TIME-2013-01

JANUARY—MARCH 2013

“Can You Hear Me Now?” God’s Calling.

How’s Your Reception?

Can you Say “Inspiration?”

Letters from Dad, Volunteers & More

Can You See the Future?

Visioning Plans Come into View

calendar

together in ministry everyday January 5: E-WASTE RECYCLING EVENT

Highlights

January 6: QUARTERLY BLOOD DRIVE January 6, 13, 20, & 27: YOUTH PIZZA SALES January 6-12: HAITI MEDICAL MISSION TRIP January 12: ALL CHURCH LEADERSHIP MEETING January 13—February 10: SUNDAYS IN THE SOUTH, NAPLES, FL January 21: ST. LUKE’S CLOSED—IN OBSERVANCE OF MARTIN

SUNDAYS IN THE SOUTH

LUTHER KING, JR. DAY

JANUARY - MARCH

YOUTH PIZZA SALES

YOUTH MLK DAY OF SERVICE

January 21-27: NAPLES HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WORK TRIP January 26: HOSPITALITY WORKSHOP February 3: ONE A-MAIZE-ING LUNCH February 3-10: FONDWA, HAITI WORK TRIP February 4: YOUTH PIZZA DELIVERY February 13: ASH WEDNESDAY February 15-17: HIGH SCHOOL WINTER SKI RETREAT February 23: IMPACT PARENTING CONFERENCE March 8: YOUTH CHOIR CONCERT March 8-10: MARRIAGE ENRICHMENT WEEKEND, NASHVILLE, IN March 17: YOUTH—HIRE A TEEN AUCTION

EASTER EGG HUNT

March 25-29: HOLY WEEK BREAKFASTS March 30: EASTER EGG HUNT

scan to go to www.stlukesumc.com

st. luke’s identity We are an open community of Christians gathering to seek, celebrate, live and share the

love of God for all creation.

100 W. 86th Street Indianapolis, IN 46260 TELEPHONE: 317-846-3404 FAX: 317-844-1034 WEB: www.stlukesumc.com EDITORIAL:

Lori Crantford Sarah Nevin CIRCULATION MANAGER: Sylvia Forbes DESIGN:

st. luke’s vision We envision being transformed by God and transforming the world into a compassionate, just, inclusive, Christ-like community.



— —

NEXT T.I.M.E. DEADLINE:

February 11 for April—June 2013

Find us on Facebook “St. Lukes United Methodist Church”

from the desk

JANUARY—MARCH 2013

Thoughts on Turning 60 No, I haven’t been lying about my age, and yes, I know nothing about turning 60, but we all soon will. This year St. Luke’s turns 60. In March 1953, an adventurous group of members at Central Avenue UMC in downtown Indianapolis felt led to start a congregation further north in the direction of the city’s future growth and development. First they met in the American Legion Hall in Broad Ripple (without an appointed pastor, and actually passing a hat to receive their offering) and eventually purchased land at our current location.

It was a thrill for me in September 2011 when I stood shoulder to shoulder with all of the previous pastors of St. Luke’s: Bill Imler, Dick Hamilton, Carver McGriff and Kent Millard. What a rare privilege for a church to have all the pastors who have served it together at one time! That morning I was in the company of some amazing men with great leadership talent. Since then, I have come to find that we pastors have had the privilege of being in the company of an amazing congregation.

While it is important to look back at the people and events through which God has worked to make St. Luke’s great, it is even more exciting to look ahead to the ways we will be called to a future that needs, more than ever, a church which is an open community of Christians gathering to seek, celebrate, live and share God’s love for all creation. I believe there is as much possibility for the “Miracle on 86th Street” to happen today as it did starting in 1953.

More than ever, people are disconnected from church—but not faith! More than ever, people are turned off by narrow, judgmental approaches to faith—but not from the grace, acceptance and hope offered through a fresh encounter with Jesus Christ! More than ever, people are indifferent toward religious activities—but not life-changing spiritual experiences and helping others.

St. Luke’s has much to offer. We are one of the leading churches in our denomination. We have incredible talent and resources. We have a chance to match an open, grace-filled theology with a culture around us looking for spiritual connection and opportunities to make a difference in the world. Our Visioning Team will unveil a five-year plan for the church in the early part of this year.

We will be seeking your input and involvement in crafting those directions and goals. It will take each of us working in concert to experience God’s best for this next chapter of St. Luke’s history.

We begin the year with exciting worship. Our New Year series will focus on Tough Questions of Faith.

This will truly be a series people requested. Each week’s topic will come from the questions you chose in our December poll. Then, in Lent, I will lead a series on the “I Am” sayings of Jesus in John’s Gospel. We will have small group opportunities for people who wish to join with others and reflect on the message during these six weeks.

Our youth ministry is working with an organization called Youth Ministry Architects to strategize for the future. Our children’s ministry continues to evaluate ways to strengthen and grow. Our missions area is ramping up for a great year with many new initiatives that will increase ways we can make an even deeper impact in our community and world. Of course there is lots more to share, but like John ended his gospel, “If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.”

For some, turning 60 means approaching retirement. For St. Luke’s, turning 60 means we’re still in our youth!

Rob Fuquay — —

the vision

together in ministry everyday

The Vision is Getting Clearer!

by Sara Cobb, St. Luke’s member and Chair, Visioning Task Force

Nearly a year ago, 12 members of the Visioning Task Force gathered for the first time to discuss, dream and discern God’s will about the question, “What could St. Luke’s look like in five years?”

Now, with considerable time, prayer, thought, conversation, reading, study, surveying and reflection under our belt, these St. Luke’s members, clergy and staff are beginning to hone in on answers to that question.

As you know, in August 2012, 1,100 members of the St. Luke’s family participated in a survey. Among many other things you shared, we learned that you treasure St. Luke’s commitment to being an open community.

Accordingly, the Visioning Task Force believes it is important now to affirm our mission statement and its value for articulating the mission of the church and capturing the ethos of St. Luke’s. Rob brought that message to the congregation through his 2012 stewardship sermon series, Decision 2013, as he spoke of the key words in our identity statement—Open, Seek, Live, Share and Celebrate.

Now, as we look to 2013, there have been five key areas or “thrusts” that the Visioning Task Force believes speak to the results of the survey and respond to the question, “What could St. Luke’s look like in five years?” FIRST, we must reach greater numbers of young people. Our congregation is an aging one, with an average age of 57, and nearly half of the survey respondents listed that fact as one of the two top challenges for St. Luke’s in the future.

SECOND, focus on helping people grow in their faith. Again, this is in response to the survey in which 60 percent of the respondents declared that helping individuals in our congregation grow spiritually is one of the two top challenges for St. Luke’s.

THIRD, involve greater number of people in service and leadership. Those who attend, worship at, and belong to St. Luke’s are among the most highly educated in our community, with 80 percent having at least a four-year college degree. Our church is rich in bright, smart, talented people who will choose to participate if asked to do so.

FOURTH, develop a holistic missions and outreach emphasis. St. Luke’s has a rich history of service in mission, and the survey supported and encouraged a continuation of that service.

FIFTH, improve the facilities and resources (such as technology) that will allow us to carry out these first four thrusts. Many needs surfaced for ways in which our facilities can be even more relevant to the future vision of St. Luke’s.

Now, as we move into the next few weeks and months, we are eager to have your thoughts and ideas.

In the coming days, we will be expanding the number of people engaged in this thoughtful process.

If you would like to lend more of your time and prayer to St. Luke’s and its visioning for the future, we would love to have you. Please email me at sbcobb@indy.rr.com to share your interest.

— —

family ministries

JANUARY—MARCH 2013

Making an IMPACT

by David Williamson, Pastor of Children and Family Ministries, and Amy Myhand, Assistant Director of Children’s Ministries

There’s a kid in your life you care about. It might be your own child. It might be your grandchild or a niece or nephew. Maybe it’s someone in a class you teach or on the team you coach. It could be a neighbor. Regardless of who, that kid needs someone they can look up to. Someone who sincerely cares about them.

They need someone to discover how great they are, how gifted they are and how bright a future they can have.

A few years ago, our children’s ministry began moving towards an “orange” concept (for more detailed info about what this means, see www.whatisorange.org). At the heart of this movement is the concept of the church working to partner with parents and caregivers to make a larger impact in children’s lives. Yes, we want children to have fun at church and to discover here a safe, loving environment in which they can learn about God. But the roots of faith are formed at home as much as they are formed in church, and so our deeper desire is to equip parents, to be a catalyst for faith formation at home. It was this vision that gave birth last year to the IMPACT Parent Conference.

For our first year, we were blessed to have as our speaker Carey Neiuwhof, author of Parenting Beyond Your Capacity, along with a number of local experts who led breakout sessions on a variety of subjects impacting the home. Over one hundred parents attended, the majority of whom came from our own church, and all walked away feeling equipped and encouraged as parents.

We counted the conference as a great success, but it only planted in our hearts a deeper vision for what this conference could be.

Who should plan to attend IMPACT Parenting Conference 2013? Anyone who… …is interested in knowing how to get and stay closer to the kid you care about, whether six or sixteen. … is invested in the development of the next generation and willing to go one step further to help kids discover who they were meant to be. …wants a simple system for gathering core truths about your kid and how to interact with him or her. …could benefit from time spent in conversation with other parents at the same life stage.

THIS PAGE & NEXT: Participants

from 2012 IMPACT Conference

…is eager to fill their parenting or grand-parenting toolbox with practical strategies from those who’ve “been there.”

— —

family ministries

together in ministry everyday

IMPACT, cont’d from page 5

This year we are thrilled to have another dynamic speaker coming to our church. Dan Webster, author of KidUnique (www.kidunique.com) is gripped by a passion that we believe all of us share—that every child is handcrafted by God and therefore precious and worthy of our best efforts to call forth the gifts and goodness that God has planted in their hearts. Webster will offer participants a dynamic “fourwindow” model of observing and affirming the children in our lives—having read his book, we can testify that his model is not just incredibly helpful for those in the “trenches” of

age and experience but supporting one another, all united by their desire to love children and to guide them into the gift of discovering their true selves.

parenting, but equally appropriate for anyone who works with or cares about our children and youth. All those attending the conference will be invited into a following “31-Day Experience” in order to put Dan’s model into practice.

impact if we could bring that gift not only to the hundreds of families who attend our church, but also to the hundreds of families our church touches in the surrounding community. That is the impact that gives our conference not only its name, but also informs its ongoing vision.

In addition to the keynote address, we’ve custom designed our breakout sessions to appeal to a variety of audiences, even for those who are not currently involved in day-to-day parenting of young children. Our hope is that this conference will reach across the generations of our church, with multiple tracks designed for grandparents, youth workers and mentors, and of course parents of all ages. The St. Luke’s congregation is filled with caring adults concerned for the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual development of the young. We envision tables of these caring adults, mixed in — —

Every child is unique. Every child matters. Every person is born with immense potential to impact the world around them. But for our children to someday impact the world in positive ways, it takes parents and mentors who call forth their strength, name their goodness, who see past the “mess” in order to affirm the “miracle” of who they are. Imagine the

We hope you’ll join us on February 23 for our second annual IMPACT conference. We’ve streamlined and shortened the schedule, reducing it to a half-day in order to ease the burden on families. Childcare is also provided at low cost for those parents who need it. To register for the conference, or to find the latest information about schedule, breakout sessions, and other options, go to www.stlukesumc.com/impact. We hope you’ll also invite your neighbors and anyone else that you partner with in daily family life to be part of this special day. n

JANUARY—MARCH 2013

community partnerships

Measuring the Immeasurable

by Sean G. Taylor, Principal, Fox Hill Elementary School

“All the volunteers are gifts. If only the retirees understood that our education system really needs them, even for just an hour per week.

What a difference it would make to our next generation.” —STEVE BRIGGS How does one go about measuring the influence of one on serves our After School Achievers Program designed to help another? As a school leader and first year principal at Fox accelerate learning for our students who are performing Hill, I routinely reflect upon my actions or influence on the below grade level. I took the opportunity to ask Steve to share school community I lead. In a societal era where everything with SLUMC some of his story. has to be quantified on the basis of efficiency and effectiveness in ST: What sparked your interest in order to justify one’s value, I am volunteering at Fox Hill? troubled by the notion that my SB: When I retired, I had the time influence will be contrived into a to pay it forward. I truly have been statistical value based on a test blessed by God in so many, many score. Furthermore, that a leadways that I must help others. For er in the private sector will expeme, what better way than working rience a similar result, in that his with kids, our future generation. or her influence will be based on a product’s consumption, or ST: What does your volunteering a pastor’s influence measured consist of? by membership. Though I unSB: Most of what I do depends on derstand the need for such calthe needs of the teacher. SomeSteve Briggs at Fox Hill culations to a degree, I believe times it is taking several students them to be limiting to the learnwho have fallen behind in a subing of all involved in any organization or community. There ject and helping them get caught up, or taking several and are untold stories involved in every organization that perhaps teaching them accelerated math. Another important part is shed more light on my initial proposed question. I know there just listening to them read and giving them advice on how to are a number of untold stories at Fox Hill, but one in particu- improve their reading skills. Once a year I will set up an inlar that I am privileged to have the opportunity to share. That credible science experiment (I hope). I was a senior research is the story of Steve Briggs, one of our St. Luke’s volunteers. scientist at Eli Lilly for 39 years. Also, when a teacher is in dire need for an adult for a field trip, I have volunteered to go.

Fox Hill Elementary School and SLUMC have been partnering together for a number of years. Steve Briggs started ST: What keeps you coming back? volunteering in January of 2010 shortly after retiring from SB: The rewards are incredible. Taking a student and bringEli Lilly. He began by participating in morning peer group ing them from low math so that when they enter sixth grade sessions with young children, expanded his role to helping they have moved them into “Advanced Math.” When the with math and science classes in a variety of grade levels, unreachable student, the angry kid, becomes reachable. and recently added three additional days a week where he Wow, what an incredible feeling. Walking the halls the next — —

discipleship

together in ministry everyday

Letters from Dad:

by Jim Patton, St. Luke’s Member

DISCIPLESHIP, cont’d from page 7

year and having so many kids know you and in their own way show their appreciation for what you have done with them.

ST: What do you think you mean to FH? SB: A gift. All the volunteers are gifts. If only the retirees understood that our education system really needs them, even for just an hour per week. What a difference it would make to our next generation.

I asked Miss April Stout, a third grade teacher who partners with Steve, to share her thoughts on his influence at Fox Hill.

She shared that “Steve is the most passionate, dedicated and hardworking individual I have ever met. He constantly goes above and beyond to find ways to help Fox Hill students achieve success. The students absolutely love to work with him. We are so lucky to have him!”

One will find at Fox Hill that many of the relationships built with our SLUMC volunteers parallel the one of Mr. Briggs, but the proposed question still remains—how does one measure the influence of one on another? Thank you St. Luke’s for caring about our students, over 76% of who live at or below the poverty line. Thank you Steve Briggs for playing an integral part in fulfilling the Fox Hill mission. But most of all, thank you Christ for answering this question and teaching me that Christian leadership and service is not measureable—but immeasurable. n

“In the early days of my granddaughter’s life, I began observing the inclinations and proclivities that were planted in her at birth. I noticed, and still notice, what she likes and dislikes, what she is drawn toward and repelled by, how she moves, what she does, what she says. I’m gathering these observations in a letter. When my granddaughter reaches her late teens or early twenties, I will make sure that my letter finds its way to her, with a preface something like this: “Here is a sketch of who you were from your earliest days in this world. It is not a definitive picture—only you can draw that. But it was sketched by a person who loves you very much.

Perhaps these notes will help you do sooner what your grandfather did only later in life: Remember who you were when you first arrived and reclaim the gift of true self.”

—PARKER PALMER Imagine a group of guys sitting in a room together, on a Thursday night, laughing, sharing and having refreshments. There must be an Indianapolis Colts game on, right? Wrong. If you have spotted these guys at St. Luke’s, then

St. Luke’s Hospitality Workshop Saturday January 26 from 9AM-3PM.

Mark Waltz (photo left), international speaker, author and associate pastor at Granger UMC, will lead us. Mark has written First Impressions: Creating a Wow Experience in Your Church. He is funny and entertaining and will give us all a fresh look at our church.

The event is free and open to everyone who is interested in upping the hospitality ante at St. Luke’s to wow! levels. To register for the event or childcare, please contact Sylvia Forbes at 846-3404 or forbess@stlukesumc.com, or register at www.stlukesumc.com.

— —

community partnerships

JANUARY—MARCH 2013

Helping You Leave a Legacy of Faith, Hope & Love you probably have run across men participating in the “Letters from Dad” program. The purpose of “Letters from Dad” is to help men leave a legacy of faith, hope and love to their children and grandchildren through written letters. The program, founded and developed by author Greg Vaughn, has been conducted at St. Luke’s during the past two fall seasons.

Pastor David Williamson led 45 men through the program for the first time in the fall of 2011.

Another 20 men began writing letters in October 2012. Dave saw the need for men to write blessings, through letters, to their spouses, children and grandchildren. He says: “My interest in this program began when attending a funeral for a beloved member of our church, Linda Pratt. During the service, Linda’s daughter stood and read a letter she had received from her mom during her teenage years, a letter that had guided her through some difficult times and affirmed her love no matter what. It was a powerful testimony to the kind of woman and mother Linda had been. And I found myself wondering—how many children, if they were to stand up at their father’s funeral some day, would have a letter like that to read or to hold onto?”

Men attend the program during four sessions over the course of six weeks. During the sessions, we take time to reflect on important words like “honor,” “blessings,” and “legacy.”

We share with one another the kinds of fathers we’d like to be, the wisdom we’ve learned from our own parents, and the hopes that we carry for our children and our children’s children.

Most importantly, we pair up with one another, as accountability partners, to help encourage each other through the letter-writing process.

There is time set aside during each session to

work on letters in order to jump start the process, and then the letter writing process continues during the two weeks between each session. Most men choose to write an average of three to five letters.

The 2012 group even wrote letters to soldiers in Kuwait as part of our journey.

Surveys of men who have completed the program indicate they get two main benefits from the program:

1).

They are given the structure and accountability they need to do something they’ve always wanted to do—putting their heart to paper and delivering handwritten letters to their loved ones during a special occasion. There is no price tag that can be placed upon that blessing. John Rude, a dad in the program, says, “Writing letters to your sons can be tough. I’ve always made sure that I tell them I love them, but I have never put my feelings down on paper. Letters from Dad has given me the format and tools I need to do so.”

2). But perhaps even more important, as an outcome to the process of accountability and encouragement, men build new friendships with one another at St. Luke’s, friendships forged through the affirming journey of sharing your heart with those you love. I know this was the case for me; as a newcomer to St. Luke’s, I was looking for a place to connect and make new friends. Not only did the Letters from Dad help me write important letters to my family, but it also connected me to a group of guys that I know will be part of my spiritual journey at St. Luke’s for years to come. n

For more information on “Letters from Dad” or other programs offered through the United Methodist Men (like the Men’s Monthly Breakfasts, or the Theology Unplugged gatherings at the Rusty Bucket, as well as other special activities), including an initiative to make the Letters from Dad program available to men actively serving in the military overseas, contact Pastor David Williamson at williamsond@stlukesumc.com.

— —

together in ministry everyday

My Calling to Kuwait

by Chaplain (CPT) Tony Hunley, 38th Sustainment Brigade Special Troops Battalion, IN Army National Guard

Tony Hunley

As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I could almost hear comedian Bill Engvall’s signature phrase, “Here’s your sign.” That’s the phrase he says after each of several one liners in his routine about “stupid people” (or at least stupid things people say). He says that these people should be made to carry around a sign to warn others that they may spout out something stupid. For example, he questions the necessity of labels on hair dryers that warn you NOT to take them into the shower with you. He paints the scene for us... imagine if you will: this fellar is showering as his wife is applying make-up, he shouts out to her after washing his hair, “Honey, hand me that there blow dryer.” Bill simply says, “Here’s your sign.”

“How is God calling you? What is it that God is seeking to do in and through you?

Maybe it’s something there in Indianapolis, or half-way around the world like I am now.”

My “sign” was figuratively handed to me as our plan was touching down, and I said, “Oh dear Lord, we’re in Kuwait.” The look on my assistant’s, colleague’s, and commander’s faces was priceless. We had just completed the final leg of our 24-hour journey to get us here. That was after the four weeks of post-mobilization training we just endured at Ft. Hood, TX. That was after the four weeks at Ft. Knox, KY for — —

pre-mobilization training. That was after the 1218 months prior of planning and preparing to be gone—organizationally as a National Guard unit, professionally as the pastor at Jamestown United Methodist Church, and personally as father, husband and man. Oh, and don’t forget the nearly dozen and a half shots the Army stuck me with! But my comment was a genuine and authentic response to the reality that hit me as we were entering the country of our new, but temporary, home.

Many of you are familiar with my faith journey as you were there with me sometime between 1997 when I came to St. Luke’s as a new member and Stephen Minister, 2005 as I became involved in what today is known as St. Luke’s United Methodist Men, or SLUMM (hey guys!), 2006 when I began discerning my calling into professional ministry, 2007 when I became a certified candidate for the elder track in the UMC, 2010 when I graduated seminary and was appointed to JUMC, and today as I look at the banner hanging in my office here in Kuwait that you all created with love on Veteran’s Day 2012. I have had so many experiences and mentoring, loving people in my life that have helped me navigate this journey and embrace my calling that I am overwhelmed.

That word—“calling”—is the word I’ve been focusing on in my ministry here at Camp Arifjan; and the word I want to share with you right now.

Several years ago, I came to understand that I have not been “called,” I have received a “calling.”

And so it is with you as well. Saying “called” incorporates a finitude; a finitude that God doesn’t intend. When we refer to our “calling,” we acknowledge that our calling is something that began before we accepted God’s prevenient grace, took its first shape at our baptism or confirmation, and continues on until the day we

first person

JANUARY—MARCH 2013

go on to our permanent home. My calling continues to grow and develop on active duty ministry; even as I write this article.

My unit’s mission is centered on the retrograde taking place in Afghanistan. It is a safe mission, in a safe place with warm, lumpy beds and three cooked (that’s the most I can say for it) meals every day. It is different than what our veterans went through in the early days of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. It is different than Operations Desert Shield and Storm, the Vietnam Conflict, the Korean War, and all deployments dating back to the American Revolution. But, I would suggest that there is still commonality between all our deployments and a bond that unites all soldiers and veterans—sacrifices of every day freedoms we protect for our nation; separations from spouses, children, parents, churches, family and friends; lack of privacy and individuality; and the pain of losses of battle buddies, relationships, marriages and naivety/innocence.

TOP:

Banner created for US soldiers on Veterans Day 2012 ABOVE:

Tony Hunley leading a worship service in Kuwait NEXT PAGE:

Hunley riding a camel

If in my heart, I accepted that I was “called” into ministry, then I probably wouldn’t be here in Kuwait serving God — —

together in ministry everyday CALLING, cont’d from page 12

today. I would have stopped at being a pastor. I’m not saying that is bad, other than that was not God’s total mission for me. But God has bigger plans for me (and you), and Kuwait has helped me see that. This deployment has deepened our connectionalism as the United Methodist Church. Our bishop, district superintendent, and conference have grown stronger in their calling as they sought how to support a provisional membership pastor called into active duty. My local church, your church there at St. Luke’s, and many other UMC’s have grown stronger in their calling as they have sent goods and letters for me to share with the service members here with me.

My calling has grown stronger as I have had the privilege to advise the command leadership on issues of morale, morals, ethics and religion. It has grown deeper as I have had the responsibility of co-leading chapel each Sunday, leading Bible and other group studies, and creating other opportunities to bring God to soldiers and soldiers to God. It has become more clear as I have had the honor to be invited into soldiers’ lives and provide them spiritual guidance and counsel as they’ve struggled with unfaithful spouses back

“Listen with the ear of your heart.” —RULE OF BENEDICT

by Bev Gallagher, St. Luke’s Member and Spiritual Director

French philosopher and Jesuit priest Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said in his 20th century writings, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” Which one are you?

One of my personal goals when my family and I moved to Indianapolis 20 years ago was to pursue spiritual enrichment. In the intervening years, I’ve done that in many ways: through classes (both as a student and as a leader); workshops; Bible and book studies; Stephen Ministry and Pilgrimage Healing Process trainings; a ministry inquiry group; committee membership; mission projects and trips; and community, school and church volunteer activities.

Through each I have grown—thanks to new lessons I’ve learned and the people I’ve come to know and serve.

But, it wasn’t until I enrolled in the two-year Spiritual Direction Internship (SDI) program at The Benedict Inn in Beech Grove (a ministry of the Sisters of St. Benedict) in 2008 that I truly began to “get” the spiritual journey. Several

— — ——

people have asked me why I chose to do spiritual direction and to become a spiritual director. As I found out, spiritual direction has really “done” me.

Spiritual direction focuses on awareness of the presence of the divine in a person’s life experience and seeks to enable the individual to discover and respond to that presence in a more meaningful, deeper way. Sometimes that means some not-so-comfortable moments of self-awareness. For example: I’m an ESTJ type on the Myers Briggs Personality Test (I know, I know… contemplation is a challenge for me!). Someone creative came up with a prayer for each personality type. Here’s the one for ESTJ types: “God, help me to not try to RUN everything. But, if you need some help, just ask.”

I laugh when I read that, but I recognize the truth of my need to control, my desire to be right, and my perfectionist tendencies. It’s been said that the first step in making changes is becoming aware of the issues. You might have rightfully guessed that I have some work to do!

JANUARY—MARCH 2013

first person | spiritual life center

home, rocky relationships with family, deaths of grandparents, illnesses and injuries of their children, and their spiritual and emotional struggles as they do their mission here in the mid-East.

How is God calling you? What is it that God is seeking to do in and through you? Maybe it’s something there in Indianapolis, or half-way around the world like I am now. Maybe it’s with the United Methodist Men, such as on their upcoming trip to Haiti. Maybe it’s with prevention of animal abuse, distribution of Bibles in areas where they’ve never heard His Word, or becoming a parish nurse. Who knows? God does. Ask him.

Thank you for everything you are doing as individuals and as a church family to support my troops, our families and me. I covet your prayers. We love the reminders of home through your gifts, letters and e-mails. I appreciate all the support—in so many various ways—from each of you as members, staff and clergy. You are always in my heart. n

If you’d like to follow us through the rest of our deployment, like “38th Sustainment Brigade” on FaceBook.

I’d also love to hear from you.

E-mail me at revhunley@ gmail.com, or send letters to: Chaplain (CPT) Tony Hunley 38th Sustainment Brigade APO, AE 09366

Two of the questions that have formed the basis for my personal spiritual journey are: Where do I feel God is calling me to stretch and grow? And how can I focus less on information and more on transformation? For me, the last question is all about the difference between knowing about God and actually knowing God and having a transforming relationship with God.

David Mitchell, author of the 2004 book Cloud Atlas, is quoted as saying, “...there ain’t no journey what don’t change you some.” Or... you can be changed a lot. n

As we learned in the SDI program, spiritual direction provides a sacred, non-judgmental, confidential space for the directee to share thoughts, feelings, questions, and experiences, a safe place to take off masks. Cooperating with the work of the Spirit can happen through practicing various spiritual disciplines (journaling, using different ways of praying, lectio divina—reflective reading, walking the labyrinth, etc.) as invitations from God.

The practice of spiritual direction, or “holy listening,” has been around for centuries, yet it is a somewhat unfamiliar concept in our society. Bev Gallagher, a member of St. Luke’s, is a member of Spiritual Directors International, Spiritual Directors of Central Indiana, and is a practicing spiritual director. A list of Spiritual Directors in Central Indiana can be found on www.stlukesumc.com. Feel free to call Bev or anyone on the list to ask questions or make an appointment.

As we journey into a new year, is God issuing you a passport for another kind of journey? Perhaps a spiritual one?

— —

staff

together in ministry everyday

Susan Fuquay Joins Adult Ministries Team

by Terri Coe, Director of Adult Ministries, and Susan Fuquay, Associate Director of Adult Discipleship

Susan Fuquay

You may have seen Susan Fuquay around the church most days this past fall, or behind a Disciple Bible Study table in the hallway, or perhaps teaching a class. Susan has a long history of working in the church. Even though she graduated from Kansas University with an occupational therapy degree, she quickly found herself called to work in the church. Her first jobs were in full-time youth ministry in Norman, OK and at Highland Park UMC in Dallas, Texas. Then on a church-sponsored sabbatical trip to Greece and Turkey, Susan met Rob and headed to North Carolina with a wedding ring on her finger. (Be careful if you plan to travel to a foreign land and you are single!)

While raising three girls, Susan did lots of volunteer work in the church and had different part-time jobs, but for the last several years, until moving to Indianapolis in August 2011, she worked full-time at the same church where Rob also served. Her experience is vast—children, youth, adult ministries, director of ministries—but her passion has been helping people grow in their Christian faith and find meaningful places to serve.

Although Susan has taught many different classes, led seminars and retreats, she has loved facilitating Disciple Bible study for over 25 years. Disciple Bible Study is a study written by Susan’s parents, Bishop Richard and Julia Wilke. “I find that when I read the Bible each day and pray, it strengthens my awareness of God, helps me hear his whisperings and gives me the faith I need for the day. Over the years I have heard many people share the same thoughts. The Bible is so rich in so many ways. I

— —

never tire of its stories, wisdom and encouragement. It is new each morning. Disciple is simply one Bible study among many. But it does help people develop a daily habit of prayer and Bible reading.”

The traditional Disciple Bible Study classes are 32-34 weeks long and are meant to last at least two hours. In recent years, Susan has found it more difficult to get people to commit to a 34week study. So, Susan is developing the Disciple Fast Track series, which covers the same material but in a shorter period of time. The Old Testament portion is 12 weeks. Then, a holiday or summer break, and the New Testament for 12 more weeks. The class is 75 minutes. In fall 2013, Susan and Rob will take a group from St. Luke’s to the Holy Land to film some videos for the future Fast Track studies. Currently, Susan is teaching three classes with 140 St. Luke’s people.

Susan is also a big fan of online Disciple classes that enable people to be in a Disciple class from anywhere in the world.

But Susan’s enthusiasm extends beyond Disciple into the area of helping people find “next steps in their spiritual growth.” “Besides the development of Disciple Fast Track, my role at St. Luke’s is to work with Terri Coe and several groups of people to develop an adult discipleship process for the church.” A disciple process is simply a way to help people determine what they may want to

adult education

JANUARY—MARCH 2013

Science or Religion?

Science and Religion?

by Terri Coe, Director of Adult Ministries do next in their spiritual growth. It will involve personal assessments and many options. It is very exciting to be working with others to determine a process that will be simple, clear and helpful to everyone as they desire to grow in faith. “For example, St. Luke’s had 350 people enroll in Disciple classes last fall. Our dream is to help all those people choose a next step, whether that be service, more study, or involvement in a ministry area. A disciple process will make that dream easier!”

When not at church, Susan’s priority is spending time with her daughters. “With our oldest, Julie, away at college and Sarah graduating from North Central High School this spring, I am very aware of the time left to spend with the girls.

That’s why I am so thankful for a parttime position. I want to make sure I spend as much time with them (and keep up with daughter Anna’s hectic soccer schedule!) as I can.”

Susan also conveyed her deep appreciation to the congregation for its incredible hospitality. “It’s been a great transition to St. Luke’s. I’ve never had this kind of experience...

I don’t know how any church could do better at welcoming, hospitality, checking in on ALL of us. St. Luke’s people pray for us. They have taken us to ball games and concerts, restaurants and on boat rides. Someone even brought me a Jayhawks cookie because they knew Kansas was playing in the National championship! Of all the moves we’ve made, people at St. Luke’s have been tops, amazing. We are so blessed to be part of this absolutely amazing church.”

Please join us in welcoming our second Fuquay to the St. Luke’s staff. n

It’s been a debate for years. Our understanding of God, our relationship with God as well as how we understand the world—how it came to be and how it works—influences our response to these questions.

Whether you’ve settled the matter for yourself or have questions you’d like to explore, all who are interested in the on-going conversation regarding the relationship of science and religion are invited to participate in the series, “Religion and Science: Is It Possible to Be Christian and Take Science Seriously?”

Meeting Sunday mornings, January 12-March 10, 10:45-Noon in the Parlor, the class format will include watching a video series hosted by Francis S. Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health and former director of The Human Genome Project, followed by class discussion facilitated by me and Dr. Steven Elliott, St. Luke’s member.

As both a medical doctor and an ordained pastor, Dr. Elliott has long been captivated by these matters and has spent time contemplating them. “I’m excited to be a part of a church that encourages this sort of pondering,” he shares.

“I’m also excited to be a part of a community of seekers willing to engage both brain and heart in the search not only for meaning, but for truth itself. If you’re like me and have found yourself mulling such matters as, Why am I here? How did we all come to be? What really happened ‘In the beginning?’ and What does it mean to be made in the image of God? then this class is definitely for you. So join me, won’t you? This should be fun!”

This past fall, a women’s Bible study discussed this series and were complimentary of the presentation and course — —

together in ministry everyday

SCIENCE, cont’d from page 15

Pedal for Peace

by Alison Flickinger, St. Luke’s and UMW member

content. Topics include: Friends or Foes— The Story of a Complex Relationship; Truth in Science and Religion; God and Nature; Creation and Evolution; What Does It Mean to be Human?; The God of Hope and the End of the World; Genetic Science and the Frontiers of Ethics; Creation Care.

Reflecting upon her experience, class participant Julie Siegel Redman says, “I am sure you can imagine the issues discussed were broad and thought provoking. Many times we would look at one another due to the path the topic had taken us and realize God had helped us take another step along our journey. One particular evening after spending a great amount of time rethinking about the afternoon’s discussion, I shared my journey with my family.

The conversation and ideas surrounding that day’s topic with my husband and children were enlightening. To listen to their faith journey was exciting, and I felt blessed to know God was using me to share his word.” n To learn more about the series, contact me at 317-846-3404 x 308 or coet@stlukesumc.com.

Do you ponder, “Why am I here?

How did we all come to be? What really happened ‘In the beginning?’ and What does it mean to me made in the image of God? then this class is definitely for you. So join me, won’t you?”

—DR. STEVEN ELLIOTT

— —

On a picture-perfect Indiana fall day last September, 14 individuals joined together as part of the St. Luke’s UMW team to Pedal for Peace. For four glorious hours, we took turns riding on the Velodrome track at Marion University to support the Interfaith Hunger Initiative. Together with the other teams that rode, enough funds were raised to feed over 400 Kenyan children lunch for one entire year, as well as help local Indianapolis food pantries. Our team rode in memory of Minnietta Millard, late wife of our former senior pastor, Kent Millard. The Millard family has faithfully supported the Interfaith Hunger Initiative for years.

Eric Vansteenburg, an avid biker and member of our team, commented that he joined the St. Luke’s UMW team because it was “dedicated to Minnietta—she was a wonderful woman who was a difference maker—so many lives touched in a positive way.”

Perfect weather, wonderful companionship and a worthy cause—it doesn’t get much better than that. n

JANUARY—MARCH 2013

united methodist women

2012 MEMBERS OF THIS YEAR’S TEAM INCLUDED: (some below in no particular order) Jeff Altenburg, Pam Cornwell,

Steve Cornwell, Beth Edwards-Goff, Allison Flickinger, Jacob Helmus, Mark Helmus, Pam Hamilton, Nancy Hoffman, Lane Imel, Gary Larson, Jim Mellowitz, Eric Vansteenburg, and Diane Wade.

It’s not easy to ride your bike outside during an Indiana winter, but there are other ways to help feed the hungry. Here are two coming up in February 2013:

Voices Uniting to End Hunger Saturday, February 2, 8:30AM-1:30PM Second Presbyterian Church

Registration: $20 (includes lunch) A half-day workshop featuring nationally known keynote speakers and workshops addressing the goal of access to nutritious food for all by 2015. For more information or to register, visit www.cts.edu.

One A-Maize-Ing Lunch!

Sunday, February 23, St. Luke’s UMC This fundraiser for the Interfaith Hunger Initiative was first held in 2010 and was a great success! It’s an opportunity for families to learn about hunger, to eat an authentic Kenyan school lunch, and provide a Kenyan child school lunch for an entire year ($25!). See details in the Communion Monthly or on our website.

LEFT: Jacob Helmus riding the velodrome ABOVE: Beth Edwards-Goff,

Allison Flickinger and Diane Wade — —

together in ministry everyday

Learning About Hunger

by Stephanie Eft, Associate Director of Youth Ministries

For the last three years, our youth ministry has participated in World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine, whose mission is to have youth “Learn about hunger, raise funds to help the hungry, and then go hungry themselves.” (30hourfamine. org). After the students have raised money for this cause, the fasting experience takes place, beginning at noon on Friday. The idea is that they will join in solidarity with those who have no choice but to wrestle with hunger.

BELOW:

Playing Tribe, a famine educational game

TOP RIGHT: Service project, raking leaves for the elderly BOTTOM RIGHT:

Service project, helping SAWs build ramps for those trapped inside their homes

At 7PM, students come to Luke’s Lodge to participate in experiential and educational games called Tribe. In these games, each student is given an identity and a country they live in. Each country then competes in challenges that educate students about hunger and poverty around the world. On Saturday, students learn about hunger and poverty in our local community by serving through outreach. Our students have helped build multiple ramps with SAWs, provided service work to elderly congregation members, and served in local ministry sites like Third Phase. Finally, the event concludes with a “Break the Fast” meal together on Saturday evening.

We believe this event is very important to raise awareness, provide practical ways of activism for students, and allow students to discover how their own passions and gifts can impact the world around them... but don’t take our word for it! Here is what two of our students had to say about their experience on the Famine. n

I signed up for the 30 Hour Famine because I thought I would learn what it really means to be truly hungry. Going that amount of time without food taught me how others are not as fortunate as I am to have food all the time, and how they get through their daily lives without it. It binds them closer to God and each other, and gives them a strong will. When it was time to eat, I was ready to give up my fasting and chow down.

Fasting for 30 hours is hard, but I managed to do it. I think with so much happening to keep me going, I just didn’t have the time to feel hungry.

It’s an experience everyone should try, to feel the hunger of others, and understand their lives.

It really just changed my life, and I’m thankful to God I was able to partake in this amazing event. ­­ —Annie Harenberg, 7th Grade, Carmel Middle School — —

youth

JANUARY—MARCH 2013

The two things that had the most impact on me that weekend was the chance to work with SAWs and the experience of fasting. I didn’t even know what SAWs was, but I learned about the importance of building ramps for people who have stairs that they can’t use because of problems with their legs. We worked on building a ramp for a man who had to take apart his motorized chair just to be able to leave the house. When he came out as we were working on the ramp, he told us how much it meant to him. It really touched me because I had never thought about this issue, and I was grateful that I could help.

The fasting really brought to my attention what kids my age might be going through who don’t have enough food. I was hungry, but I realized that I had a choice and was doing it to build my understanding. Other kids don’t have a choice and live with it all the time. I realized how lucky I am and that I could have just as easily been born into a situation like many other kids have where they are hungry and don’t have enough to eat, even if their parents love them as much as mine love me. ­­—Ben Lupton, 6th Grade, Amy Beverland School

—from 30hourfamine.org “Since the Famine started in 1992, the total number of kids under age 5 who die each day —most of them from preventable causes like hunger, poverty, and disease—has fallen from 40,000 to just over 20,000. That’s thanks to the hard work of a lot of people, including groups like yours who do the Famine.”

— —

maga

together in ministry everyday

JANUARY—MARCH 2013

NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID INDIANAPOLIS, IN PERMIT NO. 1569

Address Service Requested

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church • 100 West 86th Street • Indianapolis, Indiana 46260

C O M I N G

I N

F E B R U A R Y

A N D

M A R C H

2 0 1 3 !

LEN TEN SERM ON SERIES

The “I Am” Sayings of Jesus from the Gospel of John HOLY WEEK

Breakfast Devotionals March 25-29, 7:30-8:15AM Fellowship Hall Join us for a light breakfast, scripture, and a 15-minute devotional. Speakers to be announced.

St. Luke’s will be having over 50 small groups for you to join that will meet in homes, church or restaurants weekly during Lent to discuss the Sunday messages. Plan now to host or join a small group!

You won’t want to miss this rewarding, faith enriching experience. It all starts on Ash Wednesday, February 13, 2013. We will conclude on Easter!

St. L