North Central District News
December 7, 2017

North Central District's Vision:
"Creating a culture of discipleship among the pastors and congregations in the NCD who reach their communities for Christ." 

If you would like to have a scheduled appointment, please contact the District Center.
New District Administrative & Support Staff Alignment  
 
North Central District Clergy, Laity and Congregations,
I want to inform you that a shift in the staffing alignment of district administrative personnel of the Indiana Conference will go into effect January 1, 2018.
All current District Assistants who serve across the ten districts throughout the Conference, including our District Assistant, Mrs. Becky Rees (Becky), will become Conference Assistants assigned to a specific district. The supervision, connection, support, and staff advocacy for the Conference Assistants will come from the Conference Center and align into the Office of Administration and Financial Services where Kathy Mitchell, Associate Director of Support Services, will serve as their immediate supervisor for an interim period until July 2018.
Mrs. Becky Rees (Becky) will continue to support my work and ministry as Conference Superintendent, the work and ministry of Associate District Superintendents, Greg Enstrom and Lamar Imes, as well as serve as the central resource to churches, clergy, and laity in the North Central District.
Contact me if you have any questions.
 
Grace and Peace,
DS Micheelle
   
 
 
Ways to promote the Bishop's Christmas Offering for Children:
  • Share the news! A bulletin insert, posters, and envelopes have been mailed and are on their way to you and your congregation, 
  • Get social by sharing pre-made social media images,
  • Encourage giving on Giving Tuesday, November 28. Ministries supported by the Bishop's Christmas Offering for Children are among those endorsed by our United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries or on the Conference Advance Specials list.
Clergy Ethics    
 
  It was determined in the Fall of 2014 that the Indiana Conference needed to take a deeper look at the former "clergy boundaries and diversity training" experience. Since that time, a focus group of diverse clergy have convened for conversations, and a task team was created, to begin dreaming about the new possibilities to satisfy this requirement.
 
We are excited to be in partnership with the Lewis Center for Church Leadership to provide Clergy Ethnics online, with the course Maintaining Boundaries in a Digital Age. The cost for clergy is $25, and all clergy classifications (associate members, elders, deacons, local pastors, supply, provisionals, and certified candidates) are required to complete the online clergy ethics course by December 31, 2018. Additional information, along with login instructions can be found at this link: www.inumc.org/clergyethics A list of those who have completed the course will be provided to districts bi-annually.  
 
Additional opportunities at Covenant Day and Life Together will be provided in the late-2018 to enhance and expand the learning/expectations regarding clergy ethics. 
Grant Program for Ministry with the Poor   
 
Applications are now being accepted for a new matching grant program for Ministry with the Poor.  The grants are being funded through the Pyle Trust.  These grants are only available to churches this year.  Here are the basic details about the program:
 
Matching grants up to $2,000 are available to help create new ministries or enhance current ministries with economically disadvantaged families and individuals. Up to $60,000 in grants will be awarded in 2018.
In order to be considered for a matching grant, churches must address one or more of the following areas:
  • Identify with the poor within their communities and implement a "personal" form of ministry.
  • Develop ministry at the local level that empowers those in poverty through education and other means.
  • Emphasize the inclusion of the impoverished in ministry programming that fosters relationships.
  • See the poor as participants in the program ministry, as well as recipients of the program ministry.
 
The deadline is March 1, 2018.  We hope to be able to have them awarded by May 1.
 
Here is a link to the above information and the application.  
 
Annual Reports for Deacons and Retired Pastors

Annual report forms for Deacons and retired pastors may be obtained by clicking here.  
Indiana Conference UMC Trip to Africa University     

You can be part of this miracle. Travel to Zimbabwe next fall (approximately October 22 to November 8, 2018) to meet students and faculty, experience the campus in action, for a brief time be a part of the miracle, and share the story of Africa University when you return home. Get more information about the trip from Bonnie Albert. Some scholarship funds will be available for young United Methodist clergy and laity. Contact Rev. Colin Cress for more scholarship details (deadline January 5, 2018.)  A flyer may be obtained here.

Click here to find the new appointments in the Conference.
Job Opportunities
  • Grace UMC, Kokomo - Handbell Director for The Vesper Handbell Choir
  • St. Matthew UMC, Anderson - Youth Pastor (part-time position)
  • Galveston UMC - Director of Student and Worship Ministries (part-time)
  • New Horizons UMC, Anderson - Praise and Worship band leader
  • New Horizons UMC, Anderson - Piano Player
  • New Horizons UMC, Anderson - Learning Tree Childcare Teachers (full-time and part-time)
  • Frankfort St. Matthew UMC - Youth Director (full-time)
Clusters
 
Please notify the appointed District Superintendent and the District Center of your upcoming cluster meetings. 
Conference Superintendent & Associate District Superintendent Assignments
 
An Associate District Superintendent may be listed as the assigned person to a church by virtue of the geography. Rev. Cobb is responsible for those churches that are full-time appointments. 
Vital Signs
 
Vital Congregations
Reporting your church's vital signs continues to be important. The Cabinet uses 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. 
 
If you have stopped receiving the weekly reminders, please contact the District Center.    
Emerging Leaders 
 
Inaugural Young Adult Retreat - In the Midst
In the midst of papers, in the midst of internships, in the midst of all nighters, venti coffees, break ups, and proposals, there's a season of life that can be summed up in two ways for many believers launching into adulthood: walking away from faith or finding true worth and confidence in Jesus Christ as He calls you to something deeper. God has created you for a purpose and as you learn that and navigate adulthood, there is an opportunity for intimate growth in a relationship with the Creator. This weekend retreat is designed as a connection point. Before heading back off to school, come connect with other believers, learn more about who God is, and find rest in His power and grace.

DETAILS
 
Date: January 2-4, 2018  
Price: $150 
Demographic: Ages 19-25 

Contact Stacy Hartman for more details at 574-834-2212 or
 
 
Leadership Labs for Support Leaders of Emerging Leaders
If you support children's, youth, young adult, or college ministry, this is a fantastic opportunity for you to grow as a leader. The labs are open to all directors, pastors, volunteers, part-time, full-time, new, experienced, teachers, leaders, mentors, and the list goes on!
More information at http://www.inumc.org/emergingleaders  
 
What are Leadership Labs?
  • For all who support emerging leaders (children, youth, college students, young adults)
  • Intentional Interactions in small group with 5-10 ministry leaders
  • Discussion Based
  • Spread out over two months (or more)
  • Two in person meetings and two online meetings
  • No cost
  • Connection and Growth

Why Leadership Labs?

  • Connections between Ministry Leaders
  • Leadership Growth
  • Roles, Titles, Pay - don't matter
  • Benefitting from one another's wisdom and experience as leaders matters

Where and When?

  • Columbus at First UMC - 618 8th St., Columbus, IN 47201 - Saturdays, Jan. 27 and March 3 from 1-5 p.m. and Thursdays, Feb. 8 and 22 from 7:30-9 p.m.
  • Fort Wayne at Covenant UMC - 10001 Coldwater Rd., Fort Wayne, IN 46825 - Saturdays, Feb. 17 and March 24 from 1-5 p.m. and Thursdays, March 1 and 15 from 7:30-9 p.m.
  • Indianapolis at Bethel UMC - 7995 E. 21st St., Indianapolis, IN 46219 - Saturdays, Jan. 13 and April 21 from 1-5 p.m. and Thursdays, Feb. 15 and March 22 from 7:30-9 p.m.
2018 That Thing Registration is Open!!!  
 
Read about 2018 updates here
 
   
United Methodist Women
 



The UMW August newsletter may be obtained by clicking here.

  • May 18-20, 2018 - UMW Assembly, Columbus, OH
District & Conference Upcoming Events

  • The Effective Small Church , Sat., Jan. 13, 10 a.m.-12 noon, St. Luke's UMC, 700 E. Southway Blvd., Kokomo
  • Missional Leadership Peer Learning Group, Thurs., Jan. 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Main St. UMC, 830 S. Main St., Kokomo
  • District Training Event, Sat., Feb. 3, New Horizons UMC, 611 E. 53rd St., Anderson
  • Our Life Together, Fri., Feb. 16-Sat., Feb. 17, TBD
  • Missional Leadership Peer Learning Group, Thurs., Feb. 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Main St. UMC, 830 S. Main St., Kokomo
  • Missional Leadership Peer Learning Group, Thurs., March 22, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Main St. UMC, 830 S. Main St., Kokomo
  • Back to Basics, Sat., March 10
  • Missional Leadership Peer Learning Group, Thurs., April 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Main St. UMC, 830 S. Main St., Kokomo
  • Spring District Lay Servant Academy, Saturdays, April 28 and May 8, 2018, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., TBD
  • Missional Leadership Peer Learning Group, Thurs., May 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Main St. UMC, 830 S. Main St., Kokomo
  • Annual Conference, June 7, 8, and 9, 2018, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
  • District Fall Lay Servant Academy, Saturdays, Sept. 29 and Oct. 6, 2018, 9 a.m.-3 p.m, TBD
  • Annual Conference, June 13-15, 2019, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
Area Events

  • 6th Annual Salem Rummage Sale, Sat. Feb. 3, 2018, Salem UMC, 6701 S. 775 E., Zionsville
  • Chili Supper, Sat., Feb. 17, 2018, 4-7 p.m., Salem UMC, 6701 S. 775 E., Zionsville
  • Ice Cream Social, Sat., July 21, 2018, 4-7 p.m., Salem UMC, 6701 S. 775 E., Zionsville
  • Chicken Noodle Dinner & UMW Bake Sale, Sat., Oct. 20, 2018, 4-7 p.m., Salem UMC, 6701 S. 775 E. Zionsville
North Central District 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.
Quick Links
District Staff Contact Information
 
Rev. Michelle Cobb, Conference Superintendent 
Rev. Greg Enstrom, Associate District Superintendent
     (260) 466-5725, greg.enstrom@inumc.org
Rev. Lamar Imes, Associate District Superintendent 
     (765) 251-0792, lamar.imes@inumc.org 
Emily Reece, Church Development 
     (317) 224-3277, emily.reece@inumc.org 
Becky Rees, District Assistant 
     (877) 781-6710, (765) 319-3704, northcentral.district@inumc.org