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The United Methodist Church
SOUTH DISTRICT CENTER
Serving Clark, Crawford, Floyd, Harrison, Lawrence, Monroe, Orange, Scott and Washington Counties |
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Quick Links | |
Charles D. Wilfong
Superintendent
Sandra K. Cooper
Associate Superintendent
Lynda Alexander
District Assistant
Darren Bensing
Webmaster
South District Center
1618 Canal Lane
Georgetown, IN 47122
812-951-0388
877-781-6713
812-951-3380 fax
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September, 2011
24, 2011 | |
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A Word from the District Superintendent | | |
Conference Tithe and District Asking
Friends, the year 2011 is over half complete. Where does the time go? You can see the complete South District Giving Report here, i.e. what each of our congregations has generously contributed toward their conference tithe and district asking. Thank you for your generosity and faithfulness.
You will also notice that we are financially behind as a district. The shortfall is great. For the South District, there is a direct correlation between district income and our ability to maintain our district staff. With increased faithfulness from our congregations, we might avoid a significant staff reduction.
There is still confusion about what is asked of congregations. The conference tithe which congregations are asked to give is 10% of your congregations's general fund income (excluding designated building funds and missions). The district asking which congregations are asked to give is 1.5% of your congregations's general fund income (excluding designated building funds and missions). These are significantly lower amounts than we have asked of congregations in recent years. If you have questions about how to calculate or send in your conference tithe or district asking, please contact our District Assistant, Lynda Alexander, at south.district@inumc.org.
Thank you for your stewardship and your leadership in faithful giivng.
Shalom,
Charles D. Wilfong
South District Superintendent |
| Contemporary Worship Seminar | | |
Successfully Starting A Contemporary Worship Service
SOUTHWEST DISTRICT SEMINAR
Date: September 18, 2011
Time: 2:00 - 5:00pm
Location: Blue Grass UMC
Leadership: Greg Graham, Director of Worship Arts - Blue Grass UMC & Sharon Washington, Assoc. Director of Church Development
**No Charge, but Please Register**
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Are you wanting to launch a new worship service that incorporates contemporary music, but you're not sure where to start?
- Are you wanting to take your existing contemporary worship team to new levels?
- Do you want to know how to hire "the right" leader for your contemporary worship team?
- Does your leadership think the growth barriers your church faces are insurmountable?
If so, we look forward to helping you prepare to make room for the unreached in your community to enounter Christ's love and Good News.
In this seminar, you'll discover:
The basic/essential components of a contemporary worship team.
How to develop a genuinely worshipful environment.
The keys to leading your team, and building unity within your team.
How to attract musicians to your team.
How to hire the right leader for your team.
We will also look at the grant criteria and guidelines for preparing an application for the New Worship Service Grant offered by the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church.
For more information about this seminar, please contact Sharon Washington sharon.washington@inumc.org or Greg Graham grambo65@gmail.com
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=249713 |
| Healthy Relationship Awareness Required for all Clergy | | |
Healthy Relationship Awareness, which includes Diversity Training and a Professional Boundaries Seminar, will be held on the following dates from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the following locations:
Diversity Training
- Wednesday, October 5, The Turning Pointe, 9800 Middle Mt. Vernon Rd, Evansville
- Friday, October 7, Seymour First, 201 E 3rd St, Seymour
- Saturday, October 15, Indianapolis North, 3808 N Meridian St, Indianapolis
The Diversity Training is in two parts. The first part is an on-line tool that must be scheduled no later than two weeks before the scheduled workshop and completed before attending the workshop.
Boundaries Seminar
- Thursday, October 6, The Turning Point, 9800 Middle Mt. Vernon Rd, Evansville
- Saturday, October 8, Seymour First, 201 E 3rd St, Seymour
- Friday, October 14, Indianapolis North, 3808 N Meridian St, Indianapolis
The Book of Discipline requires this training for all appointed pastors in and beyond the local church at least once every quadrennium. To register, go to www.inumc.org/registration. |
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Youth News and Events | |
Youth 2011
July 13-17, 2011, Purdue University
Youth 2011 is the national youth gathering for the United Methodist Church that only happens every four years and is the largest single gathering of UMC youth in existence. This fou day conference will bring together top United Methodist leaders as well as the best ecumenical speakers, bands and talent with thousands of youth from all around the nation for what is sure to be a life-changing event that consists of: *Passionate Worship Experiences, Concerts, Bible Study, Small Groups, Workshops and Trainings, Interactive Exhibits, Onsite Mission Opportunities, Late-night Fun and Games and more. |
| Young Adult Events | |
Exploration 2011: Passion and Possibilities - An event for 18-26 year olds who are exploring ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church.
Do you know someone 18-26 who is gifted for ordained ministry, but hasn't yet identified that they can use their gifts to serve the Church and the world? Invite them to explore their Passion and Possibilities. Do you know a know a young adult who is already considering a call to ordained ministry in The United Methodist Church? Invite them to explore their Passion and Possibillities. Do you know people who work with college students and young adults? Pass this invitation on so that they can invite those students or young adults to explore their Passion and Possibilities. Do you have a desire to impact the Church for the future? Your invitation may help a leader for the future hear a call to ministry. Pass this invitation on so that they can explore their Passion and Possibilities. www.gbhem.org/exploration |
| Rejuvenate | |
The Rejuvenate hosted Pre-Retirement Seminar is offered to clergy and spouses who are eligible or plan to retire in 5 to 10 years.
The seminar will be Tuesday, October 4, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Eastern) at the Indiana Conference Center.
Topics to be covered:
- Retirement eligibility
- Comprehensive Protection Plan Benefits
- Clergy Retirement Programs
- UMPIP savings program
- Investment program through General Board of Pension and Health Benefits
- Services offered by the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits
A presentation from the Social Security Administration will also be offered.
Registration is $30 for clergy. Spouses are invited to attend with clergy at no cost.
Register on-line at www.rejuvenateindiana.org. Registration deadline is September 20, 2011. |
| Cluster News | |
A South District Cluster Leader Gathering has been scheduled for Sunday, October 2nd at 2:30pm at the South District Center, 1618 Canal Lane, Georgetown, IN 47122 in the social hall, lower level. District Superintendent Charles Wilfong will be speaking. Either the cluster leader or a representative from the cluster is strongly encouraged to attend this meeting. If your cluster leader moved, pick a new cluster leader and notify the District Center. If you have not picked a leader prior to this meeting, please choose a representative from your cluster to attend this meeting. Please RSVP your attendance by Thursday, September 29th by email at south.district@inumc.org or call 812-951-0388 (toll free at 877-781-6713).
Worship service and concert on October 9th, 5:00 p.m. at New Chapel UMC. Pitch-in dinner and benefit for the Wayside Mission Choir of Louisville, KY. Sponsored by River Ridge Cluster.
Meetings:
Imagine Opportunities United Council - September 25, 2:00 p.m. ET at Trinity UMC. Contact: Dan Byerley, danb47150@insightbb.com |
| 15 Reasons Why First-Time Guests May Not Return | |
Congregations often wonder why some Sunday morning guests may come once but never return. Although many people without church homes may visit Easter, Mother's Day and Christmas, getting these guests to return for a second trip has some ministry leaders baffled. Research studies indicate that people decide whether they will ever return during the early moments of a Sunday morning visit.
First time visitors notice a lot within the first four to eight minutes of their visit. From what happens in the parking lot to the pews, the first impression can shape a visitor's feeling about a church visit. Although worship experiences may vary by faith tradition, some of the biggest reasons first-time visitors may not come back relies on what happens in those early moments.
What do guests really notice when they visit for the very first time? This question may be on the minds of many pastors and church leaders as they see empty pews after Easter Sunday. Here is a starter list of common reasons visitors may not come back. Addressing items on this list may help to create a welcoming church that gets repreat visits. The 15 items listed were generated from many conversations with first-time visitors across faith traditions:
1. No welcome from the parking lot to the pews.
2. Finding the right door to the sanctuary appeared difficult.
3. People in the pews held on to their "good seats."
4. Too many "churchy insider words" like doxology and
introit throughout the worship experience.
5. No safe, clean nursery for the babies and toddlers.
6. No sincere greeting extended by pastors or members.
7. No warmth or hospitality extended.
8. Missing joy and a spiritual atmosphere.
9. No sense of family in the church community.
10. Very limited reaching out to outsiders or strangers.
11. Very few ministries or activities for youth or children.
12. Public recognition of guests lthat left them feeling uncomfortable.
13. Appears to be no vision or purpose for the congregation.
14. On Sunday morning, members and ushers seem focused on "member only" conversations.
15. No one invited them back. |
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Congratulations
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Shirley Wolf of Jacob's Chapel UMC in the South District was one of three winners statewide of the Historian of the Year at Annual Conference. The Conference Commission on Archives and History recognizes outstanding local church historians, at the nomination of a pastor or layperson within the congregation. Shirley's pastor, Rev. Dirk Caldwell, nominated her this year. |
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If you have a submission for the District Newsletter, please send the article in Word format to Lynda Alexander at south.district@inumc.org. PDF documents cannot be published. Not all articles will be published, and all articles are subject to editing and review. |
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