North Central District News
January 5, 2017

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


Pastors and Laity are invited to drop in and visit with Rev. Cobb at her "Virtual" offices on the calendar (click on the Virtual Office Calendar button above). If you would like to have a scheduled appointment, please contact the District Center.

"Be Hope" Learning Day
 
Cross and Flame
The North Central District will be having a "Be Hope" Learning Day on Sat., Feb. 18 from 8 a.m.-2:45 p.m. at St. Luke's UMC, 700 E. Southway Blvd.

Session Options
  • Staff Parish led by Rev. Michelle Cobb
  • Finance Committee led by Mr. Don Spence
  • Church Council - TBD
  • Lay Leadership - led by Mr. David Johns
  • Youth Ministry Environments that Transform - led by Troy Richards, Senior High Youth Director, Fishers UMC
  • Conflict Resolution - led by Kathy Mithcell, Indiana Conference Associate Director of Support Services
To obtain registration information and a brochure, please click

here

Mileage Rate Change
 
On January 1, 2017, the IRS mileage rate will change from 54 cents per mile to 53.5 cents per mile. 
Reboot Your Worship with Marcia McFee
 


The North Central District is offering to the churches and clusters in the District an exciting resource to "Reboot Your Worship."  This training tool is at no cost to you starting January 8. Those participating will have access to six weeks of downloadable resources (articles and videos) and six live webinars (recorded for your archives) with Dr. McFee, a renowned worship designer, consultant, and educator ( www.marciamefee.com). She will be training churches in five basic ways to improve their worship immediately, no matter the size or style of worship and without a big budget or drastic change. Just as we have an occasional need to reboot our computers, "rebooting" your worship is simply a way to look through fresh eyes and get some fresh skills. AND Dr. McFee  will be getting you ready for your best Lent season ever all along the way!  All you need to do is register to receive the emails. You can invite unlimited members of your worship team (or potential worship team members) to receive these communications as well. We encourage you to take advantage of this free offer (usually $99 per church) made by possible through our subscription. To receive the registration link, email the District Center
Human Relations Day - January 15, 2017
 
January 15 - Human Relations Day calls all churches to participate in helping all of God's children to realize their potential.  The day is structured to raise awareness and mobilize support for those living in the margins of society, struggling to survive. Those regarded by Jesus Christ as "the least of these." Your generous donation helps to extend a helping hand to those in crisis so they may overcome formidable obstacles.
 
UMCOR Sunday  (fourth Sunday in Lent) Previously known as One Great Hour Of Sharing, this Sunday enables the United Methodist Committee on Relief to reach out through worldwide ministries of food, shelter, health and peace.
Native American Ministries Sunday  (third Sunday of Easter) nurtures mission with Native Americans and provides scholarships for United Methodist Native American seminarians.
Peace With Justice Sunday  (first Sunday after Pentecost) enables The United Methodist Church to have a voice in advocating for peace and justice through a broad spectrum of global programs. 
World Communion Sunday  (first Sunday of October) provides scholarships for U.S. racial- and ethnic-minority students and international students, on both undergraduate and graduate levels.
United Methodist Student Day (last Sunday of November) furnishes scholarships and loans for students attending United Methodist-related and other accredited colleges and universities.
Certified Lay Ministry

Are you gifted for Certified Lay Ministry?
Perhaps you have considered being more involved in mission and ministry in the past, but wanted to remain in the community where you live as a faithful servant. Perhaps you are the one that others look toward to share your faith story. Perhaps you are not confident of the service to which God is calling yet know that God has a hold on your life. Have you ever asked yourself: "Could God be calling me to be a leader in mission and ministry?" Every Christian is called to ministry no matter their context. If you have identified with any of these, you might be a good fit for the Certified Lay Minister program.
 
The Certified Lay Minister is called and equipped to conduct public worship, care for the congregation, assist in program leadership, develop new and existing faith communities, preach the Word, lead small groups or establish community outreach ministries as part of a ministry team with the supervision and support of a clergyperson. It is a position designed to enhance the quality of ministry and ability of small membership churches, team ministry in larger membership churches, and ministry in other settings to meet the spiritual and temporal needs of a constantly changing world. (Paragraph 268, Book of Discipline, United Methodist Church).
 
Orientation is March 11, 2017 and the Retreat is April 20-22, 2017
Application & $50 Background Screening Fee are due February 10, 2017
 
An applicant enrollment package is available at www.inumc.org/certifiedlayminister
 
Please contact Emily Krach at emily.krach@inumc.org or (317) 564-2582 or Darlene White at darlene.white@inumc.org or (317) 924-1321 with any questions.
Survey for Input on New United Methodist Hymnal

United Methodists are being asked to name their favorite and least favorite hymns as part of the initial research conducted by Discipleship Ministries and a diverse committee to revise The United Methodist Hymnal after almost three decades. The survey, "Favorite and Least Favorite Hymn," is available online through Jan. 9 at http://sgiz.mobi/s3/Favorite-Hymns-2016.
 
Pastor Consultation Forms and Videos
 
All clergy in the district who are under appointment as full-time Elders and Local Pastors, Deacons, and as part-time Local Pastors need to complete the 2017 Pastor Consultation form and provide a video recording of a recent sermon. The consultation form may be submitted to the District Center and sermons may be uploaded here.
   
Appointment Changes
 
Gina Kirkland, pastor at Anderson New Horizons UMC, no appointment as of January 1, 2017 
District Scholarship Available for the University of Indianapolis

There is a North Central District scholarship available for students attending the University of Indianapolis. The student must be admissible to the University as a full-time, day division student and enroll as such in an undergraduate curriculum. Regardless of whether the student is an incoming freshman or upperclassman, the student will be eligible to renew the scholarship in subsequent years provided they maintain a "C" (2.0) cumulative grade point average. The District is asking that the person applying be a member of a United Methodist Church in the District.  We would like the individual to submit a letter telling a little bit about themselves, their involvement in the local church and community, and indicate financial need.  The deadline for this scholarship is February 28, 2017.     
 
"Together We Are" - Bishop Julius C. Trimble's Lenten Study:  March 1,-29, 2017

INUMC and Christian Theological Seminary have partnered to host an event designed to help redeem the art of conversation among laity and clergy leaders across the Indiana Conference. "Together We Are," will be held each Wednesday during March 2017, from March 1 to March 29, each gathering lasting from 12 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event will create a space for attendees to engage in conversations regarding race. Though face-to-face connections, the sharing of personal experiences, and an emphasis on clear communication, this collaboration is ended to encourage changed hearts and minds, as well as renewed hops for change. Cost is $50 per person, including lunch for each session. This event is open to all person in the Christian community. Deadline for registration is 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, February 15, 2017.  
 
Hamilton County UMM Lenten Breakfast Series

"Counting the Cost"
Scripture:  Matthew 10:28, 37-39
Offering:  Metro Ministries
Day and Time:  Saturdays, 7:30 a.m.
  • March 11 - St. Mark's UMC, 4780 E. 126th St., Carmel - Mr. David Johns, co-Lay Leader North Central District
  • March 18 - First UMC, 2051 Monument St., Noblesville - Mr. John Elliot, CEO, Gleaners Food Bank
  • March 25 - The Promise UMC, 12648 E. 116th St., Fishers - Rev. Ron Mann, pastor, Pleasant Grove UMC
  • April 1 - Christ UMC, 318 N. Union St., Westfield - Rev. Jared Kendall, associate pastor, Fishers UMC
  • April 8 - Sheridan UMC, 207 E. Second St., Sheridan - Mr. Alan Bainbridge, Lay Speaker, Christ UMC, Westfield

Coordinator contact:  Mr. Craig Wood, 317-532-7426, craigwoodfarm@gmail.com 

Job Opportunities
  • Heart to Heart Hospice, Marion/Muncie - Part-Time Chaplain
  • Carmel St. Mark's - Marketing Communications Manager (25 hours/week)
  • Mt. Olive UMC - Children's Ministry Director
  • Zionsville UMC - Treasurer (24-30 hours per week)
  • Lebanon Otterbein - Family Ministries Coordinator
  • St. Mark's UMC, Carmel - Financial Coordinator (part-time)
  • TransFormation Internship Application 
Clusters
 
Please notify the appointed District Superintendent and the District Center of your upcoming cluster meetings. 
 
District Superintendent & Associate District Superintendent Assignments
 
With the appointment of Rev. Kevin Miller as associate District Superintendent to the North Central District, we have adjusted the churches to which Rev. Cobb, Rev. Lamar Imes, and Rev. Kevin Miller are assigned. This is located on the District website under Churches.   
 
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. Find more information HERE about the process.
 
If you have stopped receiving the weekly reminders, please contact the District Center.    
Youth Events
United Methodist Women
 



The UMW November newsletter may be obtained by clicking here.
  •  Jan. 20-21, 2017 - Spiritual Growth Retreat, McCormick's Creek State Park
  • Jan. 28 - NCD Local Officer Training
  • Feb. 9 - Legislative Day, Indianapolis
  • April 21-22 - Spiritual Growth Retreat, Don Hall's Guest House, Ft. Wayne
  • July 18-21 - Mission u, DePauw Univ., Greencastle
  • July 22 - Mission u Sampler Day, DePauw Univ.
  • Aug. 18-20? - Silent Retreat, Sarto House, Evansville
  • North Central District Fall Meeting
  • Oct. 6-7 - UMW Conference Celebration, Asbury UMC, Columbus
  • Nov. 4 - Leadership Development for District Officers, Christ UMC, Westfield
District & Conference Upcoming Events

  • District Leadership Team - Thurs., Jan. 26, 3-5 p.m., First UMC, 2051 Monument St., Noblesville
  • "Dessert with the District Superintendent" (clergy & guest only), Sat., Jan. 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Anderson Country Club, Crystal Room, 602 North Shore Blvd., Anderson - Deadline:  January 19
  • "Dessert with the District Superintendent" (clergy & guest only), Sat., Feb. 4, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Ulen Country Club, 100 County Club Dr., Lebanon - Deadline:  January 26
  • "Be Hope" Learning Day, Sat., Feb. 18, St. Luke's UMC, 700 E. Southway Blvd., Kokomo
  • "Together We Are," Bishop Julius C. Trimble's Lenten Study:  Wednesdays, March 1, -29, 2017
  • District Day with Bishop Trimble, Sat., April 8, 2017
  • Annual Conference, Thurs., June 8-Sat., June 10, 2017, Indianapolis Convention Center, Indianapolis
  • Student Leadership Academy, July 9-21, University of Indianapolis
  • Student Leadership Academy Retreat, Nov. 17-19, University of Indianapolis
Area Events
  • Sermon on the Mount Study Group, Fridays, Jan. 6-March 3, 9:30-11:30 a.m., St. Mark's UMC, 126th St. & Gray Road, Carmel
  • Beth Moore Study, Entrusted, Wednesdays, Jan. 11-Feb. 15, 9:30-11:30 a.m., St. Mark's UMC, 126th St. & Gray Road, Carmel
  • Walk to Emmaus
  • Chili Supper, Sat., Feb. 18, Salem UMC, 6701 S. 775 E. Zionsville
  • Indianapolis Brass Choir, Sun., March 19, 4 p.m., St. Mark's UMC, 4780 E. 126th St., Carmel
  • The Ripple Effect, Sun., July 16, 4 p.m., St. Mark's UMC, 4780 E. 126th St., Carmel 
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, District Superintendent 
Rev. Lamar Imes, Associate District Superintendent 
     (765) 251-0792, lamar.imes@inumc.org 
Rev. Kevin Miller, Associate District Superintendent 
     (765) 865-1752, kevin.miller@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