The Indiana e-Christian

Sue Shadburne Call, pastor to Downey Avenue Christian Church in Indianapolis, will receive the 2009 Christian Unity Award from the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis.  The award will be presented in a ceremony on December 15.

In informing Call of her selection, the Church Federation stated, “You were selected for your commitment to Christian Unity at local, state and antional levels of your church and church partners like the Church Federation of Greater Indianapolis…The Christian Unity award recozes active leaders who have demonstrated a commitment and passion to the vision of oneness of God’s church.”

Shadburne Call has served the Downey Avenue Christian Church since March 2001.  Prior to the call to Downey Avenue, she served as an associate regional minister on the staff of the Christian Church in Tennessee.

Light of the World Christian Church in Indianapolis, as a response to recent child deaths in Indiana, hosted a children’s blessing service on Sunday, November 22.  The service was a call to action against childhood violence.

Read the full story on The Indy Channel web site.

Pianist Sherry K has just released her fourth CD project, Have Yourself a Sherry Little Christmas. Recorded at the Gaither studio, this solo piano CD is definitely a step away from the traditional holiday album. While integrating the treasured classics of Christmas past, Sherry incorporates her unique spirited, soulful style of Christmas present, while including some original works that are sure to be favorites of Christmas future.

With a degree in piano performance from the Indiana University School of Music, Sherry K performs in concert halls, festivals, schools, churches and various organizations across the country. Her eclectic style includes everything from light jazz and new age, to gospel, classical and blues. Former recording projects include, Westbound, A Whole New Woman and Sunday Best: Hymns and Spirituals Freshly Pressed.

Holiday tour dates include:

• Friday, December 4, 7:00 p.m., Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Boone, Iowa.
• Saturday, December 5, 7:30 p.m., Southside Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), South Bend.
• Sunday, December 20, 5:00 p.m., Southport Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Indianapolis.

The CD is available now at SherryK.com, CDBaby.com and Amazon.com. Availability on iTunes is coming soon.

For more information, visit Sherry’s web site or email sherry@sherryk.com.

On World Wide Communion Sunday, Disciples congregations were encouraged to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Declaration and Address. This historic document sets forth the principles and distinctions of the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ.

In preparation for their observance, Monticello Christian Church researched the worship styles of 1809 and with denominational input was able to reproduce Thomas and Alexander Campbell’s worship service from that era. The Chancel Choir sang a song written by Barton W. Stone, using several different tunes illustrating the versatility of the music and message.

The Elders of the Monticello church led the three morning worship services in accordance with Campbell’s directions for proper worship. All of the songs sung in the services were written around the time period of 1809 with the exception of “Bringing in the Sheaves” written in 1874 by an Indiana Disciples pastor, Rev. Knowles Shaw. The sermon focused on the foundational principles of the Restoration Movement and how they are lived out in the life of the church today.

As a result of the service and the call to Christian unity represented in the Declaration and Address, the Elders of the Monticello Christian Church conducted a Sunday evening prayer service at the future site of the Twin Lakes Baptist Church (S.B.C.).

Seeking Christian unity, the Elders and members of the congregation from Monticello Christian met in the partially built construction of the Twin Lakes builidng along with the leaders and members of that congregation. After a time of singing, Rev. Chris Dodson, senior minister to Monticello Christian, presented the purpose of the meeting and the Scriptural mandate to bring people to the full knowledge of Jesus Christ.

The two congregations then formed a large circle in the future sanctuary and held a time of prayer for the future ministries of both Twin Lakes Baptist and Monticello Christian.

Both churches are experiencing phenomenal growth and reiterated their desire to work together and not in competition with each other. Pastor Ross Terry of the Twin Lakes Baptist Church said, “In over 40 years of pastoral ministry, as I have led numerous churches in building projects, I have never had another congregation come and pray for us in our building project and future ministry.”

On a cold Sunday night in October, the members of the Monticello Christian Church illustrated the truth that “We are not the only Christians, but Christians only.”

In 2008, DisciplesWorld magazine published a small classified ad stating that a church had stained glass windows for sale. Rev. Chris Dodson of Monticello Christian Church responded to the ad not knowing where the windows were or what they were. The story that unfolded was remarkable.

In the late 1980s an earthquake seriously damaged the structural integrity of the Hollywood Beverly Hills Christian Church. It was deemed too expensive to make repairs and the church was razed. Two beloved windows from the congregation were salvaged and moved into storage as the congregation found they were unable to rebuild.

In 2008, with no hope of rebuilding, the congregation decided to sell the windows. After numerous conversations between the two churches, the Hollywood Beverly Hills congregation decided to donate the windows to Monticello Christian Church.

The moving company that took the windows down and stored them in the 1980’s was contacted about bringing the windows to Indiana. Seeing this as assistance they could provide a church, the company only charged $1,200 to bring the windows across the country.

Further research determined that the original stained glass in the windows came from Indiana in the 1920s. The two windows that survived the earthquake matched two windows that were destroyed in Monticello during a 1973 tornado.

Prior to receiving the windows, Monticello had approved a major building addition to facilitate the needs of the growing congregation. The architect had to revise the roof of the proposed addition adding height to accommodate the 25-foot windows.

Bob Gray, building contractor, stated, “The gift of the windows is a sure sign that God is blessing the building project and is already bringing gifts for the future construction.”

Campers and mentor-leaders alike found much to learn at the Chalice Camp held at Camp Barbee, near Leesburg, Ind., on October 15-17.  Almost 50 people came together to share experiences and preparation for ministry.

Chalice Camp participants Tamara Boggs (left) and Belinda Davis pause during a break in camp activities.

During the 48-hour event, attendees experienced worship in a variety of traditions from a diverse set of preachers.  Breakout groups provided attendees the opportunity to discuss and practice skills of ministry, such as presiding at weddings, funerals and the Lord’s Table.  Other breakout groups addressed dealing with conflict, church administration and developing leaders for 21st century churches.

A highlight of Chalice Camp is baptism practice, where campers have the opportunity to practice baptism by immersion.  Campers and mentor-leaders traveled to the Koskiosko YMCA for practice in the pool there.

After practicing baptism, the commissioning service was held at First Christian Church in Warsaw.  During the commissioning service, Rebecca Woods, news editor for DisciplesWorld, brought the message, and campers received a certificate along with a sprig of ivy. 

The tradition of giving ivy dates back to graduation stories for the School of Missions.  Missionaries, as they graduated from the school were given a sprig of ivy from the Missions Building that they were to plant when they arrived at their mission site.

This was the second year for Chalice Camp.  The program originated with students at Christian Theological Seminary.  Faculty and students from CTS, with representation from the Indiana Region, plan the program and activities for Chalice Camp each year.

Story Teller training for Children Worship and Wonder will be held at Lexington Theological Seminary on November 14-15.  Heather Roberts of Martinsville, Ind., will be the trainer for this two-day session.

Sessions I and II will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, and conclude at 5:00 p.m.  Sessions III & IV will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 15, concluding at 5:00 p.m.

Cost for the training $120 prior to October 30.  After October 30, the registration fee increases to $140.  In addition to the registration fee, participants are required to purchase a copy of Young Children and Worship by Sonja M. Stewart and Jerome W. Berryman and bring it to each session.

For more information or to register online, visit the Disciples Home Missions web site.

Alice Mann, a prolific writer on congregational ministry, will be the keynote speaker for the Summer Collegium at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Va.  The theme for this summer’s collegium is “Leadership in the Small Congregation.”  John Bell from the Iona Community in Scotland will join the worship team for the conference.

The dates for the Summer Collegium are June 23 – July 1, 2010.  Clergy and their spouses or partners from 25 small churches of all Christian denominations are invited to spend nine days at Virginia Seminary for encouragement, education, rest and renewal. 

Applications are now available on the VTS website. Application forms can also be sent in the mail by emailing SummerCollegium@vts.edu or by calling (703) 461-1760. Applications must be postmarked by December 15, 2009, to be considered.

All expenses, including travel, books, meals, lodging, child care at home and pulpit supply, are paid by a grant from the Lilly Endowment.

220 worshippers crowded into Eastwood Middle School in north Indianapolis for the opening worship service of New Revelation Christian Church on September 20, 2009.  Richard Reynolds serves as the lead planter for New Revelation. 

Reynolds is a graduate of Christian Theological Seminary and was ordained in July at Light of the World Christian Church. 

New Revelation currently holds worship services at Eastwood Middle School, located on the north side of Indianapolis, just east of Allisonville Road on 62nd St.  Services begin at 12:30 p.m. each week.

Pastor Reynolds initial message launched a sermon series on “Birth of a Nation” with a sermon entitled “The Delivery Room.”

New Revelation is jointly sponsored and supported by Light of the World Christian Church and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indiana.

Join retreat leader Kathy Light on a spiritual exploration of Mary from a Protestant perspective during a retreat for women, Messages from Mary, at Lindenwood Retreat Center, November 20-21, 2009. Kathy is a licensed minister of spiritual care, serving First Christian Church in Valparaiso, Ind.

Kathy Light will lead women in Messages from Mary at Lindenwood, November 20-21

The retreat will offer a closer look at Mary, Jesus’ mother. Discover the lessons Mary offers through scripture, prayer and art. Experience Mary in a sacred setting where she plays a dominant part. Times for reflection and meditation will be included within the program time. Allow Mary to help you prepare for Advent this year.

Check-in begins Friday, November 20 at 4:00 p.m. EST, and the program concludes on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. The registration fee includes three meals and the overnight stay at Lindenwood. Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center is located in Donaldson, Ind.  Registration for single occupancy is $75 per person. Double occupancy is $60 per person.

The retreat is being offered by Kathy through First Christian Church. Registration for Messages from Mary is not being handled through the regional office. Use this link to download a flyer and registration form.  For more information, contact Kathy by email.