(UMH #202)
WEEKLY NEWS FROM THE EAST DISTRICT
INDIANA UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
April 18, 2017
eAST dISTRICT cENTER
PO Box 2464
MUNCIE, IN 47307
(765) 282-2322
OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY – WEDNESDAY 8:00 AM UNTIL 3:00 PM, THURSDAY 8:00 AM UNTIL 4:00 PM / EAST DISTRICT WEBSITE
end hunger now packing event
2017 sermon contest open to laity
East District Pastors Meeting
New Pastor Orientation August 12
large church initiative conference 2017 – navigating change
Bishop’s 2018 Israel trip
indiana annual conference 2017
webinars for church leaders
making a good move seminar
irs lowers mileage rates for 2017
2017 Dates and information for church treasurers
employment opportunities
certified lay minister program
east district umw news and events
PASTORS – HAVE YOU ACTIVATED YOUR INUMC EMAIL ACCOUNT?
vital congregations goals
ABUSE PROTECTION POLICY RESOURCES
LOCAL CHURCH News and EVENTS
youth ministries
important dates for your calendar
important links
2015-2016 educational opportunities
end hunger now packing event
Brothers and Sisters in Christ of the East District,I greet you in the name of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ. You may have heard that the packing event that our local church hosted has been cancelled. The church is in the process of reviewing its missional priorities and, in order to effectively discern our missional priorities, the church has placed our packing event on a hiatus until we have clear direction going forward. We want to thank Packaway Hunger for their graciousness and flexibility in this shift of planning and all of the local churches and organizations that have supported this world changing cause.
Rev. John Huff
Hagerstown First United Methodist Church
199 S Perry Hagerstown, IN 47346
Phone: 765-489-4558
Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
2017 sermon contest open to laity
The Indiana Conference’s Lay Leadership Team offers an opportunity to express thanks and praise to God by asking laity to submit an original sermon manuscript for judging. This contest is open to all lay people in the Indiana Conference.Following the theme of Indiana’s 2017 Annual Conference Session, the theme for this year’s manuscript contest is “Together We Are More,” based on Ephesians 4:4-6.
The winning sermon manuscript will be presented during the Annual Conference’s Laity Session on Thursday, June 8. Manuscripts should be no more than 15 minutes in length. Entries will be judged based on creative and original development of the theme, but could be eliminated due to length.
Manuscripts need to be sent by email to or mailed to Anthony Swinger, 651 Masten St., Plainfield, IN 46168.
The manuscript must be accompanied by a cover sheet or letter that includes the writer’s name, address, phone number, email address, local church name and district. Entrants are asked not to include any personally identifying information in the manuscript itself since it will be assigned a number and judged anonymously.
All entries must be received no later than May 12, 2017. The winner will be notified by May 29, 2017.
For additional information about the contest, please contact Anthony Swinger, Central District Lay Servant Ministries Coordinator, at or 317-372-4991.
east district pastor’s meeting
All appointed pastors are encouraged to attend our first all pastors meeting of 2017, Wednesday, April 26, 10am - Noon at Muncie College Ave UMC, 1968 W Main Street, Muncie. Be sure to bring $5.00 with you so you can have the deeply-discounted book ($18.00) that DS Dave would like for you to read. He has a couple of important items to go over with you.new pastor orientation august 12
This year, we will again be offering a 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 for them 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 August 12th from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The session will be held at Indianapolis Union Chapel UMC (2720 East 86th Street). As you are meeting with the people in your district, would you let them know of this opportunity.large church initiative conference 2017 – navigating change
May 8 -10Large Church initiative Conference hosted at Christ Church in Fairview Heights, IL
The Large Church Initiative (LCI) is a conference that will equip you as a pastor or church staff member to be more effective in your ministry for the Kingdom. In addition to hearing from brilliant keynote speakers and learning from informational workshops, LCI is a time of renewal for you as a church worker. We know leading a community can often drain you of your physical, spiritual and emotional resources. We want to offer you the opportunity to relax, worship the Lord, spend time in prayer and connect with others experiencing the same trials and victories as you. No matter your role in the life of your church community, we’ll have something for you. Won’t you join us for this extraordinary event?
2 CEU’s will be given to attendees.
Featured Speakers: Jon Acuff, Thom Rainer, Adam Weber and Robert Schnase
Learn more and register at www.lci17.com
bishop’s 2018 israel trip
Pastors, join Bishop Julius Trimble and First Lady Racelder Grandberry-Trimble in Israel. The dates are January 29 through February 7, 2018. You would be out of the pulpit for one Sunday unless you choose an extension to Egypt or Jordan.Pastors can earn a trip for every 5 full-paying passengers that accompany them. This does not add to the cost for those traveling with you. There are savings for those passengers who register in the next 5 months. Brochures are now available by registering for the cruise with Educational Opportunities Tours. If you are not yet a tour host it is easy to do so.
Feel free to contact Norm Nellis if you have interest or questions. He is the Trip Coordinator for the Bishop and is currently serving Pine Village UMC. He would be glad to talk with you or help you promote the trip. Contact Info: Norm Nellis, 765-491-5011 or
indiana annual conference 2017
The 2017 Indiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church will be in sessionThursday, June 8 to Saturday, June 10 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. This year's theme is Together: We. Are. More., based on the scripture passage found in Ephesians 4:4-6 -
"You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness." (The Message)
More information will be made available in the coming weeks.
Please visitwww.inumc.orgfor more details.
webinars for church leaders
Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church is hosting three new webinars crafted to help local church leaders gain a better understanding of church and personal finance management. Webinars will covers a host of topics, from income taxes and church audits, to offering electronic giving, along with other helpful tips. Rev. Ken Sloane, Director of Stewardship and Connectional Ministries will be a key presenter. May 11, 2017 (click to register):Offering electronic giving: What are you waiting for
making a good move seminar
Bishop Julius C. Trimble has invited Bishop Michael Coyner and Rev. Dr. Doug Anderson to lead “Making A Good Move” at Plainfield UMC.Friday, May 12, 2017 at 2 p.m. EDT concludes with dinner (pastors are expected, spouses are invited).
Saturday, May 13, 2017, at Noon EDT (Pastors spouses, & S/PPRC Chair or Representative)
All clergy entering new appointments in 2017 should register themselves and indicate if their spouse will attend and how many SPRC members will attend on Saturday. There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required in order to have materials and meals available for all.
Childcare is available and must be reserved during the registration process. Walk-in child care requests cannot be accommodated.
Attendance at this seminar is REQUIRED for all pastors who will be moving to a new full-time appointment.
Click here to register
irs lowers mileage rates for 2017
The mileage rate has been lowered to 53.5 cents per mile for business miles driven. Details here.2017 dates and information for church treasurers
The 2017 East District Tithe Form is available on the website at www.inumc.org/eastdistrict.The Church asking for 2017 is 1.15% of your tithable income.
January 15 Last day for prior year tithe payments
January 31 4th quarter 941, W2s to employees, W3, W2s to SSA (Earlier deadline!!), 1099s to
Independent contractors
February 15 Year end reporting closes, 1096, 1099s to IRS
February 28 WH3s to IN Dept of Revenue
April 1 Property tax exemptions to local assessor’s office (if changes)
April 30 1st Quarter 941
May 15 Form NP20 to IN Dept of Revenue, Personal property tax forms to local assessor’s office
May 31 Local church audit form to Conference Center
July 31 2nd Quarter 941
October 31 3rd Quarter 941
Useful websites
Financial forms on Indiana Conference websitehttp://www.inumc.org/financialforms
General Council on Finance & Administrationwww.gcfa.org
Indiana Conferencewww.inumc.org
UM givingwww.umcgiving.org
Indiana Department of Revenuewww.in.gov/dor
IRS formswww.irs.gov
General Board of Pensions and Benefitswww.gbophb.org
employment opportunities
Portland Asbury UMC – Asbury United Methodist Church (Portland, IN) seeks an innovative self-starter for the full-time position of Family Ministries Director. This team-oriented individual will oversee and facilitate ministries pertaining to children and youth, with an emphasis on intergenerational connectedness and discipleship. For a job description, more information, and to apply, email .Eaton UMC in Eaton, Indiana (about 20 minutes from Muncie) is looking for a pianist and/or organist to play during Sunday morning worship service from 9:30 to 11:00 AM. Pay is negotiable. If interested please contact Jesse Bivens @ 765-768-6848 (leave a message and will get back to you).
Richmond Central UMC Job Opportunity: Director of Children's Christian Education
Central United Methodist Church in Richmond, Indiana is currently seeking an energetic, committed Christian to assume a full-time (35‐40 hours per week, as needed) position as Director of Children’s Christian Education. The position is salaried (up to $35,000) commensurate with skills and experience. This role requires exceptional people skills and a passion for helping connect children and families to Jesus. The Director of Children’s Christian Education will be responsible for administering the preschool, childcare program, as well as Sunday morning and all other children’s programming at Central. This individual will work in cooperation with the pastors, other church staff, and volunteers to coordinate all children’s ministries at Central with an emphasis of providing all children an opportunity to Connect, Grow and Serve.
Complete job description available upon request.
Resumes should be submitted to Pastor Tom Ream at by April 17th.
The Compass Church Seeks Contemporary Worship Director for Selma Campus (full-time)
The Compass Church is a contemporary, multi-site United Methodist ministry with three campuses in east central Indiana with a vision of “reaching, teaching, and releasing disciplers and leaders for Jesus Christ.” We are seeking a full-time Worship Director for our Selma Campus beginning in May 2017. Are you a creative, inspiring, team-building person who loves to worship Jesus? Would you like to join a growing, multi-campus ministry that focuses on developing leaders who develop leaders and making disciples who make disciples? Does leading worship and overseeing a network of worship leaders across three campuses intrigue you? If so, we would love to have you join our team! If full-time, this position will be coupled with another area of ministry that matches your gifts and talents with the church's needs. Part-time inquiries for the worship position alone will be considered. Please go to www.thecompass.church/about-us/position-openings for more information.
The Compass Church Seeks Children’s Ministry Director for Selma Campus (full-time)
The Compass Church is a contemporary, multi-site United Methodist ministry with three campuses in east central Indiana with a vision of “reaching, teaching, and releasing disciplers and leaders for Jesus Christ.” We are seeking a full-time Children’s Ministry Director for our Selma Campus beginning in May 2017. Does leading children’s ministry at a large church and overseeing a network of children’s ministry leaders across three campuses interest you? Are you an organized, fun-loving, leader-inspiring, teacher of Scripture who loves children from birth to fifth grade? Would you like to join a growing, multi-campus ministry that focuses on developing leaders who develop leaders and making disciples who make disciples? If so, we would love to have you join our team! If full-time, this position will be coupled with another area of ministry that matches your gifts and talents with the church's needs. Part-time inquiries for the children’s ministry position alone will be considered. Please go to www.thecompass.church/about-us/position-openings for more information.
The Compass Church Seeks Children’s Ministry Director for Yorktown Campus (part-time)
The Compass Church is a contemporary, multi-site United Methodist ministry with three campuses in east central Indiana with a vision of “reaching, teaching, and releasing disciplers and leaders for Jesus Christ.” Does leading children’s ministry at a medium-sized church and working with a network of children’s ministry leaders across three campuses in a large church interest you? Are you an organized, fun-loving, leader-inspiring, teacher of Scripture who loves children from birth to fifth grade? Would you like to join a growing, multi-campus ministry that focuses on developing leaders who develop leaders and making disciples who make disciples? If so, we would love to have you join our team! This is a part-time position (10-12 hours / week), beginning as soon as the candidate is available. Please go to www.thecompass.church/about-us/position-openings for more information.
MUNCIE COLLEGE AVENUE UMC SEEKS YOUTH MINISTER
We are searching for a youth minister (15 hours/week) to support our growing intergenerational ministries. Responsibilities include recruiting and welcoming youth and creating small group opportunities for study, fellowship, and service. Candidates should have a passion for young people, basic knowledge of Christian formation and United Methodist theology, organizational skills, a spirit of hospitality, and experience in a church or similar setting. Visit collegeavenuechurch.org/job-openings/; e-mail ; or call 765-289-7337.
HARTFORD CITY TRINITY UMC is seeking to hire a worship leader. The worship leader works with the lead pastor to plan, organize, and lead worship. Trinity Church has a blended style of worship that uses traditional elements of worship in a modern way. We are looking for someone who will help us build up the music portion of worship.If interested or you know someone who would be interested please contact Pastor Dustin Jones at 765-618-5344.
A good candidate will:
- be able to play guitar and/or piano as well as vocally lead
- be willing to try new things
- be willing to play hymns as well as contemporary music
- have a teachable attitude that is open to learning from others
- be able to work with and lead others
East district umw news and events