March 4, 2014

WEST DISTRICT NEWS

A weekly newsletter to keep you connected.

Virtual Office Calendar Now Online

On the West District website www.inumc.org/westdistrict, you will notice the VIRTUAL OFFICE CALENDAR Button. Click on it. This will lead you to a screen that displays John Groves, John Davis and Katie Swisher's Calendars for a week or two in advance.

It is our hope that when you notice where we are planning our "office for the day" you will join us for conversation and share what exciting events are taking place in your places of worship and ministry.

This office time is open to the laity and clergy.

Blessings and Prayers,

The West District Staff

Indiana Conference Laity Manuscript Contest

The Indiana Conference's Lay Leadership Team is again offering the opportunity to express thanks and praise God by submitting an original sermon manuscript for judging. This contest is open to all lay people in the Conference. The winning manuscript will be presented at the laity session or lunch on Thursday, May 29.

Following the theme of Indiana's 2014 Annual Conference, the theme for this year's manuscript contest is, "The Outwardly Focused Church"

Manuscripts should be no more than 15 minutes in length. Entries will be judged based on
creative and original development of the theme, but may be eliminated due to length.
Manuscripts should be mailed to Ike Williams, Indiana Conference Co-Lay Leader, at 1515
Cool Creek Drive, Carmel, IN 46033 or sent via email to ike.williams@att.net. The manuscript must be accompanied by a cover sheet or letter that includes the writer's name, address, phone number, email address, local church name and district. Please do not include any personally identifying information in the manuscript since it will be assigned a number and judged anonymously. All entries must be received by April 29, and the winner will be notified by May 12.

For additional information about the contest, please contact Anthony Swinger, Central District Co-Lay Leader, at anthonyswinger@yahoo.com or 317-372-4991.

EVENTS

In an effort to keep this newsletter as concise as possible, we are listing local church events only on the district web site. To view these events, simply CLICK HERE, and you will be directed to it. If your church has an event you would like featured on this calendar, please e-mail the details to Katie Swisher at west.district@inumc.org.

Crossroads Cluster Trip to Midwest Mission Distribution Center - All Welcome to Attend!

March 17-19, 2014

Mark your calendars for the spring mission trip to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham IL (near Springfield.) scheduled for Monday - Wednesday, March 17 - 19. The MMDC is one of the UMCOR staging areas for disaster supplies collection, preparation, packing, and storage. The work varies from construction to flood bucket packing to health kit preparation to cutting and sewing of cloth book bags and more as the opportunity arises. Private rooms, a kitchen, showers, etc are all contained in the missioners lodge. A fee of $100/missioner will be used to defray the cost of our housing and supplies at MMDC. Group transportation will be arranged. Missioners from the Crossroad Cluster and other Wabash Valley churches are invited to join us. Contact the Memorial UMC Church office (234-0776) or Dave Voltmer (877-1626) to sign up or for more information. Don't delay as time for planning is growing short.

The Why Conference

Saturday, April 5, 2014
8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (CDT)

Why Are We Doing What We're Doing?

In order to accomplish the great mission of the Church, your church's vision has to connect with God's passion. Church growth and revitalization begin when you ask "Why are we doing what we're doing?"

A Conference Designed for ALL of Your Ministry Teams
We invite you to bring your whole team to share in breakout discussions about: deliberate hospitality, heartfelt worship, engaging children's ministry, thriving small group ministry, and cutting edge technology - all centered around a core of mission and vision. Sessions will be led by Blue Grass Staff.

Why Attend "The Why"?
In 1997, attendance at Blue Grass UMC had plateaued at 120. Today, Blue Grass is a turnaround church averaging 550 in weekly attendance. The WHY conference will share the work God has been doing at Blue Grass with the desire that you and your church will be empowered to make a real impact in your mission field.

Registration is only $20 per person ( 3 or more $15 per person) and includes lunch. For more info and to register online, go to http://www.bluegrassumc.org/conference/. Registration deadline is March 31st.

The Why Conference