Jr., saying, “If you don’t have anything you are willing to die Ministry is being a sacrifice, poured out in ministry for others on behalf of Christ. for, then you don’t have any reason to live.” Coyner asked his audience, “What are the things you are willing to give your life for?” He then listed seven beliefs for which he would live. Highlighted, they included: 1. Jesus Christ is Lord; 2. All are welcome at the Lord’s Table – “I am proud of the fact that our United Methodist communion table is open to all who come confessing Christ. No one is excluded,” Coyner said; 3. Growing in grace is a lifelong journey – we have to keep growing into the likeness of Christ; 4. Every child is a child of God; 5. Life is about giving, not about receiving; 6. Our Christian faith is about love, justice, mercy and joy – it is not about stifling re- Those who were ordainded as Elders: Front row (l-r) Donna Lynn Ward, Jungbum Kim. Back row (l-r) Daniel Lee Payton, Samuel Leon Padgett and James William Clark. ligious categories or moralisms; and 7. My personal integrity (i.e., my word is good) is the best gift I can offer to others. Following the seven, he gave examples of people he has seen who exemplified these truths. One was Ralph Kastedt, a blind preacher in the former North Indiana Conference, who served in ministry to churches in turmoil. What he remembered about Kastedt is that he always said, “Everyone has a handicap. I am fortunate that my handicap is obvious so I have had to deal with it.” Coyner said, “Ralph knew how to do ministry as a sacrifice poured out for Christ and for others.” Concluding he shared how peaceful the death of his father was a few weeks ago. “It was a sacred moment. Not every death is that peaceful, and not everyone dies in a blanket of love. But for those in Christ, we know that death is not the end, it is a part of our life. So… how shall we live?” Ask yourself, “How shall I live?” He concluded: “For me, I will live for Christ.” During the service, one provisional deacon and twelve provisional elders were commissioned. Three candidates from other denominations were recognized as provisional members. Five provisional members were ordained Elders. One missionary was commissioned. An offering of $2,062 also was received during the service for district superintendents to use when the conference needs to assist a pastor’s family during a financial emergency. The funds are managed by Rejuvenate. A couple dozen people attending the service also felt God’s call to ministry and went forward following Coyner’s invitation to come forward for prayer and words of guidance. More than 100 people are in the candidacy for ministry process in Indiana. Those commissioned Provisional Members and other Provisional Members include: Front row (l-r) Lois Kay Cannon, Crystal Ann Jacobson, Adriane Rene Curtis, Mary Rebekah Ward Dicken, Sharon Lorraine Washington, Catherine Ann Clayton and Hye Sook Kim. Back row (l-r) Mark Allan Brock, Jared Michael Kendall, Glenn James Knepp, Christopher Allen Tiedeman, Brian Edward Cook, Steven Paul Clouse and Andrew Charles Baker. Conference elects new Indiana Conference Lay Leader INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Annual Conference Session elected Doris Clark of Indianapolis as the new Lay Leader of the Indiana Conference, effective June 1. Clark has served as one of the conference’s Associate Lay Leaders, Central District Lay Leader and also participates as a member of the Clark Bishop’s Operational Team, the Annual Conference Sessions Implementation Team, lay member of the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, District Chair of the Central District, member of the Conference Nominating Committee, Board President of United Methodist Metro Ministries and a member of the General Church’s Connectional Table. She was a delegate to the 2012 General and North Central Jurisdic- tional Conferences of The United Methodist Church. She is a member of University United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. Clark will continue where previous Indiana Conference Co-Lay Leaders Ike Williams of Carmel and Kayc Mykrantz of Logansport have served since the new Indiana Conference was created five years ago. Upon naming Clark to this position a few months ago, Bishop Mike Coyner said, “I have been blessed to have Ike and Kayc as co-conference lay leaders these past several years, and I now look forward to working with Doris and the rest of the Board of Laity. We are all partners together in ministry, and our common desire is to lead the Indiana Conference to be even more faithful and fruitful in the ministry of Christ.” As is his custom, Bishop Coyner baptized three children of clergy: Micah Thomas Cassiday, child of Benjamin and Eva Cassiday; Elijah Yougsuh Cho, child of Daniel Seunghyun and Hyemin Na Cho; and Amara Rose Ellis, child of Benjamin and Sarah Ellisp as part of the Ordination-Commissioning Service Saturday, May 31. www.inumc.org Annual Conference Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 7 Conference remembers deceased during memorial service INDIANAPOLIS – Deceased clergy and deceased clergy spouses who have died since the last Annual Conference Session were remembered Friday, May 30, during a time of prayer, Scripture reading and Holy Communion during the Indiana Annual Conference Session. Bishop Mike Coyner was the celebrant. The Rev. Andrew Payton, associate pastor of Methodist Temple United Methodist Church in Evansville and a third-generation clergyperson, preached the sermon at the Service of Remembrance and Holy Communion using a text from 1 John. Payton is the son of the Rev. Dennis Payton, senior pastor of First UMC in Mooresville, and grandson of the Rev. L.D. Payton, a retired member of the Indiana Conference living in Mooresville. His brother, Daniel Lee Payton was ordained an Elder Saturday morning. Here are a few thoughts Andrew Payton expressed to the conference: • Honoring a great cloud of witnesses, we are here to honor these clergy and families. I get it. I get the sacrifice they have made. I am a PK (preacher’s kid). My brother is going to be ordained tomorrow. I get it in terms of the sacrifices that have brought us to this place. • These are the ones who say, don’t talk about me or lift me up. Talk about Jesus. With Jesus there is always more. Life continues. Death is not the end – there is more in terms of life eternal. In 1 John we are called God’s children. • We need to invest ourselves in the brokenness of this world. There is more to this life. There is more to the question – if there is more, why so often do we settle for less? • The exciting thing is that we know we are going in Andrew Payton the right direction when our passion for religion becomes our compassion for people. We have all known people and we know the spirit of God is within them. The good news is that we can grow into becoming the compassionate people God wants us to be. • We are here to honor people who have lived their faith. We are here to remember this great cloud of witnesses to honor and remember that they are fine. That’s my prayer tonight. We honor the faith they upheld. We have a compassion for people and radiate the love of Jesus. Bishop Mike Coyner also lifted the names of churches whose ministries have been discontinued. They are: Pershing UMC in East District, Patronville UMC in the Southwest District, Fairview UMC in South District, Springfield UMC in East District and Liberty Mills UMC in Northwest District. Here is a list of those deceased clergy and clergy spouses, who were remembered during the service. Clergy included: Judith Adams, Howard Allen, Charles Ballard, James Beckley, Michael Beeman, Hilbert Berger, Robert Bickel, John Boggs, Charles Carroll, Richard Christopher, Ernest Cobbs, Charles Cook, Glen Dale Cottom, Susan Davis, George Dinwiddie, Ronald Dixon, Robert Dungy, Reuben Green, Robert Hansen, Oval Harden, Cletus Hirschy, Ivan Jenkins, John Kavich, Richard Lancaster, Carl Leth, John Calvin Louthain, David Low, James Mayfield, Elvin Miller, Mary Miller, Harold Morrical, James Nickles, Howard Pearson, Kennard Robinson, Jicelyn Thomas, Clyde Trumbauer, Linda VanHorn, Clyde Wake, Charles Jack Walls, L Michael Wilson and Lloyd Wright. Spouses included: Waneda Baker, Berniece Bastain, Michael Beason, Evelyn Bennett, Patricia Burton, Beverly Coahran, Marian Dawson, Marcia Frazier, Jessie Gaus, Shirley Gotts, Dolores Haskins, Betty Hillenburg, Diana Lee Kehlhofer, Christina Kivett, Virginia Kraft, Ellen Louise Landrey, Marion Lutz, Iona Mayfield, Dave Mikesell, Theresa Miller, Idamae Nisley, Ruth Nolting, Doris Pflugh, Letah Simpson, Reba Stapp, Virginia Stirsman, Gladys Strong, Pauline Taggart, Delores Thomas, Brenda Wesler, Carmen Wilks, Amanda “Ruth” Willbanks, Marian Wiseman and Virginia Yates. Christian Conferencing approved for 2015 delegate elections INDIANAPOLIS – During the Friday afternoon session, May 30, the Indiana Annual Conference approved the General and Jurisdictional Conference procedures sections of the Christian Conferencing Task Force report to replace the current comparable sections in the 2013 Rules and Structure document of the Indiana Annual Conference. The Christian Conferencing Guidelines were approved the previous day. Adolf Hansen, chairman of the Christian Conferencing Task Force, outlined the process for Christian Conferencing to be used in the election of delegates to the 2016 General and Jurisdictional Conferences of The United Methodist Church, as well as guidelines for other meetings within our Indiana Conference. This process will include: eligibility for election, managing the election, commitment of a delegate, procedure for endorsement, procedure for election, and leadership of the conference delegation. According to Hansen, this plan will involve the local church, assist conference members to become acquainted with each other, allow for a broader geographic selection and resolve difficulties of past election processes. The full report titled Christian Conferencing Task Force Report is available on the website www.inumc.org/ac14 under conference reports. This coming fall, each district may generate a list of up to three laity and three clergy from each of the ten districts. These names will be submitted by local churches. The Conference Leadership Table can add five additional laity and five clergy candidates. These 70 candidates will be considered endorsed. Other candidates who desire candidacy to become a delegate also will have an avenue to be considered as a candidate. According to General Conference procedures, eight clergy and eight laity will be elected from Indiana as delegates to the 2016 General Did you know? Pastor John Wolf of Valparasio is the last living military chaplain of the 88 Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren chaplains who served in World War II from 1941-1945. Archbishop encourages us to be unified as one By Jennifer Meadows INDIANAPOLIS – Archbishop Joseph Tobin of the Indianapolis Roman Catholic Archdiocese joined the Indiana Conference during Saturday’s prayer breakfast at the Indiana Convention Center to discuss being unified as one ecumenically. Before Tobin delivered his remarks, the Rev. Matthew Landry of Winamac reminded attendees that in order to be the outwardly focused church, we must all be one. Breakfast conversations were guided by questions inspired by quotations from Pope Francis. Tobin commented on how moving to Indianapolis was an easy transition thanks to the “wonderful gift of ‘Hoosier Hospitality.’” Commenting on the annual conference’s theme, Tobin said that as believers, we are called to be an outwardly focused church. Our Hoosier Hospitality should extend beyond our church building’s walls. Quoting Pope Francis, he said, “A church that looks in on itself gets sick. We have to look outward in order to be healthy.” He continued by saying being an outwardly focused church is not a task that can always be done alone. Tobin believed it was crucial for the community of believers to come together for the greater good. In regards to relationships between United Methodists and Catholics, Tobin reminded attendees that we “may disagree on other components” of our faith backgrounds, but “we agree on the most important thing of Christianity,” the everlasting life of Jesus Christ promised by the sacrifice on the cross. Tobin asked for prayer for his conversion so his heart is working towards being more like Jesus’ heart and for our Catholic brothers and sisters so they may not face inward, but focus on Jesus. Conference. They will be part of the 850-delegate General Conference legislative body of the UMC. Anyone elected to General Conference also will go to Jurisdictional Conference. Indiana will send 16 clergy and 16 laity as part of the North Central Jurisdiction. Tobin 8 Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 Annual Conference www.inumc.org 63 clergy begin retirement in 2014 INDIANAPOLIS – A record number of retirees were honored the afternoon of May 30 during the Indiana Annual Conference Session at the Indiana Convention Center. The names of retirees and years of service include: John D. Abbott, Jr., 20; Philip Amerson, 46; Paul Arnold, 42; Daniel Baney, 36; Paul Bay, 23; Michael Beck, 31; Faye Bilskie, 15; Ted Blosser, 42; Herbert Buwalda, 43; Louie Stephen Cain, 40; Norman W. Campbell, 22; Norman Chaney, 53; Bill (William M.) Clark, 5; Victoria Clem, 7; James W. Dwyer, 46; Ida Easley, 31; James Fookes, 37.5; Daniel R. Gangler, 38; Janeen Gill, 25; Brenda Ginder, 20; Edgar Gladish, 23; Lonny R. Goen, 28; Allen A. Goetcheus, 49; Peggy Good, 30; Milton Gould, 45; Sandy Harlan, 16; Michael R. Harris, 39; Kent B. Harting, 12.5; Marianne Hawkins, 14; Michael Hayden, 29; David Holling, 37.5; James Hoppus, 20; Gilbert Hubbard, 40; Barry L. Humble, 35; David H. Ison, 22; Patrick Jackson, 23; Lenne L. Keithley, 20; Leonard L. King, 42; Barbara LaVeck, 2; William LaVeck, 6; Linda Lawler, 22.5; Paula Young Mayberry, 35; Dennis N. McLain, 45; Rick Miller, 30; Jon Myers, 12; Karen Ottjes, 24; Karen Powell, 16; Mark A. Powell, 22; Don Ransford, 20; Stephen Rasmussen, 37; P. Allen Relford, 12; Nancy Richmond, 15; Glenda Riggs, 16; Greg Rittenhouse, 30; Jack Scott, 29.5; Joseph Smith, 38; Delbert Stoll, 16; Barbara Taylor Clodfelter, 13; Ron Verlee, 44; Donald Wadkins, 7; Roger Ward, 16; Stephen E. Whitehead, 53; Dennis C. Zetterberg, 40. Sixty-three retirees with a total of 1,748 collective years of service. Conference cane goes to 99-year-old INDIANAPOLIS – The 2014 Indiana Annual Conference Session presented the Conference Cane Friday morning, May 30, to the Rev. Glenn Harold Kaetzel, 99, of Wadesville, Ind. The cane is presented to the oldest-known living Elder of the conference. The cane was previously held by the Rev. George Dinwiddie of LaGrange, who died Feb. 27 of this year. Kaetzel entered ministry as a probationary (now called provisional) Elder in Indiana in 1939 and became a full Elder in 1944. He served churches in Indiana at Gosport, Connersville East Side, Corydon, Blue Grass, McCutchanville, Tell City, Evansville Simpson and Linton First UMCs. He retired in 1980. He also is the father of retired Elder, the Rev. Steve Kaetzel of Columbus, Ind. Front row: (l-r) Tom Lawler, Linda Lawler, Jane Hubbard, Gilbert Hubbard and Ava Gould Second row: (l-r) Bill Clark, Paula Young Mayberry, Nancy Richmond, Marjore King, Leonard King and Milton Gould Third row: (l-r) Greg Rittenhouse, Lorelei Verlee, Diane Humble, Ron Verlee, Victoria Clem, Faye Bilskie and Glenda Riggs Back row: (l-r) Philip Amerson, Elaine Amerson, Barry L. Humble, Don Ransford, Jennifer Ransford, Ben Clem, Lee Anne Buwalda, James W. Dwyer and Herbert Buwalda Missionary commissioned during Annual Conference Session Front row: (l-r) Enid Gangler, Daniel R. Gangler, Jack Scott, Martha Scott, Stephen Rasmussen, Becky Rasmussen, Lynn Blosser and Ted Blosser Second row: (l-r) Mark A. Powell, Kathleen Powell, Karen Powell, Veneda Keithley and Lenne L. Keithley Third row: (l-r) Michael R. Harris, Barbara Harris, Sandy Harlan, Carolyn Harting, Linda Jackson and Patrick Jackson Back row: (l-r) Mickey Beck, Michael Beck, JoAnn Arnold, Paul Arnold, Kent B. Harting, Jim Ottjes and Karen Ottjes Farr says churches must renovate, not just decorate – or die In case you missed the Rev. Bob Farr’s two-hour presentation at the recent Indiana Annual Conference Session in Indianapolis, you can catch a glimpse of his urgency for the church, your church, in his book Renovate or Die: Ten Ways to Focus Your Church on Mission from Abingdon Press available through Cokesbury.com. Farr says that many local churches in the 21st century need a major overhaul or renovation, not just redecorating and rearranging structure. Many churches are comfortable with who and what they are, but are slowly dying – and will eventually die, if they don’t take drastic measures to reinvent who and what they are in this highly secular society. A key word for Farr is “mission.” Is your church a missional church reaching out to meet the needs of your neighborhood and community? If not, death may be around the corner. With straightforward language and practical tips, this book will inspire and help you organize your local church for new life on your mission field. Farr outlines ten ways to renovate a congregation beginning with the pastor, understanding reality, by getting the basics right, creating momentum, inspiring through worship, thinking strategically, staffing for leadership, providing clear steps to disciples, networking and simplifying the church’s structure. Farr asserts that to change the world, we must first change the church. As Adam Hamilton says in the Foreword, “Read [this book] carefully with other leaders in your church. … You’ll soon discover both a desire to renovate your church and the tools to effectively lead your church forward.” INDIANAPOLIS – A native of California with family roots in the Church of God (Anderson, Ind.), Sara Cook was commissioned as a missionary during the Ordination-Commissioning Service Saturday morning. This was a new addition to the service. Previously, missionaries were commissioned together at a General Board of Global Ministries meeting in New York City. Cook is a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, serving as director of Compass, a family and community initiative of the East Belfast Mission in Belfast, Northern Ireland. She said, “In my early 20s and 30s, I was privileged to be able to study and work in Northern Ireland. These experiences have seasoned my faith with concerns for reconciliation and social justice. My current work with East Belfast Mission provides me with a challenging and invigorating environment in which to practice and develop my faith.” She is married to Mark William McCleary. The couple have two young children: a newborn daughter, Emme, and a 2-year old son, Cormac. Year-end 2013 statistics These statistics are for the Indiana Conference yearend 2013. • Membership stands at 194,967 down 1,597 from the previous year. • Worship attendance, 107,231, down 4,121 • Church school (children and youth), 38,099, down 1,762 • Professions of faith, 3,702, down 535 • Baptisms, 3,286, down 226 Indiana www.inumc.org Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 9 Volunteers pack 43,200 meals for hungry people By Jennifer Meadows INDIANAPOLIS – Hoosier United Methodists gathered Saturday afternoon, May 31, at the Indiana Convention Center to pack meals for Kids Against Hunger, a national not-forprofit hunger agency. Volunteers and staff numbering 160 people were on-hand to supply, measure, funnel, weigh, seal and pack the meals. Deanne Heidrich, a volunteer with Indianapolis-based Metro Ministries, said it was her third year of organizing the annual conference session mission outreach. She said she wanted to try something different this year in order to boost volunteer engagement. To go along with the theme of being an outwardly focused church, Heidrich extended the invitation beyond annual conference members. She sent an invitation to the entire Indiana United Methodist community by reaching out to churches across the state. Heidrich said she was pleased with the response from the community. Half of the volunteers were members and guests of annual conference, and the other half were from congregations across the state. Youth groups and Girl Scout troops were some of the groups in attendance at the event. One group came together in celebration of a friend’s birthday. “I’m Stacey! I’m 60 and this is a party with a purpose!” said Stacey Moore of Indianapolis. Moore had a milestone birthday coming up, and decided she wanted to do something different to celebrate – something that would make a positive impact. When she heard about the Kids Against Hunger event, she gathered friends and family to pack meals for her birthday celebration. With 15 assembly lines, volunteers were able to fight hunger both worldwide and statewide. During the two hours, volunteers packed 43,200 meals, each created to feed six people by adding water to the dry ingredients in the packet. About 25,000 of those packets will be shipped to Mission Guatemala. United Methodist-related food pantries located in South Bend, Kokomo, Corydon and Indianapolis picked up the remaining meals. Stacey Moore (far right) invited her friends to join her at the Kids Against Hunger food packing for her “birthday party with a purpose.” Frankfort church partners with Hispanic Cosecha Latina UMC praying for immigration reform in the United States FRANKFORT, Ind. – The St. Matthew United Methodist Church Mission Committee recently became aware that Cosecha Latina Pastor Miguel Garza was an undocumented immigrant, even though he has been in the United States for more than 20 years and has been applying for a green card for 10 years. Garza’s immigration lawyer encouraged the Mission Committee to use Garza as a poster child for immigration reform. He is an excellent model who is highly regarded in the community as a servant of God, with a son who is in the U.S. military and a daughter who is a Spanish interpreter for the local courts. St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Frankfort has a long history of being involved with Hispanic Ministries. Frankfort, with a population of approximately 15,000 residents, has a large percentage of Hispanics. The public school system has reached a population of nearly 50 percent Hispanic children and youth. Hispanic people originally came as migrant workers to work in the tomato fields around Frankfort. Many of them stayed and became part of the community, raising their families so that second and third generations are U.S. citizens. Cosecha Latina United Methodist Church was founded by St. Matthew United Methodist Church and has continued as a mission church under its auspices. Service of prayer, compassion The Mission Committee held a service of prayer and compassion Sunday, May 4, to show Christian support and to raise awareness of the need for social action. The Rev. Michelle Cobb, Superintendent of the North Central District, presented the official position of the General Conference of The United Methodist Church on immigration St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Frankfort has a long history of being involved with Hispanic Ministries. rights. Pastor Josh Burkholder of St. Paul Lutheran Church joined with the support of his congregation. Eileen Ridgeway, representing the Social Justice Committee of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, reported, “St. Mary has Mass for more than 400 Hispanics each Sunday afternoon. Attendees are not questioned whether they are documented or not. They are all children of God.” During the service, Michelle Grismer, director of the Purdue Extension Office, the Rev. Barbara Kinsler, chaplain of Wesley Manor, Charles Good and the Rev. Michael Lawson, associate pastor of St. Matthew UMC, joined the Garza family leading worshipers in rousing, up-lifting Hispanic music. Louis Sandos of the Rossville Presbyterian Church sang a solo in Spanish. Songs were presented in sign language by Debbie Russell. Social advocacy The Rev. Matt Landry, Indiana United Methodist Conference Social Advocacy Team chairperson and pastor of Winamac UMC, spoke of being involved in demonstrations against deportation in Chicago and gave a moving story about how he had become involved in the lives of the Hispanic individuals. St. Luke and North UMCs of Indianapolis, Brown Street UMC in Lafayette and Bloomington UMC also were represented during the service. In reflection and prayer, Keren Garza interpreted both from English-toSpanish and from Spanish-to-English and gave a very moving plea as to why we need immigration reform. As the daughter of an undocumented immigrant minister and as an interpreter in the courts, she is painfully aware of the difficulties of Hispanic people to get drivers licenses, to secure proper documents to become legalized citizens and to learn the English language. Eleanor Pershing, chair of the St. Matthew Mission Committee was asked after the service about next steps. She replied, “We have petitioned our Congressmen and we hope to engage community leaders in our efforts. Our committee, including the Garza family, is willing to speak at different churches in the (Indiana) Conference to raise awareness of the need for immigration reform. With Reverend Garza, we have a ‘face’ that makes immigration reform a very personal passion for our committee.” Huntington pastor appointed to Conference Associate Director of Leadership Development – Clergy He will serve with the Rev. Eleze INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner announced May 19 the appointFulbright, the first Indiana ment of the Rev. Samuel L. Conference Director of LeadPadgett, pastor of Mt. Etna ership Development, who also United Methodist Church in begins her duties July 1. Huntington, Ind., as the new Padgett, 34, serves as Elder Indiana Conference Associin the Indiana Conference ate Director Leadership Deand was just ordained Elder velopment – Clergy effective at the recent Indiana Annual July 1. He succeeds the Rev. Conference Session. He has Sandy Harlan, who retired served the Mt. Etna congregafrom this position July 1. tion since 2011. Since 2003, he Upon his announcement, Padgett also has served other Indiana Coyner said, “We are pleased United Methodist churches to welcome Sam to the conference staff, including Old Capital and Corydon serving in the position which has been in Corydon, Trinity in Oakland City, so faithfully served by Sandy Harlan. As a young clergy who has just recently Hamline and Monroe City in Monroe City and Velpen in Petersburg. gone through the candidacy process, He is a graduate of Oakland City Sam will bring a fresh perspective to the (Ind.) University (B.A. in Religious position along with good skills to help Studies) and Asbury Theological Semithe Board of Ordained Ministry as they nary in Wilmore, Ky. (M.Div.). process new candidates for ministry.” Before his call to ordained ministry, In this position, Padgett will be rePadgett served as an insurance sales sponsible for maintaining records and providing support and training for Dis- representative in Vincennes, Ind. He and his wife, Melissa, are the trict Committees on Ordained Ministry parents of four children and currently and the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry. live in Fishers, Ind. 10 Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 Indiana www.inumc.org Festival of Young Preachers important to Indiana Conference By Jennifer Meadows INDIANAPOLIS – According to Tyler Best, 21, “The Indiana Conference Festival of Young Preachers is important because it provides an opportunity for people my age to grow and network with others with similar calls to ministry. These experiences serve as a catalyst for the Holy Spirit to mold effective leaders of the Gospel within the Indiana Conference.” Best was coordinator of the Indiana Festival of Young Preachers event held just hours before the 2014 Indiana Annual Conference Session at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis. The Indiana Conference hosted 16 young preachers for the Second Annual Indiana Festival of Young Preachers Thursday morning, May 29. Participants ranged in age from 14 to 28 years, all with aspirations to become Gospel preachers. This year’s theme was “Tell Me a Story.” Each young preacher chose a passage from a selection offered by the Academy of Preachers (AoP). The AoP developed the Festival of Young Preachers to encourage and inspire young people to explore their callings as Gospel preachers. Each year, AoP develops a new theme and a list of passages so young preachers can continue to explore their call to preaching at AoP events across the nation. After delivering their sermons, the young preachers attended a luncheon-workshop led by the Revs. Jill Howard of Trafalgar and Tony Johnson of Newburgh. Howard led a panel of ordained clergy who received questions from the young preachers about preaching and ministry. Johnson led a workshop entitled “Making the Story Stick” that provided practical tips for preaching with a story. Julia Pricket, a first-time participant of the festival, said she valued her experience delivering her sermon to an audience of the Indiana Conference. “My Photo by Jennifer Meadows Sixteen young adults were able to participate in the Festival of Young Preachers meeting adjacent to the Indiana Annual Conference Session in Indianapolis May 29. experience with the festival of young preachers was incredibly useful in my call to ministry,” she said. “I received really useful feedback on my preaching style and felt blessed by the whole experience. I hope I have the opportunity to be a part of this again next year.” The celebration of young voices continued Thursday night at an “Eat, Preach and Praise Dinner” emceed by Butler University senior, Brittany Stephan. The young preachers of the evening were Eric Gentry, Hannah Wehmeyer, Ronnie Bell, Melissa Zimmerman and Daniel Cho. Each shared his or her calling to ministry and where he or she has seen God working in young people. Jennifer Meadows served as a reporter for the Indiana Conference Communication Team at the annual conference session. She is a recent graduate of the University of Indianapolis and will begin her studies at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., later this year. Congregations can save their dollars for ministry using Cost Stewardship INDIANAPOLIS – Many congregations don’t realize they are taxed on their electric and other utility bills even though they are a tax-exempt not-forprofit organization. Why? Mostly because no one has told them, according to Monte Chamberlin, founder and owner of Cost Stewardship, an organization with the purpose of “leveraging dollars and sense to fund ministries.” During an in-office interview, Chamberlain told Together, many congregations just simply don’t know what exemptions and discounts are available to them and Cost Stewardship can help them at no charge. This program is endorsed and used by the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church. According to Chamberlain, if they are not currently doing so, churches can receive utility sales tax refunds on electric, gas, telephone-Internet and water utility bills. Another refund – if a church purchases gasoline from a gas station, it can receive a 22 cent-per-gallon sales tax credit for purchases. If a church pays for health care benefits (medical or dental), it can receive a health care tax credit or refund if it is not Music-driven film inspired by Song of Solomon to be released Sept. 26 LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired U.S. rights to City on a Hill Studio’s music-driven love story, “The Song.” The film stars Alan Powell (lead-singer for “Anthem Lights”), Caitlin Nicol-Thomas (“Nashville”) and Ali Faulkner (Twilight: Breaking Dawn), and features ten original songs produced for the film. Samuel Goldwyn Films will release the film September 26. Meyer Gottlieb, President of Samuel Goldwyn Films, said, “Richard Ramsey has created an incredibly touching and triumphant film about temptation, redemption and the power of forgiveness.” “The Song” follows aspiring singer-songwriter Jed King (Alan Powell) as he struggles to catch a break and escape the long shadow of his father, a country music legend. After reluctantly accepting a gig at a local vine- yard harvest festival, Jed is love-struck by the vineyard owner’s daughter, Rose (Ali Faulkner), and a romance quickly blooms. Soon after their wedding, Jed writes Rose “The Song,” which becomes a breakout hit. Thrust into a life of stardom and a world of temptation in the form of fellow performer Shelby Bale (Caitlin NicolThomas), Jed’s life and marriage begin to fall apart. The film was written and directed by Richard Ramsey and produced by City on a Hill Studio. The story is a modern day adaptation of the life and writings of Solomon, found in the Song of Solomon and Ecclesiastes. For more information, visit www.thesongmovie.com. “The most common obstacle to trying something new is taking the first step.” – Monte Chamberlin currently receiving one, says Chamberlain. Through smart planning, Cost Stewardship can help congregations analyze their phone and Internet bills, purchase office supplies with discounts, receive discounts on copier services and receive helpful information about keeping more funds in the church for ministry. Chamberlain also is known as “the doughnut man,” because he first negotiated discount prices for Sunday-fresh doughnuts for United Methodist churches with Mister Donut. Cost Stewardship also can help churches that are paying mortgages higher than six percent. “The most common obstacle to trying something new is taking the first step,” says Chamberlain. And, he is willing to help churches take that first step at no cost with minimal efforts. He directs, “Have someone from your group copy the most recent month’s bills for gas, electric, water, phone, Internet, gasoline, copier lease, plus maintenance and office supply invoices. This often takes ten minutes.” Complete a one-page sur- vey and mail or fax it to Cost Stewardship. Cost Stewardship address or fax number is available online at www.coststewardship.org. Click “Take the Survey” button to download. This website also includes a four-minute video by Jennifer Gallagher, Director of Financial Services for the Indiana Conference UMC, explaining the program. The website also includes several testimonials, plus contact information for Kevin Raidy, Director of Ministry Partners at Cost Stewardship, if a congregation wishes to schedule a time to discuss the Cost Stewardship programs available to local churches. Chamberlain says, “Most of the feedback we receive from our churches is 10 percent to 40 percent savings. All of our programs have no enrollment costs, many programs have no term lengths and some programs have simple gain sharing agreements. These programs are designed as no risk to try.” Since 2010, churches using Cost Stewardship have collectively saved more than $1.6 million, half of that amount was saved during 2013. For more information, visit www.coststewardship.org. Indiana www.inumc.org Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 11 Light in Darkness ministers to strip club dancers in Kokomo By Daniel R. Gangler KOKOMO, Ind. – To most people, rescuing women who dance in gentlemen’s strip clubs from a pejorative lifestyle probably seems an impossible task. But 12 women living in or near Kokomo have taken on the task to show God’s love as they proclaim the Gospel to this unique audience. It’s been a priority for them during the past two years. Four women members of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Kokomo host the group, known as Light in Darkness Ministry, Monday evenings, to pray half-an-hour then split up into smaller groups to visit one or more of Kokomo’s six strip clubs. St. Luke’s member Cindi Meyers was the force that brought the group together. Other volunteers are from Kokomo area congregations. Not all are United Methodists, but all take their mission seriously with faithful tenacity. Prayer The Light in Darkness Ministry is headed nationally by Dr. Carolyn Knight, a Bible professor originally from Mississippi, who now lives in Greenwood, Ind. Knight works with Knight groups of women in five cities both here in Indiana and other states. She was part of the group when Together visited the ministry at St. Luke’s the evening of June 9. Joining Knight, a dozen women spent 25 minutes in prayer for the dancers working in the six Kokomo strip clubs before going to visit in two clubs. One woman prayed, “Give us boldness to interact with conversations. Bring these women through their darkness. Holy Spirit, give us your words.” Another prayed, “May they become knowledgeable of Jesus Christ, not under condemnation but under conviction… God may your light come into their darkness... Manifest yourself through us.” Several volunteers prayed for individual women by name with whom “God, may your light come into their darkness.” – from a prayer of a Light in Darkness Ministry volunteer they have built relations in a club. Still others prayed for the women’s children. Special prayers were directed to the women from the group who would be encountering the dancers in the clubs that evening. Visits About half the group headed for two clubs – The Hip Hugger and Tease. Together joined the group going to The Hip Hugger. Once at a club, two members go inside to interact with dancers one-on-one, while one or two volunteers remain in a car in the club’s parking lot praying for their colleagues and dancers who are in the club. The Hip Hugger building is a nondescript, one-story tan-colored concreteblock building without windows located just off the main highway running north-and-south through town. Paula Shrock, a member of St. Luke’s and Indiana Conference Prayer Coordinator, who hosted Together for the evening, said the club is owned and operated by Don Draper, who is in his 70s. She said he welcomes the group’s women into the club, even into the dressing room, to minister to the dancers. Draper also allows a locked box in the dressing room where strip-club dancers can leave their prayer and other requests to which the ministry responds. Knight estimates the dancers in Kokomo clubs range in age from 18-to-30 years. Some are married and others are single; some work a few hours a month and others work numerous hours a week. Shrock said Draper boasts that 150 women work in his club. Knight estimates that approximately 300 women work the six clubs in Kokomo. Drapers club is nationally known and frequented by men traveling to Indianapolis. It’s only an hour north of the capital city. Knight estimates 90 percent of young women working in these clubs have Photos by Bruce Shrock Light in Darkness Ministry volunteers pray at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Kokomo before splitting up and visiting one or two of the six strip clubs in town. been sexually abused when they were little girls. Many continue to be abused. Basically, the clubs are drinks-only bars with topless waitresses who mostly strip to music as well as perform sexual teases, nothing illegal in Indiana. Even though the clubs in Kokomo appear to be doing nothing illegal, they can harbor illicit activity which can happen as a result of the club’s existence but outside of the club. Some critics claim even within the clubs. “We know, through testimonials, that trafficking is occurring in Kokomo,” Knight said. The dozen or so cars in the parking lot come from Indiana and neighboring states. During the 40-minutes we were there, half-a-dozen men drifted in-andout of the club one-at-a-time. While parked across from the club, both women prayed for the two women who went into the club, who talked with the women in the club who might hear and received the Gospel of Jesus Christ and pray “the sinner’ prayer.” They also prayed for the families of dancers who work in the club, especially their children, the husbands to whom some of the women are married and that the club would eventually be closed. Near the end of our stay, the Rev. Deborah Cooper, one of the ministry volunteers who went into the club, came out to inform us she was taking one of the women home because she was very ill. That ended the night’s visit. Mission The mission of this and each of the five Light in Darkness Ministry groups is: “Bringing the light of Christ into these places where darkness reigns.” According to the ministry’s website (www.lightindarknessministry.com), “We are following the Lord’s instruction to go right where they are. Many women have exclaimed over the years, ‘I am so glad you came in here to find me!’” During the past five years the Light in Darkness Ministry teams nationally have rescued around three dozen women from this life-style and have helped some obtain other employment. Those rescued from the clubs in Kokomo now work in care facilities as certified nurse’s assistants, in restaurants, in telemarketing, in retail businesses and in home health care. For more information or if you would like someone from the Light in Darkness Ministry to speak in your church, contact Dr. Carolyn Knight at clknight7@ gmail.com or call 601-953-9586. Became first woman to be ordained deacon in the U.S. Helenor Davisson cluster to become UM Heritage Landmark INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Annual Conference meeting in Indianapolis May 29-31 endorsed a new Historic Landmark in Indiana to recognize the “Helenor M. Alter Davisson Cluster” of sites. In 1866, the Rev. Helenor Alter Davisson became the first woman to be ordained a deacon in any branch of The United Methodist Church in the United States. This Davisson occurred in Jasper County, Indiana, near Rensselaer. She was the daughter of an early Methodist Circuit Rider. Also documented are the five sites that remain intact, including: • Helenor’s grave at Sandridge Cemetery in Barkley Township; • The large stone house on the Alter farm in Carpenter Alter Davisson Township; • The graves of the Rev. John Alter and other family The Rev. Helenor Alter Davisson, in 1866, became the first woman to be ordained a deacon in any branch of The United Methodist Church in the United States. members, also on the Alter farm; • The former Methodist Protestant church in Rensselaer (now the museum of the Jasper County Historical Society); and • The Rosebud Schoolhouse, once a preaching point on the Grand Prairie circuit, which has now been moved to the county fairgrounds and is preserved by the Jasper County Historical Society. If the Heritage Landmark status is granted by General Conference in 2016, this historical event will become a part of the Indiana Bicentennial Commission’s 2016 Celebration. Currently, there are 46 designated United Methodist Landmark Heritage sites in the United States – none in Indiana. The Indiana Conference will celebrate the 148th anniversary of Helenor’s election to deacon’s orders Sunday, Aug. 24 at 1 p.m. CDT, 2 p.m. EDT, at the Brushwood United Methodist Church seven miles north of Rensselaer, Ind., near Helenor’s grave site where the Historic Site marker will be placed. The marker comes from the General Commission on Archives and History, based in Madison, N.J. Bishop Mike Coyner will be present to lead in the observance. For more information about women in ministry, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ordination_of_women_ in_the_United_Methodist_Church. 12 Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 Mission News www.inumc.org Mission guest house dedicated in memory of Hoosier pastor in Tanzania KIGOMA, Tanzania – The Glen and Myrna Beck Guest House was dedicated May 4 in Kigoma, Tanzania. The guest house was built in memory of Glen Beck’s ministry (aided by his wife Myrna’s faithful support) in the area of missions spanning five decades prior to his death in December 2010. During his years of full-time ministry at Fairview, Sugar Creek, Noblesville Emmanuel and Indianapolis Good Shepherd UMCs in Indiana, combined with 15 years of service following retirement as the Director of Mission Interpretation within the former South Indiana Conference, Beck helped dozens of churches begin “Faith-Promise” mission conferences. More than $5-million was raised for missions during his ministry. Beck also was responsible for taking more than 80 pastors and lay people to visit mission work in Africa and other countries, allowing them to “have their hearts broken with the things that break the heart of God,” in his words. The Guest House was built at the Joy in the Harvest ministry in Tanzania directed by the Rev. Lowell Wertz. The guest house, which overlooks Lake Tanganyika in the City of Kigoma, contains a living and dining area, a full kitchen and two bedrooms which sleep four people each. Three of the Beck children – the Rev. Mike Beck, Linda Quick and Mark Beck – were able to make the two-week trip to Tanzania. Joining them were nine other people from New Palestine and Good Shepherd UMCs. The Rev. Mike Beck thanks Grace United Methodist Church in Franklin, along with hundreds of other churches and individuals, who helped raise the $65,000 needed to build the guest house. The facility will provide housing for volunteers coming to work or to see first-hand what God is doing in Africa for decades to come. Photo courtesy of Linda Quick. On the left side of the “Beck House” sign: Back Row: Steve Corcoran, Judy Jones, Rev. Lloyd Baugues, Larry Sweany Front Row: Linda Quick, Rebecca Corcoran, Marjorie Sweany On the right side of the sign: Back Row: Rev. Mike Beck, James Jones, Carolyn Jonas. Front Row: Mark Beck, Kay Gumberts. Mission team recruiting volunteers for 2015 trips More than 225 participants raised more than $12,700 for hunger relief in Brazil, Ind., this spring. Brazil United Methodists team with others for hunger relief BRAZIL, Ind. – The Center Point/Ashboro Charge of The United Methodist Church, under the direction of Pastor Bob Kumpf, first met two years ago with Pastor Gary Scroggins of the Brazil First Presbyterian Church and Father John Hollowell of Brazil Annunciation Catholic Church. They began working to alleviate hunger problems in the Brazil area with a grant from the Indiana Conference Social Advocacy Team. With these funds in hand, the discussion among Scroggins, Hollowell and Kumpf moved from a simple gathering to an event that would benefit the entire community and allow Christians to work side-byside in addressing a problem affecting all. They discovered 51 percent of all students in Clay County were listed as participants in the Indiana Department of Education’s Free and Reduced Lunch Program. That amounts to more than 4,600 children and youth. The next question was obvious, “What do those kids do for food in the summer and on weekends?” There is a Summer Food Program in Brazil provided by the YMCA for breakfast and lunch for kids 18 and under and there is one church providing weekend lunch bags at one school, but they need assistance. In early March 2013, the decision was made to start a hunger awareness program and to organize an event to raise funds to combat this hunger issue. With the help of the Brazil Times, many local pastors, congregations, teachers, civic leaders and organizations, hunger information spread through the community. On May 27, 2013, the “Food for Families – Running on Empty” 5K walk/run took place at Forest Park in Brazil. More than 200 people participated and raised more than $6,500. In bright blue shirts, runners and walkers made a lap through the streets of Brazil showing their support for youth. This May 26, the Second Annual “Food for Families – Running on Empty” 5K walk/run took place. This year more than 225 participants, 40 business sponsors, 15 churches and civic groups rallied together to raise more than $ 12,700 in support of this cause. Kumpf commented on the success, “Isn’t it amazing what we can do when we are ‘connected’ as the Body of Christ!” Picture and story submitted by Bob Kumpf. Sierra Leone Partners (Health and Education) is recruiting individuals for teams this coming January and February to work with United Methodist Church health and education leaders in Sierra Leone, West Africa, as they grapple with life issues in delivery of health care or primary education. Fifteen-day trips (with options of a shorter 10-day experience) will leave Indianapolis on Thursday, Jan. 15 and Thursday, Jan. 29. The cost for the 15-day team is $3,400* and the 10-day trip is $2,900* to be paid in installments between registration and Dec. 31. • Schedule: (Includes 3½ days travel via London or Brussels) • Team Sierra: Jan. 15-30 and Sierra B: Jan. 22-30 • Team Leone: Jan. 29-Feb. 14 and Leone B: Feb. 5-14 • Lodging: Hotels or guest facilities with air conditioning, electricity and hot and cold water at least part of the time. *Cost is dependent upon air fare and may be adjusted. Payments are refundable until tickets are purchased. Fees are all-inclusive except for meals in transit, personal items, souvenirs, etc., immunizations and medications required for tropical areas. The health team will work with staff of Kissy UMC Hospital in Freetown and possibly an outpatient clinic up-country to provide training and patient care. Needed are volunteers with teaching experience as nurses, hospital/practice administrators, physicians, ultrasound and lab techs and other allied health care professionals. Also needed are those with experience in medical equipment and facilities maintenance. The education team will focus on the establishment of two primary school libraries up-country at Mokonde, near Njala University and Waterloo, near Freetown. At both sites, the team will lead primary teacher workshops on using curriculum and supplementary resources to help students increase science, language and reading skills. Currently, Sierra Leonean education relies almost exclusively on oral and echo reading. Most teachers and students study without books. For registration procedures and/or further information contact: • Health Team, Donald Griffith at 317-823-9390 or [email protected]. • Primary Education Team: Marilyn Griffith at 317-8239390 or [email protected]. Indiana Scouts commissioned for trip to DRC INDIANAPOLIS – Five Eagle Scouts were commission for a mission trip to the Democratic Republic of the Congo during a May 30 commission service led by the Rev. Curtis Hurley of Connersville at the Indiana Convention Center. Those five scouts include: David Elser, an Indiana University student in non-profit management; Nikki Gainey, a doctoral student in neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati; Mitchell Prather, a Ball State University student in exercise science; the Rev. Phred Cain, retired, former Conference Scouting Coordinator; and the Rev. Arthur Collins, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Ellettsville. The team planned to fly from Indianapolis, July 5, arriving July 6 in Lubumbashi and traveling overland to Tenke. The camporee takes place July 8-13. The Indiana team will return to Indianapolis July 17. United Methodist Bishop Ntambo Nkulu of the North Katanga Episcopal Area in the Pictured left to right are: Art Collins (team leader), Nikki Gainey, Phred Cain, Mitch Prather, Bob Walters (Friendly Planet Missiology) Ken Hudgens (standing in for Annual Conference Scout Coordinator) John Dockery not pictured.) Democratic Republic of Congo, recognizes the value of Scouting for counteracting the influence of the gangs and militias that severely damaged the fabric of civil society in that country. In 2011, Bishop Nkulu expressed a desire for our two conferences to work together to host an event similar to a week of summer camp for approximately 200 Congolese Boy Scouts and leaders and requested that the effort be coordinated under the auspices of Friendly Planet Missiology, with director, Bob Walters, who Bishop Nkulu has worked for many years. Walters and his daughter, Taylor Denyer, also of Friendly Planet Missiology, will be in Tenke when the team arrives and will make vital connections for them throughout their time in the DRC. For information, visit www. friendlyplanetmissiology.org. Viewpoints www.inumc.org It’s moving time for many pastors By Mary Ann Moman Many United Methodist pastors across Indiana have just moved into their new appointments. Pastors and congregations are now saying their hellos, having just said their good-byes a few weeks ago in previous appointments. This annual ritual provides an opportunity for congregations and pastors to try something new or to let go of a tradition that no longer Moman serves either the pastor or the congregation. Every time we make a change there is a transition time from “what was” to “what is.” This can be a scary time for everyone entering into a process of transition. For pastors, there is the task of moving to a new community. Even if the move is just a short distance away from their last appointment, there is a dislocation for pastor and family. Although the congregation is not moving, there is a new pastor and therefore, the community has changed. Everyone is in a learning mode. William Bridges in his book, Managing Transitions, describes this time in the transition process as the neutral zone. It’s a time of uncertainty. “Will this pastor change worship? Will the congregation welcome my family? Can we learn to work together toward the mission of the church?” During this time, the norms for life together have to be renegotiated. There is work to do. Bridges offers four guidelines for this time of transition. They apply to both congregations and pastors and include: First is, show up. Be there to welcome the new pastor and family. Be at events in the community to meet your neighbors and learn about the community that is now yours. Second, be present. You can show up, but not be fully present. Listen to the hopes and dreams of your new parishioners. Be aware of the grief that is experienced by both pastor and congregation in the transition time. Ask questions. Get to know each other. Third, tell the truth. It is often easier to say what people want to hear than to tell the truth. It’s all right to say that you miss the last pastor. Truthtelling opens the door to building a community of trust. Fourth, and maybe the hardest, let go of outcomes. This doesn’t mean that both congregation and pastor don’t work hard to fulfill the mission of the church. In fact it is just the opposite. Both pastor and congregation are committed to the work of being faithful disciples, but they are able to acknowledge that they can’t control outcomes. We do our best when we know the Holy Spirit is at work in our midst. In the Gospel of John as Jesus is teaching about his death, he says this to his disciples, “I assure you that unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it can only be a single seed. But if it dies, it bears Madison youth reach out to community By Matthew Stultz MADISON, Ind. – Twelve churches and more than 90 youth gathered June 16-22 to make a difference in their community for Madison Mission Week. The event is in its second year and began with one young person, Macky Hecox, who thought there was something missing when her youth group worked in Cleveland, Tenn., for a service project. Hecox, along with her friend Cara Walker, identified the concern as immediately leaving a community after finishing a mission project. The bonds of friendship between the youth and the homeowners faded with each mile during the return trip home. Who would maintain the connection they worked so hard to create during the week? Why don’t churches do mission work in their local community? Hecox, a member of North United Methodist Church in Madison, approached her youth group leader, Kim Mahoney, with these questions. Mahoney’s passion is for the youth, to make sure they have experiences that will provide a foundation for their continual faith in Jesus Christ. Although she is a very compassionate person, her concern was not with the homeowners. It’s always with the kids. Hecox continued to insist something could be done, something that valued the people who were being helped, and helpers that would not abandon them once the project was complete. Mahoney talked to a few other people, including Walker’s father Ron, pastor of the Faith Alliance Church in Madison. More conversations followed and more leaders from more churches participated and Madison Mission Week was born. Bishop Mike Coyner drove to Madison, June 18, to learn about the MMW project and to hear Hecox’s story. She sees it as an opportunity to point to Jesus and remind anyone who will listen that Christ is active and visible in Madison. She shared with Coyner how the project started, how she and Cara Walker and other volunteers caught a glimpse of Jesus and ran to follow him. Bishop Mike Coyner receives a Madison Mission Week T-shirt from project leader Macky Hecox. Mahoney shared it only costs each youth $40 to participate in the weeklong event, including meals, fellowship events and a T-shirt. Our Bishop was introduced to the leaders of our community, was given a tour of the high school cafeteria where the workers have transformed the space to a dormitory, and traveled into the country where one of the worksites was located. Just about every denomination had an active role in making MMW possible. More connections are being made. We ended the week Friday with a free concert and cookout for the people of the city of Madison. We will continue to tell the story of Jesus in Madison and some conversations are in the works to provide more information about how the project works and is organized so others can try something similar in their own community. Pastors are often thought of as the ones to come up with vision and direction. While that is a component of the office, I hope when I grow up, I can learn to listen to God like Macky Hecox. How about you? Matthew Stultz is the pastor of North United Methodist Church of Madison, Ind. Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 much fruit.” (John 12:24, Common English Bible) The time of transition for congregations and pastors is much like a seed. Held in the farmers hand it cannot bring forth new life. Planted in rich, healthy soil it can bring forth a new plant that will bear fruit 13 and seeds for the next planting. May this time of transition bring new life to your ministry and honor what has been and what will be. Mary Ann Moman serves as executive director of the Indiana Conference Rejuvenate Ministry. Body, Mind & Spirit Passwords ered dish. I don’t find this commenEven though we live in tary troubling, necessarily, a digital age, where online but I have tried to be more identify theft and piracy is aware of how our “insider” commonplace, passwords language can keep people at have become my new nema distance from the church. esis. I cannot remember I want to make certain that I them. am not speaking Yes, I record in a secret code all of my passwhen I talk about words in a small “The Prodigal” black book that or “Baptism” or I store in a safe, even “Jesus” but but I forgot the in fact, even the combination to basics of the faith the safe recently must now be and after receivexplained even to ing help from my those who have 21-year-old son attended church Outcalt (who is a whiz at for decades. passwords), I discovered the One of the earliest threats little book had been misto the church was Gnostiplaced. cism (silent G) – a system I wanted to talk to my of belief, in a variety of wife about this (and blame manifestations, that taught her), but she informed me there was a “secret knowlI needed a password to edge” that provided salvaschedule a conversation. I tion. Only those who knew gave her a password, but it the secrets and the proper did not include at least one words could obtain paranumber and a symbol, and dise. so she rejected me. In the church we need to Because I forget passstrive for clarity. No passwords so easily, I have not words are allowed. yet taken the plunge to onI am all for this “no passline banking. I also don’t use words” rule, by the way. ATMs. I don’t even know It would make my life so what this acronym stands much simpler. I wouldn’t for and shy away from any have to work so hard at creating passwords like “Rumexchange of information or pelstiltskin75” or “Pinchcommerce that requires me MeB48” or “MyDogHasto set up an account that is Fleas.” “password protected.” I could get an appointNaturally, when I am ment with my wife without required to use a password, making a reservation and I attempt to supply a word wouldn’t lose sleep trying to that I use every day, such conjure up another 10-letter as “HamburgerHelper” or word with two symbols and “Starbucks” or “IWishThea diphthong. I might even CatWouldDie” but these try online banking. are always rejected, usually Todd Outcalt is a Luddite because they are “case senwho still writes postcards and sitive” or do not contain a values face-to-face conversaLatin cognate. tion over coffee. Although he Living in this Password Age, however, has made me uses passwords, he lobbies heavily for their expulsion. aware of how many passHe uses lots of words every words we tend to use in the day as he writes regularly for church. Recently, another Preaching, YouthWorker, pastor told me about an announcement he had made and MidWest Outdoors, and his latest and upcoming books regarding “The Lord’s Supinclude Where in the World per” and one young man We Meet (poems), The Other asked him after worship if Jesus, and Common Ground. he needed to bring a cov- By Todd Outcalt 14 Chronicles Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 www.inumc.org Indiana Conference announces ‘First Monday’ program for clergy, laity The First Monday training program is an opportunity for participants to both grow in knowledge and train towards recognition in the area of pastoral care and counseling. Usually held on the first Monday of each month, mornings will be a theory seminar and afternoons will be both a consultation and supervision opportunity, with the afternoon sessions being recorded. Topics to be included are: brief-term, supportive counseling methods, crisis intervention, grief and loss, divorce recovery, pastoral diagnosis, referral and the application of pastoral care principals in the broader functions of ministry. Any pastor or lay person in the Indiana Conference is welcome to participate in this experience. People who are not United Methodists from Indiana are welcome but will be required to register at a higher fee (see registration material). Those who participate in the First Monday experience can use this program in seeking the Pastoral Care Specialist with Parish Nurses to sponsor health seminar at Speedway Oct. 10 SPEEDWAY, Ind. – The Indiana Conference Health Ministries/Parish Nursing Ministries will sponsor a daylong seminar on Friday, Oct. 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Speedway United Methodist Church, 5065 W. 16th Street in Speedway. The seminar is titled “Renewing Our Minds Mental Health and Church Relationship.” Keynote speaker is Professor Antony Sheehan, President of The Church Health Center in Memphis, Tenn., who has a background in Mental Health. The cost is $30 per participant including lunch. Who should attend: Parish Nurses, Health Ministers, Pastors, Laity and anyone who may be interested. For more information, contact Sherry McIntyre, [email protected] or call 317-894-0902. the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. This national recognition requires a minimum of 50 contact hours of training and supervision. Participation also is opened to those who have already gone through a previous two-year cycle of training and/ or who may be already recognized, certified or licensed. The Rev. Dr. P.T. Wilson is the facilitator for these meetings. He is an Elder serving under full-time appointment at Greensburg United Methodist Church. Licensed as both a Mental Health Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist, he is certified as a Fellow with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and as a Clinical Fellow of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy. In addition to this program, Wilson also provides individual and group supervision for those who are working towards licensure and/or clinical certification in AAPC and/ or AAMFT. He may be reached at 812-663-5683 or pt.wilson@ inumc.org. First Monday begins Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will be held at St. Mark’s UMC, 100 N. Hwy. 46 Bypass in Bloomington, Ind. 47408. The registration fee is $25 per session or $130 for all ten sessions for any clergy or laity of the Indiana United Methodist Conference. Unless otherwise noted, $100 per session for all others. First Monday runs from September 2014 through June 2015. Registration information can be found at www.regonline. com/firstmonday2014-2015. UIndy breaks ground on Health Pavilion INDIANAPOLIS (UIndy) – The United Methodist-related University of Indianapolis broke ground June 19 on a four-story, $28 million Health Pavilion that will house UIndy’s healthcare and wellness-related academic programs, as well as industry partners and clinical facilities to serve the community. The building site is located at the southwest corner of Hanna and State Avenues. With indoor and outdoor amenities open to the public, the building will be a new gateway to the UIndy campus, a landmark for the University Heights neighborhood and an integrated hub where faculty, students and healthcare professionals can collaborate on edu- cation and research. Local developer Strategic Capital Partners will construct the 156,000-squarefoot building and lease space to the university for its School of Nursing, Krannert School of Physical Therapy, School of Occupational Therapy, School of Psychological Sciences, Athletic Training Program and departments of Kinesiology and Social Work – programs that account for more than half of UIndy’s 5,400-student enrollment. For more information, visit www.uindy.edu. In Memoriam Listed are clergy and clergy spouses who have died. Family members of clergy who have died are only listed online at www. inumc.org/obituaries. LOIS MARIE BARNHART of Crystal Lake, Ill., 94, widow of the late Rev. Phillips Brooks Smith, died May 5, 2014. In keeping with her wishes, services were private. For online condolences, visit www. querhammerandflagg.com. JAMES W. BECKLEY of Muncie, 76, retired Elder, died April 5, 2014. A memorial service was held April 11 in Muncie. Survivors include: his wife, JoAnn Beckley; daughters, Maria (Paul) Barron, Luisa (Jeff) Mayer and Ariana (Mike) Dickerson; and six grandchildren. Condolences can be sent to JoAnn Beckley, 2710 W. Burgewood Dr., Muncie, IN 47304. Memorial contributions to Grace Episcopal Church Altar Guild, 300 South Madison Avenue, Muncie, IN 47305 or High Street UMC, 219 South High Street, Muncie, IN 47305. Beckley served churches in Indiana at: Marion First, Fremont, Kokomo St. Mark’s, Sweetser, Shipshewana and Hillsdale, retiring in 1999. He also served as an Air Force Chaplain for 21 years. KEITH DOUGLAS DAVIS of Warren, Ind., 82, retired Elder, died May 12, 2014. A memorial service was held May 21 in Warren. Survivors include: daughter, Sherilee Faye Davis of Fort Wayne; and twin sister, Vilroye Meyer of Colfax, Iowa. Memorial contributions to Heritage Pointe Home, 801 Huntington Avenue, Warren, IN 46792. Davis served as Superintendent of the former Kokomo District and as a pastor at: Garrett Parish, Butler Center, Cedar Chapel, Meese Chapel, Rehobeth, Concord, Bluffton Epworth, Muncie Avondale, Muncie St. Paul, Lapel Trinity, Kokomo Alto, Peru Main Street, Fort Wayne Trinity and Angola, retiring in 1994. PETER LAFKO of McCordsville, Ind., and formerly of Terre Haute, Ind., 98, retired Local Pastor, died May 11, 2014. A memorial service was held May 15, in Terre Haute. Survivors include: son, Robert (Andrea) Lafko of New Albany, Ind.; daughter, Bodonna (Herb) Hale of McCordsville; 10 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. Lafko served Indiana churches at: Monroe City, Welton Chapel, Reels Chapel, Hamlin Chapel, Prairie Creek, Pimento, Fletcher Chapel, Ashboro, Centerpoint, West Terre Haute and Lewis. RONALD MATTHEWS LEWELLEN of Culver, Ind., 78, a Supply Pastor serving Culver Emmanuel UMC, died May 25, 2014. A memorial services was held May 31 in Culver. Survivors include: his wife, Cara, of Culver; daughters Angela of Culver, Rhonda (Larry) Reitz of Litchfield, Ill., and Ruby (Jeff) McLean of Logansport, Ind.; sons, Martin (Donna) Lewellen of Logansport, Ind., Paul Lewellen of Lewisburg, Texas, and David (Kathy) Lewellen of Nashville, Tenn.; stepsons, Kelly Simms of Logansport Ind., and Andy (Kim) Simms of Tipton, Ind.; 15 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren. Condolences can be sent to Mrs. Cara Lewellen, 17 Venetian Vlg., Culver, IN 46511. Memorial contributions to Emmanuel UMC, 401 S. Main Street, Culver 46511. ROSEMARY H. MARSHALL of Aurora, Ill., formerly of Royal Center, Ind., 94, widow of the late Rev. James E. Cheney, died June 11, 2014. A memorial service was held June 14 in Royal Center, Ind. Survivors include: her daughter, Jill Orr of Aurora, Ill.; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great-greatgrandchild. Online condolences can be made at www.ransfuneralhomes.com. Memorial contributions to Imagine No Malaria, c/o Fourth Street UMC, 551 South Fourth Street, Aurora, IL 60505. THELMA LOIS (PILCHER) SCOTT of Lynn, Ind., 97, a retired Local Pastor, died May 23, 2014. A memorial service was held May 27 in Lynn. Survivors include: sons, James (Evelyn) Scott, David (Linda) Scott, Jerry (Carol) Scott, Ron (Judy) Scott, all of Richmond, Ind.; daughters, Sharon (James) Funkhouser of Lancaster, Ohio, and Cathy Kildow of Lynn, Ind.; 16 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren; and eight great-greatgrandchildren. Online condolences can be sent to her family at www.braundpope.com. Scott served the Rushville Faith and Faith/ Trinity UM churches in Ind., and retired in 1987. Memorial contributions to Braund Pope Funeral Home, P.O. Box 191, New Madison, OH 45346. IRA W. SHAW of Floyds Knob, Ind., 97, retired Local Pastor, died May 14, 2014. A memorial service was held May 17 in Sellersburg, Ind. Survivors include: son, Richard G. (Dottie) Shaw, Floyds Knobs, Ind.; daughter, Nancy Geary, Pleasure Ridge, Ky.; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren. Online condolences can be made at www.garrfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions to Sellersburg UMC, 226 N. New Albany Avenue, Sellersburg, IN 47172. Shaw served Indiana churches at: Canton, Blotcher, Clermont, Kingman/ Bloomingdale, Fredericksburg, English, Lanesville, Borden, Scottsburg, New Bethel, New Amsterdam and Pekin/Emmanuel, before retiring in 1982. KENNETH EARL VETTERS of Greenfield, Ind., 89, retired Elder, died May 15, 2014. A memorial service was held May 19 in Greenfield. Condolences can be sent to his wife, Mary Vetters, 271 E. 300 S., Greenfield, IN 46140. Vetters served churches at: Metamora/Robinson Chapel, Hillsboro/ Waynetown, Miss. Sumatra, Bicknell, Brookville, Bartlett Chapel/Shiloh and Columbus East, retiring in 1991. WARREN DAVID WALMER of Winona Lake, Ind., 87, a retired Local Pastor, died May 31, 2014. A memorial service was held June 5 in Warsaw, Ind. Survivors include: his wife, Josephine of Winona Lake; three children, James (Carolyn), Robert (Becky) and Sharon (Timothy Wilson), all of Warsaw; ten grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. Condolences can be sent to Josephine Walmer, 1405 Avalon Court, Winona Lake, IN 46590. Memorial contributions to The Gideons International, Memorial Bible Chairman, P.O. Box 766, Winona Lake, IN 46590; Shriners Hospitals for Children, 2211 North Oak Park Avenue, Chicago, IL 60707; or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Indiana Chapter, 50 E. 91st Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Walmer served churches in Indiana at: Mt. Pleasant, Independence, Independence Riverview, Bunker Hill, Sumption Prairie, Santa Anna/Poplar Grove, Marshall Co. and Culver Poplar Grove. DALE M. WILSON, 81, former Elder in the Indiana Conference, died April 29, 2014. A memorial service was held May 9 in Upland, Ind. Survivors include: wife, Patricia; son, Nathan of Arlington, Va.; daughter Kathryn Conley of Mechanicsville, Va.; and two grandchildren. Online condolences can be made at www.jones-smithfuneralhome.com. Wilson served churches in Indiana at: New Butler Ct., Montgomery-Oak Grove, Decker-Iowa, Cates, Indianapolis Second, Crawfordsville Mt. Zion, Bedford First, Terre Haute Otterbein, LindenKirkpatrick, Battle Ground, and Clarks Hill, before transferring to the Virginia Conference in 1975 and retiring in 2000. www.inumc.org Chronicles Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 15 Appointments Bishop Michael J. Coyner has announced the following changes within the Indiana Conference. These appointments are based on Cabinet reports received by e-HUM by June 26, 2014. • Abbott, John D., from Disability/Incapacity Leave to Retirement, 7/1/2014 • Abell, Stanley D., from Indianapolis St. Lukes, Central District to entry.point, Central District, 6/1/2014 • Ahlemeyer, Clayton, from Georgetown Christ/Crandall, South District to No Appointment, 6/15/2014 • Baker, Andrew, New Appointment to Monticello, Northwest District, 7/1/2014 • Bard, Stephen M., from Harlan, Northeast District to Bluffton First, Northeast District, 8/1/2014 • Batz, Donald, New Appointment to Colfax (serving in retirement from Illinois Great Rivers Conference), North Central District, 7/1/2014 • Baugues, Lloyd Dean, from Indianapolis Good Shepherd, Central District to Personal Leave of Absence, 7/1/2014 • Baylor, Jr., John F., New Appointment to Fort Branch/Blythe Chapel, Southwest District, 7/1/2014 • Beck, Michael Ray, from Disability/Incapacity Leave to White Creek (Serving in Retirement), Southeast District, 7/1/2014 • Bergstrom, William A., from Webb Chapel, Northwest District to South Georgia Conference, 6/8/2014 • Blansett, Jeffrey, from Straughn Salem, East District to Farmersburg/Shelburn Ebenezer, West District, 7/1/2014 • Bone, Wilma M. Sawyer, New Appointment to Jacobs Chapel (serving in retirement), South District, 7/1/2014 • Brock, Mark Allan, from Wanatah Faith/ Associate Superintendent, North District to Mishawaka Albright, North District, 7/1/2014 • Burghduff, Jerry L., New Appointment to West Point Trinity/Etna, Northeast District, 7/1/2014 • Cannon, Lois, from West Point Trinity/ Etna, Northeast District to Fort Wayne Nine Mile, Northeast District, 7/1/2014 • Cho, Daniel Seunghyun, from Westville/ Hamilton Communities, Inc., North District to McDonough First, North Georgia Conference, 7/1/2014 • Clayton, Catherine, from Canton/Salem West Point, South District to Westville/ Hamilton Communities, Inc., North District, 7/1/2014 • Cook, Roberta L., from Avondale, East District to Covington, West District, 7/1/2014 • Corder, Kenneth, New Appointment to Underwood New Chapel/Vienna, South District, 7/1/2014 • Dicken, Mary Rebekah Ward, New Appointment to Vincennes Community, Southwest District, 7/1/2014 • Downing, Alan B., from Jefferson, North Central District to No Appointment, 5/15/2014 • Ellis, Christopher Kirk, from Windfall, North Central District to No Appointment, 7/1/2014 • Farrer, James E., from Desert Southwest Conference to Auburn First (Transferring to Indiana Conference), Northeast District, 7/1/2014 • Fields, Dereck R., from Medora, Southeast District to Scipio/Elizabethtown, Southeast District, 7/1/2014 • Flora, Gary, New Appointment to Lewis, West District, 7/1/2014 • Fulbright, Aleze Michele, from North Texas Conference to Indiana Conference (Serving in Extension Ministry), 7/1/2014 • Gangler, Daniel R., from Indiana Conference (Extension Ministry) to Retirement, 9/1/2014 • Gibbs, Jeremiah, New Appointment to University of Indianapolis (Extension Ministry), 7/1/2014 • Gill, Janeen Ellen Wellenreiter, from Bradley, Central District to Leave of Absence, 1/1/2014 • Gill, Janeen Ellen Wellenreiter, from Leave of Absence to Retirement, 7/1/2014 • Goen, Lonny R., from Odon, Southwest District to Taylorsville/Ohio Chapel (Serving in Retirement), Southeast District, 7/1/2014 • Goetcheus, Allen A., from Christ House, Inc. (Extension Ministry) to Retirement, 7/1/2014 • Gould, Dwight, New Appointment to Pleasantville, West District, 7/1/2014 • Greene, Thomas Scott, New Appointment to Sonrise, Northeast District, 3/19/2014 • Harzula, Jr., Thomas W., from Dillsboro/ Aurora Mt. Tabor, Southeast District to Culver Wesley, North District, 7/1/2014 • Hayden, Michael C., from New Paradigm Ministries (Extension Ministry) to Retirement, 7/1/2014 • Henry, David C., from Boonville Main Street, Southwest District to Syracuse Calvary, North District, 7/1/2014 • Hinkle, Gregory A. from The Samaritan Center, Elkhart (Extension Ministry) to Maple City Health Care Clinic (Extension Ministry), 6/11/2014 • Hopper, Isaac, New Appointment to Brazil Union, West District, 7/1/2014 • Hussung, Ellaine, New Appointment to Aurora, Southeast District, 7/1/2014 • Jackson, Gordon E., from Madison Street, East District to Bellefountain/Portland Fairview, East District, 7/1/2014 • Jeffers, Terry Lee, from Harmony/ Lena, West District to No Appointment, 7/1/2014 • Johnson, John Thomas, from Colburn, Northwest District to No Appointment, 5/25/2014 • Jones, G. Thomas, from Porter, North District to Gary Christ, North District, 7/1/2014 • Juncker, Jacob William, from Culver Wesley, North District to Lee Memorial, New England Conference, 7/1/2014 • Kiefert, Robert, New Appointment to Bartonia/Winchester Mt. Zion, East District, 5/6/2014 • Kim, Hye Sook, New Appointment to Brushwood/Northwest District, Northwest District, 7/1/2014 • Kobb, Sharlene, from South Bend Monson Community, North District to No Appointment, 5/1/2014 • Koziatek, Catherine N., from Mishawaka Albright, North District to Parkview, Northwest District, 7/1/2014 • Lafferty, Dennis Aaron, from Hobbs, North Central District to Hobbs/Windfall, North Central District, 7/1/2014 • Langdoc, Bryan, from Darlington, West District to Gobin Memorial, West District, 7/1/2014 • Lawson, James J., from Jacobs Chapel, South District to Atwood Otterbein, North District, 7/1/2014 • Lawrence, Lennie Ray, from Retirement to Medora (Serving in Retirement), Southeast District, 7/1/2014 • Lawson, Michael Ted, from Frankfort St. Matthew, North Central District to Tanner Valley, Southeast District, 7/1/2014 • Lawson, Philip, New Appointment to Modoc, East District, 5/11/2014 • Lucker, Douglas, New Appointment to Churubusco, Northeast District, 6/1/2014 • Madison, Chris B., from Retirement to Franciscan Elizabeth Hospital (serving Extension Ministry in retirement), 5/1/2014 • Mallory, Kevin M., New Appointment to Barnes, Central District, 7/1/2014 • Mann, Ronald C., from Russiaville (Serving in Retirement), North Central District to no longer Serving in Retirement, 7/1/2014 • Martin, James Andrew, from Covington, West District to Elkhart New Hope, North District, 7/1/2014 • Martin, Susan D., from Clinton First, West District to Goshen St. Marks, North District, 7/1/2014 • Mayberry, Paula Young, from Huntingburg/Southwest District Office, Southwest District to Retirement, 7/1/2014 • McIntosh, Lori, from Bellefountain/Portland Fairview, East District to Saratoga, East District, 7/1/2014 • McIntyre, Jerry, New Appointment to Kingsley, West District, 7/1/2014 • McQueen, Randall S., from Griffith First, North District to Indianapolis Good Shepherd, Central District, 7/1/2014 • Miller, Rick Lee, from Fort Branch/Blythe Chapel (Serving in Retirement), Southwest District to no longer Serving in Retirement, 7/1/2014 • Moore, Rhonda, New Appointment to Howell, Southwest District, 5/1/2014 • Motz III, Harold John, New Appointment to Black’s Chapel, Southwest District, 7/1/2014 • Mussche, Tami, New Appointment to Mace/New Ross, West District, 7/1/2014 • Overman, Craig, from Kilmore, North Central District to Kilmore/Jefferson, North Central District, 6/1/2014 • Packer, Adam N., from Twelve Mile Bethlehem/Fulton Co. Pleasant Hill, Northwest District to No Appointment, 5/12/2014 • Padgett, Samuel Leon, from Mt. Etna, Northeast District to Indiana Conference (Extension Ministry), 7/1/2014 • Payne, Debra K., from Edwardsport/Elnora, Southwest District to Odon/Elnora, Southwest District, 7/1/2014 • Pelc, Charles M., from Mauckport, South District to Mauckport/Smith Camp Ground, South District, 7/1/2014 • Pence, Diane Menke, from Bloomington Fairview/Diane Menke Pence, LMHC, West District to Diane Menke Pence, LMHC/Bloomington St. Mark’s, Southeast District, 7/1/2014 • Pimlott, Gregory Robert, from Greensburg, Southeast District to Boonville Main Street, Southwest District, 7/1/2014 • Poole, Teresa A., from Columbus Mt. Olive, Southeast District to Vallonia/Medora Mt. Zion, Southeast District, 7/1/2014 • Powell, Mark A., from Connersville Grace, East District to Retirement, 7/1/2014 • Powers, Timothy A., from Parkview, Northwest District to Griffith First, North District, 7/1/2014 • Pressel, Richard W., from Carbon/Prairie City, West District to Carbon, West District, 7/1/2014 • Prieshoff, Trenton, New Appointment to Bartlett Chapel, Central District, 7/1/2014 • Relford, P. Allen, from Wayside, West District to no longer Serving in Retirement, 7/1/2014 • Rinearson, Richard, from Goshen St. Marks, North District to Dakota-Minnesota Conference, 7/1/2014 • Rittenhouse, Greg E., from Bluffton First, Northeast District to Retirement, 7/1/2014 • Robinson, Lowell, from Simpson Chapel, West District to No Appointment, 5/25/2014 • Safley, Mona Oei, from Elizabethtown/ Scipio, Southeast District to Dillsboro/ Aurora Mt. Tabor, Southeast District, 7/1/2014 • Sanders, Douglas Lee, from Brownstown, Southeast District to Incapacity/Disability Leave, 7/1/2014 • Sanders, Josh, from Alford, Southwest District to Edwardsport, Southwest District, 7/1/2014 • Sanford, Joe, New Appointment to Darlington, West District, 7/20/2014 • Scanlan-Holmes, Andrew, from British Methodist Church (serving Roberts Park), Central District to Transfer to Indiana Conference (serving Roberts Park), Central District, 7/1/2014 • Seger, Joseph, New Appointment to Loogootee/Shoals, Southwest District, 7/1/2014 • Shake, Jack D., New Appointment to New Middletown (Serving in Retirement), South District, 7/1/2014 • Smith, Kathryn S., from Miami, North Central District to No Appointment, 7/1/2014 • Snodgrass, R. Matthew, New Appointment to Westport, Southeast District, 7/1/2014 • Speicher, Adam Daniel, from Clymers/ Lake Cicott, Northwest District to Twelve Mile Bethlehem/Lake Cicott, Northwest District, 5/18/2014 • Springstead, Linda, New Appointment to Altarstar, Northeast District, 7/1/2014 • Steffen, Thomas G., from Indiana Conference to Pacific Northwest Conference, 7/1/2014 • Stiles, Kevin L., from Retirement to Brownstown, Southeast District (Serving in Retirement), 7/1/2014 • Stoll, Delbert, from Shoals, Southwest District to Retirement, 7/1/2014 • Stroud, Ryan P., from Central Bethel/ Smith Camp Ground, South District to Central Bethel, South District, 7/1/2014 • Suits, Jack L., from Vallonia/Medora Mt. Zion, Southeast District to No Appointment, 5/31/2014 • Tipton, Robert, from Plainville, Southwest District to Plainville/Alford, Southwest District, 7/1/2014 • Turner, Jerald Eugene, from Syracuse Calvary, North District to Dunlap, North District, 7/1/2014 • Voyles, Marilyn, from Highland/Plattsburg, South District to Highland, South District, 6/1/2014 • Walby, Maureen M., from Westport/Letts, Southeast District to No Appointment, 7/1/2014 • Walby, Roger A., from Ohio Chapel/ Taylorsville, Southeast District to No Appointment, 7/1/2014 • Ward, Rodger, from Mace/New Ross, West District to Retirement, 7/1/2014 • Watt, Thomas, from Decatur St. Mark, Northeast Distive to no longer Serving in Retirement, 7/1/2014 • Whitacre, Mathew Blane, from Solsberry/ Greene County Chapel, West District to No Appointment, 7/1/2014 • White, Michelle, New Appointment to Bedford First, South District, 7/1/2014 • White, Sharon Anne, from Anderson New Hope, North Central District to Incapacity Leave, 6/1/2014 • Whitehead, Stephen E., from Greater Chicago Food Depository (Extension Ministry) to Retirement, 7/1/2014 • Wilkins, Raymond, from West Street, Central District to Anderson New Hope (Serving in Retirement), 7/1/2014 • Wilson, David L., New Appointment to Forest, North Central District, 7/1/2014 • Wilson, Paul T., from Gobin Memorial, West District to Greensburg, Southeast District, 7/1/2014 • Wismer, William Donald, from Fort Wayne Aldersgate, Northeast District to No Appointment, 7/1/2014 • Wooden, Kenneth J., from Fountain City, East District to no longer Serving in Retirement), 7/1/2014 • Wright, Jill, from Altarstar/Robinson Chapel, Northeast District to Robinson Chapel, Northeast District, 7/1/2014 • Wyllys, Daniel J., from Aurora, Southeast District to No Appointment, 7/1/2014 • Youngblood, Owen, from Coal City/ Beech, West District to Coal City, West District, 5/8/2014 16 Hoosier United Methodists Together July/August 2014 www.inumc.org