TIME-2009-04

APRIL—JUNE 2009

The Sands of T.I.M.E. Buddhist Monks Share Their Sacred Tradition

Fiddling with Tradition St. Luke’s Partners with Beth-El for Fiddler on the Roof

Life of Brian Rev. Durand Makes a Whale of a Change

in this issue | mission | staff

together in ministry everyday ST. LUKE’S CLERGY STAFF:

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.

st. luke’s vision We envision being transformed

by God

and transforming the world into a compassionate, just, inclusive,

Christ-like community.

10

12

Volunteer Spotlight

Community Partnerships

IN THIS ISSUE:

14

Youth

4 5 7 8 10 12 16 17 19 18 20 21 22 23 24

From the Editor Interfaith Connections Fiddler on the Roof World Mission / Social Justice SLC / Volunteer Spotlight Children’s & Community Ministries Youth Staff Changes Chickens for Hunger Music Ministries Endowment 2008 Annual Report Facilities Oasis Concerns & Celebrations / New Members Easter

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

Editorial: Lori Crantford; Design: Sarah Nevin Brandt, Brian Durand, Max Hill, Kathleen Headington, Sharon Holyoak, Lynn Jackson, Minnietta Millard, Jan Nichols, Matt Peyton, Rich Potterf, Scott Semester, Tara-Lynne Sinicki, Kay Walla.

CIRCULATION MANAGER: Sylvia Forbes.

Kent Millard, Linda McCoy, Brian Durand, Marsha Hutchinson, Marion Miller, Stan Abell, Adolf Hansen ST. LUKE’S STAFF:

Kathy Alexander, Administrative Team Assistant; Jason Barnes, Director of AV/Media; Dawn Bick, Assistant Director of Children’s Ministry, Elementary; Betty Brandt, Director of Spiritual Life Center; Brad Cherry, Facilities; Terri Coe, Director of Adult Ministries; Marsha Coyner, Director of Joyful Rhythms; Lori Crantford, Director of Communications, Marketing & Development; Brian Durand, Director of Youth & College Ministries; Jan Emmons, Finance; Sylvia Forbes, Membership & Care; Brenda Freije, Student Pastor; Bertie Gilster, Front Office; Mary Hach, Assistant Director of Children’s Ministry, Early Childhood; Adolf Hansen, Theologian in Residence; Kathleen Headington, Associate Director of Youth Ministries; Martha Heinrich, IT Manager; Carol Helmus, Special Event/Wedding Coordinator; Sharon Holyoak, Oasis Bookstore Manager; Julia Johnson, Executive Director of Ministries; Mike Keller, Director of Wesleyan Ringers; Faina Kleyner, Finance; Beth Lammers, Building Scheduler; Erica Lampe, Benefits/Development Assistant; Tujuianna Lockhart, Facilities; Bobbi Main-Jackson, Director of Weekday Ministries; Charles Manning, Assistant Director of Music Ministries; Linda McGlothlin, Adult Ministries; Bonnie McMenamin, Music Ministries Assistant; Janet Miller, Children’s Ministries; Alex Moon, Facilities; DeAnna Moran, Adult Ministries Registrar; Tim Moore, Taizé Prayer Service Leader; Rickie Murphy, Facilities; Debra Nethercott, Director of Children’s Music; Sarah Nevin, Publications Design; Jan Nichols, Coordinator of World Missions Projects; Julie O’Connor, Administration & Celebration Team; Matt Peyton, Associate Director of Youth Ministries; Jessica Pollock, Young Singles Coordinator; Rich Potterf, Building & Grounds Ministry; Mary Katherine Schnitz, Director of Care Ministries; Cara Scott, Receptionist; Kelly Scott, Facilities; Winnie Sibotshiwe, Facilities; Mark Squire, Director of Music Ministries; Tara-Lynne Sinicki, Director of Children’s Ministries; Alison Strawmyer, Assistant Director & Registrar, Weekday Preschool & Parent’s Day Out Program; William Taylor, Facilities; Jayne Moynahan Thorne, Director of Outreach Ministries; Chris Thornsberry, Associate Director of Adult Ministries; Cheryl West, Director of New Song; Adra Wheeler, Director of Hospitality & Volunteers; Rich Wisman, Facilities.

EDITORIAL/PRODUCTION STAFF:

THE GARDEN CLERGY STAFF:

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Betty

Linda McCoy, Stan Abell

NEXT T.I.M.E. DEADLINE: June 1 for July—September ON THE COVER: Photo of a Healing Mandala

2009

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THE GARDEN STAFF:

Troye Kinnett, Director, The Good Earth Band; Steve Whipkey, Director, Oak Hill Band; Judy Tolley, Administrative Team Leader; Beth Fried, Communications & Worship; Larry Fletcher, Director of Marketing & Operations

from the desk

APRIL—JUNE 

Friends: We live in a world in which many people follow many different faith traditions. Here is the number of people in the world and in the United States in some of the largest faith traditions: Worldwide

United States

2 billion

225 million

1.5 billion

6 million

Hinduism

1 billion

2 million

Buddhism

350 million

4 million

Sikhism

30 million

2 million

Judaism

15 million

6 million

5 million

150,000

Christianity Islam

WHEN I LEARN

Baha’i

about other faith traditions and other Christian denominations I always grow spiritually & AM DEEPENED IN MY OWN FAITH.

There are many other smaller faith traditions throughout the world as well, such as Taoism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, American Indian, and African spiritual groups.

During the next three months our Together In Ministry Everyday focus will be to learn about our neighbor's faith through a variety of events. One of the best ways to understand more about our Christian faith is to study other faith traditions to discover the similarities and differences among us in our faith journeys.

I have always found it fascinating and educational to visit Buddhist temples in Japan, Islamic mosques in Turkey, Jewish synagogues in Israel, Hindu and Sikh temples in India, the Vatican in Rome, and Protestant churches all over Europe and the United States. When I learn about other faith traditions and other Christian denominations I always grow spiritually and am deepened in my own faith.

The week of April 27-May 1 we have invited a group of Buddhist monks to create a prayer mandala out of sand which will be built in the Sanctuary at St. Luke's, and to teach us about how this experience helps them to become closer to God. On May 9-10 St. Luke's will partner with Congregation Beth-El Zedeck to produce the Broadway musical “Fiddler on the Roof” at St. Luke's. This famous musical deals with prejudice and discrimination against Jews in Russia, but also the role of our traditions and the effects on our lives.

During the period after Easter, I will be preaching on various faith traditions and different denominations within the Christian faith with the intent that as we learn about our neighbor's faith we will develop more understanding and compassion, as well as deepen our own commitment for our faith tradition.

We will continue to work with the Indianapolis Interfaith Hunger Initiative where Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and others are working together to feed the hungry here in Indianapolis and in one county in Kenya.

I am excited about how God can use our learning about other faith traditions and working together with people of other faith traditions to lead us to a deeper commitment in becoming faithful followers of Jesus Christ.

Grace and Peace,

Kent Millard

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letter from the editor

together in ministry everyday

The Timing of T.I.M.E.

by Lori Crantford

I learned one of the most valuable lessons of my life when I was a young girl. The teacher was my father, and the lesson was the importance of timing. The subject of the lesson? Belching.

One evening as dinner was ending, my father let out this belch. Not some little “oh, excuse me!” thing under his breath. This expulsion could have been measured on the Richter scale.

And then, to my complete bewilderment, my mother began to laugh.

That was all I could take. I turned to my mom and said, “OK, how come whenever I belch, I get yelled at, but when he belches, you laugh?”

The perfect moment of silence passed before my father looked at me and said, in complete seriousness: “Timing, honey. Everything is timing.”

That lesson hit home in this office when we belched out the new T.I.M.E. Together In Ministry Everyday Magazine in January. It happened to debut the very Sunday we discussed the financial crisis the church was facing, and to many, it seemed that this new, large, glossy, four-color publication was not exactly the poster child of financial crisis. The timing couldn’t have been worse than if I had tried to belch the alphabet at my mother’s tea party. followed by a new and improved website. The people of St. Luke’s have been doing exciting, innovative things, and we have been trying to keep pace with all the ways in which people are being everyday ministers—and keep everyone informed—while always always always keeping the financial bottomline in sight.

Because of concerns raised by several voices within the congregation over this new publication, we thought we should share some facts to allay those concerns.

1. We kinda made a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. Because we (a) 5. Unfortunately, the timing was off. Because publications take time to

decreased the number of issues to four per year versus six, and (b) because of the larger format there are fewer pages involved, we did not increase our budget amount for this item at all. The cost remained the same from the previous format in 2008 to the new format in 2009.

create and roll out, we were already rather entrenched in moving forward when the bottom started to drop out of the economy. We can understand why the new magazine seemed at odds with the other messages coming from church leadership. The timing was off, and we didn’t do a great job of explaining up front what we are explaining right here.

2. Stamping out postage costs. It does not cost any more per piece to mail this size than it did the previous smaller size, so we actually reduced postage costs by skipping two mailings a year.

6. But there’s good news! We have had positive reactions as well, and we feel strongly that this new format is a move in the right direction of sharing with each other and our larger community the ways that God is working through the people of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. We hope when you finish reading this publication that you will share it with friends, neighbors, colleagues. There is good stuff happening here. Inspiring stuff that the world needs to hear. The world needs good news, especially now.

3. Stamping out postage costs, part two. Beginning with this issue, we are cleaning up our mailing list. If you or someone you know is no longer receiving this publication in the mail but would like to, please contact the church office and ask to be placed on the T.I.M.E. magazine mailing list. On the other hand, if you ARE receiving this in the mail and no longer wish to, follow the above instructions, only in reverse. Keep in mind that this publication is available in its entirety on our web site (www.stlukesumc.com), and extra copies are available at church until, well, until they’re not.

You know those church bulletin blooper jokes that have been circulating through the internet for years now, and probably before that? One of my favorites seems especially appropriate now: “Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at Calvary Methodist.

Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa!” We hope that this publication does something akin to hearing Bertha Belch all the way from Africa—that it tells the stories of the amazing things being done here loud and clear, in order to glorify God and the ways God is with us Together In Ministry Everyday.

4. We really did think about this before we did it. There has been a communications plan in the works for a couple of years now, involving some of what you have already seen: the morphing of the Offerings catalog and Sunday bulletin into the Communion Monthly, followed by the new quarterly magazine, to be

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t.i.m.e. | interfaith connections

APRIL—JUNE 

T.I.M.E.: Tradition!

®

by Scott Semester

Our recurring faith traditions are often the most outward expression of our beliefs. We experience our connection to God and to each other through annual remembrances like Lent and Advent, Easter and Christmas, as well as throughout the year with baptisms and confirmation, even weddings and funerals. The way we celebrate our faith at St. Luke’s is, of course, quite different from the way our Jewish, Muslim and Buddhist neighbors celebrate theirs, but we also share a lot in common.

Some highlights already on the calendar: THURSDAY, APRIL 9

Participate in a traditional Passover Seder Meal.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10—SUNDAY, APRIL 12

Celebrate Good Friday and Easter services at St. Luke’s.

SUNDAY, APRIL 26—THURSDAY, APRIL 30

Buddhist monks will create a prayer mandala in the Sanctuary.

From early April to mid-May, our church-wide Together In Ministry Everyday (T.I.M.E.) focus will be Tradition!— a look at the many different expressions of faith and our shared spiritual heritage. This six-week timeframe—from Palm Sunday (April ) to Confirmation Sunday (May )— will include classes, book studies, and social experiences designed to allow us to get to know individuals and families of different religious backgrounds by experiencing and understanding their faith traditions. And if you’ve ever wondered about our own United Methodist practices, you’ll have an opportunity to explore them, too!

SUNDAY, MAY 10

The classic musical “Fiddler on the Roof ” will be performed— a joint production of St. Luke’s and Congregation Beth-El Zedeck.

SUNDAY, MAY 17 Join in St. Luke’s traditional celebration of Confirmation.

Watch the April and May Communion Monthly for additional information about this exciting opportunity to continue learning and growing in spiritual awareness and understanding.

St. Luke’s Welcomes Tibetan Buddhist Monks

by Lynn Jackson

I whispered to my husband Bill, “Could we buy this and take it home so everyone could see its beauty?” We were visiting the Jokhang Monastery in Tibet and looking at a six-foot round “mat” vibrantly colored with geometric designs and sacred symbols. What I didn’t realize at first was that it was made entirely of tiny grains of colored sand. I quickly learned that it was a mandala, the sacred art of Tibetan Lamas.

receive some of the holy sands to keep and join the procession led by the monks to pour the sand into William’s Creek. The following evening, Friday, May  at  in Fellowship Hall, the monks will bring us a cultural presentation with instruments and songs as a way to celebrate our week together.

When the five Tibetan monks begin their work here at St. Luke's they will draw the intricate design of a Healing Mandala (like the one shown on the cover of this magazine) on a platform at the front of the Sanctuary.

The second day they will begin to cover the design with colored sand. Wearing their orange and saffron homemade robes, kneeling for at least eight hours a day, they will work with tiny funnels containing the varying colors of sand. They will use a metal stick to tap lightly on the funnel, dropping the sand sparingly within the tiny lines of the design.

Mandalas come in a variety of sizes, designs and intentions. Unlike the western mind that creates sacred masterpieces like the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel to treasure the object and sometimes even hoard it, the Tibetan Buddhists believe the sacredness of the mandala comes in the intention and the work of creating of the object. Their creation is a metaphor Monks performing ritual music. for the impermanence of life because after the mandala is finished, it is blessed and then destroyed. Monks then walk to a body of water carrying the urn of sand. The Bill and I have gotten to know some of the monks who have traveled grains are scattered to bless and purify the water as it moves from stream to river to ocean, carrying the intention throughout the world. through Indiana in the last few years bringing their message of peace, love and healing. I have to admit that initially I was totally intimidated with these mystical holy figures. Most of them do not speak English, making St Luke’s has the great good fortune to welcome five Tibetan Buddhist them seem even more mysterious. In recent years we have met several monks on Sunday, April  during the : service. All week we will be monks whose English is quite good, so we now know how light-hearted able to watch and pray with the monks as they create a mandala in our and humorous they are. They don’t complain, are sometimes shy, always Sanctuary. Then on April  we can watch as the mandala is destroyed,

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together in ministry everyday

tireless and diligent in spite of aches and pains. They smile constantly, especially at children, and love to interact and tease. They are pleased when lunch is pizza or hamburgers. They love basketball and movies starring Laurel and Hardy or Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The Friends of the Drepung Gomang are hosted in Indianapolis by the International Tibet Independence Movement with its headquarters here.

Larry Gerstein is president and joint founder of this organization with His Holiness' brother, Thubten Jigme Norbu, who taught at IU and died recently. The organization draws attention to the human rights’ violations

by China in Tibet, and works toward the freeing of Tibet. Larry is a celebrated author, professor of psychology, director of doctoral training in counseling psychology, and the Director of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Ball State.

The monks coming to St. Luke’s live in the Drepung Gomang Monastery (the Harvard of the Buddhist tradition). It sits on a very small piece of property given in  by India to  Tibetan Buddhists monks who were among the monks who escaped the Chinese massacre in Tibet in the .

They crossed the mountains on foot into India and wanted to rebuild the monastery they had lost in their homeland. Today there are close to  monks on only a few acres where they study, pray, have little to eat and little medical care. Historically, Tibetan monks have lived by donations of food and money in return for their wisdom and teaching. So the Friends of the Drepung Gomang sponsor them to bring their message of peace, love and healing to us. This is the same message His Holiness the Dalai Lama spreads throughout the world on his travels. Some of the donations collected during their stay with us will be sent to Southern India for the care of those in the monastery.

For more information on the monks’ visit to St. Luke’s, contact Betty Brandt at brandtb@stlukesumc.com or 317-846-3404 x339.

BELOW: Sand mandala representing compassion

“Tibetan Buddhists believe the sacredness of the mandala comes in the intention and the work of creating of the object. Their creation is a metaphor for the impermanence of life because after the mandala is finished, it is blessed and then destroyed. Monks then walk to a body of water carrying the urn of sand.

The grains are scattered to bless and purify the water as it moves from stream to river to ocean carrying the intention throughout the world.” 

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interfaith connections

APRIL—JUNE 

Matchmaker, Matchmaker... We Made a Match

by Lori Crantford

the cup he had randomly received that morning: “What I look for in musicians is generosity. There is so much to learn from each other and about each other’s culture. Great creativity begins with tolerance.”

—Yo Yo Ma. Apparently the coffee at Starbucks is so pricey because they are sending God’s messages through their cups.]

On Mother’s Day weekend, May 9 (7:30PM) & May 10 (4PM), St. Luke’s UMC and Congregation Beth-El Zedeck will present a fully staged production of the classic tale of Tevye and his five daughters, “Fiddler on the Roof,” in the Sanctuary at St. Luke’s.

“Fiddler on the Roof” was originally entitled “Tevye.” It is based on Tevye and His Daughters (or Tevye the Milkman) and other tales by Sholem Aleichem which he wrote in Yiddish and published in 1894.

The story centers on Tevye, the father of five daughters, and his attempts to maintain his family and religious traditions while outside influences encroach upon their lives.

He must cope with both the strong-willed actions of his three older daughters —each daughter's choice of husband moves progressively further away from established customs—and with the edict of the Tsar that evicts the Jews from their village.

Whether it is seeking love through a matchmaker, or learning to love those who are not like us, or understanding what love means through the passage of time, love is a central theme of “Fiddler.” “One of the most memorable and haunting songs in “Fiddler on the Roof” is “Do You Love Me?” says Dr. Kent Millard, St. Luke’s lead pastor. “Tevye asks that question over and over to his wife, Golde, and it is one of the basic questions of life. Everyone wants to know if they are loved by God and by others. Love is our most basic need as human beings and is the most important gift God gives us that we can give to others.”

The musical's title stems from a painting by Marc Chagall, one of many surreal paintings he created of Eastern European Jewish life, often including a fiddler. The Fiddler is a metaphor for survival, through tradition and joyfulness, in a life of uncertainty and imbalance. [source: wikipedia.com]

It was St. Luke’s director of music ministries, Mark Squire, who first suggested reaching out to Congregation Beth-El Zedeck for this project.

“I was thrilled when Rabbi Sandy Sasso immediately said they would love to participate,” says Bob Zehr.

Rabbi Dennis Sasso (the married Sassos are both rabbis at Beth-El) remarked, “Fiddler on the Roof” has captured the hearts of America in untold ways. It is a story of bigotry and love, persecution and faith, loss and renewal. These are themes common to all of our religious traditions.

Congregation Beth-El Zedeck is proud to partner with St. Luke’s United Methodist in bringing a taste of “Tradition” to our community.”

Bob Zehr, former part-owner and co-founder of Beef and Boards Dinner Theater, the director of the upcoming St. Luke’s production, talks about the impact of Fiddler. “I directed my first production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ in 1974, ten years after its Broadway debut.

Since that time, I have been involved with nearly ten different productions of this show, each time being reminded of the human conditions that each of us share . . . our love of family and of our God . . . our desire to have the best for our families and our constant questioning of the ways of the world and how we relate to our neighbors and our friends.

Yente the matchmaker couldn’t have made a better partnership herself. Bob sums up the experience by noting that “Fiddler is a story of sacrifice and commitment that we all share. It provides a window of understanding of the Jewish historical traditions, both religious and secular. Through working together on these kinds of efforts, we can better understand how our values and traditions lead us to a common bond.” Kent adds, “I hope many people throughout our community will join us for this exciting, interfaith musical production of a Broadway classic which deals with many of the basic questions of our lives.”

“It was through many of the Broadway musical experiences that we have learned about intolerance and the hope of tolerance, about unconditional love and the challenges that the world places on our desire to see that love be fulfilled. Whether it is in shows like “West Side Story,” “Cabaret,” “Les Misérables,” “Ragtime” or “Fiddler,” we are reminded, through sharing a theatrical experience, that life is precious and that we must work towards honoring those who have laid the foundation for our common humanity.”

To life! L’chaim!

FOOTNOTE: Auditions had just concluded as we were going to press.

[As we gathered recently at Starbucks for a planning meeting about “Fiddler,” Bob Zehr noticed the thought for the day that was printed on

Bob Schneider, a member of Beth-El, was cast as Tevye. And former St. Luke’s Associate Pastor Carolyn Scanlan will play Golde.

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together in ministry everyday

Opening Doors of Opportunity through Outreach:

A St. Luke’s Story

by Kay Walla

Making a difference has become a common phrase in recent years, but St. Luke’s has been doing it for a long time. In the mid ‘ the first mission work team participated in a District Conference church build in southwest Texas. Since that time we have helped to open many doors of opportunity. Sometimes we open doors of houses we help build. Sometimes we open doors of schools we help finance or serve.

Sometimes we open doors of clinics and provide medical help. Often we open doors of caring by providing food for the hungry or shoes for the shoeless. And sometimes we really make a difference by opening doors for a single person who will change the quality of life for an entire country. Such is the story of Shadrach Gonqueh.

a delicate five-hour surgery as his mother prayed for his life and promised God anything to save her baby. She became a devout Christian, leading her children to follow God. Shadrach was born the year his four-yearold brother died. After hearing this story, he promised his mother that one day he would be among the few Liberians professionally trained to care for their own people in at least one of the branches of medicine.

Shadrach was separated from his parents in  when a rebel army destroyed his village, including the school he was attending. He fled for his life to the Ivory Coast where he was taken into a United Methodist Operation Classroom School. To this day he credits his high school education to that organization. He preaches and teaches others about their gift to him, which is the only way he would have obtained his high school education.

In , my husband, Gary, and I volunteered on a work project to the Rio Grande conference build in San Antonio, Texas, helping to build a parsonage. Working beside me was a young African American man who was singing an old Baptist hymn, one I remembered well from my childhood.

His name was Shadrach Gonqueh. He was a student at UIndy, living with a doctor from Zionsville. He told me he was a native of Liberia on the West African coast. His story, as it unfolded, has become familiar in recent years as we hear repeatedly of rebel armies attacking in that part of the world, but to me, then, it was new. He was a victim of a rebel war.

Not only did his story educate me about Liberia and its recent history, but it also introduced me to Operation Classroom, a United Methodist school mission in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Shadrach and I crossed paths again in Haiti.

He was on a medical mission with the Timmy Foundation and his mentor, Dr. Suzanne Montgomery, who had discovered him at the Operation Classroom School.

She helped him get a visa to come to the United States to go to college. While studying as an undergraduate student at UIndy, he was reaching out to help others through mission work at his church. He spoke at many local churches witnessing to his faith.

Shadrach did well in his undergraduate work and, following his family’s dream, applied for medical school. Unfortunately, this was the year of / and graduate school applications by foreign nationals were rarely accepted.

Shadrach made a visit home to Liberia, dejected about the rejection. While he was home, his sister suffered terribly from a tooth abscess. There were no dentists to be found. The only hope was to wait for a visiting doctor to administer pain relief. A message from God seemed to come to Shadrach, suggesting that maybe he could become a dentist and return to Liberia to help his people with dental services!

While Shadrach grew up as a child at the Firestone plantation, he was accustomed to seeing signs of abject poverty all around him; it affected him deeply.

Despite his family’s lowly status, relatively speaking, his was considered one of the lucky few. One of the memories he has carried with him since childhood is how commonplace it is for people to die of minor diseases that are curable with proper and timely medical attention. He tells many stories of hospitals without qualified doctors and children bleeding to death before a doctor can get there. His father, a self-taught “doctor” in order to take care of his big family, encouraged Shad to go to school and be a real doctor. His father did not want Shad to do what he had to do without education.

Shadrach married his Liberian sweetheart, and they returned to his second home, Indiana, his church and a community of Liberian friends in Zionsville. He applied to the IUPUI Dental School and was accepted in the class in July . He was off to capture his goal of becoming a dentist and returning to Liberia to help his people. Times were difficult. Money was scarce. Once again, God answered his prayers, as United Methodists came

Shad tells a heart-wrenching story of an accident involving his mother and new baby brother on the way home from the hospital. The baby survived

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world missions | social justice

APRIL—JUNE 

to his aid. Zionsville UMC, Christ UMC of Westfield and St. Luke’s worked together to help him financially.

I love the slogan, “Open hearts, open minds and open doors.”

This is one wonderful example. Each year of Shadrach’s schooling, UMC congregations in the Indianapolis area opened their hearts and minds, thus keeping the door of opportunity open for Shadrach. They helped to pay for tuition, books, dental equipment and living costs. One St. Luke’s member gave him a car. Shadrach says that St. Luke’s friends were there on occasions when his educational progress was in jeopardy and there was no place else he could go.

Aspen Clinic who are not too different from the ones in Liberia. They have had little preventative dental care, have little money, and have a lot of pain.

He enjoys helping to relieve their pain with the aid of anesthetics! He said recently that God always gets things right. While he had hoped to go directly to Liberia, instead he is benefiting greatly from his current job experience and thinks he will be a much better dentist because of it.

While on a Christmas holiday he went to Liberia and worked at the Ganta Hospital. Upon his return he told of the horror of spending two weeks pulling the teeth of little children for whom there was no anesthetic! St. Luke’s World Missions then sponsored a fundraiser which netted , for a nitrous oxide machine for him to take when he goes home to Liberia.

A member of the congregation who works for a dentist also obtained an x-ray machine for him. A retiring dentist promises a dental chair when he is ready.

Opportunities provided by Operation Classroom, an Indiana doctor, and Indianapolis Methodist Churches, including St. Luke's, gave Shadrach an open door of opportunity. World Missions mentored with open hearts and minds and pocketbooks. Shadrach’s perseverance and faith in God kept him going for eight years. He is now a productive member of an Indiana community while gaining valuable experience. He is anxiously awaiting his opportunity to return to help his beloved Liberia as soon as possible. We will never know the far reaches of his influence in a country that so desperately needs his help. But I have a hunch that God will know.

Thanks again, St. Luke’s for your open minds and hearts, and for opening doors.

Shadrach’s wife, Ruby, a nursing student, delivered a beautiful baby girl, Abby, his second year of dental school, and the expenses mounted. With support from a number of churches he managed to persevere and stay in school. During his last two years he was able to receive loans to allow him to finish. In May  we watched Shadrach receive his diploma, the morning after his new baby boy, Nathan, was born. As he walked across the stage, he thanked the people of St. Luke’s, Zionsville, and other United Methodist Churches for their role in his education.

People often ask if Shadrach is really going back to Liberia. You bet he is. He is currently working in Ft. Wayne to help Ruby finish nursing school and to pay off his loans. He began paying back his loans one month after graduation and will return to Liberia as soon as these two pieces of business are taken care of. He enjoys this job, he says, because he sees patients at the

Pedal for Peace!

by Minnietta Millard

How often is there a fun family event that can make a significant difference in the world? Here is one! Put September 12, 2009, noon to midnight, on your family calendar to ride your bikes (and tricycles and stationary bikes) as a part of a relay team to raise money for peaceful solutions in the world.

St. Luke’s Social Justice Commission is planning this year’s relay to raise funds for the Mar Elias College in Ibilin, Israel, which has just received certification from the Israeli Government. It is a world-class university promoting peace in the Middle East by educating Muslims, Jews, Christians and Druze together in an environment that builds understanding and mutual respect.

TOP LEFT: Shadrach with his dentistry diploma.

BOTTOM LEFT: Dr. Shadrach, family and St. Luke’s friends.

ABOVE: Shadrach at his practice.

“To promote peace and connection throughout the world by raising funds for organizations which are transforming their towns, cities and nations into communities of peace.”

This event will bring together a diversity of faiths, ages, and cultures that are committed to peace on earth. Our first organizational meeting is April 15 at 7PM at St. Luke’s.

Please join us and start now creating your relay team by breaking the day into manageable segments.

Contact pedalforpeaceindy@gmail.com for information.

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spiritual life center

together in ministry everyday

John Brooks: One Clever, Inf

by Matt Peyton

So, here’s the deal. You know those interviews that have the interviewer’s question written in bold and then the subject’s answer written below it? The ones where the interviewer asks clever questions to get answers from his or her subject that are clever, informative, and interesting all at the same time? Well, I was supposed to do that.

Let’s Have a Volunteer Day!

by Betty Brandt SUNDAY: Lynn Jackson emails me a story about the visit of the

Tibetan Monks “It is my pleasure to share my experience with the congregation.”

And as you can see, I didn’t.

MONDAY: Kathy Serge comes to answer phones in the Main Office

and brings cookies for the staff. “I’m so grateful to be able to help out here.”

The thing is, it’s not my fault. John Brooks is just too interesting. And I’m not just saying that to get myself out of trouble here. He’s one story after another that defies a simple question-answer format.

TUESDAY: Carol Dennis wants to know if I want her to play for the

Labyrinth Walk. “You know I how much I love to play at St. Luke’s.”

For one thing, did you know he played in the band ZZ Top? Ok, well not the actual band ZZ Top, but he played in a band with a group of guys in high school and when it came time to graduate, he dropped out of the band to attend college (seeing as how being in a band is not a viable livelihood, right?) But the thing is, instead of going to college, the rest of the guys in his band moved to Austin, TX. And they took a new band name. And that name? ZZ Top. Yes, the actual band.

WEDNESDAY: Adele Hoskin picks up all the batteries left at the

Recycling Center. “I am going to the library anyway.”

THURSDAY: Carol Ernst offers to take on the planning for a major

event. “You don’t have to do that; I can take over.”

FRIDAY: Roger Frick tells me he can make posters any time I need

them. “Just let me know what you want.”

I have no idea how we got on the topic of this story, but it happened while John was going around taking pictures of all the staff members for our new church website. I told him that I also dabble in photography, and he informed me that he used to be a photography teacher.

So I’m thinking to myself that I have a pretty good picture of this guy.

He’s an ex-rock star teacher. Cool.

SATURDAY: Jean Allen, herself a volunteer, organizes more volunteers to take care of the Mug Ministry on Sunday mornings. “People are so grateful we are offering mugs.”

I am only one person on this staff and this is just one week out of 52.

These volunteers and many others surround me every day, every week.

They work hard. They always smile. Sometimes they make welldeserved jokes about my messy office. I have no idea what I would do without them. Each one of them enriches my life more than any of them can imagine.

So then a few days later I run into John at a church function and he says, “So, we’re supposed to get together sometime, right?” (Remember: I’m supposed to do that clever, informative, interesting interview.)

I tell him that yes, indeed, we are and he hands me his card. And on his card it says he builds homes, so immediately I paint a different picture in my head. An ex-rocker, ex-teacher who builds homes. A little more complicated, but I tell myself it’s great stuff for a clever, informative, interesting interview.

I used to be one of them until I became a staff member, so I know that it is possible to burn out on volunteering. It’s possible to be called on too many times and not thanked often enough. It is possible to be asked to do busy work like collating Lenten Devotionals or dirty work like cleaning N103/104. It’s possible to be taken for granted. What a horrible feeling!

A few days later John and I meet for lunch. He suggests this Chinese buffet over off of Allisonville Road. He tells me, “I’m not saying it’s the best Chinese buffet in town, but it’s the best one I’ve been to and I’ve been to them all.” So now I have to add Chinese-buffet aficionado to his running title in my head. But that’s fine, that still fits. Kind of.

We have Administrative Assistants’ Day and Take Your Daughter to Work Day along with our favorite Mother’s and Father’s Days. Let’s have a VOLUNTEERS’ DAY—a day to celebrate together, relax and say thank you over and over again. So here’s to all our St. Luke’s volunteers—a hug, a pat on the back and THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

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volunteer spotlight

APRIL—JUNE 

ormative and Interesting Interview Subject Boost your career options—be a volunteer!

• 73% of employers would recruit a candidate with volunteering experience over one without • 94% of employers believe that volunteering can add to skills • 94% of employees who volunteered to learn new skills had benefited either by getting their first job, improving their salary, or being promoted Also, if you are thinking of a career change then volunteering is a perfect way to explore new fields. If you have a passion for the arts but have career in computing then why not volunteer at your local theatre? Or if your ambitions are to be a doctor why not find out about volunteer opportunities at your local hospital—the ideal way to expand your work portfolio in your field and to gain a real insight into your chosen path. —www.worldvolunteerweb.org

We talk for awhile while eating at the best Chinese buffet in town (the man’s right, this place is clearly second to none.)

We’re just kind of shooting the breeze and talking about his life a little bit (remember: I’m writing a clever, informative, interesting interview.) I ask him about the whole ZZ Top story thing, and he tells me the story again, this time adding that he studied theatre in college. Theatre?!? My mind is starting to be blown. I am sitting across the table from an ex-rock star, photographer/green home builder theatre major who I have decided is the single authority on Chinese buffets in Indianapolis and the surrounding area.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, he asks me who I voted for. And I tell him. And we start talking politics. And soon, he’s casually referencing how he knows George H. Bush from his Texas days.

So now I’m trying to re-calculate John’s title in my head when he starts telling me this story about a dinner party.

He’s at this guy’s house in Texas and he sees these binders up on the shelf and he goes to pull one down to look at it and the guy comes in and says,“Sorry John, I really can’t let you look at that.” Who’s the guy? Leon Jaworski. Yes. That Leon Jaworski. You may remember him from the Watergate trials? Special prosecutor? Smoking gun? Kinda really makes you want to know what’s in those binders, doesn’t it?

And suddenly I have this flashback to the movie Forest Gump. You know how they take Tom Hank’s face and digitally add it to all those historical moments in recent history? Well, I’m staring at the best Honey Chicken I’ve ever had trying to figure out if the movie is in some way inspired by John. If not, they could have saved a ton of money on special effects by just casting John for the role.

So three hours later, it’s time to leave. And I have an empty notebook. No brilliant questions that got answers that were clever, informative and interesting. Instead, what I do have is a head full of stories, some great advice and the feeling that I’ve just barely scratched the surface of John Brooks.

I guess what I’m trying to say is if you ever get the chance to grab some Chinese food with John, drop whatever you’re doing, clear off the rest of your day’s meetings and go. In fact, don’t just go. Go hungry.

[Editor’s note: Matt was so smitten with John’s stories that he forgot to add that John Brooks has been a member of St. Luke’s for three years, having been a member at another Methodist church for  years prior. During his short tenure at St. Luke’s, John has hooked himself up as an usher at the  service, and he also photographs the new member classes. We got to know John up close and personal as he spent about  hours over four days taking photographs of the St. Luke’s staff for our new website. He completely volunteered his time and considerable talent for that project, dragging lights and big batteries and tripods and an umbrella all over the building—and then he actually thanked us for the opportunity. He also heads up St. Luke’s Habitat for Humanity efforts, which is a natural fit for John as a home builder (www.johnbrooks.com), and hopes to get involved in mission trips here. We LOVE our St. Luke’s volunteers!! Thanks, John, for letting those other guys go make world-famous rock albums so we could have your talents right here. Say, you wouldn’t know where Al Capone is, would you?]

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OPPOSITE:

John Brooks volunteering his time and talent.

THIS PAGE:

Mary Katherine Schnitz gets ready for her close-up.

We told her John was from Sports Illustrated.

children’s ministry | community ministries

together in ministry everyday

Meet the Roops!

by Tara-Lynne Sinicki

Kimberly, Matt, Lauren, Olivia, Caroline and Ryan Roop. This family of six will inspire us all to jump into church opportunities head first. I was able to interview Kimberly to discuss the many areas she and her family plug into here at church.

What brought your family to St. Luke's UMC? “It was the Preschool. We were formerly worshipping in a Catholic setting until our experience at the preschool introduced us to St. Luke’s. Also, Matt’s cousins, John and Kathleen Roop, attend here.”

Tell us about your family.

“I am a physician, and Matt is in sales for a small, family-owned business. The girls attend Orchard Park Elementary in Carmel; Lauren is a third grader, Olivia is in first grade, and Caroline is in kindergarten. Ryan is four and attends St. Luke’s Community Preschool.”

How are you involved at St. Luke’s?

“Matt and I are in the New Beginnings Sunday School class, where we have made our closest friends—we even vacation with other couples! We were also a host couple for the Marriage Enrichment Retreat in 2008. In Family Fellowship Ministries, we are involved with Live Nativity, where I coordinated the “Dancing Angels.” We have also helped with Bingo, the Easter Egg Hunt, and we will be chairing Family Camping Weekend next fall. When we became members about four years ago, we volunteered in child care. Now, as our children are getting older, we teach Sunday school—Matt teaches kindergarten, and I teach first grade.”

ABOVE: The Roop Family at Family Camping

Weekend at Camp Tecumseh.

RIGHT: Participants in the children's church

drama groups: from L to R, Lauren Roop, Bryn Walker, Caroline Sinicki, and Jack Roy.

Tell about Matt’s involvement in Men’s Ministry.

“Matt is on the executive committee of the Men’s Ministry at St. Luke’s. He coordinates the schedule for Java Joe’s, and also coordinates the Monthly Men’s Fellowship, which occurs the third Wednesday of every month at Smee’s Place. The Men’s Ministry also sponsors a breakfast the first Saturday of the month in Fellowship Hall. Matt is also helping coordinate the Financial Peace University, a 13-week video series lead by Dave Ramsey that begins April 15.

Brookside Community Youth Program Ceases Operations

by Jayne Thorne

The Brookside Community Youth Program (“BCYP”) board of directors has ceased operations of its after-school program. The program has struggled over the past few years to achieve its objectives. According to a BCYP press release, “The board recognizes this as a unique opportunity to bring together a participatory network of suburban and inner-city churches to meet the needs of the Brookside neighborhood using a program designed to improve the lives, education and opportunities of the area youth. The board will be conducting a needs assessment of the near-eastside and look to form a coalition of community partners to set new programming goals.”

In a letter to the BCYP board, BCYP board president (and St. Luke’s Governing Board member) Charlie Russell wrote, “At this point we are seriously considering a new concept for leadership training and development based on local issues/ concerns identified by the child. We feel that community

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change must come from within with help from ‘without.’ This new program would not be bound to bricks and mortar but would be free to implement within existing programs wherever there would be sufficient resources to support it. This approach is intended to not only equip children with the leadership skills that would serve them a lifetime but it would also connect their education to a real-life purpose.”

St. Luke's has had many dedicated volunteers who have supported Brookside Community Youth Program over the years with their talent, treasure, time and prayers. We thank everyone who has been a part of this ministry and pray that the board of directors will find a new way to continue its mission of providing leadership training for the youth in the Brookside neighborhood.

community partnerships

APRIL—JUNE 

Also, when Ryan’s preschool class was doing a construction unit, Matt brought a backhoe to school for the children to see firsthand—big hit! He has also played a role in Live Nativity as a shepard and will play Jesus in this year’s Early Childhood Palm Sunday reenactment.”

(Matt added his own plug for UMM: Marriage Enrichment Weekend, book studies such as Wild at Heart and Raising a Modern Day Knight, and Financial Peace University may be supported by UMM each year. In addition, they are planning a St. Luke’s Fish Fry for members and the community on October 5, 2009.)

What about your children? Are they following in their parents’ active footsteps?

“Lauren and Olivia are both members of Elementary Music and love working with Miss Deb. The girls recently caroled for Rev. Albert Nunery during the holiday season and at Marquette Manor for Valentine’s Day. Lauren was a character for the Drama Group at 9:30 Children’s Church and bowled with the Second and Third Graders during their fellowship time.”

Wow! The Roop family is really involved here at St. Luke’s. We thank them for their time, leadership and energy. If you get a chance to meet Kimberly or Matt in the halls of St. Luke’s ask them, “What’s next?”

A Story of Outreach & Service

by Max Hill

The Beginning...

Our story really begins in the summer of 2005 when Superintendent Eugene White requested area churches consider adopting an IPS school. During the Back-to-School services in August, Dr. Millard asked our congregation to accept the challenge of entering into a school partnership.

Interest was high, but there were many questions. What does “partnering” mean? What types of support should/can we provide? Which school?

Then-associate pastor Rev. Brent Wright led a team which spent two busy months of serious consideration developing a proposal.

Finally, a decision was reached to suggest establishing a partnership with IPS 20. Why this particular school? First, the group was greatly impressed by the strong leadership of principal, Lynn Henderson, and her dedicated faculty. Moreover, the school faced resource wants and needs our church might fill. And it was located near Fletcher Place Community Center, which St. Luke’s has been supporting for many years. In January 2006 our clergy met with school administration, and the partnership was born!

During the spring and summer, volunteer teams were recruited, action plans took form and in August St. Luke’s support for IPS 20 officially began.

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School 20 field trip lunch

together in ministry everyday

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community partnerships

APRIL—JUNE 

Three Busy and Successful Years . . .

During the past three years we, as a congregation, have been participating in an amazing variety of service activities:

WE TUTORED, giving students invaluable mentoring, love and academic support.

WE PAINTED the Parent Center and provided paint for common areas in school.

It is important to remember that our support was not in just one direction. School 20 also gave back to St. Luke’s. Their choir partnered with our choir for the 2006 Christmas program. They planned activities raising $1,000 to donate to the “Nothing But Nets” campaign, and ran a food drive supplying over 500 cans to the Fletcher Place pantry. But their greatest gifts to us -- the love, smiles and hugs from the kids!

WE DESCRIBED career opportunities on Career Day.

A Sad Decision...

WE RAN GAMES and sold concessions at the Spring Carnival.

WE AIDED school families in need who were victims of fire or other struggles.

Last fall, the IPS Board decided to close School 20 effective May 28, 2009—a sad and unfortunate decision necessitated by declining attendance and budget cuts.

WE (Vacation Church School children, Choir, Youth and Singles) COLLABORATED

to donate pencil boxes, food to families at Christmas, and packed backpacks.

WE DIRECTED AND PRODUCED “Cinderella” -- an outstanding evening of music

presented by sixth graders.

WE ACCOMPANIED students on field trips.

WE FURNISHED lunches to the staff on orientation days.

However, this story should not end on a down note. We are blessed for this opportunity to connect with some very special children, their staff and teachers. We, as the St. Lukes’s community, should feel proud of our support, and should also credit the enthusiasm of School 20 including Lynn Henderson for helping make this partnership a great success!

WE SUPPLIED money to support the “Reaching for Tomorrow” Scouting program

for all School 20 children.

WE UNPACKED AND DELIVERED books to class rooms prior to school starting.

WE SUPPORTED the “Jump Ropes for Heart” event.

WE ADDED mulch to the playground.

[Editor’s note: St. Luke’s will take what it has learned from the invaluable experiences at School 20 to a new school partnership with Fox Hill Elementary in Washington Township. More information on that new partnership in the next issue of T.I.M.E.]

WE PROVIDED AND SERVED lots of cookies, cake and punch at many programs

and events.

WE SPONSORED visits to the Indiana Transportation Museum for

1.

once-in-a-lifetime train riding experiences.

2.

WE SCOOPED super ice cream sundaes as rewards for learning math facts.

WE STAFFED many events (Haunted House, Christmas Party, Music and

3.

Honors programs.)

WE DEMONSTRATED creative pumpkin carvings at Halloween.

4.

5.

WE HELPED prepare and send “Welcome Back to School” letters to parents.

WE PURCHASED and dedicated a Peace Pole.

6.

WE SERVED as greeters on the first day of school.

7.

WE PAID tuition for children to attend a Dyslexia Institute summer day camp.

8.

WE SURPRISED kids with a special visitor from the North Pole.

WE JUDGED spelling bees.

9.

OPPOSITE: 1. Superintendent Dr. White with student.

2. Volunteers at work.

3. Students with the conductor at the Indiana

WE ORGANIZED a school supply drive at the beginning of each year.

WE ASSISTED in the Read Across America Week Celebration.

Transportation Museum.

4. Dad’s Day is the First Day. 5. In a train car at the Indiana Transportation Museum.

6. Full house for Senator Lugar’s visit.

7. Li-Yen Johnson, IPS Assistant Superintendent, Senator Lugar; principal Lynn Henderson; Dr. Kent Millard.

8. Special guest, the Cat in the Hat. 9. Students in the classrom.

WE DONATED clothing for emergency supply at school.

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youth ministries

together in ministry everyday

Wake Up at Starbucks:

Inside the Sunday Morning Ministry for Senior High Youth

by Kathleen Headington Every Sunday morning, a couple thousand people from around the greater Indianapolis area wake up, get dressed, and make the drive to the large, okay let’s be honest, HUGE brick building on west 86th St. They come to worship with the choir, be inspired by the message, and learn more about the opportunities available to be a part of a strong, Christian community. For many of these people, thanks to the services and practices that take place inside, the Sanctuary at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church is a place where they truly connect with God. At the same 9:30AM hour, just a few blocks down the road, God is being experienced in a completely different way.

The choir has been replaced with jazz pieces floating through speakers. The pews consist of couches and armchairs. And even though the coffee business continues through the middle of a thoughtful message, God is present… and youth from around the city are noticing.

“Wake Up at Starbucks,” also known by the abbreviation WUAS, began in the Fall of  in order to meet youth out in the community and to help them learn more about living out their faith in today’s society. The Sunday morning offering provides an opportunity to learn about God by focusing on the topics and issues today’s youth are currently facing.

When asked to describe the ministry to others, Carmel High School junior Natalie Harris replied, “This is a ministry that combines the calming atmosphere of a Starbucks café with a comfortable discussion of God’s presence in our lives.” At the same time, Shelby Helton, a senior at North Central High School, shows up each week because, “it is a place where people are always open to talk if there is a problem, give advice, and learn about God at the same time.”

As they enter, youth are met with warm greetings from friends and leaders who are excited to be together again.

Chairs are gathered from around the café and hot chocolate or caramel apple cider drinks are clutched in the hands of many around the circle. Stories from recent weekend activities are shared and updates given on families, grades and friendships. But there’s more to this laid-back ministry than may seem apparent to the casual observer.

From dealing with the pressure and stress of being in high school, through studying chapters of How to Stay Christian in High School by Steve Gerali, to Love This! by Andy Braner, leaders encourage and direct scripture-based conversations. Love This! focuses on the parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke :-, while exploring what it takes to show God’s love to everyone from the elderly to the addicted.

Circling up with of group of - chatty, senior high youth can attract quite a bit of attention. Stefanie Wettersten, a junior at Carmel, remembers one Sunday when “…a man came over to tell us how cool it was that we worshipped there (at Starbucks).” She then went on to share how, “on more than one occasion, I have seen other Starbucks patrons bow their heads and close their eyes when we pray.

It is such a ‘God’ moment.”

WUAS helps senior high youth learn what it means to take responsibility for their faith. Whether they spent all day competing in an athletic or show choir event, or were up just up late on Saturday night playing Guitar Hero with their friends, the often sleepy-eyed youth have chosen to make this ministry a priority in their own faith journeys and Sunday morning agendas. As Sarah Zinn, a freshman at Carmel, commented, “Getting up early is worth it if you’re talking about your faith.”

Whether it’s the importance of starting the day with God at the center of their lives, or choosing to be in a place where warm welcomes are handed out among a supportive community, youth frequently invite friends to pull up a chair and join the conversation each Sunday.

As a leader, and avid Starbucks patron myself, I’d have to agree with Madallyn Warner, a senior at North Central, who put it this way: “Coffee just tastes better when you talk about God.”

...a senior at North Central High School, shows up each week because, “it is a place where people are always open to talk if there is a problem, give advice, and learn about God at the same time.”

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staff

APRIL—JUNE 

Following Where God is Leading

by Rev. Brian Durand

I love the Biblical story of Jonah. In part, I love Jonah because when you teach teenagers that the Bible literally says “vomited,” they sit up and pay attention—as in “the whale vomited Jonah up on the shore” (Jonah : in the NIV). More importantly, I love Jonah because he is a follower of God, and God asks him to go on an important quest to speak God’s word, and what do you think Jonah does? He runs the other way.

Knowing this is somehow comforting, particularly when you realize that his story still makes it into the Bible. We don’t have to be perfect for our story to matter. And the story gets better. Even while Jonah is running the other way, God uses him to witness to God’s power and grace (check out Jonah chapter ). And then comes the part that I like the best. Jonah follows God’s direction for his life, which just shows that being swallowed and vomited up by a whale has a way of convincing someone. Then notice what Jonah does: he turns from going in the direction of what is comfortable and known and follows God’s leading into an area that is uncomfortable and unknown. Following God, he shares the gift he has been given, and he speaks God’s word, and people listen, and people are transformed. While it took him a while, the results of Jonah following God’s direction for his life make a real difference in the lives of others.

ABOVE: 2008 Family Spring Break Workcamp crew in Mississippi.

BELOW LEFT: Brian and Charlotte Lammers sharing gifts with children

in Eldoret, Kenya.

BELOW RIGHT: Brian leading worship on safari at Lake Nakuru.

I want to follow God’s direction for my life. As most of you reading this article will know by now, I am moving into a new appointment as the Associate Director of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry Services for the new Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church beginning July . As hard as it is to say goodbye after nine years of ministry at St. Luke’s, I am departing because I believe deep in my soul that God is leading me to a new and amazing opportunity for ministry. (If you hear a news story after July  about a UMC conference staff member swallowed by a whale, you’ll know I was wrong.)

“So how do I know where God is leading?” some have asked. The answer is through my story. A little over eleven years ago I joined St. Luke’s. While in the membership class, I was asked to volunteer in youth ministry by Rev. Dennis Flaugher. (Well, that’s how Dennis tells the story. I think it was more like an order that I would be volunteering with youth. I must give Dennis credit, however, as he then introduced me to my future wife, Cheryl.) A couple of years later, when the position of Director of Youth Ministries was open at St. Luke’s, I was on my way to seminary at Duke Divinity School. At that time, in conversation with Dr. Millard about the youth program, he asked me to stay, or at least to pray about it. I prayed. And I stayed.

be engaging our young people not as future leaders, but as leaders and contributors in worship and mission and all aspects of church life today. I came to realize that we also need new models of networking in youth ministry that equip youth workers not with just the latest and best ideas for youth events but real skills for ministering in the midst of the varied contexts of our churches and surrounding neighborhoods and communities.

I agreed to serve while I was in seminary at Christian Theological Seminary, never envisioning more than three or four years in youth ministry. Yet in the first three years I discovered a passion and vision for changing how we look at youth ministry in our churches. I came to believe that if we want life and vibrancy in our local churches, we need to

At the same time, due to the blessing of the parents and youth and staff and lay leadership of St. Luke’s, our youth ministry grew as we added staff, built Luke’s Lodge (our youth building), and engaged more and more youth in leadership. Three expected years in youth ministry turned into five, and five into eight, and eight into nine (my in-

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staff

together in ministry everyday

ability to transition out as we searched for a new youth director in the last year has been a bit of a joke to the current youth leadership, as they knew better than I that I couldn’t bring myself to leave without clarity of God’s direction for me.)

And then in the past year I began to have a vision for how our new Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church might provide an opportunity to engage young people and youth workers in new ways for ministry in local churches, and I began to see how my gifts might be used in that ministry.

Which takes me back to Jonah. Cheryl, Ella, Noah and I would be so comfortable remaining at St. Luke’s in a congregation where we have been so richly blessed. Yet God is leading me, like Jonah, to step out of what I know—an amazing, caring, vibrant, and Spirit-filled community—and into new fields and opportunities for sharing God’s word. Like Jonah, God is showing me how my gifts may be used in other places, where it is my greatest hope and desire that my ministry may continue to open up opportunities for young people to be transformed by the love of God in Christ, and empowered to share that love with others.

Unlike great Disney stories, Jonah doesn’t have a happy ending. He sits in the sun feeling sorry for himself, even though his work has been effective, lamenting that the world isn’t fair.

Jonah misses two important facts in his own story (he didn’t have the luxury of reading it as we do). First, he missed the blessings God gave him. I want all of St. Luke’s to know what a blessing everyone has been to me and to our family. In the challenges and in the celebrations, I have experienced such support and love. I am so thankful that words cannot capture the emotion I feel when I think of all of my experiences at St. Luke’s. Second, Jonah turned in on himself and didn’t acknowledge God “I came to believe that if we want life and vibrancy in our in control at the end of his story. I prepare now to leave St. Luke’s at the end of June local churches, we need to be engaging our young people with confidence in the ongoing ministry of not as future leaders, but as leaders and contributors in worship St. Luke’s, because God is at work and has so and mission and all aspects of church life today.” much to do through the extravagant generosity and extraordinary gifts of this community. This congregation is anchored in the joy and love of God offered to all people, and God is and will continue to work through the amazing lay leadership, youth, staff and members of St. Luke’s.

So may we write a happy ending, and while I’ll miss being a daily part of St. Luke’s, we will continue to testify together to the gracious love of God and look forward to the new opportunities and adventures that lay before us.

[Brian’s last Sunday at St. Luke’s will be Sunday, June . He will be preaching at all three morning worship services that day. Brian will also be ordained on Sunday morning, June , in a service of worship and celebration at the UMC Annual Conference in the auditorium at Ball State University in Muncie. The new appointment begins July , and he and Cheryl and family will remain in Noblesville as the conference office moves to the Indianapolis area.]

TOP: Brian and Matt Howe leading a day hike in the mountains for

inner-city Denver youth.

MIDDLE: Brian and his son, Noah.

BOTTOM: Brian and Cheryl on safari at Lake Nakuru in Kenya, Africa.

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APRIL—JUNE 

world missions + children’s ministries

Chickens Provide Nutrition, Income & Sustainability

by Jan Nichols

For many people, chickens provide a living savings account, food and long-term economic security. Chickens also help the environment in many ways.

cts! fun chicken fa e earth than ther

During March, Children’s Ministry and World Missions focused on the importance and impact chickens have in poverty areas of America and Haiti. Chickens can be purchased, immunized and fed for 42 days for around $2. There are four basic kinds of chickens: backyard chickens, meat chickens, chickens that produce unfertilized eggs and chickens that produce fertilized eggs for more chickens. Chicken eggs and chicken meat provide a good source of protein in areas lacking basic nutrition. The money raised by selling the eggs and chickens allow people to purchase rice, vegetables and other needed items for survival. The money also allows the family to pay for education, healthcare, clothing, housing and emergencies.

Chickens produce waste with a lot of nutrients. Composting the waste makes good fertilizer which can be used for planting crops and trees.

Crops can then be harvested and sold at market for money. When chickens are fenced in areas containing plants such as corn or bamboo, they help cultivate the dirt with scratching and pecking as they look for bugs and worms. Their waste is also the fertilizer which helps the plants grow and have high yields. Trees provide oxygen for the environment.

Each $2 gift to purchase a chicken may be the answer to a family’s prayer and a unique way to give a gift of hope to families who are working very hard to survive. If you have questions about this project or would like to help, contact Jan Nichols, Director of World Missions at jnichols@stlukesumc.com.

kens on ally more chic There are actu are people. s a year. billion chicken t gh ei e m su n Editor] Americans co us. Hmmm. — er b m u tn ou l stil [And yet, they T-Rex. relative to the g n vi li t es os cl the The chicken is . The y colored eggs la n ca s n ke blue. ic ch eggs of green or y Some breeds of la n ca a n ca d Arau Ameraucana an e day is seven. on in n ke ic ch laid by a The most eggs per year. lays 300 eggs en h a e, ag er On av es in a mately 50 tim xi ro p ap g eg ell. turns her stick to the sh A mother hen ot n s oe d lk yo the day. This is so t four has to eat abou en h a , gs eg ozen To produce a d . pounds of feed , and ce brown eggs u d ro p l il w es red earlob e eggs. l produce whit A chicken with il w es ob rl ea e whit a chicken with g. rs to lay an eg ou h 6 -2 4 2 en It takes a h atch. s 21 days to h ke ta n ke ic ch A up to 20 s, but can live ar ye -7 5 of e averag roduction A hen lives an tire life, with p en er h gs eg y years. She'll la one. y year from year er ev g in as re ec d at night, daylight, even 's it k in th s n e chicke ells.

If you make th with harder sh r ge ig b e ar at th they'll lay eggs d g was 12 oz. an eg n ke ic ch a rded size of The largest reco " in diameter. /4 -1 2 1 d re su mea nine. s in one egg was lk yo ed rd co re mber of The greatest nu minute.

0-315 times a 8 2 ts ea b rt ea A chicken’s h sually hour. This is u an es il m e in travel n ng.

A chicken can mping and flyi ju g, in n n ru of fort a combined ef n make noises they ca ct n ti is d 0 0 2 over Chickens have ing. for communicat ns or ed after chicke am n 't en er w from ox The chicken p he name came T s. n ke ic ch h wit ning anything to do ican pox," mea "g n io ss re p ex an old English "itching pox." ly icken can supp ch e on st ju y b uced tbulb for The waste prod undred-watt ligh h a n ru to y it enough electric rs. about five hou

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endowment

together in ministry everyday

 ANNUAL Income Statement

There are great opportunities to learn about the St. Luke’s Endowment this spring.

Discover how you can leave a long-lasting legacy of faith that will have impact on several areas of ministry for years to come.

Endowment Coffee Breaks Members of the Endowment Committee will be available to answer questions about St. Luke’s Endowment and the many church programs it supports. Stop by the Parlor on Sundays April 19 and 26 between worship services to learn more.

Pledge Income Identified Plate Loose Plate Christmas/Easter Special Gifts Gain/Loss on Securities Prior Year Pledges Facility Rental Church School

 ,,  ,  ,  ,  ,    ,  ,  

TOTAL Income

 ,,

Board of Trustees Staff Parish Relations Church Apportionments Program Budgets TOTAL Expenses

    

Net

,

, ,, , , ,,

Welcoming New Members Everyone is welcome to attend the luncheon on May 3 at 12:30PM. Please RSVP by April 27 to Erica Lampe at lampee@stlukesumc.com, or 846-3404 x470.

Endowment Luncheon Come celebrate the 20th Anniversary Celebration of St. Luke’s Endowment on Sunday, May 3 at 12:30PM in Fellowship Hall. Our special guest speaker will be Rev. William G. Enright, Ph.D. Dr. Enright, is Executive Director of the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, and former Senior Pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis.

Dr. Enright is currently a director of the Lilly Endowment, Inc., the Wishard Hospital Foundation Board and a trustee of Hanover College. His most recent appointment was as “Advisor for the National Cathedral Association” of the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. His civic involvement in Indianapolis has included serving as a member of Envisioning Indianapolis, the Police Advisory Board, the Board of Directors of the Central Indiana Council on Aging, and the St. Vincent Hospital Advisory Board. In addition, he served as co-chair of The Mayor’s Taskforce on Racism. He is co-founder of the Celebration of Hope, a program for racial reconciliation, which was recognized

by President Clinton as one of ten national programs to be honored at the White House.

Dr. Enright will be discussing “Religious Giving During Uncertain Times” at the Endowment Luncheon. We will be also be announcing this year's Christian Life Scholarship recipients, as well as honoring founding members of the Endowment.

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During  we welcomed  new members at St. Luke’s and lost  members by death, transfers or withdrawal for a net gain of  members. The total membership of St. Luke’s is , at the end of .

  





Confessions of Faith Confirmation Class Transfer from UMC Other Denominations TOTAL New Members

    

    

    

Removal of Members Withdrawn Transfer to Other UMC To Other Denominations Deaths TOTAL Withdrawn

    

    

    

Net Membership Gain  Membership  Baptisms  Preparatory/Children under 18  Constitutents 

    

    

Average Worship Attendance St. Luke’s Worship The Garden

 

 

 







TOTAL



annual financial report

APRIL—JUNE 

—excerpted from the  Annual Report, full report available at www.stlukesumc.com

Finances—The economy has had a significant impact on many in our congregation, and consequently on the economic health of the church. About  people who pledged in  had to decrease their  commitment, and another  were not able to make a commitment at all. This results in about , less committed for  than for .

Pledges : The congregation continues to respond to St. Luke’s mission with their Prayers, Presence, Service and Gifts. # OF FAMILIES PLEDGING TOTAL PLEDGES

    

    

Our Vision—In spite of the decrease in income and the pastoral challenges of helping people who have lost jobs, homes and businesses, the vision of St. Luke's remains that we will be transformed by God so God can use us to transform the world into a compassionate, just, inclusive and Christ-like community.

AVERAGE PLEDGE

,, ,, ,, ,, ,,

We have significantly "pruned" our budgets, received , in special gifts, used our net income from , reduced some positions, used some undesignated gifts in the designated fund, and used income from the Endowment to be able to present a balanced  budget. Our total operating budget for  is about  million. When we add in the gifts to the Endowment, special fundraising projects from the UMW, Youth, Special Mission offerings, etc., our finance office handles about  million annually.

, , , , ,

In some ways, this “pruning” will be good. It has caused us to evaluate everything we do and determine what is really most important to achieve God's vision. It will require us to enroll more volunteers to lead where paid staff has led in the past, and that will be good for us in the long run.

 by the Numbers During , the St. Luke’s congregation continued to generously support the ministries of the church with their financial gifts. 



    

    

    

    

    

    

 

 





Gifts received for Powerful Possibilities Campaign Other Capital Campaign/Building Fund Gifts TOTAL Capital Gifts 

 ,  ,  ,

Gifts toward  Annual Operating Fund Gifts received for  Support of The Garden Funds Received for Missions/Designated Funds/Programs** Gifts Received for St. Luke’s Endowment TOTAL Gifts Received for Operations/Outreach

    

TOTAL Gifts Received from the St. Luke’s Family in 

$ ,,

,, , , , ,,

••• Total gifts and contributions made to world and community groups from UMW, The Garden, Singles, Children’s and other ministries were over ,.

••• St. Luke’s also contributed , through apportionments to the work of the United Methodist Church throughout the world.

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** Sampling of Outreach Ministries receiving assistance in  Appalachian Project, Hazard, KY; Brookside Community Youth Program; Caring Churches Network; Changing Footprints; Construction Ministries (SAWS); Cuba; D’Iberville Volunteer Center; Earthquake and Flood Relief; Epes Center, Chile; Fletcher Place Community Center; Fresh Start; Global AIDS Initiative; Habitat for Humanity (Indianapolis; Collier County, Naples, FL; John’s Island, SC; Ft. Myers, FL); Haitian Academy training of medical students and agriculture; Heifer Project; Honduras Medical Mission; Hurricane Relief; Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home; Interfaith Hunger Initiative; IPS School 20 Partnership; IU/Kenya AIDS/Power of One; Inter-Faith Alliance; Jamaica; John Wesley School, Jeremie, Haiti; Liberia, Africa; Lucille Raines Residence; Manna from Heaven; Mar Elias; Midwest Mission Distribution Center; Neema Orphanage Operation Classroom in Sierra Leone and Liberia; Outreach, Inc.; Sierra Leone, Africa; Tree of Life, South Dakota; UMCOR; United Christmas Service; United Methodist Children’s Home in Kentucky; World Missions support of work trips

facilities | supporting ministries

together in ministry everyday

Watt? Yes, We’re Operating More Efficiently

by Rich Potterf

motions sensors for lights also help keep the utility usage to a minimum. Also, new energy-efficient lighting is being installed gradually as old equipment is broken and/or replaced.

Finally! Construction of the new boiler system was completed in November and the system has been operating well. There are several items that will be added to the system in the near future to help the office spaces to be controlled more efficiently. A huge thank you to an anonymous donor for the gift of the labor and material for the fence on the west side of the building which encloses the new chillers!

Being great stewards requires education, awareness and innovation.

The facility team and Trustees have initiated several cost-saving and efficiency programs that will help the congregation and staff use our energy and monetary resources wisely. The new heating/air conditioning system is very energy efficient. The boilers are advertised to be 97-99% efficient. That means that 99% of the gas consumed is used to make heat. Facilities now controls times and temperatures by computer for larger spaces such as Great Hall, Robertson Chapel, Fellowship Hall and the Parlor. They no longer need to be heated or cooled when not in use.

Late last summer, many volunteers helped revitalize the modular building by removing old shrubs and brush, and replacing the underpinning with landscape bricking. Steve Lankton, Bill Brown, and Bill Williams, three of our Trustees, led a team of volunteers which included the youth, missions and facilities to accomplish this work one Saturday.

Jim Keller worked to replace several countertops in our restrooms and kindergarten rooms and give those spaces a new look and function.

Paul McNarny from the Mower Shop supplied the ZTR mower for the facility team to use on St. Luke’s lawns. Thanks to all of the volunteers who have helped keep the building and grounds of St. Luke’s attractive and safe.

Have a great and energy-efficient summer!

The facility team is also turning off unused lights in halls, classrooms and offices when the spaces are vacant during the day. Timers and

The Best Kept Secret in Town

by Sharon Holyoak

Inspirational Gifts, Jewelry & Books Conveniently located inside St. Luke’s UMC Gift Registry Available

OASIS HOURS: TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY

10AM - 4PM SUNDAY 9AM - 1PM

What we hear over and over from new and current customers alike is that Oasis is "The Best Kept Secret in Town." This season we'd like you to help spread our little secret. We are so fortunate at St. Luke's to have this beautiful relaxed environment in which to browse, read a book or look for the perfect gift.

Each year our community loses more of our smaller, independent shops and we are blessed to have one right under our own roof. We carry unique collectibles and represent various artists throughout the country, along with much needed books, bibles, inspirational items, and great card lines.

So please help support it, get the word out about our affordable prices, wonderful selection and the abundance that flows through this shop back into the missions you care about, in our community and in the world. Come in and find out what you've been missing.

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concerns & celebrations | new members

APRIL—JUNE 

CONDOLENCES TO: Marcia Clark, Ben Roe, Suzanne Jannetta and Carmen Siegel on the death of mother and sister Louann Roe Rosy Brownell and Peggy Thompson on the death of father Francis Preston

Charles Yeo on the death of his mother Cynthia Yeo Tom Furman on the death of his father Edward Furman Carole Lichtenauer on the death of her husband David Lichtenauer

Jason & Amy Roetgerman on the death of his father Robert Roetgerman

Friends and family of Barbara Wilson

Bruce Amrhien on the death of his sister-in-law Linda Amrhien

Ann Seefeldt on the death of her mother Marjorie Smith

Mary McLaughlin on the death of her sister Patricia Wooldridge Linda Young on the death of her father Clarke Whitaker Kim Amrhien on the death of her father Jim Stultz

Jeanine DeRoy on the death of Gil Kett Kendra Antle on the death of her father Richard Antle Friends and family of Gary Marler Richard Wert on the death of his mother Betty Wert

Patrick Burley on the death of his mother Eleanor Burley

Jeanne Hill on the death of her sister Sue Bagwell

Buck Retmier on the death of his mother Muff Retmier

Margaret Mathews on the death of her sister Lynda Webster

Fred Ficklin on the death of his brother Claude Ficklin Tom Godby on the death of his father Jim Godby Anne Luther-Sandler on the death of her father Stephen Luther

Sue Cox on the death of her mother Betty Peck Alice Milborn on the death of her husband Paul Milborn

Ed Schmidlin on the death of his brother Rev. Donald Schmidlin Scott Severns on the death of his mother Betty Severns Ann, Brent and Brooke Wright on the death of mother-in-law and grandmother Mary Wright Anne Clark and John Cofield on the death of their mother Helen Cofield Bernice Kennell, Ruth Ann Gantz, Susan Kennell and Sally Gantz Ball on the death of Rev. Woodrow “Tom” Kennell Bill Branic, Mike Branic and Matthew Branic on the death of Mary Alice Branic

Friends and family of Donna Mejia Gavin Roberts on the death of his mother Rita Roberts

Jamie & Beth Goff on the birth of their son Max Alexander CONGRATULATIONS TO: Scott & Jess Richmond and Brenda Richmond on the birth of daughter and granddaughter Madelyn Jean Chip & Katie Maxwell and Howard & Suzie Maxwell on the birth of daughter and granddaughter Parker Allison Hon Liu-Seifert & Jeff Seifert on the birth of daughter Sophie Ling

Friends and family of Lester Hargan

Derrick & Bis Feldmann and Bob & Nancy Whitacre on the birth of daughter and granddaughter Paige Lee

Kay Bennett on the death of her mother Janet Collisson

Nathan & Kristen Wilson on the birth of their daughter Emma Kathryn

Harry Curnow and Kristin Darkow on the death of mother and grandmother Gladys Curnow

Wes & Jessica Porter and Joe & Karen Porter on the birth of daughter and granddaughter Elena Frances

Nichole Hondorp & Eric Frank on their wedding of January  Christine Clauss & Nathan Olvera on their wedding of February  Traci Boyn & Gordon Kritz on their wedding of March  Erika Boyn & Andrew Bridge on their wedding of March  Kerry McMenamin & Joseph Bieschke on their wedding of March 

Brian & Cheryl Durand on the birth of their daughter Ella Jean James & Beth Semester on the birth of their son Owen Russell

Bill Hardy on the death of his wife Flo Hardy

WELCOME!

new members The following persons completed the February membership classes.

February 2009 Sharon Fischer, Ethel Hunter, Tina Lane, Chris Rohn, Jenny Rohn, Christine Sheehan, Marci Wright, Jon Zimmerman, Sarah Zimmerman

The next opportunities to join St. Luke’s are April 18, May 16, June 13.

Contact Sylvia Forbes at 846-3404 or forbess@stlukesumc.com to register.

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APRIL—JUNE 2009 NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID INDIANAPOLIS, IN PERMIT NO. 1569

Address Service Requested St. Luke’s United Methodist Church •  West  Street • Indianapolis, Indiana 

Easter at St. Luke’s HOLY THURSDAY SERVICE

GOOD FRIDAY Service of Darkness

April 9, 7PM, Robertson Chapel

April 10, Noon and 7PM, Sanctuary

EASTER Sunday, April 12 Celebration Services

8:00, 9:30 and 11:15AM (please note time changes) Shuttle service available from Springmill Elementary School

Later@St. Luke’s, 6PM Easter at The Garden • GOOD FRIDAY, Noon at Beef & Boards • EASTER SUNDAY, 8:15, 9:15 and 10:15AM at Beef & Boards 10:15AM at Oak Hill Mansion