April 2016 - Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church

Good News From Gobin
April 2016
Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church
307 Simpson Street, PO Box 66, Greencastle IN 46135
765-658-6010 fax 765-658-6025 [email protected]
www.gobinumc.org
Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World
Bryan’s Beat
Bryan’s Beat Cont’d
Gobin Choir News
March Administrative Council
Notes for the Newsletter
Easter Worship Series—The Cup
of Freedom
2
3
Support Our New Youth Group
What’s Going On with Small
Group Sunday School Classes?
4
April Birthdays
Directory Updates
Remembering These Individuals
Serving on Sundays
5
Fruitful Congregations Journey
United Methodist Women
6
Gobin Activities
7
Activities at Gobin
8
Briefing Previews 2016 General
Conference Debates
910
Cont’d Gen. Conf. Briefings
Transformers Article
11
Thank You from Getting Ahead
The Meaning of Hospitality at
the Getting Ahead Dinner
12
“What’s the Story with the
Church on the Corner?”
Bishop Coyner’s e-Pistle:
13
2016 Gobin Budget
Sales Tax Exemption
Numbers Check for February
14
Peace with Justice: Youth in
Indiana
Save the Date: Sat., May 7th—
Relay for Life
15
The Summer Enrichment
Program
16
N.T. Wright is one of my favorite living theologians. Wright, former Anglican bishop to Durham, England, is
a prolific writer, having written numerous volumes on complex theological topics. Perhaps most helpful to
me has been his work on the Apostle
Paul, the Resurrection, and the end of
time. A book on the latter, “Surprised
By Hope,” should be required reading in our Methodist churches. And
did I mention that Wright responds
to my emails?! What follows is an excerpt from “Surprised By Hope.” I
trust this will give you much to consider as we continue through these
days after Easter:
extra hymns and spectacular anthems. Is it any wonder people find it
hard to believe in the resurrection of
Jesus if we don’t throw our hats in
the air? Is it any wonder we find it
hard to live the resurrection if we
don’t do it exuberantly in our liturgies? Is it any wonder the world
doesn’t take much notice if Easter is
celebrated as simply the one-day happy ending tacked on to forty days of
fasting and gloom?
…Easter week itself ought not to be
the time when all the clergy sigh with
relief and go on holiday. It ought to
be an eight-day festival, with champagne served after morning prayer or
even before, with lots of alleluias and
ness was never meant to be merely
negative…. The forty days of the
Easter season, until the ascension,
ought to be a time to balance out Lent
by taking something up, some new
(cont’d on next page)
…we should be taking steps to celebrate Easter in creative new ways: in
art, literature, children’s games, poetry, music, dance, festivals, bells, special concerts, anything that comes to
“But my biggest problem starts on
mind. This is our greatest festival.
Easter Monday. I regard it as absurd Take Christmas away, and in biblical
and unjustifiable that we should
terms you lose two chapters at the
spend forty days keeping Lent, pon- front of Matthew and Luke, nothing
dering what it means, preaching
else. Take Easter away, and you don’t
about self-denial, being at least a little have a New Testament; you don’t
gloomy, and then bringing it all to a have a Christianity; as Paul says, you
peak with Holy Week, which in turn are still in your sins…
climaxes in Maundy Thursday and
…if Lent is a time to give things up,
Good Friday…and then, after a rather Easter ought to be a time to take
odd Holy Saturday, we have a single things up. Champagne for breakfast
day of celebration.
again—well, of course. Christian holi-
Page 2
Good News From Gobin
(Bryan’s Beat continued from Page 1)
task or venture, something wholesome and fruitful and outgoing and self-giving. You may be able
to do it only for six weeks, just as you may be able
to go without beer or tobacco only for the six
weeks of Lent. But if you really make a start on it,
it might give you a sniff of new possibilities, new
hopes, new ventures you never dreamed of. It
might bring something of Easter into your innermost life. It might help you wake up in a whole
new way. And that’s what Easter is all about.”
~ Rev. Bryan Langdoc
Gobin Choir News
NO CHOIR REHEARSAL-Thursday, March 31, and NO CHOIR on
Sunday, April 3.
The choir has gone above and beyond the call of duty during the Lenten
season! They deserve a week off!!!!!!
Choir rehearsals will resume on Thursdays, beginning with April 7 from 7-8pm. All who enjoy singing
are welcome to join us in the sanctuary!!
March Administrative Council Notes for the Newsletter
Asbury Towers – Pastor Bryan and some of our Lay Servants continue to serve communion to residents at
Asbury on the first Sunday of each month after our worship service. Alisa Isaacs-Bailey and Marge Smith
administered communion in March.
We also continue to transport residents of Asbury Towers who wish to attend church on Sundays to and
from Asbury. Currently John Schlotterbeck and Lisa Trigg take turns monthly in transportation, and Carol Sweet volunteered to drive also.
FCJ: Phase III - Pastor Bryan should have a list of the FCJ team leader positions completed before our next
meeting. He anticipated that the positions should be filled by the 10th of March.
Missions Committee—It was announced that the Missions Committee will now be coordinating the
Sunday fundraising brunches that fall on the third Sunday of each month. Each month beginning with
April, the proceeds of the lunch will be donated to a specific mission or project.
Trustees—It was announced that DePauw University will be funding an architecture design and planning
firm from Indianapolis to assess and evaluate the church property. Their report should be complete and
back to Dr. Casey, Dr. McCoy and Brian Kelshimer by the end of April. See page 6 of FCJ Success for
more information about this.
Summer Enrichment—John Schlotterbeck announced that the SEP Board has hired Julie Stevens to be the
director of the Summer Enrichment Program for 2016. The SEP Board does have a person in mind for the
Assistant Director, but at this time they are still waiting for an answer.
Staff Parish Relations Team—Administrative Council approved a motion from Staff Parish to hire Lori
Miller as interim Transformers Administrator with the stipulations that the pay not exceed $14 per hour
and the position not extend past November 30, 2016.
April 2016
Page 3
Easter Worship Series – The Cup of Freedom
As Jesus followers, we are sometimes called Easter People. What does it mean to be an Easter People?
Isn’t Easter only a day? Isn’t it simply a remembrance of a miraculous historical event? The answer to
those last questions is no. Easter People describes a way of living. As our theme song proclaims, “I will
take the cup of freedom and call on the name of God!” To “take up” this cup of love is an active gesture.
It suggests that we have the God-given power to act, to leave death behind and move toward a hopefilled future together. Throughout the season we will claim this power to move forward, to sing, to follow, to rise again, to love, heal and be opened. In the end, we are filled with the freedom of the Spirit of
God.
3/27/16 Freedom to Move Forward “For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former
things shall not be remembered or come to mind” -- Isaiah 65:17
At the heart of this Sunday morning are songs like “This is a Day of New Beginnings” and “One Day at a
Time!” Letting go of the past is no small feat but the freedom to move forward is what God promises.
We are to live as “Easter people,” and just when you thought there was nowhere to go, that life was at a
“dead end,” God surprises us with a way forward into possibility.
4/3/16 Freedom to Sing "And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God
has given to those who obey him." -- Acts 5:32
Indeed, “how can we keep from singing” once we have experienced new life? We become witnesses to
this “new thing” that God is doing in our lives. Despite the admonition not to teach in the name of Jesus,
we hear in the Acts passage for this Sunday that Peter and the other apostles just can’t help themselves!
4/10/16 Freedom to Follow "After this he said to him, 'Follow me.'" -- John 21:19
From the metaphors Jesus used to call the disciples to follow in his footsteps (“tend my sheep,” “feed my
lambs,” “cast your nets on the other side”), to the literal opening of Saul/Paul’s eyes so that he would follow the ways of Jesus, this Sunday’s scriptures invite us to leave aside our hesitations and claim our discipleship.
4/17/16 Freedom to Rise Again "Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed.
He turned to the body and said, 'Tabitha, get up.' Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.
He gave her his hand and helped her up." -- Acts 9:40-41
All the scriptures this Sunday point to a “revival” of life, “restoration,” and a promise that we will perish
no more. The dramatic image of Tabitha rising from her death bed urges us to hear the voice of God that
says, “come on, you can do it, get up!” No matter how down and out we might feel, God reaches out a
hand to help us up. And we say, “Yes!”
4/24/16 Freedom to Love "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have
loved you, you also should love one another." -- John 13:34
This Sunday we lift up, as the scriptures do, that God’s promise of a new covenant is with all who seek it
–all who thirst will be given water. There is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, we are all to follow
Christ’s new commandment, to love one another.
Page 4
Good News From Gobin
Support Our New Youth Group!
Our youth are working hard to put on the "Gobin Film Series." We would love to
have more seats filled for the great movies we have selected. This is a fun and easy
way to show the high school students that you
support the new youth group. We have two
movies in April: "Life of Pi" on Sunday, April
3rd and "Contact" on Sunday, April 24th.
Check the calendar for more information.
We hope to see you there!
What’s Going On with Small Group Sunday School Classes?
We’re so glad you asked. The children from ages 2-3 all through grade 5 are
currently in age-appropriate classes with a curriculum called Spark Lectionary which follows the lessons of the Bible that we hear about most Sundays.
There are leaflets for each child along with extra art, wildcard, and activity pages for them to work on
along with the lessons. The middle school group, grades 6-8, are led by Lisa Trigg and are currently
working on "Talksheets To Confirm the Faith of Your Teenagers." It's a set of sheets based on discussion about beliefs featuring a variety of topics such as discipleship, salvation, Jesus, God, the Bible, the
BIG IMPACT
Holy Spirit and key words of faith. Our High School Class, grades 9-12, is led by Erica Brandon and is
learning from curriculum called “Feasting on the Word” which also follows along with the lectionary
on most Sundays.
Currently we also offer 3 Adult Small Group Sunday School Classes. The first group is called the
Sharing Spirits, and they meet in the Yoke Room off the Colonnade Room in the basement. Currently
they are led by Dan Miller and are using a series of lectures by Professor Bart Ehram, examining The
New Testament. Upcoming lectures include: Paul's Letter to the Romans, Paul, Jesus, and James, The
Pastoral Epistles, First Peter and the Persecution of the Early Christians, and Do We Have the Original
New Testament.
The second group is the Rainbow Room group, and they are currently led by Marilyn Culler. They are
reading and discussing the book "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day" by Mark Batterson. The discussions focus on the fears and challenges we face as Christians, learning to recognize how God is already at work in our lives and how we can come to live the life God wants for us. They meet in Pastor
Bryan's office. No advance reading required - all are welcome.
The third group meets in the Special Meeting Room off of the Colonnade Room in the basement and is
led by Tanis Monday. They will be discussing a series of articles called “Christian Ethics in Modern
Applications.” They are reading the articles in class and have lively discussions.
All children, youth, and adults are welcome and encouraged to join in any of the appropriate small
groups on Sunday mornings at 9:30-10:15am.
April 2016
Page 5
Congregational Directory Updates
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
Gobin Membership as of March 26 is 198.
4/03
Will Barrand
4/04
Marian Schlotterbeck
4/04
Clea Van Middlesworth
4/05
Loretta Bumgardner
4/06
Kathie Hornbeck
4/07
Bill Hamm
4/08
Robert Weiss
4/08
Rebecca Moore
4/08
Alice Howard
4/10
David Houck
4/12
Susan Lemon
4/12
George Howard
4/14
Mischa Harbison
4/18
Matt Cummings
4/19
Joe Ferguson
4/19
Barb Rice
4/19
Spencer Moore
4/23
Robert Clover
4/23
Brandy Gambill
4/24
Alisa IsaacsBailey
Position
April 3
April 10
April 17
April 24
Amie Bailey
June Sandy
Larry Bouslog
Nettie
Ushers
Carolyn Houck
Tim Wait
Joe Ferguson
Rita Ferguson
Jerry Rud
Joy Archer
Jack Mace
Mary Jane Mace
Marge Smith
Judy George
Jeff Hansen
Gayle Hansen
Janet Pinney
Scott Thede
Michael Thede
Andrew Thede
Barbara Jackson
Barbara Jackson
Barbara Jackson
Barbara Jackson
Counters
Dick Sunkel
Fran Allen
Doretta Poynter
Doretta Poynter
Nursery
Assistants
Sarah Morgan
Jo Ella Burns
Carol Miller
Barb Rice
Children’s
Church
Maureen Langdoc &
Carol Miller
Teddy Shuck &
Sarah Morgan
Denise Thede &
Julia Bruggemann
Alisa Isaacs-Bailey &
Erica Brandon
4/26
4/26
4/27
4/30
APRIL MISSIONS FUNDRAISER :
Flight from Syria: Refugee Stories
The Third Sunday Lunch fundraiser on April 17th will be a
very special event featuring ministries which serve Syrian
refugees in Indiana. Hear the personal stories of people
forced to flee their homeland who have found safe harbor
among us. Please join in extending our welcome and support to families who will be visiting us that day. Learn
how we can help make a difference!
Note: The lunch fundraiser for the food pantry will be rescheduled.
Remembering these individuals by sending a card,
making a phone call, visiting, or including in prayer
would be appreciated.
Asbury Tower Residents: John Baughman,
Dorothy Buechler, Pat & Robert Clover,
Dorothy Edenfield, Virginia Hanna, Suzanne Hebb,
Helen Houck, Joyce Jones, Jane Long, Kent Mecum,
and Beverly Wagoner
Autumn Glen Senior Facility: Jocie Kircher
Mill Pond Campus: Carolyn Schenk
Servings on Sundays
Lisa Trigg will be the Trustee of the Month for April.
Communion
Page 6
Good News From Gobin
Fruitful Congregations Journey
Gobin UMC continues to move forward through Step 3 of the Fruitful Congregation’s Journey. I’ve continued to meet with our FCJ
coach, Mark Fenstermacher, as we work to solidify our task team
leaders. I’m especially grateful to Victor Hunter who has agreed to
assist in the project management aspects of Step 3. Information on
the various task teams can be found in Gobin’s FCJ Ministry Action Plan. The plans can be found at the
church website or hard copies are available in the church office. I’d love for everyone to have these
handy, as they will help to remind us all of the kind of work we’re undertaking.
April will be a month of team-building and workshop-scheduling. Some teams require 3-5 members; others 5-7 members. I’m currently working with task team leaders to identify candidates for each team. This
is much like the previous work of the nominating or lay leadership development committee. If you have
an interest in serving on an FCJ task team, feel free to contact me at [email protected]. Once the various FCJ workshops are scheduled, they are open to the public and not just to the FCJ task team.
FCJ Success
Item #4 in our Ministry Action Plan is CREATE A CULTURE OF EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY TO
FUND FUTURE MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
One of the tasks within this plan was to “Apply for a grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. to fund a professional assessment of the building’s condition. This study is to be completed by November 1, 2016 or as
soon as possible following the receiving of the grant (or the congregation may fund the study from other
sources in the absence of a Lilly grant).”
Thanks to the work of the Gobin-DePauw committee and the FCJ Future Facility Task Team leader, Dick
Shuck, we are moving forward! Rather than apply for a grant from Lilly or the Center for Congregations,
DePauw University has agreed to fund the full building assessment. This assessment is now in process.
The results of the full assessment will be presented to the congregation when they are received (as is outlined in the FCJ Ministry Action Plan). Again, this is wonderful news.
United Methodist Women—On March 17th we had our quarterly UMW Unit meeting at Asbury
Towers. The meeting was a success with at least five of the Asbury Towers residents joining us for the
afternoon. In all we had 21 members join us. We had a business meeting, a nice discussion and Teddy
Shuck gave us information about UMW, and then we had light refreshments.
All women are invited to the West District Meeting on Saturday, April 30th being held at Centenary UMC
in Terre Haute from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Registration starts at 9 a.m. The meeting and speaker will begin at
9:30 followed by lunch served by the Centenary U.M.W. The speaker is Felicia Steward on “Methodists
and Maternal Health.” We will be collecting for a Hands-on Offering: Baby Shower Items (i.e. diapers,
onesies, burp cloths, etc.) for local Maternal Health Ministry (do not wrap); new items only, please. Worship offering will go to the UMW Legacy Fund and the Indiana Conference Pledge to Mission. Those who
wish to go can ride with Carol Sweet. She needs to leave by 8 a.m. and plans to return home as soon as
it’s over. Call Carol at 765-720-2894.
April 2016
Page 7
GOBIN ACTIVITIES
April 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
Pastor’s
Sabbath
3 9am Coffee 9:30 4
Sun Schl 10:30
Worship w/
Pitch-in
5-6 Handbells
6:30 Movie SeriesLife of Pi
6:00pm
Transformers
Mtg (Upper Lg
Classroom)
10 9am Coffee
11
9:30 Sun Sch
10:30 Worship
12:30 Lay Servant
Mtg
5-6 Handbells
6:-8 Youth Grp
17
7:00pm Admin
Council Mtg
12pm Putnam
Co Clergy
Cluster
9:30 SS Cl
10:30 Worship
11:45 Fund Ln:
Syrian Refugee
3-5pm Pry Shwl
6:-8 Youth Grp
7-9 Vespers
18
24 9am Coffee
25
9:30 Sun Schl
10:30 Worship
Pres. By Wes Wilson on History of
Gobin & DPU
6:30Movie:Contact
5
6
8:30am
Svc of AM Prayer
12
13
8:30am
A Service of
Morning Prayer
7pm
Missions Mtg
7pm Gobin Choir
6pm Transformers
Gala at Prindle
14
15
19
20 8:30am A Svc 21
5:30 Fellowship
at Putnam Inn
7pm Dis. Bib St
9
NEWSLETTER
1:30 Bethel Circle
7pm Gobin Choir
Rehearsal
7pm Genesis
Circle
27
28
8:30am
A Service of
Morning Prayer
6-8pm Accountable Leadership
Workshop
22
9am Office Staff.
1:30 Aldersgate Circle
at Asbury Towers
7pm Gobin Choir
Rehearsal
DEADLINE
16
Pastor’s
Sabbath
9am Ofc Staff
9:30 UMW
Bd Mtg
26
Pastor’s
Sabbath
10am BOP Symposium at Prindle
5:30 Fellowship
at Putnam Inn
7pm Dis. Bib St
5:30 Fellowship
at Putnam Inn
7pm Dis. Bib St
8
9am Ofc Staffing
5:30 Fellowship
at Putnam Inn
7pm Dis. Bib St
of AM Prayer
7:30pm
Staff Parish
7
9:30-3:30 Sewing Bee
7pm Gobin Choir
Rehearsal
23
Pastor’s
Sabbath
29
8am-6pm Lay
Servant Academy
at Centenary
UMC in TH
Deadline 4/14
30
Pastor’s
Sabbath
9:30-3pm
West District
Reshaped Conf.
Mount Pleasant
UMC in TH
Good News From Gobin
Page 8
ACTIVITIES AT GOBIN
April 2016
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Celebrate in Song—Come join Covered Bridge Harmony for a great chili dinner and
the sweet sounds of harmony. Doors open at 6pm at Gobin Church with a chili dinner
with fixings for taco salads, drinks, and homemade desserts with the show beginning
at 7:00pm. Tickets are $10 for Adults and $5 for Children 12 and under at the door or
from any CBH member. Come on out and enjoy a memorable night of food, fun, and a
cappella barbershop music with CBH and Gobin members Kathy Custis, Anita Edenfield, Alice Howard, Eleanor Howard, and Denise Thede.
3
4
2:30-5:30 RIC
3:00 pm TOPS
10
11
5 9am Tot’s
Time
6
2:30-5pm RIC
5pm Jr 4-Hers in CR
4-6pm Exalt! Sanc.
4:30pm Daydream
Believers rehearsal
5:30-6:30 Child
Abuse Vigil in Sanc.
2:30-5:30 RIC
12 9am-12pm
13
7
2:30-5:30 RIC
Fri
Sat
1
2
4-7:15 Private
Bday Party in
Colonnade Rm
8:00 pm AA mtg
8
2:30-5:30 RIC
17
3:00 pm TOPS
18
19 9am Tot’s Time 20
4-6pm Exalt! in Sanc.
5pm PCCS
cooking in kitchen
6pm Transformer
Gala at Prindle
8:00 pm AA mtg
14
15
16
2:30-5:30 RIC
25
26
27
2:30-5:30 RIC
9am-12pm
Tot’s Time
3:00 pm TOPS
3:00 pm TOPS
2:30-5:30 RIC
4-6pm Exalt! Sanc
4:30pm Daydream
Believers rehearsal
Exalt! DePauw
Gospel Choir Rehearsal & Concert in
Sanctuary, kitchen,
and Colonnade Rm
2:30-5:30 RIC
4-6pm Exalt! in Sanc.
5pm PCCS
cooking in kitchen
2:30-5:30 RIC
4-6pm Exalt! Sanc.
4:30pm Daydream
Believers rehearsal
5:30-8:30pm Parents
& Divorce Class
2:30-5:30 RIC
24
2:30-5:30 RIC
4-6pm Exalt! Sanc.
4:30pm DB rehearsal
9
10am BOP Symposium at Prindle
Tot’s Time
2:30-5:30 RIC
2-10pm CBH in
kitchen and Colonnade Rm
6pm Chili Dinner
7pm Barbershop
Singing Show
21
22
23
2:30-5:30 RIC
4-6pm Exalt! in Sanc.
5pm PCCS
cooking in kitchen
28
8:00 pm AA mtg
29
30
2:30-5:30 RIC
4-6pm Exalt! in Sanc.
2:30-5:30 RIC
5pm PCCS
cooking in kitchen
8:00 pm AA mtg
April 2016
Page 9
Briefing Previews 2016 General Conference Debates
By United Methodist News Service
Jan. 25, 2016 | PORTLAND, Ore.
You can also go online for this information here.
In a gathering that repeatedly stressed church unity despite passionately held differences, United Methodists received a
preview of some issues the 2016 General Conference will debate when the denomination’s top lawmaking body meets this
spring.
The Rev. Steven Lewis, Gresham United Methodist Church in Portland, Oregon, urged delegates to remember who they
are as they debate issues and resolutions at General Conference 2016
“Few will read what we write, but millions will watch what we do,” Lewis said during his sermon at opening worship during the pre-General Conference briefing.
More than 400 delegates, communicators and other United Methodists who will be part of the 2016 General Conference attended the Jan. 20-22 event at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. Most will return for the denomination’s legislative assembly May 10-20.
United Methodist Communications sponsored the event, with involvement and support from other agencies and ministries of the church.
Many United Methodists expect the most passionate and difficult debate at the 2016 General Conference to deal with
how the denomination ministers with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. At the briefing, participants got a preview of
the emotional stakes in the debate as well as a chance to try out an alternative process for discussing legislation on tough issues.
This is a brief look at some of the issues explored:
Big changes proposed for bishops, clergy
Bishops would no longer be elected for life, ordination of United Methodist elders and deacons would be faster and the first step
would be taken to allow doing away with guaranteed appointment under legislation being proposed to the 2016 General Conference. However, since term limits and guaranteed appointment would require changes to the denomination’s constitution, those
reforms would come slowly, even if approved. Bishop Grant Hagiya, Greater Northwest Episcopal Area, a member of the 20132016 Ministry Study Commission, said the commission wanted to give conferences “maximum flexibility.” “The most important
factor that we have to consider is leadership, leadership, leadership. Leadership is one of the key ingredients in vitality,” Hagiya
said. Hagiya said the commission proposed ordination when a candidate is approved for provisional membership, although conference membership would come only after the provisional period was completed. Other proposed changes would allow a bachelor’s degree to fulfill requirements for Course of Study for local pastors and eliminate commissioning. Lonnie Brooks, chair of
the legislative committee of the Association of Annual Conference Lay leaders, gave the highlights of the association’s package
of 15 pieces of legislation. “We think there is nothing in the church outside the responsibility of lay people, since we pay for
what the church does,” Brooks said. The lay leaders proposed seven points of reform for bishops, including term limits, which
Brooks said would increase accountability. Under the term-limit proposal, a bishop would be elected for eight years and could
run again for another eight-year term. The terms would be the same worldwide. The legislation on guaranteed appointment, or
security of appointment, would remove the constitutional barrier identified by the Judicial Council after the 2012 General Conference approved legislation that would have allowed bishops to give elders less than full-time appointment and added steps for
discontinuing elders and associate members from receiving an appointment. A proposal to reform the episcopal complaint process provides that if the jurisdictional College of Bishops cannot process the complaint to completion within 180 days, the complaint moves to the full Council of Bishops.
Church budget
As the U.S. economy has recovered from the 2008 crash, the denomination as a whole has seen its financial health improve.
Moses Kumar, the top executive of the General Council on Finance and Administration, reported that a record 26 conferences
paid 100 percent to the general church apportionments in 2015 ─ the highest number in at least 16 years. At the general
church level, the money supports bishops, United Methodist ministerial education, most general agencies and denominationwide efforts such as the Black College Fund, ecumenical work and Africa University in Zimbabwe. The General Council on Finance and Administration's board and the Connectional Table are proposing a budget of $611 million for general church funds
in 2017-2020. That’s about a 1.3 percent increase above the $603.1 million general church budget approved at the 2012 General Conference. With projected inflation, that budget actually represents a 7.2 percent spending decrease in real dollars, Kumar
said. The finance agency’s board also is proposing that for the first time United Methodist churches in Africa, Asia and Europe
would have a set formula to support the denomination’s global ministries.Under the proposal, central conference apportionments would contribute to two of the seven general church funds — the Episcopal and General Administration funds. “When we
are generous in our giving, when we are committed in ministry around the world, we dedicate our resources so we can fulfill what
Page 10
Good News From Gobin
A U.S. central conference?
One of the frequent complaints about General Conference is that delegates spend much of the 10-day global meeting on issues
that strictly focus on the U.S. Participants at this month’s preview heard about two plans to address this concern by creating a
central conference or similar body to encompass the entire United States. Currently, the denomination has seven central conferences in Africa, Europe and the Philippines. Each has the authority under the denomination’s constitution to make “such changes and adaptations” to the Book of Discipline as missional needs and differing legal contexts require. Members of the Central
Texas and North Texas conferences are bringing legislation to create a U.S. Central Conference that would meet in conjunction
with General Conference. “We believe this proposal keeps it simple,” said Tim Crouch, a General Conference delegate from North
Texas. A task force appointed by the Northeastern Jurisdiction is bringing “A Global Connection Plan,”that is more complicated
but also, according to its proponents, more comprehensive. The plan would rename General Conference as the Global Connectional Conference, restrict its work to church matters that are global in nature and add continent-wide bodies called connections,
including a North American connection. The plan also would replace U.S. jurisdictions and central conferences with bodies called
regions. “We believe it is important to have equivalent structures across the church,” said Tracy Merrick, a member of Northeastern Jurisdiction task force. Under both the Texas and Northeastern Jurisdiction plans, the denomination’s global legislative meeting would be shorter but would remain the only body that can speak for the whole denomination. Both plans also would require
amendments to the denomination’s constitution.
Restructuring proposals
Frederick Brewington, a member of the Connectional Table, pointed out that a number of formal and informal proposals regarding the denomination’s structure and connection will come before the General Conference. “The Connectional Table neither
adopts nor endorses any of the proposals that currently exist,” he said, but he outlined some basic principles to follow in these
discussions. One of those proposals is “Plan UMC Revised.” The Rev. Clayton Oliphint explained that this plan removes provisions ruled unconstitutional by the Judicial Council after the 2012 General Conference adopted “Plan UMC,” a compromise proposal. Many involved in the restructuring work were frustrated by the top court’s last-minute ruling, he said. Under Plan UMC Revised, the current Commission on Religion and Race and Commission on the Status and Role of Women would be merged into a
committee on inclusiveness. The plans also folds the United Methodist Commission on Archives and History into the denomination’s finance agency. Erin Hawkins, top executive for Religion and Race, expressed concern that the vital programs of her agency
would be lost. The church needs “greater clarity and alignment around its identity and mission,” she added.
Social issues
The 2016 General Conference will consider amendments to more than 70 social justice petitions ranging from climate change to
human trafficking. Representatives from the Division on Ministries with Young People, Black Methodists for Church Renewal,
Board of Church and Society, Commission on General Conference and Standing Commission on Central Conference Matters and
the Board of Pension and Health Benefits highlighted some of those resolutions. Christine Flick, a delegate from Germany South
Conference, talked about a petition calling for a reduction of carbon footprint with regard to travel related to the denomination’s
church meetings. “The whole earth is God’s good creation,” she said. “We are aware of how the constant use of energy threatens the environment.” The United Methodist Board of Pension and Health Benefits recognizes its responsibility to protect and
promote human rights and the environment, said Kirsty Jenkinson, calling climate change “the most severe economic threat to
the world.” She is managing director, Sustainable Investment Strategies, Wespath Investment Management Division of the pension board. In 2015, the board and Wespath implemented a human rights investment guideline that identified 11 high-risk countries and 39 companies with significant investments in those places, Jenkinson said.
Alternative process
“Christian conferencing is what General Conference is all about,” said Judi Kenaston, chair of the Commission on General Conference, as she outlined an alternative group discernment process that General Conference could approve for use on “challenging”
conversations. The proposal, nicknamed Rule 44 because it follows General Conference's Rule 43, could be used with legislation on human sexuality if the rule is adopted. “We are a connectional church with many varied cultures and opinions,” Kenaston
said. “A unified church can accomplish so much more in the world by pooling resources. Because of our size, we are able to do so
much more.”
Praying for General Conference
The Rev. Tom Albin, dean of The Upper Room Chapel, will again help lead a prayer community to support delegates and the entire
denomination during General Conference. “Prayer is like oxygen for your soul,” Albin told attendees. The General Conference
Prayer Ministry designed a “60 Days of Prayer” daily prayer book that runs March 31–May 29 so church members an connect
through the same Scripture, meditation and prayer for each day.
April 2016
Page 11
(Cont’d—Briefing Previews General Conference Debates)
Looking ahead to 2020
A draft of a new general, or global, Book of Discipline will be presented to General Conference for affirmation, said Bishop Patrick Streiff, chairperson of the Standing Committee on Central Conference Matters, “so that we know we can work
on to finalize it for the 2020 General Conference.” The goal is to have feedback on the draft from every annual conference by the end of 2017.Benedita Penicela Nhambiu, a member of the denomination’s Connectional Table, said there
will be an effort to re-align that body to make it more representative, both in terms of geography and age groups.A petition for a comprehensive collaborative plan for Africa would increase the episcopal areas in that region from 13 to 18 if
the final report is approved by the 2020 General Conference, she said.The United Methodist Board of Church and Society has been holding listening sessions on the denomination’s Social Principles around the world. The agency is seeking
guidance, clarity and diverse voices as the agency prepares to revise the document for the 2020 General Conference.The 2016 General Conference will be asked to continue and fund those conversations for four more years, said the
Rev. Susan Henry-Crowe, top executive of the social justice agency.A proposal for a digitized, customizable United
Methodist Hymnal would include a core section of required music and Wesleyan liturgical resources and a cloud-based
library allowing congregations to create what they need for their own ministry setting. If passed, work would begin Jan. 1,
2017, on a finalized proposal to be approved by the 2020 General Conference.
Contributing to this report were Heather Hahn, Kathy Gilbert, Linda Bloom, Vicki Brown and Joey Butler. Contact
Lent and Easter testify to God’s passion to have us know the loving longing
heart of our heavenly parent who invites us to intimate fellowship. Gobin has
chosen to offer our people the opportunity to invest time in cleaning the building
so we can use funds spent on that project for mission outreach. A few months
ago during the colder days, I was cleaning and a young man entered the build-
ing and was looking for someone to provide a place to stay for a day or two. My
past experience with folks needing help made me choose to be hard hearted and not very hospitable. So
after spending just a few minutes visiting with him I advised him we could not provide what he was asking for and went back to work. A few weeks later the same individual showed up again, this time there
were others folks who visited with him. They responded much differently than I did. The result of that
was that the individual came to help clean on Saturday and has been attending services on Sunday. I
share this story so you will know that God works his plan with people even when we do not cooperate. I
was determined not to help, and aggravated that I was asked to help. So God takes that situation, calls
me to repent, and gets a new person involved in the ministry of the church. It is a win, win opportunity.
God is working to have us know his love and grace even when we are determined to be busy. I was doing something good, but God was offering me an opportunity to do something better and I refused.
Keep your eyes open for the best. Transformers invites us to form relationships with folks who may not
have access to resources that will help them journey to a place where they can provide support for themselves. It is not about handing out money, it is about building relationships. Our heavenly parent walks
with us helping us realize the abundant life that is ours, and leads us to share with others what we have
received.
Everyone is welcome to participate in Transformers. Please contact Denise in the church office at
658-6010 or Ernie Rush at [email protected]
By Ernie Rush, Spiritual Leader of Transformers, TALKS Mentor
Page 12
Good News From Gobin
Dear Gobin Church Family,
We are so appreciative of your support of our Getting Ahead Coalition. We had nine graduates on March 4
who are on their way to a transformed life and you played a significant role. You provided four of our 17
meals and served all 17 meals. Many of the servers not only provided food, you also shared your stories,
sitting with our class members during dinner and making connections. That’s a key part of our program:
building relationships of mutual respect across economic classes and knowing that “No significant learning
occurs without a significant relationship.” Your hospitality and financial support are
also appreciated. Thank you for the service you provide to our community in the
name of Jesus.
The Meaning of Hospitality at the "Getting Ahead Dinner"
What is a welcoming congregation? What is radical hospitality?
What goes on at Gobin UMC during the week? Many times after I've left church on
Sunday I do not see the inside again until the following Sunday. Has this ever happened for you?
One 2016 February week I had a glimpse of what happens, when not around our church at mealtimes on
Tuesdays and Thursdays. I came to help with the preparation, serving and cleaning up at two dinners for
Getting Ahead. This is one of our Transformers programs, which works with Putnam County folks who
want to write their own future story for living a better life.
The first thing I noticed downstairs in the Colonnade room were the round tables being set up. To my surprise, one of them already had people sitting around it eating supper. Come to find out later, this table
was filled with people from Putnam County Comprehensive Services, using our kitchen simultaneously
with those involved with the Getting Ahead dinner.
The next thing I noticed was the tables were set up and decorated nicely with a card on each which said
"Putnam County Hospital". PCH had donated the chicken croissant sandwiches, as well as chips, fruit cups
and cookies. More community involvement with Gobin hospitality. Soon Getting Ahead teachers, including resource people came, such as a representative from the Teachers Credit Union, to talk and answer financial questions.
Once the food and dishes were on the tables, I was able to sit down and get to know a few of the participants in G.A., which had already been going on for 4 weeks, twice weekly. People seemed to know each
other from building new relationships and making friends. One woman related how excited she was that
Ruby Payne (Bridges Out of Poverty author) was coming to Greencastle. She definitely wanted to go to the
April 8 Transformers symposium, since YouTube videos of her excellent presentations had been shown
during one of the classes.
This Getting Ahead learning opportunity with all its resources will transform the lives of those in the class
who are committed and dedicated to do the work for a better life. Some will be ready, when finished with
the 8-week class, to get a better job or go to a college, such as Ivy Tech. Leadership and self-sufficiency is
developing in these folks.
I'm grateful to have had this opportunity on a Thursday night to see what a difference our church Transformers programs are making in this community. If you would like to get involved by participating in the
good work going on, please let someone at the church know. Catch the hospitality spirit!
Rosalie Bargmann
April 2016
Page 13
"What's The Story with the Church on the Corner?”
On Sunday, April 24th, a group of international students from DePauw will attend
our 10:30am gathered worship in order to experience a Christian worship service
(some perhaps, for the first time). Following gathered worship, Wes Wilson, Archivist
at DePauw, will offer a short presentation on the history of Gobin and its connection
to DePauw. This presentation is open to both students and the congregation. All are
invited to learn more about the rich history of the "church on the corner."
For more information, contact University Chaplain, Rev. Maureen Knudsen Langdoc @
[email protected] or 765-365-2269.
Bishop Michael Coyner’s e-Pistle: “Survey Says”
Remember the TV show "Family Feud" where contestants tried to guess the answers given
by a survey of persons? They would guess an answer, and then the moderator would say
"Survey says" and it would be revealed whether or not their answer was a popular one.
In a similar effort, our Conference leadership recently sent out an anonymous survey to over 2,400 UM clergy and lay leadership to ascertain whether or not they (the conference leaders) are communicating well the
mission, vision, and goals of the Indiana Conference. The survey received a good response (916 responded) in terms of percentage of those who responded, along with some who were immediately suspicious
(those are the ones who wrote to me) about what might be the real reason for the survey. One layperson
wrote me to ask if his answers were truly anonymous, and another wrote to ask if his church could not answer the questions properly would their pastor be moved.
Some of the survey results were quite positive. For example, almost everyone could identify the Mission of
our United Methodist Church ("making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world"). That
mirrors my experience as I travel among our local churches – nearly everyone seems to know our Mission,
and that's good. Most responding said their own congregations are aligned to this Mission, too. A strong
majority said they see the Bishop and Extended Cabinet modeling visionary leadership.
However, other survey results were not so positive – and thus helped the conference leaders to know
where they have work to do. For example, most respondents did not know the Goals of our Indiana Conference, nor could they identify the Values of our conference. Several responses seemed to reveal a lack of
trust (not necessarily a mistrust, but a lack of trust) that the Annual Conference really does exist for the
good of the congregations and people of the Indiana Conference. That one really concerns me, because a
key hope of our Imagine Indiana plan was to structure the conference to support, equip, and encourage our
local churches. We even used the phrase "the churches don't exist to support the Conference; the Conference exists to support our local churches." Obviously we have not arrived at a place where there is trust by
everyone.
So, the survey says we still have work to do. I give credit to our conference leaders for having the nerve to
do a survey and ask for feedback. Some respondents said the survey could have been worded better, and I
am sure that is true, but it is helpful to get feedback. Now comes the hard part … The conference leadership is working to address the issues identified. The keys they have named are: Trust, Transparency, and
Communication. Hopefully the next survey will reveal progress on those issues.
Thanks to all who responded to the survey, especially to those who shared concerns. The only way we can
all improve is if we all are honest and supportive with one another. I am mindful of the admonition in Scrip-
Page 14
Good News From Gobin
2016 Gobin Budget
What is this Narrative Budget thing? I’ve never seen anything like this. How am I supposed to
know what we are spending on office supplies or staff salaries? These are all good questions. The big
picture answer is that we are a church, the body of Christ at work in the world. The Narrative Budget is
intended to help us all focus on the ministry of the church. After all, we are to be about the mission of
making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. The Narrative Budget shows how
we are going about that and, in a general way, how our financial resources are devoted to various aspects
of our ministries. There aren’t a lot of numbers in the Narrative Budget. Instead it focuses on the ministry we will be doing together.
What if I want to see more numbers? Can I see more of the financial details? Of course you
can. All anyone has to do is ask and they can see a more detailed version of the budget. There are copies
available in the church office. If you have any questions about the budget you can ask Jeff Hansen who is
team leader for the Extravagant Generosity team.
SALES TAX EXEMPTION
We wanted to remind you that Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church is a notfor-profit organization (501c3) and is therefore exempt from paying sales tax.
The church has a specific exemption number that allows us to make purchases
without being charged sales tax. Any purchase that is made without supplying
this exemption number and/or the tax exemption form will be charged sales tax.
Please contact the Church Office in advance of making any purchases for the church that will require the
tax exemption number. If you or an authorized organization turn in receipts that include sales tax,
when the reimbursement check is issued it will not include sales tax paid by you or the organization.
Please let the Church Office know if we can answer any questions or be of further assistance.
NUMBERS CHECK for FEBRUARY
February Receipts:
February Disbursements:
$18,367.47
$18,152.00
Year to Date Receipts as of 2/29/16:
Year to Date Disbursements as of 2/29/16:
$52,898.44
$35,362.47
Change in Net Assets:
$17,535.97
February Average Sunday Attendance: 107
April 2016
Page 15
PEACE WITH JUSTICE
FAST FACTS FOR YOUTH IN INDIANA :
edited by Ann Newton
1,581,927 CHILDREN UNDER AGE 18 IN 2014
Health and Well-being
Indiana ranked 32nd in overall child well-being (2015)
1 in 5 (22%) children in Indiana lived in poverty (2013)
Roughly 62% of youth in grade 12 have tried alcohol (2014)
13.5% of youth in grade 12 have ever abused prescription drugs (2014)
Public Education
89.8% of youth graduated from high school on time (2014)
4.6% youth dropped out of school (2014)
Almost half (49%) of youth received free and reduced price lunches (2015)
61% of 3 and 4 year olds were not enrolled in nursery school or preschool (2013)
Safety
22,555 cases of child physical abuse, neglect and sexual abuse were substantiated by
Child Protective Services (2013)
22,980 Juvenile cases filed for delinquency and status offenses (2012)
1 in 20 (4.9%) youth did not go to school in past 30 days for fear of safety at school or
going to and from school (2011)
1 in 4 (25%) of students had been bullied at school during the past 12 months (2011)
1 in 5 (18.7%) had been bullied electronically during the past 12 months (2011)
Suicide was the second leading cause of death and homicide was the third leading cause
of death among youth ages 15-24 (2012)
Sources: 2015 Indiana Kids Count Data Book & 2011 Youth Behavior Risk Survey, Indiana Department of
Education
What to do?
Encourage Youth voice through forums, events, and focus groups to solicit their feedback and mobilize
action. Engage youth in planning events revolving around youth issues. All youth can be empowered to
voice their opinions about and be a part of the decisions that affect them.
SAVE THE DATE—Saturday, May 7—Relay for Life
Marge Smith will be attending a Captain’s Meeting on Wednesday, March 23rd., and
will receive much more information at that time. Everyone is encouraged to help put
on your walking shoes and get ready to help , walk, or donate. Hope to walk with you
at Relay for Life on Saturday, May 7th!!
Summer Enrichment Program 2016
On behalf of the Summer Enrichment Board and the children of Putnam County,
I want to thank you for your continued support. For over a quarter century SEP
has provided positive developmental, educational, recreational, and social interventions to meet the needs of elementary school aged children in Putnam County
with identified risk factors. We are assembling our leadership team for 2016. Brian Cox, Director of the
Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, returns as Executive Director to administer the program. We welcome Julie Stevens, who has four years experience with the program, as our new Education Director
and brings over a decade of experience as a third grade teacher in the Greencastle Community Schools.
Myrna Scheuermann has accepted the position of Assistant Education Director. Brian and Julie have
exciting plans for new hands-on enrichment activities summer. In addition to swim lessons at the
Greencastle Aquatic Center, adult volunteers will share their science, musical, writing, artistic, and theatrical talents, and the children will visit the Greencastle Fire Department the Nature Park, and the
DePauw Farm. We welcome volunteers to read to the children, teach songs, or share their skills. We are
also hiring several mentors (must complete 9th grade this school year) and counselors (2016 high school
graduate or college student). These are paid positions. If you are interested or
know someone who is interested in either of these positions or in volunteering,
please contact John Schlotterbeck or Judy George. The program runs from Tuesday, May 31, to Friday, July 1, 2016. Job descriptions for the mentor and counselor
positions and applications are available in the Gobin Church office.
Phone: 765-658-6010
Email: [email protected]
If you would like to be removed from our Newsletter mailing list, please
contact the church office at 765-658-6003 or [email protected].
Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church
307 Simpson St.
P.O. Box 66
Greencastle, Indiana 46135