North Central District's Vision:
Creating a culture of discipleship amongst the pastors and congregations in the NCD who reach their communities for Christ.
North Central District News
United Methodist Church

P.O. Box 1447, Marion, IN 46952 
(877) 781-6710-Toll Free, (765) 319-3704-Direct 
(765) 864-0739-Fax 
In This Issue
Annual Conference Information
North Central District Pastors' Convocation
Lay Servant Academy
New Appointment
Francis Asbury Award
Denman Award
Making a Good Move
Job Opportunities
Vital Signs
Clergy Appreciation Premium
Sympathy & Thank You
Youth Events
United Methodist Women
District & Conference Upcoming Events
Area Events
District Staff Contact Information
Quick Links
Join Our List
April 7, 2016

 
Pastors and laity are invited to drop in and visit with Rev. Cobb at her "Virtual" offices on the calendar. Click the button above. If you would like to have a scheduled appointment, please contact the District Center. 

Annual Conference Information

 
Registration for Annual Conference is now open!
Registration is now open for the 2016 Session of the Indiana Annual Conference June 9-11 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Click on the appropriate link below:
For housing registration, click here.

District Equalization Members Needed

The North Central District is in need of Equalization members to Annual Conference, Thurs., June 9-Sat., June 11.  The equalization members have the same rights as local church lay members. You must be a member of the United Methodist Church for two years and an active participant for at least four years. The equalization members do receive a per diem to help with some of their expenses.  If you are interested or know of someone that might be interested, please contact the District Center, 877-781-6710.

Sermon Contest Open to Laity
This contest is open to all lay people in the Indiana Conference. Following the theme of Indiana's 2016 Annual Conference Session, the theme for this year's manuscript contest is "Be Hope," based on Romans 5:1-5 and Jeremiah 29:11. The winning sermon manuscript will be presented during the Annual Conference's Laity Session on Thurs., June 9. Manuscripts should be no more than 15 minutes in length. For more details on the contest, please click here.

North Central District Pastors' Convocation

 
The North Central District Pastors' Spring Convocation will be Thursday, April 14 from 9 a.m.-12 noon at St. Mark's UMC, 4780 E. 126th St., Carmel.

A breakfast will be provided by the church. This is mandatory for all full-time clergy in the North Central District. Part-time pastors (local pastors and supply pastors) are expected to attend this gathering of pastors under appointment in the North Central District. Those pastors on extension ministry and retired pastors are welcome.

The fall pastors' meeting will be Thursday, September 8, 2016.
Lay Servant Academy - Registration is now open!

 
Registration is now open for the North Central District Lay Servant Academy on Saturdays, April 30 and May 7 at Kemp UMC, 228 N. Main St., Tipton.  A brochure may be obtained by clicking here.
New Appointment

 
  • Grant UMC - Dr. Constance Cherry to Grant UMC as of February 16, 2016
Francis Asbury Award Nominations

 
Nominations for the Francis Asbury Award are now live and will remain accessible until Mon., April 25.  For more information, please click here.

Denman Award

 
The Harry Denman Evangelism Award honors United Methodists in each annual conference whose exceptional ministry of evangelism - expressed in Word (what), Sign (why), and Deed (how) - brings people into a life transforming relationship with Jesus Christ. Each year, Annual Conferences join The Foundation for Evangelism to recognize one youth, one clergy, and one lay person in their conference. Nominations for the 2016 Harry Denman Evangelism Awards are now open. Nomination forms are available on The Foundation for Evangelism website.
Making a Good Move in 2016 - For all Pastors Moving to a New Appointment

 
Bishop Michael Coyner and Doug Anderson will present "Making a Good Move" at Planfield UMC.

April 29, 2016 beginning at 2 p.m. and concludes with dinner (pastors are expected, spouses are invited).

April 30, 2016 from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (Pastors, spouses & Staff-Parish Relations Chair or representative).

Attendance at this seminar is required for all pastors who will be moving to a new appointment.  Pastors that are moving may register here.

 

 Job Opportunities

 
For more information on the following job opportunities, please click here.
  • Carmel St. Mark's UMC - Minister of Pastoral Care
  • Carmel St. Mark's UMC - Director of Music
  • Fairmount UMC - Youth Director 
  • Central District - Receptionist/Administrative Support (Part-time)
  • Hanfield UMC - Chief of Staff 
  • TransFormation Internship Application 
   
Vital Signs
 
Vital Congregations

Reporting your church's vital signs continues to be important. Bishop Coyner and the Cabinet use this information every month.

  

Continue to report weekly; catch up if you have missed reporting; begin now if you have not reported vital signs in the past. Find more information HERE about the process.

 

If you have stopped receiving the weekly reminders, please contact the District Center.   

 

"Clergy Appreciation Premium" - IN U.M. Loan & Savings Ministry

The Loan & Savings Ministry appreciates our clergy and would like to acknowledge the leadership they have given our congregations and Conference. They are offering 1/2% premium over their standard certificate deposit rates in appreciation for the clergy's commitment. Their rates are typically higher than most CDs and money market investments, so this is a great opportunity. This offer is for newly opened Certificate of Participations with a 1-year or longer term and is only available for a limited time, January 1-June 30, 2016.

Pastors interested in this limited time offer should contact the IN U.M. Loan & Savings Ministry at (877) 391-8811 for more information.

Sympathy & Thank You

Audrey Rairdon, mother to Rev. Jerry Rairdon, senior pastor at First UMC, Noblesville, passed away on April 6.  Condolences may be sent to Rev. and Mrs. Jerry Rairdon, 125 Lansdowne Dr., Noblesville, IN 46060.

Thank You - Rev. Gary Elsten and his wife, Jan, would like to thank the District for their thoughts and prayers in regard to the passing of Jan's mother.  Rev. Elsten is the pastor at First UMC, Frankton and the Associate District Superintendent for the North Central District.

Youth Events
 
Connect

Click here for more details on these events and other youth events.

 

 

Youth & Family Ministry Coffee Chats

Join us at a coffee shop near you for youth, children & family ministry discussion! We'll meet at 11 a.m. at each location. Gatherings typically last one hour. You may RSVP by clicking here. (Gatherings with no RSVPs will be cancelled.) The local locations are:

  • May 5, 2016 - Soho Cafe, 620 S. Rangeline Road, Carmel
  • May 26, 2016 - MUGS - Flagship Center Location, 2705 Enterprise Dr., Anderson
  • June 30, 2016 - Main Street Cafe, 223 N. Main St., Kokomo

 

 

Make plans for camps this summer!  Check out beacamper.com.  

 

 

TransforMission - TransforMission is a mission camp designed to hep high school and middle school youth experience what it means to live out the Great Commission (not just one week in the summer, but every day). Engaging morning and evening worship and small group sessions, super fun group activities, relationship building with other UMC youth groups, and serving with some of the best mission agencies in Indianapolis, make this a powerful week for all involved!  Visit the website for more details and to sign up.  For more information and to register, please click here

 

United Methodist Women Upcoming Events
 
Please click here for the District UMW website.  The UMW February newsletter may be obtained by clicking here.

  • Spiritual Growth Retreat, April 22-23 at Don Hall's Guest House, 1313 W. Washington Center Road, Fort Wayne. To obtain a flyer, please click here.
  • North Central Jurisdiction UMW Quadrennial Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI, June 24-26, 2016.  For a flyer, please click here.
  • Mission U, July 19-22, 2016, DePauw University, Greencastle
  • Mission U Sampler Day, July 23, 2016, DePauw University, Greencastle
  • Silent Retreat, Aug. 26-28, 2016, Sarto House, Evansville
  • District UMW Fall Meeting, Sept. 17, 2016
  • UMW Conference Celebration, Oct. 7-8, 2016, Grace UMC, 219 W. Mulberry St., Kokomo
  • Leadership Development for District Officers, Nov. 5, 2016, First UMC, 3150 E. Myra Ln., Martinsville
  • Local officer Training, Nov. 12, 2016
District & Conference Upcoming Events
  • North Central District Pastors' Convocation, Thurs., April 14, 9 a.m.-12 noon, St. Mark's UMC, 4780 E. 126th St., Carmel
  • Committee on District Superintendency, Thurs., April 14, 1:30 p.m., Christ UMC, 318 N. Union St., Westfield
  • District Staff Meeting w/Kokomo 5 Cluster, Thurs., April 14, 6 p.m., Kokomo Grace UMC, 219 W. Mulberry St., Kokomo
  • District Staff Meeting w/Grant 5 Cluster, Sun., April 17, 7 p.m., Sunnycrest UMC, 1921 W. Bradford St. Marion
  • District Staff Meeting w/Howard-Miami Cluster, Mon., April 18, 7 p.m., Parr UMC, 1135 N. Wabash Ave., Kokomo
  • District Staff Meeting w/Pray First Cluster, Tues., April 19, 6:30 p.m., Kemp UMC, 228 N. Main St., Tipton
  • District Operational Team, Thurs., April 21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Carmel UMC, 621 S. Rangeline Road, Carmel
  • District Staff Meeting w/Eastbrook Cluster, Thurs., April 21, 7 p.m., Van Buren UMC, 108 S. 2nd St., Van Buren
  • District Staff Meeting w/Clinton Central Cluster, Mon., April 25, 6:30 p.m., Hopewell UMC, 3460 E. CR 500 N., Frankfort
  • District Leadership Team Meeting, Thurs., April 28, 3-5 p.m., Keamp UMC, 228 N. Main St., Tipton
  • District Lay Servant Academy, Sat., April 30 and Sat., May 7, Kemp UMC, 228 N. Main St., Tipton
  • District Staff Meeting w/Boone Co. Cluster, Mon., May 9, 11:30 a.m., Salem UMC,6701 S. 775 E., Zionsville
  • General Conference, May 10-20, 2016
  • District Staff Meeting w/Small Town Cluster, Tues., May 17, 7 p.m., TBD
  • District Staff Meeting w/South Madison Cluster, Thurs., May 19, 3 p.m., First UMC, 225, W. State St., Pendleton
  • Annual Conference, Thurs., June 9-Sat., June 11, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
  • North Central District Pastors' Meeting, Thurs., Sept. 8, location to be determined.
  • Laity Day with the Bishop, Sat., Oct. 15, location to be determined.
Area Events - For full details, please click here.
  • Spring Fish and Tenderloin Fry, Sat., April 9, 4:30-7 p.m., Hillsdale UMC, 4893 E. 100 N., Kokomo
  • Domestic Violence Community Presentation, Sun., April 10, 2:00 p.m., Fairmount UMC, 301 S. Walnut St., Fairmount
  • Mental Wellness Seminar, Sat., April 16, 9 a.m., St. Mark's UMC, 4780 E. 126th St., Carmel
  • Circle City Ringers Handbell Concert, Sun., April 17, 3 p.m., St. Mark's UMC, 4780 E. 126th St., Carmel
  • Daddy-Daughter Dance, Sat., April 23, 5-8 p.m., St. Luke's UMC, 700 E. Southway Blvd., Kokomo
  • American Red Cross Blood Drive, Sat., April 23, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Russiaville UMC, 180 N. Union St., Russiaville
  • Lay Witness Mission, Fri.-Sun., April 29-May 1, First UMC, 127 S Meridian St., Greentown
  • Fish & Chicken Fry, Sat., April 30, 4:30-7 p.m., Shiloh UMC, 5741 W. 100 N., Kokomo
  • Cave Quest VBS Registration Underway, Mon.-Fri., June 13-17, St. Mark's UMC, 4780 E. 126th St., Carmel
  • 2016-2017 St. Mark's Preschool Registration Underway, 126th St. & Gray Rd., Carmel.
District Staff Contact Information
 
Rev. Michelle Cobb, District Superintendent
     (317) 459-7220, [email protected], [email protected]
Rev. Gary Elsten, Associate District Superintendent 
     (765) 754-7998, [email protected]
Rev. Lamar Imes, Associate District Superintendent 
     (765) 251-0792, [email protected]
Rev. Steven Clouse, Church Development 
     (574) 238-2461, [email protected]
Becky Rees, District Assistant
     (877) 781-6710, (765) 319-3704, [email protected]