North Central District News
June 29, 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." 

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.
District and Conference Centers Closed

The North Central District Center and the Conference Center will be closed on Tues., July 4 in observance of Independence Day.  Have a great and safe holiday!
 
New North Central District Associate District Superintendent

We are excited to announce that Rev. Greg Enstrom will be the new associate District Superintendent for the North Central District replacing Rev. Kevin Miller as of July 1. Rev. Enstrom is retiring July 1 from local church ministry. He has served at Brushwood UMC, Rensselaer Trinity UMC, Greentown First UMC, Michigan City UMC, and Fort Wayne First Wayne St., UMC. Rev. Enstrom will be living in the Noblesville area.
 
Together We Are More District Conference

The North Central District will be having just one charge conference again this year called "Together We Are More District Conference."  It will be Sun., Nov. 5, 3-5 p.m. at Noblesville High School, 18111 Cumberland Rd, Noblesville. Please mark your calendar.
District "Thank You for Your Miracle Offering Celebration"      

The North Central District will be having a "Thank You for Your Miracle Offering" celebration for the District's great support for the Miracle Offering for Global Health.  As of Annual Conference, the Indiana Conference total offering was $391,961.28!  The celebration will be Sat., July 15 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Teter Farm, 10980 E. 221st St., Noblesville.  A great time of fellowship, fun, worship, food, and surprises! The event is free and is open to clergy and laity families but we need to know a count on approximately how many will be attending. Please sign up here if you are going to attend by Friday, July 7 .

Racial Dialogue Circles  


Create a friendship
     Open a heart,
          Make a difference with...



Racial Dialogue Circles


Learn more at one of these informational meetings:

Saturday, July 15, 2017 
9-11 a.m. 
Cicero United Methodist Church
100 Jackson St., Cicero, IN 46034
OR
Thursday, August 3, 2017 
6-8 p.m. 
St. Luke's United Methodist Church
100 W. 86th St., Room 213
Indianapolis, IN 46260

It takes civic courage to engage in dialogues about important community issues in order to keep our democracy strong.

We are inviting you, your friends, and/or members of your church to join lively, informative five week 2.5-hour dialogue circles (or four 3-hour Saturday circles) ending with ACTION that can improve race relations in Indiana.
Facilitators trained in Racial Dialogue Circles will use Every Day Democracy's curriculum and provide workbooks for participants (www.everyday-democracy.org). What follows are spirited discussions, friendships, new understanding, and the real possibility of racial reconciliation in our community.
Attend a 2-hour information session on July 15th or August 3rd to experience how dialogue circles work, and learn how you can participate.

A flyer may be obtained here
Early Response Training  

Early Response Teams (ERT's) fill a specific need in the early days after a disaster to clean out flood-damaged homes, remove debris, place tarps on homes, and otherwise help to prevent further damage, while providing a caring Christian presence. ERT's are not a first-response group of emergency workers, nor are they recovery, rebuild, or repair teams. Under very specific guidelines, ERT's assist survivors, without causing further harm or being a burden to the affected community.

If you are able to give three to seven days of your time to serve as a caring Christian presence following a disaster or know of someone who is, please prayerfully consider attending this training or share this opportunity with others. You can register for $35 by clicking here. Registration deadline:  July 12 at 11:59 p.m. For more information contact John A. Young, john.young@inumc.org or 765-278-8733. If your ERT badge has expired, this training will recertify you. 

Anderson First UMC - Rev. Corinne Boruff 
Anderson Bethel UMC - Rev. Kristine Marshall 
Carmel St. Mark's UMC - Rev. Mary Ann Moman 
Fairmount UMC - Rev. Darren Williams 
Frankfort St. Matthew UMC - Rev. Phil Lake 
Herbst UMC- Pastor Jeremy Moore 
Hillsdale UMC & Kokomo Faith UMC- Pastor Ryan Sibray 
Kokomo Zion UMC - Rev. Jeanne Winter 
Parr UMC - Jackee Walker

Click here to find the new appointments in the Conference.
Tips to Help Pastors and Families on the Move 

Read here to learn some helpful tips for making a move to a new church and community, and to get some ideas to help churches "put out the welcome mat" in meaningful and constructive ways. 
Continuing Education Forms for Pastors  

Your continuing education report forms are due by June 30.  You may obtain information on who should fill out a form, instructions, and the form at the bottom of the web page by clicking here.  
THRIVE Clergy & Family Picnic:  Saturday, August 5  

Clergy, spouses, and their children are invited to a picnic hosted by Thrive, the INUMC Clergy Spouse Group, 12:00 p.m., Sat., Aug. 5, Bartlett Chapel UMC, Avon. 

Attendees will have lunch, play games, and enjoy time together! This is a pitch-in picnic lunch. Please bring a dish and/or dessert to share.

All INUMC clergy, spouses, and their children are invited. Please invite your clergy and clergy spouse friends to the event so we can spread the word. For more information, please contact Candace Landry at candace.buell@gmail.com.

The North Central District will not be having their District picnic this year and hope that clergy families will attend the THRIVE picnic. 
License to Preach
 
 
First Session: Saturday, August 12, 2017
Deadline to Register: Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Registration for Course of Study   

Registration is now open for Course of Study (COS) - Sept. 8 & 9, Oct. 14, and Nov. 11. Click here to register.  The registration deadline is Aug. 1.

You are responsible for making your own hotel reservations for Fri., Sept. 8.  A block of rooms has been reserved at a special rate at the Holiday Inn South.  You may click here to make reservations.  Click the "Group" tab, enter the date, the group code is UMS, and choose the room type.  The deposit of $35 per person will be taken off at check in. 
 
If your people have any questions, please contact Michele Phillips at localpastors@inumc.org.
Scouting as Ministry Retreat 
 
There will be a Scouting as Ministry Retreat, Sept. 22-24, 2017. Participants will pray together, play together, eat great food and learn about one's personal relationship with God, while learning how to do Scouting as ministry in the local congregation.

Youth - Grade 5 and up

Adults - registered in any of the program agencies of The United Methodist Church working with:  Boy Scouts of American, Girl Scouts USA, 4-H, American Heritage Girls, Trail Life, Amachi program of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Camp Fire.

Pastors are especially invited to learn how to integrate the units affiliated with your congregation into all aspects of ministry in the local church.

Location:  Camp Indicoco, 1558 Siebolt Quarry Rd., Springville, IN.

Registration:  Register as part of a unit or ad an individual.
$35 per person for those bringing their own tents
$45 per person for those using indoor lodging

Includes all program, adventure activities, meals, and event patch!
More details forthcoming! 
New Pastor Orientation   
 
The New Pastor Orientation for all pastors, CLM's, and Lay Serving in Supply who are in their first year of appointment in the Indiana Conference. It is a time to be introduced to the inter-workings of our Conference and to begin to build relationships with others. Provisional Members (those Commissioned at Annual Conference do not have to attend). The Orientation will be Sat., Aug. 12 from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The session will be held at Indianapolis Union Chapel UMC
(2720 E. 86th St.), Indianapolis.

To register, please click here
Bishop Trimble's Trip to Israel
 
Brochures are now available to join Bishop Trimble and First Lady Racelder Grandberry-Trimble in Israel, Jan. 29-Feb. 7, 2018, with Educational Opportunities Tours. Contact Norm Nellis, 765-491-5011 or travelwithnorm@gmail.com for more details.  
Mission Guatemala, September 23-30, 2017

Mission Guatemala is planning another clergy trip for September 23-30, 2017. These trips have sold out in the past and has received extremely good feedback. This year's trip will be led by Rodney Frieden from Epworth UMC, Indianapolis. The cost is $1,295 which includes airfare, meals, lodging, and ground transportation. It is limited to 20 people. For more information, contact Rodney Frieden at rodney.frieden@inumc.org.   
Tanzania Mission, February 23-March 11, 2018

The 2018 Ilula Orphan Program ViM to Ilula, Tanzania will be Feb. 23-March 11, 2018. An extra week or week(s) option is available for those who would like to volunteer on the mission field for a longer period of time. Interested persons should contact John Windell, john.windell@inumc.org, at their earliest convenience.  
Special Offerings

World Communion Sunday  (first Sunday of October, October 1) 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, November 26) furnishes scholarships and loans for students attending United Methodist-related and other accredited colleges and universities.
North Indiana Emmaus Community Needs Clergy 

The North Indiana Emmaus Community needs clergy to work:

Oct. 5-8 - Men's Walk
Oct. 12-15 - Women's Walk

If you would be interested, please contact Rev. Bill Garver, Spiritual Director for the Community, 765-649-7302 (Home), 765-620-2096 (Church). 
Job Opportunities
  • Mt. Olive UMC, Marion - Pre-School Teachers
  • 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)
  • Zionsville UMC - Children and Youth Ministry Assistant (part-time)
  • Frankfort St. Matthew UMC - Choir/Praise Team Director (part-time)
  • Frankfort St. Matthew UMC - Youth Director (full-time)
  • Lebanon Otterbein UMC - Family Ministries Coordinator
Clusters
 
Please notify the appointed District Superintendent and the District Center of your upcoming cluster meetings. 
District Superintendent & Associate District Superintendent Assignments
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.    
Youth Events
 
Connect 
 

 

Camping Registration
 
Informati on - Registration is open!!!!! 
United Methodist Women
 



The UMW March newsletter may be obtained by clicking here.
  • July 18-21 - Mission U, DePauw Univ., Greencastle
  • July 22 - Mission U Sampler Day, DePauw University
  • North Central District Fall Meeting
  • Oct. 6-7 - UMW Conference Celebration, Asbury UMC, Columbus
  • Oct. 27-29, Silent Retreat, Sarto House
  • Nov. 4 - Leadership Development for District Officers, Christ UMC, Westfield
  • May 18-20, 2018 - UMW Assembly, Columbus, OH
District & Conference Upcoming Events
  • Student Leadership Academy, July 9-21, University of Indianapolis
  • District Thank You for Your Miracle Offering Celebration, Sat., July 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Teter Farm, 10980 E. 221st St., Noblesville
  • Fall Pastors' Meeting, Thurs., Sept. 14, TBD
  • Dates Changed:  Fall Lay Servant Academy, Saturdays, Sept. 23 & Sept. 30
  • Clergy Covenant Day, Wed., Oct. 25, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Zionsville UMC, 9644 Whitestown Rd., Zionsville
  • Together We Are More District Conference (charge conference), Sun., Nov. 5, 3-5 p.m., Noblesville High School,18111 Cumberland Rd., Noblesville
  • dCOM, Sat., Nov. 11, 8:30 a.m.-12 noon, St. Luke's UMC, 700 E. Southway Blvd., Kokomo
  • Student Leadership Academy Retreat, Nov. 17-19, University of Indianapolis
  • Our Life Together, Fri., Feb. 16-Sat., Feb. 17, TBD
  • Annual Conference, June 7, 8, and 9, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis
Area Events

  • Spirit in the Sky Outdoor Concert Series & Community Fair, Sunday, July 2, 4:30 p.m., Chapel Hill UMC, 963 N. Girls School Rd., Indianapolis
  • Cicero UMC Dan's Fish Fry, Sat., July 1, 4-7 p.m., Community Building, Red Bridge Park, Cicero
  • Boxley Fish Fry, Sat., July 8, 4:30-7 p.m., Boxley Church, 26121 Six Points Road, Sheridan
  • 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 
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