Cover Story
New conference center opens for service
1/13/2010
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner welcomed the 32 members of the new Indiana Conference Center staff on Monday, Jan. 4 during a one-day orientation session for all center employees.
This was the very first day of conference employment for five of the staff members. Other staff members either continued in their previous positions or have come onboard as conference employees since the former Indiana Area staff moved into the third-floor suite in late-October at 301 Pennsylvania...
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From the Bishop
Fire claims Southeast District Center in Columbus
1/13/2010
COLUMBUS, Ind. – A massive fire burned through the United Way of Bartholomew County building on Christmas eve and Christmas day, which housed 37 not-for-profit and government-related agencies, including the Southeast District Center of The United Methodist Church.The entire building was gutted and about 90 firefighters were working at the fire’s peak.
At the height of the fire on Christmas, the Rev. Brian White, superintendent of the Southeast District, said, “I definitely...
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Working the plan for the new Indiana Conference
From the Bishop
1/13/2010
The plan is working and the new Indiana Conference is becoming more and more of a reality. The new Conference Center is up and running with several new staff and several staff from the previous offices in Marion, Bloomington and Indianapolis.
The new combined 2010 budget has begun based upon a “tithe” of local church operating income.
The new officers and committees elected at the first Annual Conference Session last June have been working and are moving into their first year of...
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Welcome
Better health-care begins at home, not in Washington
1/13/2010
The health-care debate continues in Washington and will continue for an undetermined amount of time. Such a debate on sweeping reforms have not taken place in years, so the continuing debate in Washington on health-care is a good thing and needs to continue. The efforts of our Congressional representatives are laudable but will fall short of true reform.
The legislation that comes out of Washington will not change the most fundamental problems of the health-care system, leaving it up to...
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Editorial
Letters to the Editor
1/13/2010
Campus ministry
United Methodists are getting older, especially in our clergy, the statistics tell us. Wisely, we are seeking to reach more young people. Why not go where the young people are?
In the Dec. 11 issue of The United Methodist Reporter there is an article that tells of the success that Mississippi has had at increasing young elders. Number one on their reasons for success is “committing resources to campus ministry.”
The article goes on to say “Mississippi has 27...
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Indiana
District Center Information
1/13/2010
For a map of the new District, click here.
Central District
Rev. M. Bert Kite
ds.centraldistrict@inumc.org
3901 North Meridian Street, Suite 210
Indianapolis, IN 46208
317-924-4140 or 877-781-6707
Fax: 317-924-4007
Associate DS: Rev. Ida Easley
District Assistant: Robin Brown
Office e-mail: ...
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Future dates set for 'Our Life Together'
1/13/2010
The Our Life Together team announces that after the 2010 OLT event, already scheduled for the post-Easter dates of April 26-27, 2010 at St. Luke’s UMC in Indianapolis, future OLT events will move to a pre-Lenten time.
This is primarily so clergy are not rushed into an OLT event so close to Annual Conference session.
Future dates of these events for all clergy in the Indiana Conference are:
Feb. 28-March 1, 2011 (Monday-Tuesday)
Feb. 16-17, 2012 (a Thursday-Friday to avoid...
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Health Ministry workshops to be held in Fort Wayne
1/13/2010
The Indiana Conference and Community Health Network are partnering to promote health ministry and parish nursing across Indiana. As a result of a recent UMCOR grant, we are pleased to offer a health ministry workshop for the Northeast and East Districts.
This class is open to all parishioners and pastors who are interested in including health ministry as a part of your church mission outreach. Take this opportunity to send several interested members.
The workshops will be held Feb. 4...
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Partnering key to new direction in conference ministries
1/13/2010
Partnering is key to the Indiana Conference’s role in relating to its ten new districts and more than 1,200 congregations, according to conference leaders.
North District Superintendent Cindy Reynolds, chairperson of Indiana’s 10-district cabinet, said that the new conference will be living out the philosophy set forth in the Imagine Indiana planning that led to the creation of the new conference.
“We need to stay purpose driven, live out horizontal initiatives serving and...
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Rural Converse church harnesses wind to generate electricity
1/13/2010
CONVERSE, Ind. – When the wind blows hard across the open spaces of central Indiana, roof shingles fly, backyard sheds blow into nearby fields and in the winter months, water pipes freeze and burst open.
“We ought to make use of that wind,” thought George Kilmer. He’s a member of Richland Chapel United Methodist Church northeast of Converse, Ind., in the middle of the state where the land is flat and the wind blows constantly.
The dream of harnessing that wind to drive...
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Time running out on Oberammergau Passion Play trip
1/13/2010
Pastors and lay people are invited to join Bishop Mike Coyner and the Indiana Conference as they travel to see the world famous Oberammergau Passion Play this coming August. This is a nine-day European adventure departing Aug. 3 and titled “Alpine Wonders/Oberammergau.”
The cost of the basic trip has been reduced by $200. Staying in an Austrian Village the group will enjoy day trips to Salzburg and Innsbruck, Austria and Bressanone, Italy in addition to seeing the play at...
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Focus
Adriane Curtis
Trinity/Salem UMC in New Castle & Co-chair of the Campus Ministry Affinity group
1/13/2010
This past October, I started serving in the Indiana Conference to represent Young Adults, Campus Ministries and Higher Education at the Conference Leadership Table. There are many reasons that I am passionate about campus ministries and their importance to the Conference.
I grew up as an Indiana Conference preacher’s kid. It’s not easy finding your own identity in the church when you grow up in the shadow of a minister parent. It wasn’t until I got to the University of...
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Alex Thompson
1/13/2010
“The midnight service (in Neu Chapel at the center of the Evansville University campus) is one of the best kept secrets on campus. The setting is beautiful and the experience helps me keep everything in focus.” – Alex’s reflections on how he stays relaxed and calm in the stressful night before final exams....
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Ayrielle Kristin Davis
United Campus Ministries, Indiana State University
1/13/2010
In 2005, I started a new chapter of my life – college. I was excited and a bit nervous, and became even more nervous when I was looking for a job. Luckily for me Indiana State University was having a job fair for the incoming students to easily find a job on campus. Unluckily, no one was looking at me at this fair, or paying any heed that I could be a valuable asset. It could have been the fact I never had a real job while I was in high school, although I did have plenty of after school...
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Campus Ministries touches the lives of students
1/13/2010
On a regular Wednesday evening at 7:37 p.m., students would come to the Student Union Building on the campus of Vincennes University and gather for worship. On this particular evening, I was asked to be the guest speaker. The entire service was planned and prepared by the students. The music was awesome the testimonies of service and faith in Christ were incredible, I was given the topic “Trust” to fit their theme of the evening. I was asked to provide PowerPoint slides and a video...
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Melissa Zimmerman
1/13/2010
I am Melissa Zimmerman, a senior double major in Religious Studies and Greek at DePauw University. I came to DePauw knowing I am working toward ordination as an Elder and next year I will be attending the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Campus ministry has been very important for my life during my time at DePauw.
One part of DePauw’s campus ministry that has been most important for me is the Sunday night Bible study, called BS with the Chaplain. The Rev. P.T. Wilson started it at...
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Rethink campus ministry: Shaping futures together
The 2010 Campus Ministry Offering
1/13/2010
If you were asked if you thought the spiritual and leadership development of today’s college students were important, considering that these students will be our church and community leaders of tomorrow, you would probably say, “Yes!” If you were asked if you would be willing to help make sure a young college student felt welcomed and accepted away from home for the first time, you would probably say, “Yes!” If you were asked if you wanted to change a life for the...
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Ryan Grossman
United Campus Ministries, Indiana State University Student
1/13/2010
Wonderful friends, opportunities to serve and a soothing environment would not be as readily available had United Campus Ministries never opened their doors to me and other students. The wide, unconditional acceptance of students and community members allows for a low stress, highly enjoyable and spiritually uplifting environment for everyone and anyone seeking the comforts of fellowship and God amid the struggles of life....
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Ryan Kreger
Greater Fort Wayne Campus Ministry, IPFW student
1/13/2010
Campus Ministry continues to encourage my personal spiritual growth while allowing ministry opportunities to watch God work in the lives of other students on the Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne campus. I believe God has used the Greater Fort Wayne Campus Ministry to nurture and spur on new growth in students through our student leadership and our staff. It is very encouraging to see students praying and studying God’s word on any given day or time. I believe this demonstrates the amazing work...
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UMC related campus ministries in Indiana
1/13/2010
Here is a list of United Methodist-related campus ministries in Indiana:
College Connection at Ball State University in Muncie (formerly the Wesley Foundation at Ball State)
DePauw University in Greencastle
Greater Fort Wayne Campus Ministry (serving IPFW and the Indiana Institute of Technology)
Wesley Foundation at Purdue University in West Lafayette
United Campus Ministries of Terre Haute (serving Indiana State University, St. Mary-of-the-Woods and Rose-Hulman...
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With the support of our churches, Indiana UMC-affiliated campus ministries provide:
1/13/2010
Intentional spiritual development, mentoring and empowering Christian leaders for your congregation and the church’s future.
Invitational, inclusive hospitality and a safe Christian community for your students in colleges and universities in Indiana.
Innovative, inspiring worship and engaging Bible studies for campus communities.
Radical, life-changing mission trips and service projects at home and around the world.
...
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Global
Church launches 'Voice of Hope' radio in Côte d'Ivoire
1/13/2010
ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire (UMNS) – People in this West African country are receiving messages of hope along with information to enhance their lives through a new radio station launched by The United Methodist Church.
The station, Radio Methos (101.6 FM), began test transmissions during the Christmas holidays, and Bishop Benjamin Boni, who leads the denomination’s Côte d’Ivoire Conference, addressed listeners on New Year’s Day.
Described by the church as...
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Climate inaction a danger, United Methodists say
1/13/2010
Someday soon, Tupou Kelemeni fears her ancestral home could be washed away.
Pacific island nations are among the countries under immediate threat from global warming and Kelemeni, a United Methodist from Hawaii and native of Tonga, is concerned about all of them.
As a member of the United Methodist Women’s delegation to the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, she had a chance to interview young people from the Solomon Islands and the Maldives Islands, in the Indian Ocean,...
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Texan chosen to lead Commission on United Methodist Men
1/13/2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) – “The United Methodist Church needs men, and men need a spiritual home. The challenge is bringing the two together,” said Gilbert C. Hanke, new top executive for the Commission on United Methodist Men.
Hanke, 59, will become top staff executive of the agency Feb. 1.
“Men are searching for something spiritual, and many are looking in the wrong places,” Hanke said. “The United Methodist Church is uniquely equipped to help men because...
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Viewpoints
A tale of two responses
Body, Mind & Spirit
1/13/2010
Now that Christmas is complete and all of the tinsel has been removed and deposited into the landfill, we enter this odd season of Epiphany – a brief affair focusing on Christ’s revelation to the world. For some reason, I’ve always preferred Matthew’s account of the magi to Luke’s account, which is centered in angel, announcement and humble birth. I have always found Matthew’s Gospel to be much richer in preachable and teachable insights – especially as...
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Church people view money as taboo
REJUVENATE – Let’s Talk
1/13/2010
One of the taboos in the church is money. A taboo, according to anthropologist Robert Wuthnow is “…associated with something so sacred that to touch it or even talk about it is to expose oneself to considerable danger…Money is perhaps the topic that remains the most subject to taboo.”
Do you agree with this statement?
Lake Institute on Faith & Giving* offers reasons why clergy and laity view money as taboo. I list a few here:
Clergy experience...
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Core value of the church remains to win people to Jesus Christ
1/13/2010
January 2010 is the beginning of a new decade. Who could have seen all of the changes that took place in the last ten years; it has been a whirlwind. But the old saying still is true, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”
The biggest thing that is still the same is people need to know Jesus Christ. The core value of the church remains the same, to win people to Jesus Christ.
The core value of the camping ministry is to bring children, youth and young adults to...
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Chronicles
Bishop Coyner to meet with confirmands on March 6
1/13/2010
Indiana Bishop Mike Coyner announces “Connect: The Bishop’s Confirmation Rally” to be held Saturday, March 6 at the First UMC of Noblesville at 2051 E. Monument Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Confirmation students (including those confirmed in the fall of 2009), mentors and youth leaders from across the state are invited to gather for a day of worship, exploration and connection. The celebration of our faith will include praise and worship, an appearance by “John...
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Central District woman honored by Women's Prison
1/13/2010
Phyllis Newton proudly displays her quilt made by offenders at the Indiana Women’s Prison. Newton was presented the quilt when she was named “Religious Services Volunteer of the Year” for 2009. Newton is a member of Broadway United Methodist Church in Indianapolis and serves as vice president of the Central District United Methodist Women....
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IRS announces 2010 Standard Mileage Rates
1/13/2010
WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service recently issued the 2010 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.
Effective Jan. 1, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) is:
50 cents per mile for business miles driven
16.5 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes
14 cents per mile driven in service of...
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Jasonville's new food pantry grows in assisting needy
1/13/2010
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).
Every third Saturday, the door opens at the Back Door Food Pantry at the Jasonville United Methodist Church (30 miles southeast of Terre Haute) find this lesson from Jesus in action. Its church and community ministry have been up and running since August. Each month,...
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Mace UMC has five generations of worshippers
1/13/2010
When Mace UMC (southeast of Crawfordsville) decided to do a church directory, the Olan Mills representative suggested the church invite families to take advantage of free photos for a family portrait. Although church members are not strangers to having five generations in the church it is still worthy of praise and a testament to Christian values. Pictured (left to right) are: Great-great granddaughter Addie Utterback, granddaughter Lori Holt, Great granddaughter Aubrey Utterback holding...
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Seminary offers new full-tuition Garrett Scholarship
1/13/2010
EVANSTON, Ill., – Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary announces a new scholarship that pays full tuition and a $10,000 annual stipend available to full-time students enrolling in a master’s degree program in the fall of 2010.
In addition to the Eliza Garrett Scholarships, the seminary awards more than $2 million in scholarships each year. Highly qualified incoming students are also eligible for full-tuition scholarships with annual stipends as well as many full-tuition and...
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Volunteer in mission trip planned to Africa University
1/13/2010
Plans have been revised for a spring trip to the United Methodist-related Africa University in Mutare, Zimbabwe. May 20 to June 8 are the dates for a trip planned by volunteers of the Indiana Conference to Africa University.
The Rev. James Anyike, pastor of Scott United Methodist Church and The Way in Indianapolis will be leading the group for this experience. Those participating will have an opportunity to be involved in life on the campus of the university and work on various projects there...
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West Ohio Conference seeks CFO, director of administration
1/13/2010
The West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church seeks a CFO and Director of Administration.
In addition to fulfilling the roles and responsibilities of conference treasurer as defined in The Book of Discipline, this person will serve as the bishop’s chief of staff and will provide broad administrative leadership on many matters of the conference, including leadership on implementing our vision, goals and objectives; human resources and benefits administration; and coordination of...
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