visioning
JULY—SEPTEMBER
to Look Ahead:
New Vision
say about St. Luke’s greatest strengths and our growing edges—what we do well and what we can do even better. Hundreds of people participated in those meetings, sharing their own experience and communicating what they value most about St. Luke’s. As Rev. Fuquay was having those conversations, the St. Luke’s Governing Board was busy planning the next step: convening the visioning task force. This group of lay people (Sara Cobb, Brad Fuson, Heather Hilbert, Nancy Lange, Jeff Peek, Charlie Russell, Jennifer Todd and myself) and staff (Rev. Rob Fuquay, Julia Johnson and Rev. David Williamson) gathered for the first time in February. Since then, we have been working with consultant Dr. Doug Anderson on a process designed to help us clarify the purpose of St. Luke’s and create a picture that describes what it looks like five to ten years from now when we are faithfully and fruitfully living out our purpose. (Doug Anderson is the Associate Director of Church Development for the Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, and he also provides coaching for the largest United Methodist congregations in Indiana. The finance-minded among us will be pleased to learn, as I was, that his consulting services are provided to St. Luke’s free of charge, as part of the benefits we receive from the Indiana UMC Conference.)
The Four P’s of Our Process: PURPOSE, PICTURE, PLAN, PART
We expect the visioning task force will be meeting through the summer and into early fall to follow a process to discover God’s best hope for our faith family and articulate a vision based on that. In order for any church to take steps toward
Our four P’s 1. Clarify our PURPOSE 2. Define the PICTURE 3. Articulate a PLAN 4. Help each person
find his or her PART healthy growth, its leaders follow a path that can be represented by four “P” words: PURPOSE, PICTURE, PLAN and PART. A lot of the visioning task force’s efforts to date have involved enthusiastic discussion about the PURPOSE of St. Luke’s. How well our guiding identity statement reflects what we are doing and how well it reflects what we should be doing were key questions. Rev. Fuquay has already shared, in his weekly email and other forums, a number of books and other resources that we’ve been reading and reviewing. We have also engaged in conversations with St. Luke’s members, leaders and staff, as well as outside experts in church leadership. These resources and conversations informed our spirited discussion about our existing identity statement and how well it expresses who we are and who we should be. The careful T.I.M.E. reader will remember that about a year ago (“Pathways Together: Our Identity, T.I.M.E. and Time Again,” T.I.M.E. Magazine, July–Sept. ), I confidently wrote that, while some things would be changing in this time of transition, we would still remain “an open community of Christians gathering — —
together in ministry everyday
VISION, cont’d from page
to seek, celebrate, live and share the love of God for all creation.” I may have been unwittingly over-confident in that proclamation, because over the course of a couple months, we very seriously examined this statement to determine its relevance and appropriateness for us as a congregation today. But I’m pleased to report two things: ) We really did take the statement apart and we strongly considered starting from scratch with a new mission statement—our process was solid and open; and ) We ultimately reached consensus around affirming the original mission/ identity statement as an expression of who we are and what we do at St. Luke’s.
seek celebrate
&
live share
This is no small thing. But you might wonder: Why did it take the visioning group two months to just end up back at the original identity statement? The honest response to that is twofold. First, we had to have real conversations about the purpose of church, and the purpose of our church specifically—and in order to have those conversations, we had to do some research, engage in lots of prayer, and open ourselves and our process up to God and to each other. That all takes time.
Second, while we are using the same words, THE WAY WE USE THEM will become different. For years, St. Luke’s strength has been demonstrably based on the first five words of our identity: “an open community of Christians.” — —
Openness has been our distinguishing trait, our congregational calling card. We’ll remain an open community of Christians—it’s who we are, and it’s how we know to “do” church. But we’ll also build on that, moving forward, and we’ll grow to focus on the verbs in our identity: SEEK, CELEBRATE, LIVE, and SHARE. We look forward to re-affirming our identity in this new way, building on what has made us who we are and moving it to the next level.
Now What? The next steps for the visioning group will revolve around our PICTURE—further exploring our Purpose and defining what it looks like when we’re fruitfully and faithfully living out that Purpose over the next five to ten years. A number of information-gathering initiatives are underway to inform the team’s work. An in-depth look at our membership database and our own congregational trends will be combined with research on nationwide large-church trends. We’ll be inquiring deeply into the demographics of the community immediately around the church. Several book discussion groups are taking place, and feedback from those will be shared with the visioning group. And many other conversations, one-on-one and in small groups, will take place so we can listen and learn AND share what we’ve been doing along the way. Keep an eye out this summer for ways that you can be involved in the process as we work to articulate the PICTURE part of our vision. We expect that, by around Labor Day, we’ll have achieved an appropriately ambitious PICTURE to guide us through the rest of the process, when we’ll invite even more people to help develop the PLAN to realize the Picture. And once we have our Plan, we’ll help you determine the PART you want to play!
family ministries
JULY—SEPTEMBER
deposits in their child’s Faith Box. The hope is, when a child passes through Confirmation, at that point the parents will pass on the Faith Box to the child, the child will select their own “life verse” to guide their faith journey, and they’ll begin placing their own letters and marking their own milestones as they continue through graduation and beyond. Pretty cool, huh?
The thing is, at some point we all find ourselves wandering in the “desert” like Jacob, unsure of the future, unsure of our purpose, unsure of our direction. Parents and children alike find themselves in that place, our heads hurt from sleeping on too many “rocks.” It’s those times in life when we need those touchstones to return to, the ones that affirm our identity, our purpose,
“At some point we all find ourselves wandering in the ‘desert’ like Jacob, unsure of the future, unsure of our purpose, unsure of our direction. Parents and children alike find themselves in that place... It’s those times in life when we need those touchstones to return to, the ones that affirm our identity, our purpose, and our faith. ” —REV. daVId wILLIamSON But here’s the not-so-cool reality. Just going by the recent numbers, less than half of the children we’ve baptized at St. Luke’s have gone through Confirmation. And by the time those confirmands have graduated from high school, only about one out of every four are still actively involved in our youth programming. I admit that these numbers don’t tell the whole story; for instance, there are many youth in our church who have an active faith but have not been through Confirmation, or who participate in the life of our church in other ways besides youth group. Numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they do give us a snapshot of the reality that, even though we celebrate these milestones on Sunday morning, we haven’t connected the dots enough for parents and youth to experience these events as touchstones for their journey through life.
and our faith. Think about the milestones in your own life that help ground you or give you a feeling of security, those experiences that fill you with the knowledge that you are loved. Those are the kinds of moments that the church wants to help provide for families so that, working together with parents, we give children the compass to find their own way into God’s big story. Quick, what do these things have in common? • An infant being baptized • A child receiving a Bible • A youth being Confirmed • A man pouring oil on a stone in the desert They are all milestones. And if done well, they might come to represent a “touchstone.” And in each touchstone there is a truth grasped, a new identity affirmed, a promise received, a marker laid, and a life rededicated to God. And that’s something we want to see happen more and more often here at St. Luke’s. n — —
JULY—SEPTEMBER
In preparation for this day, a quote had been placed on that wall. It reads, “Your fingerprints cannot be erased from the lives you have touched.” Certainly that is a fitting sentiment for a group of children who are transitioning from one area of the church to another, leaving fond memories in the hearts of those who’ve led them and positive examples in the minds of those they’ve led.
LEFT:
Melody Barrows tries not to move an inch as David Harmon helps her leave her mark on Children’s Ministries.
BELOW:
But conversely, that particular quote also refers to the influence others have exerted upon the lives of these fifth graders. Whether they are overtly aware of it or not, their faith has been shaped not just by their parents and Children’s Ministry staff, but other key adults in their lives who have invested in their spiritual growth. In her book Sticky Faith, Kara Powell, director of the Fuller Youth Institute, which is funded through the Lily Endowment, illuminates research conducted to discern which factors contribute towards young adults “sticking” with the church beyond their high school graduation. The research revealed that an unexpected common denominator was the presence of “intergenerational faith experiences.” What makes an experience “intergenerational” is that there is a dialogue and a transfer of faith from one generation to another. When that exchange happens in a child’s life on a consistent basis, the effect is almost magical.
Ben Frische shows off his handy work as he finishes leaving his fingerprints behind on the inaugural fifth grade wall.
FRONT COVER:
The Wall—Fifth graders at The Track left their hand prints on the wall near the education wing to mark their place in the ministry.
The conventional thinking is that you need one adult for every five kids in a small group. This is about the perfect size group for developing intimacy and trust. Dr. Powell’s suggestion, though, is that the ratio needs to be flipped. Instead of thinking one adult for every five children, what would happen if we thought about needing five adults for every child? And not just in the areas of volunteer recruitment or small group leaders, but in life in general. If every child had five adults (besides their parents) who were intentionally pouring into their life, then at every step on their journey of faith, every milestone, they would have intergenerational connections forming a safety net for them. It’s easy to stop coming to a “class.” It’s much more difficult to walk away from relationships. In order to convert this concept into a meaningful milestone for graduating fifth graders, it’s important for parents to identify five adults these children already have in their lives who are positive role models. Once those adults are invested at some level in the children’s lives, it’s critical that the parents “turn up the value” on those relationships, becoming — —
together in ministry everyday
Teens must experience their faith (heart) in order for it to become personal. Responding to lessons and conversations with action helps a teen to become passionate about their beliefs. CONFIRmaTION, cont’d from page the other kids going through Confirmation and I got to know my small group. At that point, I realized that this was going to be an awesome year!
like making a house out of trash, trying to protect our food from other tribes, or running away from “mosquitoes” with malaria, this is real life for those kids, but unlike those kids, afterwards we got to go home and eat. We also built wheel chair ramps for people who haven’t been able to leave their house in years. It was amazing to have so much fun building something that will change a person’s life for the better, and the look of appreciation in their eyes was worth a thousand splinters. That was probably the first time I really thought ‘Hey how could there not be a God?’
The Spring Hill retreat was the first of many relational retreats and gatherings. From lockins to pizza parties to casual Sunday mornings, everything we did increased our relationships. The 30 Hour Famine had the greatest impact on my faith. Something that has always troubled my heart is the fact that kids in other countries are dying because they are lacking something we take for granted, food. During The 30 Hour Famine, we were split into teams and given the opportunity to “live” a day in the life of these children, and the experience was life changing. While the tasks were all fun and games for us, — —
Every Sunday we listened to the band play spiritual music. Kevin would deliver a fantastic message that would really make me think, and then we would break into our small groups. Our group always had great conversations! Whether it was about religion or politics, we were always stretching our minds. Each and every week, I felt I was growing closer to God, and he was allowing me to see him. So when the Confirmation year ended and my mom asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?” The answer was easy—absolutely! I learned so much about the Bible and how our God doesn’t just love us unconditionally but tries to make us better people when he sends us our challenges. I understand this more than I ever thought I could. I am so thankful because of St. Luke’s, I now have a beautiful relationship and love of the Lord. n
adult education
JULY—SEPTEMBER
TERRI: Why are you passionate about Disciple Bible Study? SUSAN: Disciple has been a part of my life for over years. My parents wrote the four manuals for the study series. I had the opportunity to adapt the adult version into the youth version. I also served as a national trainer of leaders for several years. I have facilitated many groups. However, none of this is what drives my passion for the study. The reason I love Disciple Bible Study is that I have seen so many people’s lives transformed by reading and discussing scriptures. I don’t know where I would be in my own life without the knowledge and experience I have gained through Disciple. TERRI: How does someone interested in a Disciple class pick
which of the four courses to take? SUSAN:
If you have never taken a Disciple course, I recommend Disciple I. It offers you a sweeping introduction to the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. The other three courses return to specific portions of the Old and New Testaments
for more in-depth exploration. If you have already taken Disciple, consider taking it again. I have taken all four courses for a combined total of at least times, and I learn more every year. Also, if you’re already part of a small group that’s expressed an interest in Bible study, please let me know! We can provide your group a leader to take you through the course. TERRI: How can someone sign up for a class? SUSAN: Read through the class descriptions and times for classes. See which one appeals to you and fits your schedule. Pray about your commitment. You can register online at any time, or by contacting the church at - . I know many people at St. Luke’s have taken the study, but many more have not. I would love to see hundreds of people in Disciple groups growing in their faith and love of one another and God.
We look forward to seeing you this fall in Disciple!
Disciple I – Fast Track
Disciple II, Into the Word Into the World
A condensed version of the traditional Disciple I class. The Old Testament will run 12 weeks August-November, finishing before Thanksgiving. The New Testament will run 12 weeks January-March, finishing before Easter. Expect 20-30 minutes of daily homework. Study Manual/Study Bible needed.
LEADER: Judy Shaffer Thursdays beginning August 30, 10-11:30AM. This 32-week study covers Genesis, Exodus, Luke and Acts. Prerequisite: Disciple I. Study Manual/Study Bible needed.
FIVE OPTIONS: 1. LEADER: Susan Fuquay Sundays beginning August 25 (skips Labor Day weekend), 10:45AM-Noon 2. LEADER: Susan Fuquay Tuesdays beginning August 28, Noon-1:15PM 3. LEADERS: Jim and Debbie Bushfield Tuesdays beginning August 28, 6:45-8PM (For younger couples)
Disciple II – Fast Track This class will cover the same material as the 32-week class but will be condensed to 24 weeks and a 75-minute format. Prerequisite: Disciple I. Class breaks between Thanksgiving to after the New Year. Study Manual/Study Bible needed. TWO OPTIONS: 1. LEADER: Bill Eckert Tuesdays beginning August 28, Noon-1:15PM 2. LEADER: Bill Eckert Thursdays beginning August 30, 7-8:15PM
4. LEADER: Gary Scott Wednesdays beginning August 29, 7-8:15PM 5. LEADER: Sandy Harlan Thursdays beginning September 6, 7-8:15PM — —
JULY—SEPTEMBER
world missions
er the Earthquake, We Play?
Downtown Jeremie, Håaiti
All people with good intentions, some fell desperately short. UmCOR set a few basic rules in place. First, you must have successfully completed a project in Haiti in the recent past. Second, you have to have a detailed ‘business plan’ to submit with your grant request. Third, it must be a project related to EMH—the Methodist Church of Haiti. The larger the project, the longer the approval process, but smaller projects can receive matching funds up to , from UmCOR within days. St Luke’s teams are blessed with a long history of successes in Haiti and strong ties with the EMH. UmCOR has set aside . million dollars of the available recovery funds for , matching grants. With the Rural EMH projects like John Wesley School and Gebeau Vocational School, we can double our impact through partnering with UmCOR. we discussed developing grant requests for
the complete revitalization of Gebeau and partnering with other Methodists teams to develop sustainable systems for it to flourish without ongoing outside financial support. This will be broken down into five grant requests for , in matching funds to ) rebuild existing tractor/generator barn, ) supply a new R Tractor, ) refurbish the chicken coop and purchase initial flock, ) build out nests and purchase laying hens, ) purchase goats and refurbish water system. We currently have matching funds for one grant from St. Luke’s, and Westfield Rotary is providing the matching funds for the tractor. If you have an interest in traveling to Jeremie/ Gebeau or donating to the redevelopment project, please contact me at --. Jeremie, a seaside village, is a very safe part of Haiti to visit. We will be scheduling four to five trips over the next year if you would like to take part. n
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together in ministry everyday
PEdaL FOR PEaCE, cont’d from page
Pedal for Peace has had a profound effect on many people. Not only is this worthwhile interfaith project aiding those in need, but it also brings our community together. We look forward to seeing the UMW team again this year.
If you’re interested in joining their team . . . you won’t be disappointed! The food, fun and fellowship are heaven sent! Contact team captain Allison Flickinger at allisonflickinger@ yahoo. com or visit www.pedalforpeace.org.
Pedal for Peace—in Memory of Barry Hoffman by Nancy Hoffman, St. Luke’s member
Nancy Hoffman riding in memory of her husband
Barry Hoffman was a husband, father, and minister who loved to bike for the exercise, the challenge, and the joy. Barry believed and practiced social justice ministry when walking the streets of Harrisburg, PA in the 1970s, assisting folks in need throughout his life, or caring for the mental health patients whom he dearly loved in his later years. Pedal for Peace brought these passions together for him—a chance to bike for peace and justice. Barry was on the first committee for this initiative at St. Luke’s in . He was very excited and looking forward to being part of the event. Then life happened. Barry was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June of . One of the first things he said was that he really wanted to participate in Pedal for Peace in October. Unfortunately, as October approached, his body did not allow this to happen. Barry passed away in February of . The following spring, when Pedal for Peace was calling for participants, I had a huge internal battle. One thing I had not really been able to do was get on my bike. Barry and I had enjoyed so many times riding as a couple and a family that I simply was not able to pursue that activity without him. On the other hand, this was so important to him, to us . . . I just could not allow the event to pass without recognizing his dream for him! Through much support and God’s presence, I joined in the event. Our daughter Pam and her husband, Steve, as well as our four- and six-year old grandchildren came to my rescue. Thanks to them, the registration and most of the logistics were taken care of so we all could participate. We also were able to give a significant sum of money to the cause because of family, friends, and a Grandmothers for Peace group I am honored to be a part of. For our family, the Pedal for Peace is an event that gives us an opportunity to carry on Barry’s mission in life. We have been blessed to be part of a St. Luke’s team for the past two years and hope to continue to participate for years to come. n
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spiritual life center
JULY—SEPTEMBER
LEFT:
Postcards from Morocco
Camels at sunset School children
ABOVE:
by Betty Brandt, Director, Spiritual Life Center
Casablanca! Marrakech! The Sahara desert! This is the stuff of old movies with handsome men, beautiful women and tragic endings. Is this what the of us ( women and man) on a sacred pilgrimage sponsored by the St.Luke’s Healing Ministry expected as we left the US on April , and entrusted ourselves into the hands of our very capable moroccan-american guide, addi Ouadderrou? We all agreed that he was the handsome man. That made of us the beautiful women, but thankfully there were no tragic endings. Instead there were days of living in community, learning about a Muslim culture, enjoying the beauty of God’s creation, taking part in healing rituals, hearing sacred stories, riding camels across the desert sands, eating delicious Moroccan food and looking forward to a new adventure every day. Here are our postcards from Morocco:
This Is My Prayer. This Is Our Prayer. Our group of happy pilgrims began each day together in meditation with a reading from John Philip Newell followed by our individual prayers. We would share a prayer and then say, “This is my prayer,” and the group would respond, “This is our prayer.” We looked forward to these quiet moments to gather in community to “center” ourselves in the midst of our Moroccan experience. “This is my prayer, that we have been a blessing to all those we have met on this journey.” —TERRI JUMP
Saharan Adventure We climb into our Jeep as the sky suddenly becomes quite dark and all the stars come out. We wish we could enjoy them but instead we are propelled across the rutted desert (no roads) at what seemed like miles per hour. Our destination is the sand dunes of Erg Chebli near the Algerian border and our home for three nights—a Berber tent “hotel.” Upon arrival, we drag our jostled bodies to the dinner table
and sit on covered benches decorated with colorful pillows. We are served Moroccan soup, followed by a traditional meal. Then the drumming and dancing begin with the locals, their children and the weary travelers joining in. “This is my prayer, for the honor of sharing this community and breaking bread together.” —NaNCy SPOHN
Dawn At , I climb the stairs to the stone terrace that looks down on the carpet-draped tents where we sleep. Cool fresh air. . . fresher than I remember breathing. Ahead are the salmon and sandelwood colored dunes, wavelike, undulating with soft and yet crisp edges, framed above by coral then azure blue skies. In this moment there is silence, serenity, peace—creating joy and gratitude. Betty begins the meditation. J. Philip Newell gives voice to what I am feeling. “This is my prayer, that the healing power of the desert will move through me and all of you.” —LyNN JaCKSON — —
staff
together in ministry everyday
Welcome Mollie! Hello to all! My name is Mollie Smith, and I joined the St. Luke’s staff on June as the new Early Childhood Director for St. Luke’s Weekday programs. I am excited to join the St. Luke’s staff and community. Over the next few months I will be watching and listening to learn all I can about what makes St. Luke’s such a special place. Children are my passion, and from this passion comes my drive and dedication to the families and staff that make this program wonderful.
Mollie Smith, Director of Early Childhood Ministries and husband, Dennis, with their daughters Olivia and Sophia.
I was born and raised in the small town of Batesville Indiana, a one-stoplight town that has grown to about seven lights now! I completed my Early Childhood degree from Marian University and began teaching first grade at Nora Elementary. I had the privilege of working with several St. Luke’s members and the joy of teaching St. Luke’s kindergarten graduates. During my six years at Nora, I gained an immense amount of knowledge and understanding as a professional, and also married my best friend, Dennis (firefighter and paramedic). During this time we were also blessed with our first child, Olivia, all — —
while completing my Masters in Education at Indiana Wesleyan. As a family, we moved south where I taught fullday kindergarten at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Greensburg. We welcomed our second child, Sophia, and I accepted a new challenge, a position working with adults. I found it was a great fit and really enjoyed coaching adults to be better teachers. At Childhood Connections, resource and referral, I mentored teachers of young children in childcare facilities through the Paths to Quality program, and also taught CDA (Child Development Associate) classes in Bloomington, Columbus, and Corydon. After deciding that the city up north was really for us, I accepted the Early Childhood Director role at the Hasten Hebrew academy. Over the last three years I have worked with the administration, staff and families, promoting the school’s vision of educating all Jewish children. As a school, the Academy staff has continued on the path of positive growth and true understanding of the ways children learn best. Over this past year, I have also added another CDA class to my plan and truly enjoy teaching teachers about how to continue on the trail of growth towards better quality. I also look forward to my summer partnership with Marian University as an adjunct instructor for language and expressive arts. We are happily settled in our home, enjoying the delights of raising two young girls: tea parties, bike riding, soccer games, nail painting, and the occasional high-drama moment over what clothes to wear. We are pleased with the respect and warmth given from the beginning of the hiring process at St. Luke’s. I look forward to continuing to meet new faces (no promises on my ability to remember names!) and being part of this new family. Thank you for entrusting the St. Luke’s program with your most prized and precious gifts, your children. n
JULY—SEPTEMBER
global health
Four Leaders Honored with Global AIDS Awards On May 18, 2012, a South African bishop, a Kenyan UNAIDS leader, an Indianapolis pastor, and a church executive were selected as the 2012 recipients of the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Leadership Awards. The honors were presented at an AIDS conference just prior to the opening of the recent United Methodist General Conference in Tampa, Florida. The four honorees are Bishop Ivan Abrahams, Johannesburg, South Africa, newly elected World Methodist Council General Secretary; Dr. Pauline Muchina, Eldoret, Kenya, UNAIDS Technical Advisor; Dr. Kent Millard, Indianapolis, Indiana, retired senior pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church; and Linda Bales-Todd, Washington, D.C., Director of the Louise and Hugh Moore Population Project of the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society. The awards are presented by the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund Committee to persons and churches that have provided outstanding leadership in providing education, prevention, care and treatment in the struggle to eliminate HIV and AIDS in the world. “All four persons are noted for their antipathy to AIDS stigma and discrimination and their advocacy of human rights for all people,” said Donald E. Messer, chairperson of the United Methodist Global AIDS Committee.
Dr. Kent Millard at General Conference
Abrahams was cited for organizing an extensive AIDS ministry in local Methodist churches throughout South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Botswana, and Mozambique. Muchina was chosen for her international work with UNAIDS relating issues of gender inequality, stigma and the role of faith-based groups in the battle against HIV and AIDS. Millard was named because of his pastoral leadership in Indianapolis that engaged his church in AIDS ministries locally as well as in Africa and Asia. Bales-Todd was selected for her stellar general church leadership in mobilizing United Methodists to address gender inequality and HIV and AIDS in the world. Previous recipients in 2010 were former President George and Laura Bush, Dallas, Texas, Bishop Fritz and Etta Mae Mutti, Kansas City, Missouri, Dr. Musa Dube, Gaborone, Botswana, Dr. Donald E. Messer, Centennial, Colorado, and the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. Congratulations to Dr. Millard from his St. Luke’s family! n
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