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
Retirement Celebrations
Mission Collections
Flint, MI Water Disaster
Summer Conversations for Full-Time Pastors & Deacons
Breakfasts for Part-Time Pastor
Breakfasts for Supply and Retired Pastors
Picnic for Pastors and their Families
Building Discipleship Centers
District Equalization Members Needed
Thank You
Job Opportunities
Vital Signs
Clergy Appreciation Premium
Youth Events
United Methodist Women
District & Conference Upcoming Events
Area Events
Newsletter Publication
District Staff Contact Information
Quick Links

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June 2, 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. 

Retirement Celebrations

 
Rev. Jennifer Charles
The First UMC, Elwood, will be celebrating the ministry of Rev. Jennifer (Jenny) Charles upon her retirement. A reception will be held in her honor, Sun., June 12 from 2-4 p.m. at First UMC, 1500 N. A St., Elwood.

Rev. Donna Goings
First UMC, Anderson will be having a retirement reception for Rev. Donna Goings on Sun., June 26 at 10:00 a.m. at Davis Park, 4507 Nichol Ave., Anderson

Rev. Suzanna Helms 
St. Mark's UMC, Carmel, will be having a retirement celebration luncheon for Rev. Suzanna Helms on Sun., June 19 at 12 p.m.  Contact the church, 317-846-4912, for reservations by June 10.

Rev. Steve Holdzkom
The Ford St. UMC, Lapel, will be having a retirement reception for Rev. Steve Holdzkom on Sun., June 12 from 4-8 p.m. at the Ford St. UMC, 925 Ford St., Lapel.

Rev. Karen Ottjes
New Beginnings Fellowship invites you to a celebration of ministry honoring Rev. Karen Ottjes and Jim Ottjes on Sun., June 26.  Reception to begin at 11:45 a.m until 2:00 p.m.  A Federated Church, 120 S. Powell St., Thorntown.
Mission Collections at Annual Conference

  
Important
The District Center received word that the adult toothbrushes need to be in individual packages.  Do not purchase multi-packs of toothbrushes.
North Central District's Response to a Disaster

 
North Central District pastors, laity and congregations, let's respond to the Flint, Michigan water crisis by making such a financial impact that the residents of Flint, MI, along with the United Methodist Churches in the Flint, MI area will know that they are not alone, but that others care long after this crisis is no longer headline news. No gift will be too small. Donations will be collected from May 31st through July 31st. Remember, no gift is too small. The goal is to raise a minimum of five thousand dollars ($5,000).
 
You may give online on the Conference website by clicking here and selecting "Flint Michigan." For those of you who prefer to donate by check, you can send the check to the Indiana Conference Center, 301, Pennsylvania Parkway, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN, 46280 or to INUMC, Dept. 6089, Carol Stream, IL 60122. Be sure to write Flint, Michigan on the memo line.

Michelle Cobb, District Superintendent
Summer Conversations for Full-Time Pastors and Deacons


For full-time pastors and deacons, please click here to schedule your sign-up time for your summer conversation with Rev. Cobb.

To obtain a summer conversation form, please click here.

Local Pastors Part-Time Breakfast


Rev. Michelle Cobb will be having her annual breakfast meetings with Local Pastors part-time and Other Fellow part-time pastors.  There is only one remaining date.  You may sign up by clicking here. Please sign up by Tuesday, May 31. If you are unable to meet with Rev. Cobb at one of the breakfasts, please contact Becky Rees at the District Center for an individual appointment.  
  • Sat., June 4, 8 a.m., Cicero UMC, 100 E. Jackson St., Cicero
To obtain a summer conversation form, please click here.

Supply/Retired Pastor Breakfasts


Rev. Michelle Cobb will be having her annual breakfast meetings with supply and retired pastors serving churches.  There are two dates and locations to choose from for the breakfasts. You may sign up by clicking here. If you are unable to meet with Rev. Cobb on these dates or would prefer an individual appointment, please contact Becky Rees at the District Center.  
  • Sat., August 13, 8 a.m., First UMC, 109 S. 8th St., Frankton
  • Sat., August 20, 8 a.m., Russiaville UMC, 180 N. Union St., Russiaville
To obtain a summer conversation form, please click here. 
Picnic for Pastors and their Families

 
The North Central District will be having a picnic for the pastors and their families on Sat., Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Davis Park, 4507 Nichol Ave., Anderson.  The food and table service will be provided.  Please RSVP to the District Center by Mon., Aug. 22.
Building Discipleship Centers

Building Discipleship Center: It's About...
Building Discipleship Center: It's About...

The following is information in regard to Bishop Coyner's Building Discipleship Centers campaign: 

Our Goals
$9,000,000 - Project Goal
$6M - Epworth Discipleship Center Project
$1.3M - Buck Lodge Project
$925K - Camp Indicoso Lake Project
$1M - Scholarship Endowment 

RESOURCES:
Click here to download the Building Discipleship Centers' one-sheet.
Building Discipleship Centers Overview: discipleship-center-overview.pdf
Discipleship Center at Epworth: epworth-discipleship-center.pdf
Buck Lodge at Epworth: epworth-forest-buck-lodge.pdf 
Lake at Indicoso: indicoso-lake-project.pdf 
Camp Scholarship Endowment: inumc-camp-scholarships.pdf

You may also watch: https://vimeo.com/156850735

You may make a donation by clicking here or by sending a check to the Indiana Conference, 301 Pennsylvania Parkway, Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46280 made out to the "Indiana Conference" with a note stating that is for "Building Discipleship Centers."
 
District Equalization Members Needed

 
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.
Thank You

 
Nancy Pearson, wife of Pastor Ed Pearson at Trinity UMC, Frankfort, wishes to thank the District for their prayers as she recovers from surgery.

 Job Opportunities

 
For more information on the following job opportunities, please click here.
  • Shiloh UMC, Kokomo - Director of Youth Ministry
  • Shiloh UMC, Kokomo - Church Administrative Assistant
  • First UMC, Elwood - Director of Children and Youth Ministries
  • Zionsville UMC - Director of Children's Ministries
  • Zionsville UMC - Children and Youth Ministry Assistant
  • Carmel St. Mark's UMC - Minister of Pastoral Care
  • Central District - Receptionist/Administrative Support (Part-time)
  • 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.

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 location is:

  • 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 May newsletter may be obtained by clicking 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 - To register, please click here.
  • Mission U Sampler Day, July 23, 2016, DePauw University, Greencastle
  • Silent Retreat, Aug. 26-28, 2016, Sarto House, Evansville - To register, please click here.
  • 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
  • Annual Conference, Thurs., June 9-Sat., June 11, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
  • District Luncheon for New Pastors, Wed., Aug. 10, Cross Roads UMC, 2000 S. Scatterfield Rd., Anderson
  • District Staff Meeting, Thurs., Aug. 11, 11:00 a.m., TBD
  • District Leadership Team, Thurs., Aug. 25, 3:00 p.m., TBD
  • District Pastors' and their Families Picnic, Sat., Aug. 27, Davis Park, 4507 Nichol Ave., Anderson
  • North Central District Pastors' Meeting, Thurs., Sept. 8, 9 a.m.-12 noon, Cross Roads UMC, 2000 N. Scatterfield Rd., Anderson
  • New Bishop's Installation Service, Sun., Sept. 11, 4 p.m., St. Luke's UMC, 100 W. 86th St., Indianapolis
  • Clergy Spouse Luncheon, Tues., Sept. 13, 12 noon, Hostess House, 723 W. 4th St., Marion
  • Clergy Spouse Dinner, Thurs., Sept. 15, 6 p.m., Wesley Manor,1555 N. Main St., Frankfort
  • Laity Day with the Bishop, Sat., Oct. 15, TBD
Area Events - For full details, please click here.
  • Rev. Jennifer Charles Retirement Celebration, Sun., June 12, 2-4 p.m., First UMC, 1500 N. A St., Elwood
  • Cave Quest VBS Registration Underway, Mon.-Fri., June 13-17, St. Mark's UMC, 4780 E. 126th St., Carmel
  • Tenderloin Dinner, Sat., June 18, 4-7 p.m., The Factory, 110 S. 8th St., Frankton (across the street from the First UMC, Frankton)
  • Annual Fish Fry, Fri., June 24 and Sat., June 25 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, Pleasant Grove UMC, 445 E. 111th St., Indianapolis
North Central Central Newsletter
The North Central District News is published weekly by email. You are receiving this email due to your position in the church or you have requested it. If you do not wish to receive this newsletter, please contact the District Center.
District Staff Contact Information
 
Rev. Michelle Cobb, District Superintendent
Rev. Lamar Imes, Associate District Superintendent 
     (765) 251-0792, lamar.imes@inumc.org
Rev. Steven Clouse, Church Development 
     (574) 238-2461, steve.clouse@inumc.org
Becky Rees, District Assistant
     (877) 781-6710, (765) 319-3704, northcentral.district@inumc.org