1Hoosier

UnitedMethodists

togetherwww.inareaumc.org

October 2007Volume 37Number 8

www. inareaumc.org

HOOSIER UNITED METHODISTS

Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors.The people of The United Methodist Church®

Poor

By Woody WoodrickA UMNS Report

When Ben Poor told his par-ents he wanted to go fora walk this summer, hewasn’t talking about astroll around the blockor a quick power walk.Poor took a loooooongwalk. Like 850 miles.

The 20-year-oldUnited Methodistwalked from his home-town of New Palestine,Ind., to New Orleans toraise money for Hurricane Katri-na relief. He left New Palestine,near Indianapolis, on June 26 andreached New Orleans on Aug. 9.

“It all started a couple of yearsago with a mission trip to Okla-homa,” Poor said during a stop inJackson, Miss. “I knew then I

Student hikes to New Orleans to raise relief fundswanted to go to New Orleans.Then I went backpacking in Eu-rope with my family and decided,‘“Why not do that for a purpose

and a good cause?’“Poor’s pilgrimage

to New Orleans hadraised more than$10,000, including$3,000 donated at theoutset by New Pales-tine United MethodistChurch, where Poorand his parents aremembers.

Along the way, Poorrelied on the kindness of others forplaces to stay and many of hismeals. He often contacted UnitedMethodist churches for assistance.

“The church is united,” saidPoor, a student at Ball State Uni-versity. “Everybody (in The Unit-ed Methodist Church) is connect-

care of the young walker.“We were thrilled to death that

he was doing this. We were opento doing whatever we could forhim,” she said. “We gave him aplace to stay. We have a bed andbreakfast here.”

Poor reached New Orleans onAug. 9 to find a banner welcom-ing him to the city and a band play-ing. “Getting there was such asense of accomplishment. It wasunlike any feeling I’ve ever had.”

Poor spent a few days in NewOrleans before returning Aug. 13to New Palestine. He since hasreturned to Ball State.

“I put forth a little bit of effortand time, but it was nothing com-pared to what the volunteers havedone and what the people therehave gone through every day sincethe storm,” he said.

Woody Woodrick serves as ed-itor of the Mississippi Advocate,the newspaper of the MississippiAnnual Conference.

By Sue LoweSouth Bend Tribune Staff Writer

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – “It takes aplace like Granger Community topull something like this off,” abeaming Jodi Wagonmaker said asshe stood ready to help people atthe church’s annual Baptism Cel-ebration held Sunday, Sept. 9.

It’s not every baptism whereyou can buy a hot dog and nachoswhile waiting to watch yourfriends and relatives be baptized.

It’s also not every baptismwhere about 350 people are bap-tized.

Jami Ruth, communicationsmanager for Granger CommunityChurch (United Methodist), saidthe annual ceremonies had beenheld at Clear Lake in Buchanansince the church was founded byPastor Mark Beeson 21 years ago.

But Coveleski Regional Stadi-um has more room for friends andfamily. The church has about 5,000members, according to Ruth.

So the move was made this yearwith six small aboveground poolsset up with baptisms taking placein all six at once.

It took a little longer than anhour for the names and pool as-

Huge event features six pools, long lines, hot dogs, nachosGoing ‘public with their faith’

signments of those being baptizedto be read.

And it was another half hourbefore everybody had gonethrough the lines at the pools.

Wagonmaker was one of many,many church volunteers wearingred baseball caps so those in needcould find them. She was baptizedlast year at Clear Lake.

She said there’s something tobe said for baptism in a naturallake – “there’s back to nature.”

She thinks there’s also some-thing to be said for using the Cove.

It puts a little more attention onthose being baptized.

Plus Wagonmaker likes theidea of church members patroniz-ing the stadium concession standsand showing some appreciationfor its place in the community.“Water is water,” she said. “Whenyou go down in it you’re one per-son. When you come out you’reanother person.”

Those being baptized includedteenagers, younger children andadults.Some walked up to the poolwith a friend or relative but werebaptized alone.

Others went through the ritualin pairs or even family groups.

Jessi Coburn and Drew Bain

came from Otsego, Mich., to bebaptized. They come almost ev-ery Sunday to go to Granger Com-munity Church where Bain’s fa-ther and stepmother attend.

Coburn said being baptized to-gether made the two feel closer.

One family of six from NorthLiberty was baptized together asa symbol of hope for the future.

John Marks Jr. had his last che-motherapy treatment for non-Hodgkins lymphoma Wednesday.

“This is a good chance to startover,” his wife, Anna Marks,said.The baptism follows a lot ofprayer.

The couple’s three children,Jordan, Alicia and Gloria, joinedthem along with his brother, Tho-mas.

Before the sacrament started,Beeson thanked the “men andwomen across Michiana who havedecided to go public with theirfaith.”

After being baptized, partici-pants walked down the third baseline to touch home plate.

Beeson called it “a home runfor Christ.”

This story was used by permis-sion of the South Bend Tribune©2007. All rights reserved.

ed. They really helped me out. Ifpeople helping me couldn’t con-tact another Methodist church,they called Baptists or Catholics.It’s all about God. It’s unbeliev-able how he has taken me on thiswalk.”

One step at a timeAs he began his journey, Poor

was accompanied by friend MattGillott to the Indiana state linebefore going it solo. He carriedsome clothing in a backpack andbrought along books on tape.Most of the time, however, he wassimply walking.

“It gives you a lot of time to

think,” Poor said ofthe walk. “I thinkabout God and keep-ing safe, my familyand friends, sports.”

Walking 15 to 20miles per day, he wasoften sore from thephysical exertion. Thekey was finding some-one willing to driveand pick him up at theend of each day’s hikeso he could eat andsleep before returningto that spot the nextday to resume his trek.

Poor’s journeythrough Mississippicame at the beginningof a heat wave. If ac-tual temperaturesweren’t more than 100degrees, the heat in-dex usually was. “Itwas insane walking inall that heat,” he said.“It really takes a tollon you both mentallyand physically. Yourbody says you can’t goon anymore, but youtell yourself you haveto do it.”

At one point duringthe Mississippistretch, Poor’s parentstook a week of vacation and trav-eled with him.

“Most people who do this sortof thing have a support team orothers who travel with them,” saidMaria Poor, who called her son’swalk “a pretty scary undertaking.”

Mike Poor added, “He made itpretty clear we were not going tobe able to talk him out of it.”

New friendsIn Jackson, Mike and Maria

Poor found the United MethodistMississippi Conference office andgot assistance from staffers Bren-da McGloster and Krystal Bonds.They helped to secure places forBen Poor to stay as he continuedhis journey south, including con-tacts with Lumberton UMC, Pop-larville First UMC, Picayune FirstUMC and the churches of the Pic-ayune Circuit.

In Poplarville, which was di-rectly affected by the hurricane,church secretary Diane Weiss took

“The church isunited.”

A UMNS photo by Woody Woodrick.Ben Poor makes his way around the Mississip-pi State Capitol in Jackson during his 850-mile walk from Indiana to New Orleans, rais-ing more than $10,000 for Hurricane Katrinarelief. Poor, who is a Hoosier United Method-ist, often contacted United Methodist church-es for support along the way.

October 2007

HoosierUnitedMethodists

together2 FROM THE BISHOP

MISSION STATEMENT: To reflect the teachings of Christ throughstories and pictures, thereby sharing key moments and concerns inthe life of his Indiana church and its people. To share joy, to sharepersonal faith, to share challenges, and to refresh the spirit.

www.inareaumc.org

Char Harris AllenBishop Michael J. Coyner

Ida EasleyMark Eutsler

Chip GastMark Gough

Members of the Indiana Area Communications Commissionand Editorial Advisory Group:

Steve Bahrt, chairmanJack Howey

David V.W. OwenBruce PalmerRobert Sharp

Matthew StultzBert Talbott

October 2007 Vol. 37 No.8

Indiana Area Bishop/Publisher: Michael J. Coyner

Editor: Daniel R. Gangler

Editorial Assistant: Erma Metzler

Printed by: HNE Printers, Columbus with soy-based inks on recycled/recyclable paper

Editorial Offices:Hoosier United Methodists TogetherIndiana Area United Methodist Church1100 W. 42nd St., Suite 210Indianapolis, Indiana 46208Phone: 317-924-1321Fax: 317-924-4859e-mail: editor@inareaumc.org

Hoosier United Methodists Together (ISSN-1544-080x) is a monthly (except June,August and December) publication ofIndiana Area United MethodistCommunications, 1100 W. 42nd. St.,Indianapolis, IN 46208, for clergy, laity andseekers. Periodicals postage paid at

Indianapolis, IN. Printed in the U.S.A.copyright 2005 Indiana Area of The UnitedMethodist Church.

Postmaster: Send address changes to HoosierUnited Methodists Together, 1100 W. 42ndSt., Suite 210, Indianapolis, Indiana 46208

Subscription Information: Call 317-924-1321.One-year subscription, $12, single copy $1.50

Change of Address: Send the mailing labelwith your new address to:Erma Metzler, Together, Indiana Area UMC,1100 W. 42nd. St., Suite 210, Indianapolis,Indiana 46208 or e-mailemetzler@inareaumc.org

Commentaries and letters provided byIndiana Area United MethodistCommunications do not necessarily representthe opinions or policies of Bishop MichaelCoyner, the Indiana Area or The UnitedMethodist Church.

Permission is hereby granted to United Methodist congregations to reprint stories, notpreviously copyrighted, in church newsletters. Together is supported by connectional giving.

HOOSIER UNITED METHODISTS

I love the fall football season.I like watching football on TV,listening to games on the carradio while I drive, and evengoing to a few games in person.I also watch Sports Center, I lis-ten to ESPN sporting news, Iread sports Web sites, and I en-joy talking football with otherfans.

This is a great year for foot-ball in Indiana. The Colts are 4-0, Purdueis 5-0, Indiana is 4-1 and Notre Dame willwin a game eventually. In our United Meth-odist-related schools, DePauw is 3-1 andthe University of Indianapolis is 4-1. TheUniversity of Evansville has no footballteam, but I understand that both men’s andwomen’s soccer teams are doing very well.

Spectator sports are great for entertain-ment, however it is not healthy when webring this spectator attitude into the church.Church is not a spectator sport, and follow-ing Jesus is certainly not a spectator reli-gion. Sometimes when I get letters frompeople who are complaining about theirchurch or their pastor, it sounds to me likethey are only being spectators at church.

Church is not a spectator sport

Rather than going to churchto be a spectator who watches thepastor, choir or other people doministry, church at its best is a

preparation for all of us to go onto the play-ing field of life and to join the Jesus team.Church is not the place we live our Chris-tian faith, church is the place where wepractice our Christian faith. Our pastors andlay leaders are not the performers for us towatch, they are the coaches to help us pre-pare for the game of life. Our church build-ings are not places for us to be spectators,our church buildings are practice fieldswhere we hone our skills in being faithfulChristians.

Whenever we turn church into a specta-tor sport, we have missed the whole pointof being on the Jesus team.

This issue of Together is filled with sto-ries of individuals and churches who un-

derstand that being a United MethodistChristian means being an active followerof Jesus who makes a difference in Indianaand around the world. Read those storiesand see how some members of the Jesusteam are being faithful.

Go ahead and enjoy the football season,but don’t turn church into a spectator sport.

Bishop Michael J. CoynerIndiana Area of

The United Methodist ChurchMaking a Difference in Indiana

and around the world.

“Church at its best is a preparation for all of usto go onto the playing field of life and to join theJesus team.”

Photo courtesy ofDePauw University sports information

Indiana United Methodist-relatedDePauw University at Greencastle, herepictured in black and gold, continues a

successful football season.

Administrative Assistants from 15 of the18 United Methodist district offices acrossIndiana discuss their role in the church andconcerns relating to their positions withBishop Mike Coyner and five members ofthe Imagine Indiana Planning Team duringa Sept. 21 luncheon meeting at the area of-fice in Indianapolis.

The administrative assistants talked asCoyner and team members listened to their

District AAs discuss unity of two conferencescomments about database needs, districtand conference programs, district commit-tee structure, Web sites, other communica-tion issues and job security. They suggest-ed that training for the future be done as agroup and inquired about staying connect-ed throughout the unifying phase of the twoIndiana Area conferences coming togeth-er. They also asked to be informed what ishappening before it happens.

‘Our Life Together’ dateshave changed

“Our Life Together” dates have been changed to Monday-Tuesday, April 14-15,2008, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. This event is for allUnited Methodist clergy in Indiana – retired clergy are welcome and active clergyare expected to attend if at all possible. The theme for this two-day event is “Liv-ing the Wesleyan Way in a New Day.”

Registration and information will be available on-line through the North Indi-ana Conference, South Indiana Conference and Indiana Area Web sites on Nov. 1.

3Hoosier

UnitedMethodists

togetherwww.inareaumc.orgEDITORIAL

LETTERSThanks for strongmessage in Together

Thank you so much for thestrong message in the Septemberissue of together. It is much need-ed and will, I hope, be heeded bythose who are in a position to helpthe average UM church-goers un-derstand and believe. I wish I didnot have to agree that we havemisplaced our Wesleyan identity,not because the organization is soimportant but because Wesley had

Many congregations are in themidst of stewardship campaigns toraise pledges or faith promises forthe mission and ministry of theirchurches during the coming year.

My pastor, Anne Rosebrock,followed example recently at Me-ridian Street United Methodistwith a Stewardship Sunday ser-mon based on the story of Zac-chaeus, the rich tax collector“small in stature and in spirit.”However, this story is far beyondparish fund raising and securingnext year’s budget. In it Jesus cap-tured the essence of giving.

Jesus chooses Zacchaeus, andZacchaeus accepts his invitation.Jesus chooses Zacchaeus, and inthat moment, in my pastor’swords, “Zacchaeus is movedfrom what he has been to whathe will be.”

Even though the story punctu-ates that Zacchaeus was very richmonetarily, the story is about ac-ceptance, surrender and reconcil-iation. He accepts Jesus’ call –

Give until the experience feels good“Zacchaeus, hurry down!” He sur-renders to Jesus’ will – “Zacchae-us hurried down and gladly wel-comed Jesus.” He reconciled whathe had done wrong – “I will givehalf of my property to the poor.And I will now pay back fourtimes as much to everyone I haveever cheated” (Luke 19:1-10). Isit about money?

With his change of attitude,Zacchaeus and his family receivedGod’s gift of salvation.

We give out of the reality of ourabundance.

Minutes before I heard the Gos-pel boldly preached, I heard an-other version of giving out of thereality of abundance from a Na-tional Public Radio interview withChuck Feeney, a little known, qui-et philanthropist who has givenhundreds of millions of dollarsduring his lifetime. His foundationhas an estimated worth of $4 bil-lion. Feeney made his fortune asfounder of Duty Free Shoppers,the world’s largest duty-free retail

chain. You’ve probably seen oneof his shops at an international air-port. At 76, Feeney says the timefelt right to share his story.

Feeney doesn’t consider him-self cheap, just frugal. He says herespects money and hates to see itwasted – values that he instilledin his five children early on.

When asked, “What drivesyou?” Feeney responded, “It’sabout caring for your neighbors.There are some people who liketo have their money, but I wonderwhy because all you can do iscount it, unless you do somethingwith it. I was determined to usemoney in helping others.”

What’s next? He says, “We aregoing to continue spending mon-ey because it is my belief by giv-

ing while living it doesn’t prolongyour life, but you can do goodthings and make goodthings happen and bepart and parcel ofthat…”

Why did he turnout the way he did?He says, “The impactof your parents onyour later life is unde-niable. My parentsraised me to thinkabout other people and instructedme often that the things that canbe done with money to help otherpeople are good investment.”

Feeney is no modern-day Zac-chaeus. His values were learnedin childhood and he held them asthe values to live his entire life.

Stewardship is not aboutwealth, it’s about generosity –wisely giving away what we haveand sustaining our own existencein a frugal manner.

In terms of Hoosier UnitedMethodists, stewardship is about

making a difference in Indiana andaround the world. It’s not just

about what we pledgeand supporting nextyear’s church budget.Stewardship reflectswhat we give with theabundance that God sofreely gives to us.

As Americans, evenfinancially strugglingAmericans, we are someof the richest people in

the world monetarily, but how arewe doing spiritually? Do we needJesus to make us anew so that wecan be moved from what we havebeen monetarily to what we willbe spiritually? That’s generosity!

Jesus did not teach a biblicaltithe or ten percent of earnings.Jesus taught us to give 100 per-cent. In this form of giving, we canthen understand our salvation asa gift from God but at great cost.

Pledge boldly. Give until theexperience feels good.

– Daniel R. Gangler

We give out of thereality of ourabundance.

an appropriate biblical approachto modern life. A lot of us still needit!

Also, for reasons I can’t quiteidentify, this current issue is par-ticularly effective. The tone, tem-po, topics all resonate more thanusual. If you are hearing that fromseveral readers, your staff will bepuzzling out answers to “Is it us?”or “Is it the reader?” this month.

Janice DeanElkhart, Ind.

By Daniel R. Gangler

INDIANAPOLIS – Under theleadership of Bishop MikeCoyner, the Imagine Indiana Plan-ning Team’s work continued Sept.28 to bring images into reality asits 12 members pursued a planwhich will unite the North Indi-ana and South Indiana UnitedMethodist annual conferences.

One of those reality points isamendments to the Imagine In-diana plan of union that will comebefore both annual conferencesnext spring. If such amendmentsare received for approval to moveforward toward unity, a specialsession of both annual conferenc-es will need to be held jointly toratify an agreed-upon plan. Theteam has reserved the Blue Rib-bon Pavilion at the Indiana StateFairgrounds in Indianapolis forSaturday, Oct. 4, 2008 as the lo-cation of the special sessions, ifneeded.

During its five-hour meeting,the Imagine Indiana PlanningTeam members continued to lis-ten and compile information as

they begin to finalize parts of theplan. Coyner, who had met withthree districts, reported that hismeetings with pastors and layleaders have been a positive ex-perience. He said the most posi-tive comments were about theclustering of churches as outlinedin the proposal approved at bothannual conferences in June.

“People continue to ask fordetails on plans we’re still final-izing,” he said.

Coyner spoke very positivelyabout his meeting with 15 of the18 district office administrativeassistants on Sept. 21. He saidthey very much see their positionsas ministry. When asked what isneeded in a new conference, theysaid, a common data base, train-ing and coming together amongother issues.

In sub-groups of committeeswhich are meeting across Indiana,

team members felt they need morefeedback groups, especially as theteam reports plans about the newconference. Some concerns havebeen raised about where the newIndiana Annual Conference ses-sions will be held.

The planning team has reservedEmens Auditorium for the firstsession of the new Indiana Con-ference Thursday, June 25 throughSunday, June 28, 2009 on the cam-pus of Ball State University inMuncie. The auditorium seats3,300 people, Ball State also hasa smaller 660-seat auditorium,food courts, catering services,break-out rooms, residence hallrooms, and at least six hotels with-in ten minutes of the campus.

Among other items, the teamcontinues to:♦ Work with a connectional table

model for administration;♦ Discuss the responsibility of

congregations in order to meetthe needs of congregations;

♦ Design a conference staff tohelp congregations discoverytheir passions and carry out thatpassion;

♦ Work on the philosophical andtheological aspects of a newconference;

♦ Discuss organizing congrega-tions into clusters, pastors intopeer groups and establishingvoluntary affinity groups whichcould be local or statewide.

♦ Work on equalizing pension andhealth care benefit programs;

♦ Research ways to fund a new

conferencebeyond ac o n n e c -tional tithe;and♦ P r a yfor God’sleading in

the work ofcreating some-

thing new.Principles the team plans to use

to continue its work are: localizedministry, centralized administra-tion and globalized mission. Aplan of union has not yet beendrafted.

During this month and next,districts will continue to meet withBishop Coyner as he continues to

Imagine Indiana Team moves forward in bringing images to realityPray for God’s leading in the work of

creating something new.

listen. Next scheduled meetings ofthe planning team are Oct. 19,Nov. 16 and Dec. 14-15. Theteam’s report needs to be writtenin early 2008 so more listening canoccur as the team finalized its re-port for the North Indiana AnnualConference meeting May 29-31 atWest Lafayette and the South In-diana Annual Conference meetingJune 5-7 in Bloomington.

In the meantime, suggestionsand comments for the Imagine In-diana Planning Team can be e-mailed to ImagineIndiana@-inareaumc.org. or Imagine Indi-ana Planning Team, 1100 W. 42ndSt., Suite 210, Indianapolis, IN46234. For more information, logon to www.inareaumc.org.

Indiana Area Bishop MichaelJ. Coyner has announced the ap-pointment of the Rev. MichaelBiggs, United Methodist Superin-tendent of the New Albany Dis-trict since 2002, to the position ofsenior pastor at the 740-memberChapel Hill United MethodistChurch on North Girls SchoolRoad on Indianapolis’ westsideeffective Dec. 1

The announcement of the movewas made the first week in Octo-ber to churches in the New Alba-ny District. Members of the Chap-el Hill UMC were informed of themove Sunday, Sept. 30.

Coyner has appointed currentChapel Hill Senior Pastor JeffrieV. Zirkle to renewal leave effec-tive the first week of October and

New Albany DistrictSuperintendent appointed toIndy church

pending a further appointment. Hehas been senior pastor at ChapelHill since 2001. Associate PastorEsther Williams will remain onstaff at Chapel Hill.

Mid-year moves are not un-common for District Superinten-dents. Biggs’ tenure as superinten-dent in New Albany would havecome to a close next year.

In leaving the New Albany Dis-trict, Biggs told Together, “I amthankful to the people of New Al-bany District and have appreciat-ed working with them in teamministry leading people to theKingdom. During my bout withcancer, they were very supportiveof me and my wife Ruthie. Wewere overwhelmed with their actsof care, kindness and concern.”

October 2007

HoosierUnitedMethodists

together4 INDIANA

By Daniel R. Gangler

INDIANAPOLIS – His first release was from the Pendle-ton Correctional Facility northeast of Indianapolis in March2006. His second release came a year later from the FaithCare Team of Wesley United Methodist Church on thewest-side of Indianapolis.

Both were fearful experiences as Buddy Stapleton be-gan his interdependent life as a former prison inmate andbecame a productive citizen of Indianapolis. His futuresuccess, of not re-entering a correctional facility, has beenpushed high by his year-long experience with the Wesleycongregation. Stapleton was under the care of the church’sFaith Care Team as a “neighbor” from April 2006 untilthis past summer when the team was decommissioned fol-lowing a year of direct service.

DeeEllen Davis, Wesley’s team leader, toldfaith and community leaders about her church’s successwith Stapleton during the second annual celebration thissummer of the Faith in Community Ministry program. Shesaid the past year has been a challenging but satisfyingone for the team and Wesley congregation.

“At times it was like a roller coaster with ordinary peo-ple, listening, communicating and building a relationshipwith Buddy,” explained Davis. “He still needs us.”

Stapleton became a member at Wesley UMC withinweeks of his orientation with the Faith Care Team.

Davis explained that Stapleton now boards in a privatehome and works as a parts-delivery driver. He continuesto be part of the neighborhood and active in the church.He could not be part of the celebration, because it occurredduring day-time working hours.

“It takes a leader to say ‘you do this’ with grace anddignity,” said Davis. “Not everyone on the team finishedthe year.”

Pleased with teamDave Gushee, a private citizen who rents a room in his

home to Stapleton, said he was pleased with Wesley’s teamfor remaining true to their commitment.

“They were dealing with stressful situations and a bigchange in Stapleton’s life. Buddy still struggles with rela-tionships but he is more open to talk about it and has awillingness and desire to cope with life. Not all comingout of prison are so. Not all are open to faith community

Pilot program successful, time to expandIndiana church helps offender reenter society

Photo courtesy Wesley UMCDeeEllen Davis (right) led a voluteer team to assist formerinmate Buddy Stapleton (left) transition back into society.

experiences,” said Gushee.Upon his release, the Wesley team paid for Staple-

ton’s cell phone with limited minutes, provided initialtransportation, helped him meet parole requirements andbecame advocates for him with the social service sys-tem. They also helped him establish residence, assistedhis learning about community resources, and getting andkeeping employment.

Davis advised faith communities to enlist a team ofeight to twelve volunteers with a coordinator. “Have aleap of faith to get going,” she said. “You don’t need asocial worker to head up the program. Just do it.”

Mary Z. Longstreth, a South In-diana Conference diaconal minis-ter and Director of the Faith inCommunity Ministry for theChoices, Inc. and United Method-ist Church partnership project, toldthe leaders, “A sense of account-ability is very important to the vi-sion (of re-entering past offendersinto society).”

Wesley UMC was the minis-try’s first faith team and a success-

ful one, according to Longstreth. “Our goal is to generateas many teams as we can,” she said.

The Faith Care Team ministry is divided into three phas-es: in prison relationship building through mentoring, com-munity re-entry, and reintegration and reconciliation.

Dovetails with PLUSThe program dovetails with the Indiana Department of

Correction’s re-entry programming entitled, PLUS, whichstands for Purposeful Living Units Serve. Inmates whotake part with Faith in Community Ministry are volunteerswho have completed programming offered through one ofthe PLUS units. PLUS is a 16-month transition programin which inmates choose to learn from either character-based or faith-based materials.

Dalton Haney, media contact of Indiana Department ofCorrection’s reentry educational facility at Plainfield, says23,000 inmates are released each year in Indiana. In Mar-ion County alone that is 47-a-day and more than 47 per-cent of them return to prison. Statistic’s show more than96 percent of incarcerated people will be coming back to

the community.The level of local criminal activity, public safety and

well-being in community life is directly impacted by theavailability of support needed to assist an offender’s re-entry. Securing adequate employment income, housing, andpositive social relationships, are the most critical factorsfor successful community reintegration.

The Plainfield Re-Entry Educational Facility at Plain-field has a staff of 118 employees and 224 volunteers toprovide 450 inmates a program to assist them in re-enter-ing society. It’s the only one of its kind in the country. TheUnited Methodist Church is one of 14 partners in the fa-cility’s life skills enrichment and faith-based programs.

The purpose of the facility, in its own words, “is to con-tinue to maintain public safety while providing residentsthe skills required for successful re-integration into thecommunity and ultimately reduce the rate of recidivism.”

For more information about sponsoring a faith care teamin your congregation or alternative activities to serve com-munity re-entry needs, contact Mary Z. Longstreth at 317-205-8255 or by e-mail at mzlongstreth@choicesteam.org.

Longstreth

GREENCASTLE, Ind. – Dr. Ri-chard F. Rosser, 78, DePauw’sseventeenth president who ledthe University from 1977 to1986, died Sept. 21, 2007 inMaine.

Under Rosser’s leadership,DePauw restored his-toric East College,renovated AsburyHall and Roy O. WestLibrary, and built theLilly Physical Educa-tion and RecreationCenter. The Universi-ty’s endowment grewfour-fold from $19.4million to $83.2 mil-lion.

Rosser led the University until1986, when he retired and wassucceeded by current PresidentRobert G. Bottoms.

“Dick Rosser was a great friendand mentor for me,” says Bottoms.“It was he who hired me in 1978and our friendship continued af-

DePauw University’s 17th president,Richard F. Rosser, dies at 78

ter he left DePauw. Were it not forDick’s success at the University,DePauw would not be the stronginstitution it is today.”

After leaving DePauw, Ross-er became president and chiefexecutive officer of the Nation-

al Association of Inde-pendent Colleges andUniversities (NA-ICU), positions heheld until his retire-ment in 1993.

Until recently, Ross-er headed The Presi-dents Group, a consult-ing group of retired col-lege and universitypresidents. He served

his alma mater, Ohio Wesleyan, astrustee-at-large from 1992 to 2001and had been a life trustee since2001.

A native of Arcanum, Ohio,Rosser was born in 1929. Hegraduated from Ohio Wesleyanwith Phi Beta Kappa honors in

1951. After earning a master’sdegree in public administrationin 1952 at Syracuse University,he entered the U.S. Air Force asa second lieutenant, studied theRussian language, and servedfour years in Air Force intelli-gence before returning to Syra-cuse in1958 to pursue his doc-torate in political science.

Rosser was assigned to theteaching faculty at the Air ForceAcademy in 1959, receiving hisPh.D. in 1961. He was appoint-ed head of the academy’s politi-cal science department in 1967,and a year later was promotedto the rank of colonel and re-ceived a presidential appoint-ment as a permanent professor.Rosser retired from the AirForce Academy in 1973 to be-come dean of the faculty at Al-bion College in Michigan, andheld the position until comingto DePauw as president fouryears later.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – For thefifth consecutive year, the UnitedMethodist-related University ofEvansville has met or exceeded itsenrollment goal. “When classesbegan on August 29, the enteringclass of 2007 numbered 660strong, exceeding our goal of650,” said Dr. Stephen Jennings,University President. Overall en-rollment at the University was alsotwo percent higher than last year.

Accordingto Jennings,several reasonsfor the increasein enrollmentinclude the University of Evans-ville’s strong reputation, its largenumber of highly-accredited aca-demic programs, the constructionof the new Ridgway UniversityCenter, and the opening of theSchroeder Family School of Busi-ness Administration Building.

“The University’s freshmanclass is one of diversity and highquality,” said Vice President for

University of Evansvilleexceeds enrollment expectation

“The University’sfreshman class isone of diversity andhigh quality.”

– Tom Bear

Enrollment Services Dr. Tom Bear.The University’s entering class of

2007 comesfrom 32 statesand 23 coun-tries. More than10 percent of

UE freshmen are students of col-or and an additional 6 percent areinternational.

The University of Evansvillecontinues to enroll students fromthe local area with 121 freshmenfrom Vanderburgh and Warrickcounties. Seventy-six percent offreshmen are from the states of In-diana, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohioand Missouri.

Rosser

5Hoosier

UnitedMethodists

togetherwww.inareaumc.orgINDIANA

INDIANAPOLIS (UIndy) – The Montana Logging &Ballet Company will bring its topical humor and mu-sic to Indianapolis on Nov. 18 in a performance to ben-efit a unique interfaith educational institution in Israel.

For three decades, this quartet with the cheekyname has entertained audiences across Americawith original songs and skits that satirize currentevents and contemporary society, sometimes eveninspired by the latest local news. The Montana Log-ging & Ballet Company has been heard on Nation-al Public Radio and has played for such audiencesas the National Press Club and the National Edu-cation Association.

The group will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov.18, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W.86th St. in Indianapolis. Tickets are $15 per personand may be purchased in advance at St. Luke’s andat Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, 600 W. 70th St.also in Indianapolis.

Patron packages also are available, with premi-ums that include VIP seating and an hors d’oeuvresreception featuring the acclaimed sculpture work ofMontana Logging member Tim Holmes. For moreinformation, call 317-846-3404 or writemontanaconcert@hotmail.com.

All proceeds from this special performance, pre-sented by St. Luke’s, Beth-El Zedeck and the Uni-versity of Indianapolis, will benefit scholarship fundsfor undergraduate students at Mar Elias Campus inIbillin, Israel, an innovative private institution thatpromotes peace and interfaith understanding by wel-coming students and faculty from the Muslim, Jew-

By John J. Baughman

This year marks the 200th an-niversary of the Robertson Meet-ing House, the oldest survivingbuilding of Indiana United Meth-odism. It was built in 1807 forNathan Robertson on his farm inClark County, just north of presentday Charlestown, Ind.

Natha Robertson, a native ofMaryland, moved his family toIndiana Territory in 1799 by wayof 12 years spent in frontier Ken-tucky. Converted early to Meth-odism, Robertson entertained “ex-horters” in his home and whenPresiding Elder William McKen-dree of the Western Annual Con-ference of the Methodist Episco-pal Church organized the firstthree Methodist classes in Indianain 1801, he created one in theRobertson home. Six years laterour present remaining log meet-ing house was built on the farmby Andrew Mitchell for the Rob-ertson class.

For the next fifty years the Rob-ertson Meeting House was usedfor church services, visited bysuch noteworthy early Indiana cir-cuit riders as Peter Cartwright, asa location for many early campmeetings, and was surrounded bypioneer graves.

Indiana marks 200th anniversay of oldest building

After 1857, the MeetingHouse became a farm building,was neglected, moved, restored,continually needing upgrading.Its next to last move in 1954 wasto the campus of DePauw Uni-versity near the Gobin Memori-al UMC. The name (Old Bethel)was then used and many becamefamliar with it under that name.In 1995 title was transferred tothe Conference Corporation ofthe South Indiana Conference.With funding through the His-troric Landmarks Foundation ofIndiana, the South Indiana Con-ference United Methodist His-torical Society and the Confer-ence itself, the Robertson Meet-ing House was restored to itsoriginal appearance, moved tothe grounds of the Rivervalecampground. It continues to beused for a chapel of worship aswell as a historical teaching tool.

In 1975 the Robertson MeetingHouse was officially registered asa National Historic Site of theUnited Methodist Church by the

General Commission of Archivesand History. This little log church,mueasuring only twenty by thirtyfeet, built of hewed poplar boards,

Robertson Meeting House was restoredto its original appearance and moved to thegrounds of the Rivervale campground

clapboard roof and puncheonfloor can look forward to its thirdcentury of usefullness in ministryby Indiana Methodists.

1807 was also a memorableyear in United Methodist Historyin Indiana for that year the firstcircuit completely in Indiana Ter-ritory, the Silver Creek, was cre-ated in Clark’s Grant. This yearalso marks the 200th anniversary

of the first annual conference ofAlbright’s People in Pennsylva-nia, which took the name Evan-gelical Alliance at their first gen-eral conference in 1816. It even-tually joined with the UnitedBrethren Church and later withThe United Methodist Church.

John J. Baughman serves aspresident of the Indiana UnitedMethodist Historical Society.

GARY, Ind. – As we go to press,United Methodists are scheduledto share in a very special serviceand ceremony in Gary on Sundayafternoon, Oct. 7, weather permit-ting, at the remains of the old “CityChurch” in Gary, site of the formerFirst Methodist Church, once oneof the largest Protestant churchesin Middle America. (If weatherdoes not permit an outside service,it will be held in the school acrossthe street from the site.)

Then, came the days of “whiteflight” during the 1960s and withmany White constituents fleeingthe inner city, old City Churchclosed. The remains of that once-proud building have stood for morethan 40 years as a silent and un-sightly testimony to the results ofracism, urban decay and the blightcaused by fear and abandonment.

United Methodists are sched-uled to gathering to share in a wor-ship service called “Repentance,Reconciliation and Appreciation.”Participants plan to gather to con-fess that United Methodists al-lowed racism and fear to destroya congregation. They plan to of-fer words of appreciation for thoseUnited Methodist congregationswhich stayed in Gary, and will turntoward the future to explore

Seeds of Hope to growat old City Church sitein Gary

Comedy concert will benefit Mid-East interfaith school

“Seeds of Hope.”During the event, Gary city of-

ficials plan to announce how theywill turn the old City Church siteinto a garden and park. Participantswill have a time to share their hopefor the future of Gary and UnitedMethodist ministries in particular.

The idea for this ceremony be-gan with the Rev. David Schrad-er, previous Calumet District Su-perintendent. The Rev. MichelleCobb, current Calumet DistrictSuperintendent, has continuedthose plans.

Cobb said, “I am delighted toparticipate, and I have invited themayor and several other city lead-ers to join us. I invite United Meth-odist leaders from Indiana to at-tend. This is not just a ceremonyfor the folks in Gary or the sur-rounding areas, and it is certainlynot just a ceremony for our Afri-can-American constituents. This isan opportunity for United Meth-odists to make a public witness toour repentance for racism, andalso to express our hope for a fu-ture in God’s hands.”

Coverage of this historical eventwill be published in the Nov.-Dec.issue of the Hoosier United Meth-odisst Together newspaper and on-line at www.inareaumc.org.

Photo courtesy of UIndyFrom left, Rusty Harper, Bob Fitzgerald, Tim Holmesand Steve Garnaas Holmes are the Montana Logging& Ballet Company, a musical satire troupe that willperform a benefit concert Nov. 18 at St. Luke’s Unit-ed Methodist Church in Indianapolis.

ish, Christian and Druze faith traditions.The concert is the Closing Celebration of the 2007

Spirit & Place Festival, which runs Nov. 2-18 underthe theme Living Generously. More information onSpirit & Place is available at www.spiritandplace.org.

INDIANAPOLIS – Prayer shawls for hospital pa-tients, blankets for wounded soldiers, layettes foryoung single mothers – the Epworth Stitchershave made them all.

Now the Stitchers will showcase their sewingand knitting ministry to the Indianapolis commu-nity as part of the 2007 Spirit & Place Festival, acommunity-wide celebration of the arts, humani-ties and religion.

The Spirit & Place festival features 71 eventsfor all ages, all centering on this year’s theme:Living Generously. Spirit & Place magazine’s list-ing all events are available online atwww.spiritandplace.org.

The event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3,from 1 to 3 p.m. at Epworth Church.

Part of a growing sewing and knitting ministryamong many religious faiths, the Stitchers will of-fer a workshop that includes a display, panel dis-cussion, conversation, resource information, and theopportunity to assemble layettes for expectantmothers at an alternative Indianapolis public school.

The panel, moderated by Jodi Perras, includesTheresa Arnold, educator with IPS Learning Cen-ter for Pregnant and Parenting Teens, Epworth

Epworth Stitchers showcase ministryduring Indy festivals

Stitchers Cathy Alley and Jane Billheimer, plusBrownie Troop leader Julie Borum.

Participants will explore questions such as thefollowing: What happens to both the giver andrecipient when handcrafted items are providedduring times of need? What role do prayer andmeditation play in the gift’s creation? How hasthis ministry encouraged a spirit of generosityacross cultural, geographic, and generationallines?

Participants are asked to bring baby lotion andbaby wipes to include in the layettes. Admissionis free, but pre-registration is encouraged. Pre-sented by Epworth UMC atwww.epworthindy.org, IPS Learning Center forPregnant and Parenting Teens, and BrownieTroops #1548 and #944. For more information,call 317-251-1481 or e-mailperrasjodi@comcast.net.

The Spirit & Place festivalfeatures 71 events for all ages.

October 2007

HoosierUnitedMethodists

together6 INDIANA

By Daniel R. Gangler

INDIANAPOLIS – Looking for a way toreach out to a very urban setting and di-verse population, one of the United Meth-odist downtown Indianapolis churchesopened a coffee house ministry on Sept. 14.

According to theRev. Chad Abbott,31, pastor of the re-cently configuredLockerbie CentralUnited MethodistChurch on the cornerof New York andEast Streets, “Ourjourney began in ourJustice Team, whichtried to take a look atthe coffee farming industry in Third Worldcountries. We wanted to start a Fair-TradeCoffee Project and started off small.”

Members of the team hoped to eventu-ally come to where they arrived last monthwith a full blown coffee house, namedEarth House Coffehouse & Books. Abbotsaid the dream came to reality this pastDecember, during a trustee meeting. “Wewere going room by room looking at ourspace, when a parishioner mentioned ourdream of a coffeehouse. One of the home-less men from Lighthouse Mission spokeup, ‘I am a wood worker by trade. I’ll buildyou a coffee bar.’ We were shocked andyet excited. That same week we receiveda $2,000 donation as seed money for Jefto begin building the bar. Little did weknow that it would turn into this amazingnew ministry,” said Abbott.

Targeted to three groupsThe coffeehouse is aimed for all people

to enjoy, but is targeted to reach three group– young adults, specifically college andgrad students; the artistic community, whichwe have already developed through theHerron School of Art at IUPUI and a localpoetry group; and faith groups that are look-ing for space to come and share their faithtogether through discussion, Bible study,books or lectures. Earth House also appealsto people who are interested in environmen-tal and social justice especially dealing withthe coffee industry.

Lockerbie Central opens coffee house in IndianapolisThe coffeehouse is only one of the out-

reach ministries at Lockerbie Central. Ac-cording to Abbott, there is one person onsite who essentially plays the role of a so-cial worker directing people to communityservices. In connection with Center andRoberts Park United Methodist churches,Lockerbie Central members provide a hotmeal twice-a-month to more than 400 poorand homeless people out of the church’sbasement. The church also provides a spacefor homeless people to express themselvesthrough a magazine on homelessness calledOne Paycheck Away, which is a voice ofadvocacy and hope.

In addition to social services, Locker-bie Central provides several spiritual ser-vices. In addition to traditional Sunday ser-vices and Sunday school, the church of-fers a weekly study at the church onWednesdays at 7 p.m. and a Koinoniagroup the last Monday of each month ona range of topics.

The church also offers a yoga groupthat meets on Thursdays, which memberswish to expand to include full ministriesof health and wellness. As in any church,there is always pastoral care and coun-seling as needed.

Called to this ministryWhen asked when he personally felt

called to this ministry, Abbott re-sponded, “The ministry to thehomeless has always been apart of my consciousness sincemy undergraduate days ofworking in St. Louis. There aremore than 3,000 verses in theBible which speak to God’s peo-ple showing hospitality to thepoor. I take that very seriously. So,when it came to pastoring at Lockerbie Cen-tral UMC, where homeless come throughour space daily, it came very natural to me.

Abbot and his wife, Shannon, are bothM.Div.-degree graduates of PrincetonTheological Seminary in Madison, N.J. Sh-annon, is a social worker, who also holdsan M.S.W. degree from Rutgers Universi-ty. They have a daughter, Isabel, who willbe two-years-old in November.

“In terms of the coffeehouse ministry, itcame through the dreams of others and the

desperate need for a unique cultural spacethat also offers people an opportunity toshare in meaningful conversation,” he said.

In addition to his work with thepoor and homeless in Indiana,

Abbott has worked in similarurban ministries in St. Louisand New Jersey.

An invitationPatrons of the coffeehouse

will receive an invitation to bepart of the Lockerbie Central

UMC. “We intentionally have churchfolks volunteering in the coffeehouse andbookstore to specifically develop relation-ships about our unique community… Wehave already seen, in the short time we havebeen open, an interest in the church frompeople who have come through our doors.Some of them have even attended church acouple of times.”

Lockerbie Central hopes the coffeehouseministry will be a cultural hub for all kindsof people, students, artists, local business-es, seekers and anyone who might come

Abbott

through this part of the city.“We are hoping that we can develop long

standing relationships with people through-out the city so that events can be held inour space and nationally known speakerscould come and share their ideas with us,”said Abbott.

He sees this ministry as a viable and vi-tal outreach. “Just the relationships we haveestablished in the past month is testimonyto what it can become in the future. It willbe vital so long as we remain committed toit and seeing that people make it a regularspace for their sense of well being, reflec-tion, and community.”

Abbott observes that “the Lockerbiecommunity just east of the downtownbusiness district is quite unique becauseit has the extremely wealthy and power-ful, sitting alongside the stranger, poorand homeless. It is a paradoxical com-munity for sure, but we seek to find away to minister to all people.”

Abbott can be reach by e-mail atjazzmanindy@qmail.com or by phone at317-637-2716.

ELKHART, Ind. – Trinity UnitedMethodist Church in Elkhart hasjust completed a $3.5 million com-munity center.

Members of the congregationheld an open house of the newcenter for the larger community onSept. 20. Leaders from business,education, the faith communityand government were invited to a“come and go” luncheon. Tours ofthe facility were available duringthe 90-minute open house. ElkhartMayor Dave Miller offered a briefwelcome at noon.

The 900-member congrega-tion, with a worship service aver-age attendance of more than 700in four-weekend services, hastalked for years about the con-struction of a youth center. The35,000 square foot addition, built

Elkhart Trinity holds open house at new community centerby Majority Construction, wascompleted under the leadership ofMike Downs, Trinity UMC Build-ing Chairperson.

The Trinity Life Center (TLC)includes a youth center with stageand classrooms, a full-size gym-nasium with wood floors, nurseryschool classrooms, playground,improved facilities for RiverviewAdult Center, and adult class-rooms.

Senior Pastor Mark Fensterma-cher points out the church built theTLC for the larger community aswell as to serve the congregation’sministry outreach needs.

“We believe God has calledus to serve the region withoutabandoning the city,” Fenster-macher said.

The construction of the TLC is

actually a continuation of the con-gregation’s tradition of serving thelarger community. Once located indowntown Elkhart, Trinity UMConce had a full-size gymnasiumand was located adjacent toElkhart High School. Studentsfrom the high school used the Trin-ity gym space on a regular basis.

The congregation has hiredChris Lantz as a full-time directorfor the TLC. Lantz came to Elkhartas a recent graduate of the Univer-sity of Indianapolis. He was a keyplayer in the intramural athleticprogram at the UIndy. At Trinity,he works with a committee of Trin-ity lay members, headed by localeducator Mike Ropp, to operate thecenter.

Dedication of the facility willtake place later this year.

Photos courtesy of Trinity UMCMembers of Trinity UMC and community residents in Elkhart, Ind., picnicon the front lawn of the church’s new Trinity Life Center at the center’sopen house on Sept. 20.

Together photoLockerbie Central United Methodist volunter Mark Foster brews and serves coffee with asmile at Earth House Coffee & Books in the church’s revamped fellowship hall.

7Hoosier

UnitedMethodists

togetherwww.inareaumc.orgFOCUS ON OPERATION CLASSROOM

What began as a conversation over a cup of coffee hasbecome one of the most effective mission programs of TheUnited Methodist Church in West Africa, and has sparkedinterest in several conferences to consider this concept intheir mission outreach.

When Bob Bowman and John Shettle were elected layleaders of their respective South Indiana and North Indi-ana Annual Conferences in 1984, they decided to meet todiscuss how they might work together to help renew Unit-ed Methodist churches in Indiana. Their meeting place wasthe Hardee’s fast-food restaurant in Newcastle. There theconcept of working together in a hands-on mission pro-gram began to emerge. Later, with the guidance of the lateBishop Leroy Hodapp and the late Rev. Mark Blaising,they began to formulate a plan for the mission program,which became Operation Classroom.

Operation Classroom was designed to be a partnershipprogram linking the United Methodist General Board ofGlobal Ministries, the Liberia and Sierra Leone AnnualConferences of the church, and the two Indiana annualconferences, with the objective to upgrade secondary ed-ucation in these two West African countries.

Advance teamIn order to implement this plan, an advance team – com-

posed of leaders of both North Indiana and South IndianaAnnual Conferences – traveled to Liberia and Sierra Le-one in September 1986 to meet with church officials andsee the schools selected by leaders of the Liberia and Sier-ra Leone Annual Conferences. The team visited schools,met with principals and teachers, spoke with students,viewed the physical condition of the buildings and receivedreports of the needs of each school.

When the team returned to Indiana, they determinedthe best way to challenge Indiana United Methodist church-es to meet these needs was to:♦ Assign a district or districts to be partners with a spe-

cific school,♦ Empower Indiana laity to become more actively in-

volved in mission than in the past, and♦ Embrace the hands-on mission concept.

Launched in 1987Operation Classroom was launched officially on Jan.

1, 1987, involving a partnership with four schools in Liberiaand six schools in Sierra Leone. The goal was to upgradethese schools until they were able to be self-supporting,then Operation Classroom would move on to partner withother needy schools. The Rev. Joseph and Carolyn Wag-ner were selected to be the co-coordinators of the program.

The program of Operation Classroom evoked an imme-diate, enthusiastic response across the state. By June the areachurches, through a special offering, had given more than$52,000. During the first year, both conferences raised morethan $197,000 to this Advance Special project, designatedfor Operation Classroom schools. From 1987 through 2006,Indiana’s United Methodists contributed a total of $3.2 mil-lion to Operation Classroom through the Advance.

Ingathering at WestfieldTo initiate the concept of a hands-on mission program,

a statewide ingathering was held at Westfield in Septem-ber 1987. Churches brought supplies they had gathered

Coffee leads to 20-year mission outreach in Africa

Kissy Hospital. With the inclusion of the eye hospital thispast year, it became the UMC Kissy General Hospital withOperation Doctor being the major partner. OD is respon-sible for raising funds for medications, as well as the sala-ry for Marke. Kissy Hospital has excellent nutrition, ma-ternity, HIV/AIDS and outpatient programs.

Operation Doctor also renovated the water and electri-cal systems at Ganta Hospital, in neighboring Liberia, in-cluding the construction of two water towers. It also pro-vided funds for medication and fuel, has shipped suppliesand equipment, and assisted with renovations.

Vocational educationVocational education is a high priority for each partner

school. Tools and other vocational equipment continuesas a need. Some Operation Classroom-related schools con-tinue to assist their conferences in helping former childsoldiers plus other children and youth through the traumaincurred during the war years. The Peal Center, a counsel-ing program of the Liberia Annual Conference sponsoredby Operation Classroom, ministers with children and youththrough peace clubs in schools, children-for-peace pro-grams and a Palaver Hut Management program, which as-sists youth with leadership abilities to be positive influ-ences within their peer groups.

For more information about Operation Classroom orOperation Doctor or to schedule a speaker for your church,contact Joe and Carolyn Wagner, co-coordinators, P.O. Box246, Colfax, IN 46035, or by e-mail ccwagner@-hotmail.com, wagners@operationclassroom.org, or visitthe OC Web site at www.operationclassroom.org. The Wag-ners and others are available to speak at your church ormissionary conference.

for their partner school. A semi-trailer load of schoolsupplies and books was collected in three hours.These original donations were shipped to Liberia andSierra Leone in January 1988. Since these first ship-ments, many districts have sponsored packing par-ties with hundreds of people participating. Throughthe years a total of more than 60 volunteers havecome to the OC warehouse in Lapel, Ind., to load62,367 boxes of school, medical, and refugee sup-plies and equipment, valued at more than $3.4 mil-lion into 68 shipping containers.

The work-team program was launched in January1988 with a team of 16 volunteers going to the W. P. L.Brumskine School in Buchanan, Liberia, to constructa security wall around the school property. A few weekslater, a second team of 22 volunteers traveled to AlbertAcademy in Freetown, Sierra Leone, also to begin con-struction of a campus wall. Since 1987, OC has prepared andsent 381 people to West Africa, including 13 field coordina-tors and 15 individual short-term volunteers. The 40 teamshave worked in 12 schools and two hospitals, and have held17 seminars for teachers and pastors. In addition to those In-diana teams, several Operation Classroom teams have origi-nated in Minnesota, Tennessee and Colorado.

Through the tumult of the civil wars in both Sierra Le-one and Liberia, Operation Classroom continued its part-nership with the citizens of these embattled nations. OCshipped supplies, started refugee schools and medical clin-ics, began trauma counseling seminars and established part-nerships with five additional schools.

Twenty years after its inception, Operation Classroomcontinues a strong, viable ministry in both Liberia and Si-erra Leone. Currently, partnerships are with 15 schools witha total enrollment of more than 15,000 students. This part-nership includes providing school supplies, vocationalequipment, books, work-study grants ($75 per-student per-year), and scholarships for teachers ($1,200 per year) toattend college in their own country. The renovation of sev-eral buildings remains as another priority.

Medical componentOperation Classroom established a medical component

in 1994, which involved the resurrection of Operation Doc-tor. Dr. Tom Foy, a volunteer physician, and his wife Kay,a nurse, went to Kissy Clinic in Freetown, Sierra Leone,to help reestablish the program and address the vast med-ical needs of this area of Freetown. Dennis Marke, M.D.,became the chief medical officer in 1994. Early in 2006,the Kissy Clinic, with its new surgical theater and post-operation ward, became the United Methodist ChurchStudents learn the art of tie-dyeing.

Home economics and tailoring are taught in each school.

Ganta school has a computer lab. All schools have requested computer labs.

October 2007

HoosierUnitedMethodists

together8 FOCUS ON OPERATION CLASSROOM

Since the arrival of missionaries, education has become apriority in the work of the church in many African na-

tions. In Sierra Leone and Liberia, the churchhas always been a leader in education, view-ing it as an evangelistic outreach. All theirstudents participate in Bible classes andchapel services. Many also join after-school Bible clubs. Without the schools

promoted by the church in these two WestAfrican countries, little formal education

would take place.Vocational education also is a rapidly increasing priority in

the schools. In Sierra Leone vocational education is mandatory.

United Methodists lead in West African education

Freetown United Methodist Girls School

Baoma Secondary School

Albert Academy

Fergusson Memorial School

Koidu Secondary School

Makeni Secondary School

Bo Centenary Secondary School

SIERRA LEONEThe United Methodist Church of Sierra Leone has

206 primary schools and 22 secondary schools. Herethe school curriculum is based on the British system.An A-B-C school is equivalent to our nursery schooland kindergarten. Primary school is equivalent to ourgrades 1 through 6. Junior secondary school is equiv-alent to our grades 7 through 9. Senior secondary schoolis equivalent to our grades 10 through 12. OperationClassroom is currently in partnership with 10 of thesesecondary schools and one primary school.

Operation Classroom is in partnershipwith seven junior-senior secondaryschools.

Here are the OC partner schools. All these projectsare Advance Specials (number inparentheses).

Albert Academy (09238M) aboys’ school, is located in Free-town. The school was establishedin 1904, with six students and wasnamed after American missionarythe Rev. E. Albert. Its current stu-dent body is nearly 2,700 studentswith a staff of 126. It is one of themost successful institutions oflearning in Sierra Leone. AlbertAcademy is in partnership withthe Evansville and New AlbanyDistricts.

Baoma Secondary School(11698N) is located in the Koyachiefdom in the Eastern District,and is 175 miles from Freetown.The school has 750 students anda faculty of 38 teachers. Theschool emphasizes self-help andis in partnership with the Muncieand Rushville Districts.

Fergusson Memorial School(12612B) is located 120 milessoutheast of Freetown. Fergussonis a boys’ school, with an enroll-ment of 450 students and a staffof 28. It has a strong science pro-gram and is developing a vital vo-cational program. It is in partner-ship with the Terre Haute and Vin-cennes Districts.

Bo Centenary SecondarySchool (12607 A) is located in Bo,the second-largest city in SierraLeone, and the administrative cen-ter of the Southern providence.The school has an enrollment of

750. Bo Centenary is in partnership with the Koko-mo District.

Koidu Secondary School (11698 N) is located225 miles from Freetown in the diamond mining areaon the edge of Koidu Town. Many of the buildingswere badly damaged and some destroyed during therecent war. The school has a current enrollment ofmore than 1,700 students, and is in partnership withthe Marion District.

Taiama Secondary School (OC General SierraLeone 12922A/Taiama) is part of a historic UnitedMethodist complex at Taiama about 30 miles fromBo. It was among the first mission stations estab-lished by the Evangelical United Brethren Church atthe turn of the 20th century. Taiama Secondary hasan enrollment of nearly 500 students and emphasiz-

9Hoosier

UnitedMethodists

togetherwww.inareaumc.orgFOCUS ON OPERATION CLASSROOM

es vocational education. This school is in partner-ship with the Indianapolis West District.

Makeni Secondary School (11976N) is locatedin the capital of the Northern Province. OperationClassroom/Indiana built the junior secondary build-ing during the war and Operation Classroom/RockyMountain Conference constructed the senior second-ary building. OC Missions/Minnesota built a newprimary building. The Secondary Schools have a to-tal enrollment of more than 350 students. The en-rollment of the primary school is approximately 700students.

Operation Classroom is in partnershipwith three junior secondary schools.

Freetown UM Girls School (14540A) is locatedon Circular Drive in Freetown. The school opened in2001 with 500 girls and has a current enrollment of1,300 students. It is the only United Methodist girls’school in Freetown, and is in partnership with theBloomington District.

Fakunya Agricultural and Vocational School(14539 A) is located near Moyamba in the chiefdomof Gandorhun. It became a United Methodist schoolin 2001, and has a current enrollment of 400. Theschool’s major emphasis is vocational education, spe-cializing in community and self help. It is in part-nership with the Columbus District.

Mokanji Agricultural and Vocational School(14542 A) is located on the edge of Mokanji Hills,40 miles southeast of Moyamba in the Lower BantaChiefdom. It has one seven-classroom building andan enrollment of around 350 students. Mokanji is inpartnership with the Huntington District.

St. Matthew’s United Methodist School

W.P.L. Brumskine School

“Education is one thing no onecan take from you.”

– Robert D. Owen

Ganta United Methodist School

Fakunya Agricultural and Vocational School

Mokanji Agricultural and Vocational School

College of West Africa

W. T. V. Tubman-Gray School

Operation Classroom is inpartnership with one primary school

The Brown Memorial Primary School is locat-ed on the Kissy Compound (called the Urban Cen-ter) in Freetown. It is related to the Brown UnitedMethodist Church and has an enrollment of 600 stu-dents. Operation Classroom was asked to become apartner with the school so the Kissy Hospital couldbe expanded. Carmel UMC is in a special partner-ship with the Brown Memorial Primary School.

LIBERIAThe United Methodist Church of Liberia has♦ 93 elementary schools♦ 22 junior high schools♦ 11 senior high schoolsThe schools follow the American system.

Operation Classroom Indiana is inpartnership with five schools

College of West Africa (10230N) is the oldestschool in Liberia and is located in downtown Mon-rovia. It has the reputation of being one of Liberia’spremier high schools and has a current enrollmentof 450 (Grades 10-12). Home economics, drafting,computer science and business are the major voca-tional programs at CWA. It is in partnership with theFort Wayne District.

W. T. V. Tubman-Gray School (10231A) is a K-12 school and is located in Gbarnga, the city thatbecame the headquarters of President Charles Tay-lor during the civil war. Tubman-Gray has an enroll-ment of more than 750 students, and is in partner-ship with the Calumet and Lafayette Districts.

Ganta United MethodistSchool (10234A) is a K-12school and is located on the GantaMission Station in Nimba Coun-ty. Its enrollment is currently 900students. Ganta has a strong vo-cational program, including anexcellent computer science pro-gram and is in partnership withthe Michiana District.

W.P.L. Brumskine School(10233N) is a K-12 school and islocated on the coast south of Mon-rovia in Buchanan. It has an enroll-ment of 450 students. Brumskine isin partnership with the Indianapo-lis East District.

St. Matthew’s UM School(12829A) is a K-12 school, locat-ed in a high-density poverty sub-urb of Monrovia. The presentbuilding was built during the civ-il war. It has a current enrollmentof more than 900 students and isin partnership with the WarsawDistrict.

Operation Classroom also is re-lated to the Henri Dennis School,JJ Roberts School, Tappita Sec-ondary, Kapain ElementarySchool, Samuel Ziah UM Schooland the JJ Morris School. Otherconferences and Volunteer-In-Mission teams are or have beenin partnership with these schools.

Taiama Secondary School

October 2007

HoosierUnitedMethodists

together10

1974 UMC Health and Maternity Center founded by SwedishUMC

1980 The health center’s situation was poor with no runningwater, eight under-qualified staff members and the hospi-tal received no more than five outpatients a day for care

1992 Signed a partnership agreement with Bishop Humper ofSierra Leone

1993 Dr. Tom Foy and his wife, Kay, were sent to Sierra Leonefor three months.

1993 Hired a new Matron.1994 Dr. Marke volunteered at Kissy.1995 Dr. Marke became chief-medical officer.1997 First trip held with four U.S. facilitators.2001 Kissy Clinic closed due to invasion of Freetown.2001 Began nutrition program for children and pregnant

women.2004 War over, clinic

opened, sent a team toLiberia with four fa-cilitators

2005 S e m i n a rheld in Freetown.

2005 Medical team sent toMonrovia – three fa-cilitators from Indianaplus three Africans.

2006 Medical team sent toYonabama – threefrom U.S. and threeAfricans.

2007 Medical team sent toMonrovia – threefrom U.S. and threeAfricans.

Operation Classroom at Kissy HospitalBenchmark dates

FOCUS ON OPERATION CLASSROOM

SCHOOLS1. Provide Work Study/Scholarship grants for stu-

dents – $75 each• A minimum of 100 work study/scholarship

grants are provided each school. Some schoolsreceive additional scholarships. Each studentwill spend three hours per month doing workfor the school. Because of the need, our goalis to increase the number of scholarships to130 for each school.

Tamba Bockarie, a high school junior, helps usunderstand the need for scholarships:

“I was brought up in a family where no one waseducated [and they were unable to] support me tofurther my studies. I am a poor boy who wants to beeducated, but my background is financially bankrupt.

“I am grateful to Operation Classroom for help-ing me…It brings great happiness in me to receivethis kind of help. I was meditating all along whetherI was actually going to continue my studies. I [be-lieved] I was about to be left in the wilderness. ButGod is gracious to each and every one of us on earth,and ready to help us at His stated time.

“Operation Classroom has done much for me andmade me forget about all my past troubled medita-tions. You are deeply in my heart [because of] whatyou have done for me… I hope to continue my edu-cation with your aid.”2. Upgrade the teaching staff

• Provide for college scholarships for threeteachers from Liberia and Sierra Leone to at-tend school in Liberia or Sierra Leone ($1,500per teacher per year)

• In-service training before the beginning of theschool year Seminars ($4,000 per seminar)° for general operation of the school and

classroom, and° for specific disciplines

3. Provide basic science equipment4. Upgrade and construct classroom buildings

All schools have plans for upgrading present build-ings and constructing new classroom buildings.

5. Provide materials to enrich the students spiri-tual lifeProvide Bibles, commentaries, devotional books,and other Christian literature to develop the moraland spiritual life of the teachers and students.

6. Provide vocational equipment and suppliesVocational classes will include: Home Arts, Draft-ing, Agriculture, Business, Computer, Typing,Carpentry

7. Provide sports equipment• Soccer balls, kick balls, volley balls, basketballs• Soccer and basketball uniforms• Trophies

8. Provide school supplies, equipment, and textbooks• Text books in Math, Chemistry, Physics, Biol-

ogy, English, Economics, African History• Library books in Christian religious knowl-

edge, literature in English, African literature

MEDICALKissy Hospital – Freetown, SierraLeone1. Renovate the Urban Center to include:

• three labor and delivery rooms• Laboratory

General Goals of OC for 2008-2012• Radiology• Ultrasound• ER facilities

2. Renovate present facilities3. Continue present medical programs:

• Nutrition program• EYE Hospital• HIV/AIDS• Surgery• Out–patient care• In-patient care

4. Provide medical equipment5. Provide medications/drugs6. Expand medical services

Ganta Hospital – Ganta, LiberiaFinish construction of new hospitalContinue present medical programs:• Nutrition program• EYE hospital• HIV/AIDS• Community health• In-patient care• Out-patient care• Surgery

Ganta’s new eye clinic

For current updates on OperationClassroom, check our Web site:www.operationclassroom.org or write

Operation ClassroomP.O. Box 246Colfax, IN 46035765-436-2805765-650-0231ocmission@frontiernet.netccwagner@hotmail.com

12 ways you can supportOperation Classroom1. Sponsor one or more students with a scholarship.

($75 each)2. Have a Sunday School Class, youth group, or UMW

do at least one hands – on project. (Brochures onKits and Hands-on opportunities in 2008 are avail-able on line or from the OC office.)

3. Support one project related to your partner school.4. Encourage your church to purchase school sup-

plies during the stores’ summer sales5. Provide children’s multi vitamins6. Provide dried/powdered milk7. Support a teacher, counselor or medical person8. Include Operation Classroom in your faith

promise or pledge9. Send someone from your church on an Opera-

tion Classroom workteam10. Pray for Operation Classroom’s ministry11. Volunteer to process boxes at the warehouse or

help load containers12.Participate in the Alternative Christmas Gift

program

Operation Classroom has thefollowing resources availablefor your local church:1. A litany of celebration on mission2. A speaker:

a. To preachb. To give a “mission minute”c. To meet with your mission workaread. To participate in another church meeting ormission team

3. A 3 or 10 minute CD or DVD4. Brochures5. Pictures for a bulletin board

Mothers are taught maternity care at Ganta and Kissy.

Both hospitals have a children’sward.

1994 Basic Seminar, 13 leaders, Monrovia, Liberia, at Collegeof W. Africa

1995 Advanced Training Seminar, four leaders, Monrovia,Peale Center, Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia

1996 Supervisory Training Seminar three facilitators, Monrovia,Peale Center, Sinkor, Monrovia, Liberia

1997 Basic Seminar, Held at Man, Cote d’ Ivoire, four facilita-tors two of which were African, Catholic Retreat Center

1997 Advanced Training Seminar, Man, Cote d’ Ivoire, fivefacilitators, two of whom are African

1999 Basic Training Seminar, Monrovia, White Plaines Cen-ter, four facilitators one of whom was African

2000 Advanced Training Seminar, Monrovia, White Plains,Center, three facilitators, one of whom was African

2002 Basic Training Seminar, Freetown, Sierra Leone, four fa-cilitators one of whom was African

2003 Basic Training Seminar, Freetown, Sierra Leone, threefacilitators

2004 Freetown theological hall three facilitators2005 Yonabana – three facilitators2005 Monrovia three facilitators2006 Peal Center Advanced three facilitators

West Africa Trauma Team ofOperation Classroom Seminars

11Hoosier

UnitedMethodists

togetherwww.inareaumc.orgNATIONAL NEWS

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) – Sandra Lackore(pictured at right) will retire next June after serving12 years as chief executive of the agency that ad-ministers finances for The United Methodist Churchand safeguards its legal rights and interests.

She shared the news with her staff at the GeneralCouncil on Finance and Administration in Nashville,Tenn., on Sept. 17.

Her retirement also was announced churchwideby Bishop Mary Ann Swenson, president of the gov-erning board for the agency.

Lackore, 63, will take a three-month family leavebeginning Oct. 1 to care for her husband, the Rev.Cecil Lackore. Her retirement is effective June 30.The council’s executive committee is developing aninterim leadership plan.

Church’s CFO announcesretirement effective next June

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) –The United Methodist Churchcould have a new hymnal by 2013under plans endorsed by the de-nomination’s General Board ofDiscipleship.

Directors of the board, meetingAug. 22-25, voted to ask the 2008General Conference to form ahymnal creation committee nextyear to begin developing a newhymnal.

If the committee’s work is ap-proved by the denomination’s toplegislative body in 2012, the newresource would replace The Unit-ed Methodist Hymnal published in1989. It would be the second offi-cial revision since the merger ofthe Evangelical United Brethrenand Methodist churches in 1968,not including new songbooks forspecific racial/ethnic or languagecommunities.

The Rev. Karen Greenwaldt,chief staff executive of the Boardof Discipleship, pointed out that the

New hymnal proposed for United Methodist Church“We need a new hymnal that picks up

new hymns, new texts, new melodies, newwords to old tunes that are being createdand being sung in our churches.”

– Karen Greenwaldt

current hymnal would be almost 25years old – “normally the life of ahymnal” – by the time a new onecould be ready for distribution.

“We need a new hymnal thatpicks up new hymns, new texts,new melodies, new words to oldtunes that are being created andbeing sung in our churches. It istime to engage the General Con-ference in this question,” Green-waldt said.

The United Methodist Publish-ing House already has endorsedthe project.

“Our research shows that TheUnited Methodist Hymnal is wide-ly used in all membership-size

churches, but that there is also thestrong desire for additional andnew hymns and tunes to augmentworship in a variety of styles andsettings,” said Neil Alexander,president of the church’s publish-ing agency.

Alexander suggested a newhymnal would include musicalstyles such as jazz, spirituals andcontemporary harmonies and agreater variety of accompanimentsettings for guitars, keyboards andpercussion instruments. It alsowould draw more music from ra-cial/ethnic communities andwould better serve contemplativesettings such as Taize worship and

special services for baptism andcommunion.

The denomination recognizedthe need for new music amidstwidening worship styles in 2004when General Conference formeda committee to study:♦ Trends and measurement of

congregational singing;

♦ Psalter, services, ritual and ser-vice music;

♦ Texts and tunes (including glo-bal and ethnic music);

♦ Implications of digital andother emerging technologiesfor worship and congregationalsinging; and

♦ The Wesley hymns.The committee, with member-

ship from the Board of Discipleshipand the Publishing House, conduct-ed research and listed 19 needs thatinclude “new UM worship andmusic resources; … providing re-sources in a variety of ethnic andcultural styles; … (and) new UMresources for ethnic, global, praise,and contemporary music.”

While the committee agreed onthe needs, it opted not to make rec-ommendations to the 2008 Gener-al Conference and instead referredits findings to Greenwaldt and Al-exander, who then proposed thedevelopment of a new hymnal totheir respective agencies.

By Linda Bales

Domestic violence is now atepidemic proportions in the Unit-ed States and around the globe.The church cannot be silent andmust take decisive action to re-duce the staggering statistics.

According to the U.S. Depart-ment of Justice, 960,000 incidentsof violence against a current orformer spouse, boyfriend or girl-friend occur yearly in the U.S.Other estimates climb as high asthree million women who arephysically abused by their hus-band or boyfriend per year.Around the world, at least one inevery three women has been beat-en, coerced into sex or otherwiseabused during her lifetime.

I was 16 years old when I first

October is Domestic Violence Awareness MonthChurches urged to speak out about domestic violence

witnessed the results of domesticviolence. My best girlfriend,Sharon, lived with her mom andstep-dad, and it was my custom togo over to Sharon’s house afterschool. We lived in a middle-class,suburban, white neighborhood inOhio. Home-based violence wasforeign to me. One day afterschool, I visited Sharon’s house,knocked on the front door, and hermom opened it. When I looked ather, I could barely speak. Her en-tire face was swollen; her eyes,slightly opened, were surrounded

Family Violence and Abuse – We recognize that family vio-lence and abuse in all its forms-verbal, psychological, physical,sexual-is detrimental to the covenant of the human community.We encourage the Church to provide a safe environment, coun-sel, and support for the victim. While we deplore the actions ofthe abuser, we affirm that person to be in need of God’s redeem-ing love.

– ¶161, H of the United Methodist Social Principlesby puffy black and blue skin. Sheopened the door and, with her meekvoice, invited me in. Sharon tookme aside and explained what hap-pened. Her step-dad had gottendrunk and had beaten her mom un-mercifully. Jaw broken, her mom’sspirit was broken with one or twofell swoops. Sharon’s mom was anavid church attendee. I wonderedif her pastor ever spoke from thepulpit about violence in the homeand whether her pastor ever offeredrespite for those who might be ex-periencing it. I wondered.

We know that overwhelmingnumbers of women and childrenin our churches and communitiesare being battered, raped, emo-tionally and psychologically

abused, and physically and sexu-ally assaulted. Abuse occurs incommunities of every racial com-position and every economic sta-tus, in rural areas as well as cities,in families adhering to every reli-gion and to no religion. Silencewill no longer shield us from ourcomplicity in the violence norfrom our failure to overcome it.We simply must do better!

The Social Principles of TheUnited Methodist Church affirmthe family as “the basic humancommunity through which personsare nurtured and sustained in mu-

tual love, responsibility, respect,and fidelity.” Clearly violence andabuse cannot be tolerated withinsuch an understanding.

Please visit the Web site ofwww.faithtrustinstitute.org, basedin Seattle, to find out how yourcongregation can make a differ-ence and save lives.

A new DVD, “Pastoral Care forDomestic Violence Case Studiesfor Clergy” is now available andfeatured on this Web site.

Contact Linda Bales atlbales@umc-gbcs.org or log on towww.umc-gbcs.org.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) –A newly launched online repay-ment system is making repayingUnited Methodist student loanseasier and will improve efficien-cy in processing scholarships andloan applications.

Beginning in 2008, UnitedMethodist students also can applyfor scholarships and loans online.

In addition, students will beable to go online and track thestatus of an application to see ifit is complete. For instance, ascholarship applicant can learnif a letter of reference is missingor if the application is approvedpending verification of enroll-ment.

As of March, students have

UM student loans cannow be repaid online

been able to borrow more mon-ey at a lower interest rate. Theamount a student can borrowwas doubled to $5,000, and theinterest rate was dropped to 5percent. As of the end of August,more than $1.7 million of the$1.8 million allocated has beenloaned to students needing fi-nancial help for the fall semes-ter of 2007.

To learn more about UnitedMethodist loans and scholarships,visit www.ghbem.org.

United Methodist churches canorder resources for Special Sun-day offerings by calling UnitedMethodist Communications at888-346-3862 or visitingwww.umcgiving.org/ss.

Silence will no longer shield us from ourcomplicity in the violence nor from ourfailure to overcome it.

October 2007

HoosierUnitedMethodists

together12 GLOBAL & MISSION NEWS

MONROVIA, Liberia(UMNS) – The Liberi-an Council of Church-es elected as its newpresident United Meth-odist Bishop John G.Innis, during the coun-cil’s 23rd General As-sembly and Silver Jubi-lee program, held Aug.2-4 at the Stephen Tro-wen Nagbe United MethodistChurch and St. Peter’s LutheranChurch in Sinkor, Monrovia,Liberia.

In his acceptance speech, Innis

HOUSTON, Texas (UMCom) –The people of The United Meth-odist Church have passed the half-way mark toward the denomina-tion’s $3-million fundraising goalfor the Nothing But Nets malariaprevention campaign, Bishop Th-omas Bickerton announced duringa recent faith leaders’ luncheon atSt. Paul’s United MethodistChurch in Houston.

“The ‘Send a net. Save a life’message has gained momentumacross the United Methodist con-nection, with churches, youthgroups and individuals employingcreative approaches to raise morethan $1.75 million dollars betweenNovember and August,” saidBickerton. “It’s been absolutelyphenomenal to watch the ground-

“One of the first decisions wemade as a task force was to make ituser-friendly.”

– Bishop Susan Morrison

A UMNS photo by Kathy L. Gilbert.The Rev. Grace Cajiuat, associate pastor at Appleton (Wis.)First UMC, leads singing of the musical version of the pro-posed new United Methodist Social Creed during an Aug. 9-11 consultation in Tagaytay City, Philippines. The SocialCreed task force, created by the 2004 General Conference,also traveled to Europe and Africa and solicited feedback indrafting a revised creed that reflects the global nature ofthe church. The creed now goes to the 2008 General Con-ference for consideration by the church’s top legislative body.

Proposed Social Creed seeks global acceptanceBy Kathy L. Gilbert

WASHINGTON (UMNS) – Fresh off its world tour, a“user-friendly” United Methodist Social Creed faces itsbiggest audience next spring in its bid to become thechurch’s “roadmap to making disciples for Jesus Christfor the transformation of the world.”

A small task force of six under the leadership of theUnited Methodist Board of Church and Society has beenworking on a 2008 Social Creed to replace the revised1972 version.

The original creed was written in 1908 as a denomina-tional statement decrying child labor and supporting theeconomic rights of workers, better workplace conditions,better wages and worker safety.

The 2004 United Methodist General Conference desig-nated the period of 2005-2008 as a time of celebration, ed-ucation and study of the Social Creed and Social Principlesleading up to the 100th anniversary of the 1908 Social Creed.

As part of that celebration, the Board of Church andSociety took on the task of writing a contemporary, time-less version to offer for future generations.

The final document was presented and approved at thedirectors meeting of the Board of Church and Society heldSept. 13-16. The creed now goes to the 2008 General Con-ference, the denomination’s top legislative body, whichmeets April 23-May 2 in Fort Worth, Texas.

The United Methodist Book of Discipline, the denomina-tion’s book of law, recommends the Social Creed be empha-sized regularly in every congregation and used frequently inSunday worship. However, even Bishop Susan Morrison ac-knowledged that she wasn’t sure what the creed said or whereit could be found when she was asked to chair the task force.

“My experience is that is what has happened to the So-cial Creed. I have used it, but it wasn’t part of me,” shesaid. “One of the first decisions we made as a task forcewas to make it user-friendly.”

Another priority was to make sure a new Social Creedreflects the global nature of the church. The task force tooka draft to Europe, Africa and the Philippines for feedbackand suggestions.

A second consultation was held May 25-26 in Kinshasa,Democratic Republic of Congo, where 36 participants fromacross the African Central Conferences gathered to reviewthe text.

Nathanael Arnel De Pano, a songwriter and musicaldirector at Kamuning First United Methodist Church inQuezon City, Philippines, said he liked the idea of a more“reader-friendly, easier-to-digest” Social Creed.

“I like the collegial and consistent building style theparticipants have taken,” he said of the Aug. 9-11 consul-tation held in Tagaytay City, Philippines. “Everyone is pre-pared to put forth a draft that is representative of the gen-eral disposition of the Philippines conference.”

The musical version, which was presented to the groupin the Philippines and the directors meeting in Washing-ton, was written by Carol Simpson, a 23-year-old musicgraduate attending Claremont School of Theology and serv-

ing as director of contemporary music and outreach min-istries at Glendora (Calif.) United Methodist Church.

The new creed is poetic and follows the sequence ofthe Social Principles from the natural community to theworld community.

Kathy Gilbert serves as a United Methodist News Ser-vice news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.

More than $1.75 million raised for mosquito netsUnited Methodists more than halfway to Nothing But Nets goal

swell of support and the outpour-ing of generosity.”

The Nothing But Nets cam-paign received a challenge grantfrom the Bill and Melinda GatesFoundation in January, matchingfunds raised through the campaigndollar for dollar up to $3 million.On Aug.20, a $615,000 check toNothing But Nets representingfunds raised through The UnitedMethodist Church not only put thedenomination over the halfwaymark towards the fundraisinggoal, it also put Nothing But Netsover $3 million raised since Janu-ary, thereby fulfilling the match-ing grant from the Gates Founda-tion more than a year early.

Bickerton was in Houston as partof a year-long multi-city tour to

raise malaria awareness through aseries of events aimed at engagingstudents, faith communities, busi-ness leaders, athletes and sportsfans in the Nothing But Nets effort.The tour travels to Detroit in Octo-ber and Minneapolis in November.

The Houston event was hostedby the Texas Annual Conference. Bishop Janice Riggle Huie saidthat Nothing But Nets is a key fo-cus of a new ministry partnershipbetween United Methodists inTexas and Cote d’Ivoire.

“We pray through our partner-ship that God will bring about the

next generation of healthy chil-dren. We, too, pray that we will bepart of a partnership that acts onJesus’ command to love our neigh-bors as ourselves,” said Huie.

“Our involvement in NothingBut Nets is just part of a largercommitment to combating diseas-

es of poverty,” said Bickerton.“We are in the early stages of cre-ating a major global health initia-tive to raise awareness and under-standing of health issues and ex-pand the denomination’s healthministries. Our success with Noth-ing But Nets has shown us the val-ue of non-traditional partnerships,as well as how we can engage con-gregations at a grassroots level tomake a real difference in the livesof others around the world.”

Liberian Council of Churches electsUnited Methodist bishop as president

said the LiberianCouncil of Churcheshas God as its presi-dent. He describedhimself and the twovice presidents-elect ascoaches on God’s lead-ership team.

Innis praised theleadership of the out-going president, Bish-

op Sumoward E. Harris of theLutheran Church in Liberia, andhe noted the role the council hasplayed in fostering national unityand reconciliation in the West Af-

ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire(GBGM) – The Côte d’Ivoire An-nual Conference of The UnitedMethodist Church in is develop-ing a new strategic plan in healthministries as part of a denomina-tion-wide emphasis on globalhealth. The plan is focused on fourpriorities: the three diseases ofpoverty (malaria, tuberculosis andHIV/AIDS), strengthening theMethodist Hospital in Dabou, re-starting a school of nursing, andestablishing community-based-primary-health-care programs inthe Côte d’Ivoire.

“I see The United MethodistChurch of Côte d’Ivoire as a pio-neer in global health work,” saidDr. Cherian Thomas, executivesecretary for Health and WelfareMinistries of the General Board ofGlobal Ministries. “The church is

Cote D’Ivoire Conferencedevelops new strategichealth plan

strong and vibrant. Through thecommitment of the people I met,there is a sense that things willimprove for the better.”

Thomas was the keynotespeaker at a two-day workshopheld at Abidjan from September20-21, 2007. He introduced thepriorities of the new UMC globalhealth focus and assisted the groupin mapping the health assets of theCôte d’Ivoire Annual Conference.

Key representatives and medi-cal personnel of the Côte d’IvoireAnnual Conference are involved inanalyzing the strengths and weak-nesses of the United Methodisthealth system in Côte d’Ivoire, re-viewed existing health programs,and made plans for future activi-ties. They have given themselves asix-month deadline to prepare thedetails of the health plan.

Innis

rican nation following a long civ-il war.

Innis was elected a bishop ofThe United Methodist Church in2000 and has led the church inLiberia since then. He has held anumber of leadership positions inthe Liberian Council of Churches.

NOTE: Innis will be in India-napolis Oct. 27-28 for a consulta-tion and 20th anniversary celebra-tion of Operation Classroom, aIndiana-based United Methodisteducation and medical outreachmission to Liberia and Sierra Le-one. (See story in this issue.)

13Hoosier

UnitedMethodists

togetherwww.inareaumc.orgVIEWPOINTS

Outcalt

By Todd Outcalt

In last month’s issue of To-gether, I wrote about a recentmission in Puerto Rico. Oursmall group spent the week ina children’s home ina little town, minister-ing to the needs ofabused and neglectedchildren. The womenwho worked in thehome were dedicatedto the children and totheir faith in Jesus.

As the week pro-gressed, I also be-came aware of another womanwho was sharing her faith in amost humble way. Every day,this woman came to the homeand cooked for the children andthe staff. She was a volunteer,who spoke no English and wasintent to remain unseen, labor-ing over the stove. On our lastday with the children shecooked a traditional PuertoRican meal for our group, butrefused to come out of thekitchen so we could applaud herefforts. When we entered thehouse to thank her later, she re-treated in embarrassing silence.

Seeing the gentle faith ofthis woman reminded me of thestory of Mary and Martha in theGospels. Mary was busy cook-ing, while Martha remained in

BODY, MIND & SPIRIT

Shoe leather faithanother room to listen to Jesus.Now, I can’t say that I under-stand Jesus’ reaction to Maryin the story, but I’m glad thereare many people like Mary outthere who are willing to live out

the Gospel ofJesus in such hum-ble ways.

Later that day,as we were prepar-ing to leave thechildren’s home, Inoticed a smallsign that anothergroup had left be-hind. It read:

“Lord, Help My Faith to HaveShoe Leather In It.” After serv-ing the children that week, andwitnessing the faith of this mod-ern day Mary, I understood.

Faith isn’t really faith unlesswe are moved by our convic-tions and by the Spirit. We needfaith with shoe leather – a will-ingness to go, to serve, to help,to heal, to love, to learn and togrow. The Christian faith is anactive life, not a sedentary one.The church may at times seemdead as an institution, but isvery much alive as a move-ment. When we move ourhands and feet – great thingshappen for God!

Todd Outcalt is senior pas-tor of Calvary United Method-ist Church in Brownsburg, Ind.

By Jean Brindel

Many North Indiana UnitedMethodists know about the statueat Epworth Forest in North Web-ster that stands be-tween the chapel andthe office. The statueof Jesus has stoodthere, well for as longas I can remember,perhaps the mid1970s.

When people lookat the statue of Jesusthey share a commonexperience. It is not somuch the carving of the likenessof Jesus as the curve of the facedepicts His wisdom and love. It isnot so much the feet of the statuethat has moved so many to walkin faith. No, what so many of usremember is His thumbs, orshould I say lack of thumbs. Sev-eral years ago, and I do mean sev-eral, vandals broke them off.

The vandals no doubt assumedthat it would be no big deal just tohave new ones installed, but werethey wrong. Many times, to noavail, artists – craftsmen and folkslike you and me have tried to put

Being a thumb is no small matternew thumbs on the statue. So far,it has been unsuccessful. The ideahas begun to emerge that perhapswe need to be the thumbs of Christ.

Being a thumb is no small mat-ter. It is the pressure andstrength created by thepartnership betweenthe figures and thethumbs that make somany activities possi-ble. Next time you havea sore thumb, see howhard it is to open a door,pick up a small objector simply hold a glass.Oh, it can be done, but

it is not easy. So if we carry thisthought a little farther, then we arecalled to be in partnership withJesus.

Yes, the North Indiana Confer-ence Outdoor Ministry Project forEpworth Forest and the othercamps is moving forward. TheOutdoor Ministry Capital Cam-paign team has just added a newpartner.

The Capital Campaign teamhas secured the services of Cargilland Associates, a fundraising con-sulting firm based in Fort Worth,Texas. Steve Cargill, Doug Mor-

“Perhaps we needto be the thumbs ofChrist.”

– Jean Brindel

row and Steve Batson will be thelead consultants for the outdoorministry project as they join theOutdoor Ministry Capital Cam-paign team.

We ask that you continue tokeep the Capital Team in yourprayers as we move into this nextphase of the project as we partnerfor the kingdom.

You might say, we have a“thumbs up” for the project.

Jean M. Brindel, CFRE, AFP,serves as senior pastor of SaintMathhew United MethodistChurch in Franfort, Ind. Her e-mail address is jbrindel@-sbcglobal.net.

Brindel

By Steve Horswill-JohnstonA UMNS Commentary

My two kids and I recentlywatched the first episode of thenew reality TV show “Kid Na-tion” on CBS. We were instantlyhooked. At least, at first.

When I first heard about theshow, I thought it was a neat ideathat kids would be the central char-acters rather than the “Survivor”model of cast members in their 20sand 30s with one being voted offthe show each week.

The premise is simple: 40young people, ages 8 to 15, are“left” for 40 days in a New Mexi-co “ghost town.” I was attractedby just the shear oddity of it. It hada unique appeal. I was genuinelyinterested in the sociological di-mensions. Plus, I felt I couldwatch it with my kids. It’s one ofthe few primetime TV shows thatdoesn’t have the letters CSI in thetitle.

The children arrive on a busfrom all walks of life to a desert-ed town called Bonanza City.Their job is to bring the town backto life. And four children havebeen chosen to be the town coun-cil, the leaders. The children haveto do everything – cook, clean,haul water and care for their bod-ies and each other. The childrenare eventually divided into fourgroups. The show’s host secretlygives the town council a star madeof pure gold and tells the councilto give one of these stars, worthmore than $20,000, to one kid theythink is exemplary in their ability

A father’s reflections on ‘Kid Nation’

to help the whole group.Like all reality TV, “Kid Na-

tion” is only kind of real. It relieson a sense of morbid fascinationin all of us – peeking into whereyou’re not supposed to, seeingpeople’s dirty laundry. It also re-quires a suspension of reality. Inthis case, the kids are not reallyalone in the desert. In actuality, theproducers claim, there were morethan 250 adults on the set, takingcare of blisters, helping wipe tears,fixing sprained ankles. There wasa full-time EMT, a psychologist,two pediatricians and a children’stour guide (I’m not sure what for),along with the TV crew. So, it’sreally a warped sense of reality:Kids are alone in the desert, butnot really alone, and yet they feelalone. Isn’t reality TV weird?

Not a church retreatMy own kids are 8 and 12.

They were glued to every moment,such as the scene where one of the

leaders expresses his frustrationsof trying to lead the group, orwhen they tried to cook their firstmeal, or when the oldest, a teen-ager, picks on a leader for his in-ability to correctly lead. They wereespecially entranced by seeingkids their age whose eyes are filledwith tears, such as when one ofthe 40 was homesick.

My enthrallment stopped – andmy ability to see the show for whatit really was – began when theyoungest child (the same age asmy youngest) decides he wants togo home because “this is too hardand I’m too young to be here.”

It was then I woke up.We’re not supposed to put an

8-year-old in that situation in reallife, let alone for our entertain-ment. Ultimately, he was cryingfor our entertainment.

Questions starting coming tome: Is it wise to put children ondisplay for TV ratings? Is thischild labor? Should children be

handed $20,000 for being the“best”? Do I have a responsibilityto help interpret the show to mychildren, or just stop watching itand call for its cancellation? Istarted Googling the show’s titleand discovered the program is fac-ing potential child labor lawsuits.

I am a Christian and a father. Iinterpret my primary role to carefor my children’s spiritual wellbe-ing. In “Kid Nation,” the town’schapel is used only by the towncouncil as a meeting place. Nospiritual reflection occurs there.Camping is one of the best placesto discover your spirituality. Butthis is TV, not a church retreat.

Kids need grownupsYou can bet that not even for a

potential mega-buck gold starwould I consider my child beingleft alone, even with a TV crew,with 39 other kids in a desert for40 days.

The question if kids should beleft alone to fend for themselveshas already been answered manytimes over. The classic William

We don’t support the show so much asuse it in ways the producers never guessed.

A UMNS photo courtesy of CBS Television.The CBS reality TV show “Kid Nation” presents what happens when 40children, ages 8 to 15, are left on their own to create a new town in theNew Mexico desert.

Golding novel Lord of the Fliescarefully explored this premise.Kids need us.

I’m not writing off watchingthe next episode. Frankly, as muchas I was disgusted by the “com-modifying” of children, it present-ed an opportunity to connect withmy kids. And those times don’tcome along often. We had the bestdiscussion in several months fol-lowing the show. And, much to mysurprise, even my 8-year-old soncaught the stupidity of reality TV.

He said, “Dad, you can relax.You know there’s a ton of adultsrunning the cameras, right?”

“Oh, of course,” I said.So, we’re a “Kid Nation” fam-

ily, I guess. We know all the wartsand laugh at them. We don’t sup-port the show so much as use it inways the producers never guessed.We make fun of it and then havedeep spiritual discussions.

Steve Horswill-Johnston servesas director of communicationsand brand strategy for the UnitedMethodist General Board of Dis-cipleship based in Nashville, Tenn.

October 2007

HoosierUnitedMethodists

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For years, the Rev. Dr. JoeEmerson has been a go-to guy forprayers. Whether kicking off acollegiate sporting event, helpingto make sense of a national trage-dy, celebrating the career of a de-voted public servant, or mourningthe loss of a beloved local friend,Emerson has articulated the deep-est thoughts and emotions of thosegathered before him with greataplomb.

His words resonated with somany, so often, that he was accus-tomed to requests for printed cop-

The Shirley-Wilkinson Com-munity United Methodist Churchhelped two families prepare to goto South Dakota to work with theTree of Life Ministries at the CrowCreek Sioux Reservation at FortThompson, South Dakota. Thechurch United Methodist Women’sgroup made 100 children’s quiltsthat were dedicated in our worship

Retired Bloomington pastor publishes book of prayeries of hisprayers. ButE m e r s o n ’sphotocopy-ing days areover.

A compi-lation of hisprayers arenow avail-

able in a paperback Prayers fromthe Mind and Heart (Author-house). In addition to the publicprayers, the book offers the retiredminister’s prayers for special days

throughout the year, as well histhoughts on the struggles and joysof everyday life.

“Joe Emerson’s prayers speakdirectly from his heart to the heartsand souls of all who experiencethem,” said Charles H. Webb,Dean Emeritus of the Indiana Uni-versity Jacobs School of Music.“His poignant and imaginative useof words to express our deepestfeelings, yearnings and highestjoys penetrates to the core of our

beings.”The book’s title describes his

prayers as for both the heart andmind, is based on the statementof purpose at First United Meth-odist Church, where Emerson,now retired, has preached since1995 – and a total of more than50 years in pulpits around thecountry.

“We don’t believe that youhave to take your head off withyour heat when you walk into

church,” said Emerson. He de-scribes the book as a good devo-tional for thoughtful believers whostruggle and rejoice.

“Prayer is a statement of ourbeliefs,” he said. “More importantthan our choice of words is beingopen and honest. You can’t conGod.”

This book is available at Bar-nes & Noble online atwww.bn.com. Enter title of bookunder search.

Shirley-Wilkinson church sends missionvolunteers to Crow Creek Reservation

service on Sunday, July 22.Along with the dedication of

the quilts and all the items donat-ed, the church also commissionedMike and Ruth Allford and Den-nis, Linda and Kristi Westrich fortheir trip to the Crow Creek Res-ervation.

Because of the recent fire thatdestroyed much of the storage at

the reservation, the need for un-derclothes has been one of the big-gest concerns. The Shirley-Wilkinson Community churchalso celebrated an “Undies” Sun-day in July as the mission com-mittee received a large donationof new underclothes for childrenand adults that were delivered toCrow Creek.

NIC’s Sending of the Saintsworkshops continue in October

Now that the first round of North Indiana’s Sending of theSaints workshops are here, log on for the dates and locations ofthe next round of workshops. They will be held Oct. 20 at Val-paraiso First UMC.

A complete listing of workshops can be found atwww.nicumc.org/cd/sos/workshops.php. Workshop being offeredon Oct. 20 include these topics: Reaching children and their fam-ilies, launching new worship services, and launching off-sitecongregations.

JAMES V. BENNETT, retiredpastor (NIC), died Sept. 5, 2007.A memorial service was held Sept.9 at the North Webster UnitedMethodist Church in North Web-ster, Ind. with burial in the NorthWebster Cemetery, Mock Addi-tion. Survivors include: his wife,Evelyn; two daughters, KarenHarris of Pierceton, Ind. and Mari-lyn Akers of Lebanon, Ind.; twosons, Mark Bennett of Richmond,Va. and Tim Bennett of Omaha,Neb.; nine grandchildren; fourgreat-grandchildren; and threebrothers. Condolences can be sentto Evelyn Bennett, 23 EMS B11Ln., Pierceton, IN 46562. Memo-rials can be given to the NorthWebster UMC Building Fund,P.O. Box 282, North Webster, IN46555-0282.

MAURICE BROCKMAN,retired pastor (SIC), died Sept. 4,2007. A memorial service is sched-uled for 2 p.m., Nov. 3 at First Unit-

DEATHSed Methodist Church in Blooming-ton, Ind. Survivors include: son,David E. Brockman, 3806 PepperChase, Bloomington, IN 47401;daughter, Teresa Littrell; fourgrandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

ALLAN D. BYRNE, retiredpastor (NIC), died Sept. 23, 2007.A memorial service was held Sept.27 at First United MethodistChurch in Whitewater, Wisc. Acommittal service was held Sept.27 at the Sunny Slope Cemeteryin Saunemin, Ill. A second memo-rial service was held Sept. 29 atFirst UMC in South Bend, Ind.Memorials can be given to Gar-rett Evangelical Theological Sem-inary, 2121 Sheridan Rd., Evan-ston, IL 60201 for the Allan &Mary Beth Byrne Scholarship.

SUSAN G. KASTER, wife ofthe Rev. William R. Kaster (pastorat Plymouth Trinity UMC-NIC),died Sept. 22, 2007. A memorial

service was held Sept. 30 at Trini-ty UMC in Plymouth, Ind. Survi-vors include: her husband, William;four children, Mary Kaster of Se-bastopol, Calif.; Michael Kaster ofIndianapolis, Peter Kaster of Ply-mouth and Rebecca Kaster and hertwo children of Michigan City. Me-morials can be made to PlymouthTrinity UMC, 425 S. Michigan St.,Plymouth, IN 46563-2719, for theRoyal Family Kids Camp.

JOHN LIKE, retired pastor(SIC), died Sept. 3, 2007. A me-morial service was held Sept. 6 atthe Anderson Poindexter FuneralHome in Linton, Ind. Survivors in-clude: wife, Joeann Like, RR2 189

Apt 12-1 Linton, IN 47441; andson, Joey Like.

SUE TAYLOR, spouse of theRev. O.P. Taylor (SIC), died Sept.10, 2007. A graveside service washeld on Sept. 14 at the FillmoreCemetery in Greencastle, Ind.Survivors include: Husband, O.P.Taylor, 400 Longcastle Dr B-7,Greencastle, IN 46135; son, MarkTaylor, one grandchild, and threegrandchildren.

MARIANNE N. TEMPLE,wife of the Rev. Paul R. Temple,retired Elder (NIC), died July 23,2007. A memorial service washeld on July 28 in the chapel ofthe Otterbein-Lebanon Retirement

Center in Lebanon, Ohio. Survi-vors include: her husband, Paul R.Temple; sons, Prof. Harold L.Temple and Dr. Gordon P. Tem-ple; daughter, Dr. Carolyn T.Adger; six grandchildren; and fivegreat-grandchildren. Condolencescan be sent to the Rev. Paul R.Temple, 585 N. State Road 741,Lebanon OH 45036.

ANNA WINTLE, widow of thelate Rev. Fred S. Wintle (NIC), diedSept. 1, 2007. A memorial servicewas held Sept. 7 at St. AndrewUnited Methodist Church in WestLafayette, Ind.She is survived bytwo nieces, Nancy Kincaid andKaren Debellis.

FRANKFORT, Ind. – St. Matthew United Method-ist Church of Frankfort, Indiana celebrated its 175thAnniversary Sept.21-23. On Friday evening, previ-ous pastors were invited to a reception and to sharememories of serving here while Saturday saw a golfscramble, potluck supper and camp out.

Sunday was a joyous day of celebration with oneworship service. Lafayette District Superintendentthe Rev. Kate Walker spoke of other events of the1830s and led the dedication of the “Ark of Lega-cies,” the gracious gift of a grand piano by AnnMitchell, the carillon and lettering on the front ofthe church, both funded by the current congrega-tion. Bishop Michael Coyner’s sermon title was“How Old Are You?”

The first Methodist meeting in the Frankfort areawas held at the cabin of John Douglas in 1830, atime when Circuit Riders were serving the spiritualneeds of Indiana’s sparse population. In 1832 planswere made to build the first free standing Methodistchurch building. A 30 foot by 40 foot frame build-ing, at the cost of $400 was erected on a $50 parcelof land. Among the charter members of this churchwere Jacob and Lucinda Blinn, ancestors of the Rev.Lori Blinn Gibson, who once served St. Matthew.

Church growth demanded many additions and

Frankfort’s St. Matthew UMCcelebrates 175th anniversary

changes in this downtown location until 1966 whenthe present building was erected on several acres atthe edge of the community.

The Revs. Jean Brindel and Zach Washler servethe 600-member congregation. Chairperson of the175th Anniversary Committee is Nancy Harshbarg-er whose family has attended this church for six gen-erations.

Photo courtesy St. Matthew UMCSt. Matthew current leaders include (left to right) theRevs. Zach Washler (associate pastor), Kate Walker(Lafayette DS), Jean Brindel (senior pastor) and Bish-op Mike Coyner.

Bishop Michael J. Coyner hasannounced the following chang-es within the Indiana Area. Alldates effective 2007 unless other-wise noted. These appointmentsare based on Cabinet reports re-ceived by Indiana Area Commu-nication during the month of Sep-tember.

North Indiana ConferenceNone at this time

South Indiana ConferenceCook, Craig from Loogootee,

Vincennes to no appointment, 8/1Haysler, Michaelene M. from

APPOINTMENTSRush Branch/Rush Branch: Du-pont/Rush Branch: Ebenezer, Co-lumbus to Brownstown, Bloom-ington, 8/1

Herrin, Cory from no appoint-ment to Epworth, Evansville, 10/1

Johnson, William L. fromAvon, Indianapolis West to noappointment, 8/31

Shaw, Stanley from Letts/Letts:Burney/Letts: Milford, Rushvilleto Retirement, 6/30

Smith, Callie J from Nobles-ville: First, Indianapolis East toLeave of Absence, 9/1

Wallace, Ross E. from Harts-ville, Columbus to retirement, 7/31

15Hoosier

UnitedMethodists

togetherwww.inareaumc.orgCHRONICLES

The Indianapolis Center forCongregations will be hostingMartha Grace Reese, author ofUnbinding the Gospel:Real Life Evangelismin a workshop by thesame name on Nov. 15,from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. atGreenwood UnitedMethodist Church nearIndianapolis. Reese’sbook is one of thebooks in the Bishop’sBundle of books pro-moted at both North In-diana and South Indiana annualconferences last month.

Unbinding the Gospel: RealLife Evangelism is a workshopfor pastors and laypeople whowant the truth about the state of

Author Reese to lead workshop onevangelism in Indy Nov. 15

our churches. It presents a clear-spoken, hopeful vision for a fu-ture of sharing our faith in Christ.

All sorts of Christianswere interviewed andarrive at a centraltheme. Sharing ourfaith is about relation-ships with others andauthentically living outour beliefs.

This workshop isbased on a four-year,Lilly Endowmentfunded research

project on superb evangelismand the resulting book Unbind-ing the Gospel. Reese, a formerIndianapolis resident, she inter-viewed more than 1,200 peoplein some of the most successful

United Method-ist Women’s Con-ference CELE-BRATION will beheld on Nov. 2-3,at St. Luke’s Unit-ed MethodistChurch, 100 W.86th Street (oneblock west of Me-ridian) in Indianap-olis.

The Celebration will starton Friday, Nov. 2 with an af-ternoon tea with Dana Jones,guest speaker. Following thetea there will be a choice ofeither a tour of Lucille RainesResidence or focus groups:Igniting a Fire for Mission,Mission Stories, YoungWomen’s Group, PrayerShawl Ministry, Health Kits,White Cross Guild heart pil-lows, or Current issues ofWomen’s Division. The daywill conclude with a banquet.

The CELEBRATION con-tinues on Saturday., Nov. 3,with worship, singing, DanaJones, as the guest speaker,Holy Communion with Bish-op Coyner, and North andSouth UMWs Annual busi-ness meetings.

Response Editor Dana Jones to speak

IndianaUnited Methodist Womento celebrate togetherNov. 2-3

Guest Speaker:Dana Jones is aUnited Methodistdeaconess and di-rector of Commu-nications for theWomen’s Divisionof the United Meth-odist GeneralBoard of GlobalMinistries. She

served as editor of ResponseMagazine from 1992-2006.

At the Celebration, therewill be a collection box fordry milk (expiration date of2008-2009) for the Kissy Nu-trition Program in Sierre Le-one, West Africa. The goal is2,007 boxes.

Child Care will be available.For more information

please contact: Janis Bohnst-edt, in the North Indiana Con-ference, at 260-485-6632. oralbertb595@aol.com or Vick-ie Newkirk, in the South Indi-ana Conference, at 317-861-1525 or bvnewkirk@iquest.net.

Check out the respectiveconference UMW Web sites atwww.gbgm-umc.org/nicumw(North Conference) andwww.gbgm-umc.org/sicumw(South Conference).

Jones

Reese

evangelistic congregations inthe country.

All registrants will be sent acopy of Unbinding the Gospel(Chalice Press, 2007) upon reg-istration. Reading the book pri-or to the workshop is a pre-req-uisite. Do the exercises! Discussthe questions with others in yourcongregation. This book andworkshop are most effectivewhen done in a group.

The cost is $30 a person ($25 aperson for teams of three or more).The fee includes lunch and materi-als. More registration informationwill come. In the meantime, visitthe center’s Web site for other re-sources and workshops atwww.centerforcongregations.org orcontact the Center at 317-237-7799.

By Daniel R. Gangler

What makes Unbinding theGospel: Real Life Evangelism byMartha Grace Reese(Chalice Press) uniqueis the fact that it isbased not only on thepassion and experienceof the author, but alsoon in-depth interviewswith 1,000 mainlineProtestant congrega-tions.

Reese, a Disciples of Christ,sums up the why of evangelismearly on page 5 when she writes,“The heart of evangelism is beingin love with God, being part of achurch you love and caring aboutother people who do not know thatfaith. Faith sharing focuses on re-lationships, not ‘bring in moreyoung people,’ or ‘helping ourchurch to grow again.’ Evange-lism is motivated by growing love– not by all the lists, bread deliv-eries, mailings, parties for un-churched friends, cell groups, cur-riculum decisions or new memberclasses.”

Step by stepFrom there on, Unbinding the

Gospel spells out step-by-step inspecific terms the actions and rea-sons that make for successfulevangelism, thus church growth.The book is written to be read andstudied with others who believebeing a Christian makes a differ-ence in ones life. Reese asks, “Ifit doesn’t make a difference…,how can one share the Good Newsof Jesus Christ?” Sharing our faithwith others in word and deed re-sults in effective evangelism.

Unfortunately, Reese saysmainline churches aren’t growing

Reese’s new book encouragesmainline Protestants to tell theirfaith story beyond the church

in the same way other churches aregrowing because most mainlineProtestants haven’t learned the artof sharing their faith verbally. Per-

sonal stories of faith un-bind the Gospel for oth-ers making it relevant fortoday. But sharing onesfaith is only a good firststep. The Christian faithis built upon relation-ships, what Reese callsa Trinity of Relationship– with God, with people

outside the church, with people in-side the church. Stories and rela-tionships lead to transformedlives; that’s what she says newmember want.

From the theological and theo-retical, Reese steps into practical-ity – inviting, welcoming and as-similating new Christians into thecommunity of faith. She consid-ers what church leaders need to doto make evangelism happen, aswell as gives barriers which needto be replaced by bridges. Thestrength of the Unbinding theGospel is the questions and exer-cises that need to be done by agroup of individuals with a heartto help others – all others – growin their relation with God throughJesus Christ.

For the most part Reese’s bookis good news, but I am still chew-ing on one paragraph that comesearly on page 19. She writes,“Evangelism is of massive impor-tance if an eternity in Heaven orHell is the consequence of thechoice to become a Christian. Ifyou love people, it matters wherethey spend eternity. This is a hugemotivator. If you don’t believe thatbecoming a Christian saves youfrom Hell, what reasons do youhave to do evangelism?”

From reading the entire book,I don’t believe that eternal desti-ny is the only driving force forReese. I believe she makes thepoint emphatically and in boldbecause “the more important yourfaith is to you, the more you wantto share it.”

Reese can helpMany United Methodist con-

gregations in Indiana are growingand work hard to bring more peo-ple into the household of Chris-tian faith. For these, this book willadd new insights into furtheringtheir growth. For congregationsnot growing, Reese can help thesecongregations take preliminarysteps to attain growth.

For a copy of this book, part ofBishop Mike Coyner’s Bundle ofBooks, log on towww.cokesbury.com or call tollfree 800-672-1789 to order thisbook by credit card or account.

For on online discussion ofthis book, Mark Eutsler has pro-vided a blog that can be access-ed at www.unbindingthegospel.blogspot.com. View responses tothis book and add your own re-sponse, if you wish to do so.

She considerswhat church leadersneed to do to makeevangelism happen,as well as givesbarriers which needto be replaced bybridges.

Operation Classroom is scheduled to celebrate 20 years of continu-ous ministry in Liberia and Sierra Leone during a 20th anniversarybanquet on Sunday, Oct. 28 beginning at 5 p.m. with a reception fol-lowed by a 6 p.m. banquet at the Jonathan Byrd Cafeteria located atInterstate 65, exit 99 in Greenwood, Ind.

Special speakers will include: Dr. Randy Day, general secretary ofthe United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, Bishop JohnInnis of Liberia, Bishop Joseph Humper of Sierra Leone and BishopMichael J. Coyner of Indiana.

Tickets are available through the Operation Classroom office. Costis $25 per person. For reservations, send a check payable to OperationClassroom, P.O. Box 246, Colfax, IN 46035.

Operation Classroom celebrates 20thanniversary with banquet Oct. 28

INDIANAPOLIS –The United Methodist-related University ofIndianapolis has se-lected a Denver nurse-educator-scholar withan impressive adminis-trative record to be thenew dean of its Schoolof Nursing.

Mary L. McHughleft the University of ColoradoHealth Sciences Center School ofNursing, where she has been ac-tive in teaching, research and lead-

UIndy welcomes new deanfor School of Nursing

ership since 1999, andbecame dean ofUIndy’s School ofNursing on Oct. 1.

McHugh succeedsSharon Isaac, who isretiring after 17 yearsat UIndy, the last 14 asdean. Under her lead-ership, UIndy’sSchool of Nursing

added five master’s programs, aparish nurse program and thestate’s only master’s-degree pro-gram in nurse midwifery.

McHugh

October 2007

HoosierUnitedMethodists

together16

North Indiana Conference United Methodist Church Post Office Box 869 1105 North Western AvenueMarion, Indiana 46952 Web address: www.nicumc.org e-mail address: info@nicumc.org 800-783-5138

SAVE THIS 2008 DATE!April 11-12, 2008

MOUNT OLIVE UMC, Marion, Ind.Rick & Mick areinternationallyknown Christiancomedy andcontemporarymusic artists whohave performed inall 50 states and in14 countries.They recognize the importance of investing in thelives of young people and we ask you to come joinus in a time of their sharing their ministry in a time oftraining. Learn how you too can have an impact inthe lives of young people.

Rick and Mick and guest presenters will train pastorsand laity how to reach youth in their local communities.

Registration Fee: $75 Clergy/LaityREGISTRATION LIMITED

CHECK THEM OUT ONwww.rickandmick.com

Two leadership eventscoming to North Indiana

Journey Inward-Journey Outward: Making the Spirit/StructureConnection

♦ Saturday, Nov. 3 at Epworth Forest in North Webster, Ind.♦ Leader: Rev. Marianne Chalstrom, former North Indiana pastor, district superintendent♦ Fee: $75 (Appointed North Indiana ministers, full or part-time $60)

Too often the “structure, agenda” people are at odds with the “prayer” people in setting theagenda for a church or committee when in reality both structure and spirit are vital to effectiveministry. This workshop seeks to bridge the gap between two widely different ways of looking atministry and the church to see how both are necessary and must be held in tension and inbalance for dynamic ministry to take place.

Coaching/Mentoring: Developing Leaders♦ Friday, Nov. 16 from 6 p.m. through Saturday, Nov. 17 to 4 p.m.♦ Epworth Forest in North Webster, Ind.♦ Leader: Dr. Sherry Daniels, senior pastor of Norfolk UMC in Norfolk, VA.♦ Both clegy and laity welcome♦ Fee: $75 (Appointed North Indiana ministers, full or part-time $60)

This two-day course is designed to outline basic characteristics of high potential leaders in thechurch – both clergy and laity. It also will explore how these characteristics are best used foroptimal ministry impact that is contextual for the setting. The future growth and vitality ofcongregations will depend upon leaders that understand how to reach new target groups –engaging and relating them to relevant ministries that will form them in the faith.

For more information,log on to www.nicumc.org

or call 800-783-5138.