A weekly newsletter to keep you connected

Please click the button below to see the schedule for West District Missional Office locations. 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 both laity and clergy. 
 
Blessings and Prayers,
The West District Staff


CHARGE CONFERENCE FORMS ARE AVAILABLE

The charge conference reporting system is ready for you! Login to the system here. Pastors are the only users that were added back into the system when it was reset for this year's reporting. Pastors will need to login to the system (using their inumc.org email address) and add any users for their church. 

For more tips on how to use the system, please click here. Please take note of one big change from last year:
  • We will now require your church to submit a copy of the signature cover page from your charge conference reports. (This is different from the past few years.) Please send the signed cover page to Katie in one of the following ways:
    • Scan and email to [email protected]
    • Fax to 765-276-4789
    • Postal mail to 704 S. SR 135, #D379, Greenwood, IN 46143
    • Hand deliver at charge conference meeting
NEW ONLINE CLERGY ASSESSMENT PROCESS

The Clergy Assessment is a new online system, and will be completed annually for providing feedback, mentoring and coaching resources, and improving clergy fruitfulness as disciples, as leaders of congregations, and as missional developers in the community and world. 

The Clergy Assessment is a formative process rather than a summative procedure to assist clergy in gaining greater insights through self-reflection, self-evaluation, and feedback provided by the Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee in areas to affirm and areas that need further development. The purpose of ongoing feedback for clergy is not to 'prove' but to 'improve'.

A Conference generated email was sent to all pastors and Staff Parish Relations Chairpersons regarding how to access the system to complete the clergy assessment.  Deadline to complete the online form is November 30.  For more information go to http://www.inumc.org/clergyassessment.
INTERPRETER MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTIONS

Inspire your church leaders and members with Interpreter, the ministry magazine for The United Methodist Church. Each issue delivers a close look at dynamic congregations, tips for creative ministries and stories of faithful discipleship - as well as popular sections such as It Worked for Us, Idea Mart and Technology.

New/returning subscribers: Visit http://enrollment.umcom.org/.

Each church that subscribes will receive:
  • Up to five FREE print subscriptions for church leaders and other members (provided through the World Service Fund)
  • One complimentary subscription for each pastor
  • Unlimited digital subscriptions for other church leaders
WE ARE: Followers of Christ, Pastors, Leaders, Families, Individuals
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 [email protected].

LAITY DAY WITH THE BISHOP
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Castleton UMC, 7101 Shadeland Avenue, Indianapolis

Join us for a meaningful day of learning and listening with our new bishop.  Come hear the call to hope, be reminded that hope restores us and moves us.  Come hear the hope stories of others who are partners with us in the work of Christ and the church.  Share together in workshops that will inspire, teach and challenge your personal call to hope.

We hope that you are encouraged and inspired to discover, develop, and deploy fruitful leaders!

For more details and registration information, please click here.

STEADFAST PURITY CONFERENCE
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Mt. Pleasant UMC - 3050 E Davis Drive, Terre Haute

In a partnership with Crisis Pregnancy Center of the Wabash Valley, MTP Students will be hosting the Steadfast Conference for parents and students to learn and talk about what it means to lead a steadfast life when it comes to sexual integrity and purity. This faith based conference will feature Pam Stenzel and leaders from CPC discussing issues related to sexuality and purity.

For more information, please click here

CLERGY COVENANT DAY
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Zionsville UMC - 9644 Whitestown Road, Zionsville

Our Bishop, Leadership Development and Chairs of the Indiana Conference Clergy Orders call for a gathering of all clergy and clergy candidates (certified candidates, deacons, elders, local pastors, retirees and seminarians) to cultivate our clergy covenant.

All clergy, active and retired, including Elders, Deacons, Local Pastors, Certified Candidates, Seminarians and clergy serving in various Extension Ministries need to attend this important gathering. While this is not a "mandatory" event, all clergy are strongly encouraged to attend.

Advance registration is requested. Onsite registrations will not have lunch available.

This event is for clergy only; we are unable to accommodate spouses.

This is event is FREE of cost. Lunch is optional at a price of $5.00, but must be purchased during the registration process

Child care will also be available. 

Registration for this event ends� Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 11:59 pm.

WEST DISTRICT LAY SERVANT ACADEMY
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Sullivan First UMC - 107 N. Court Street, Sullivan

Lay Servant Ministries
Please mark your calendars for the fall session of the West District Lay Servant Academy. Classes will be held Saturday, November 19th at Sullivan First United Methodist Church. 


More details and registration forms will be coming soon!


STUDENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
Friday-Sunday, November 18-20, 2016
University of Indianapolis - 1400 E. Hannah Ave., Indianapolis

The Student Leadership Academy is a weekend retreat for high school youth (grades 9-12) to explore what they are passionate about, what problems in the world get them fired up, what gifts and tools God has given them, and what amazing ideas they have now for sharing Christ's love. Recommend a high school student leader from your church for an empowering weekend that emphasizes God's calling in his or her life both now and in any future vocation.

 
Click here for more information and to register by November 1st.
SAVE THE DATE: UMW SPIRITUAL GROWTH RETREAT
Friday-Saturday, January 20-21, 2017
McCormick's Creek Canyon Inn

Please mark your calendars for the United Methodist Women Spiritual Growth Retreat. More details will be coming soon!

BACK TO BASICS CONFERENCE - RESCHEDULED!
Saturday, February 4, 2017 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Mt. Pleasant UMC - Terre Haute
CTCT-20160826_155700_0

This exciting conference is open to all pastors and laity in the local church. Ministry leaders are especially encouraged to attend. 

Break-out sessions will cover all age levels of ministry, and focus on the most fundamental aspects of discipleship in particular ministry areas. These break-out sessions will be facilitated by persons currently working in local churches that have proven, fruitful success in their particular areas of expertise. These facilitators will be willing to assist local leaders after the conference in accomplishing next steps. 

Please keep an eye on this newsletter and on the West District Facebook page in the coming months for more information. Online registration is scheduled to go live on November 15th. For now, please mark your calendars, and gather your ministry team members for this formative event! 

Rev. John Groves
Superintendent
765-518-6237
E-Mail John
NEW Davis
Rev. John Davis
Associate Superintendent
765-276-4797
E-Mail John
Katie Swisher
District Assistant
765-276-4797
Preferred Telephone Hours: 
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays - 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
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