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.

Rev. Jack Wachenschwanz receives the Honored Minister’s Pin. His wife, Virginia, pinned it on him during the service.

On Sunday, August 30, Rev. Jack E. Wachenschwanz was honored with a retirement celebration given by Central Christian Church in Marion, Ind., where he had served since 1991.

Jack’s ministry began in 1954 at Whitewater, Mo., where he was a student pastor for two years. He was ordained on July 8, 1956. After his ordination he served as a youth pastor in Columbus, Ohio for two years. Following a on-year ministry in Detroit, Mich., he moved to South Milford, Ind., where he served for ten and a half years.

Following his ministry in South Milford, Jack continued to serve in Indiana at Parkview Church of Christ in Fort Wayne, Smartsburg Christian Church in Crawfordsville and First Christian Church in Alexandria.

Jack began his ministry at Central Christian Church as a two-year intentional interim and retired from there after nearly 18 years of ministry. Long pastorates were characteristic of his ministry. He served the First Christian Church in Alexandria for 13 years.

Jack was blessed to have his son, David, present from California, along with his son, Mark, and grandson, Brandon, from Fort Wayne present in the service. Jack was touched when Mark and Brandon played Amazing Grace during the offering.

Associate Regional Minister Carolyn Reed attended the service and celebration to present the Honored Minister’s Pin.

Carolyn Reed, Associate Regional Minister, will commence a three-month sabbatical on Monday, October 5. This sabbatical follows the May 10 completion of ten years of service on the regional staff. Her primary focus during this period of rest and renewal is transformation.

Carolyn will continue reading and study on issues related to congregational and judicatory renewal. A portion of this time apart will include work with Alan Roxburgh as he engages denominational systems that are reimagining their lives as middle judicatory expressions of church.

Alan is currently serving as consultant to the Christian Church in Indiana as it addresses issues of transforming our life. For more information on Alan and his work, visit www.roxburghmissionalnet.com.

Carolyn will also spend time vacationing with friends in Northern California, as well as a planned family trip to England over the Christmas holiday.

During her sabbatical, coverage of her ministries will be provided by several individuals. Members of the regional transformation team are partnering with the current cohort of congregations in the transformation process and will work with them this fall. Lee Huckleberry, pastor of Howard Park Christian Church, Clarksville, is serving as facilitator of the pastors’ group for this process.

Jennifer Steele-Lantis, associate pastor at Southport Christian Church, Indianapolis, will coordinate the fall CYF Assembly at Camp Camby. Other regional staff will cover ministry areas as needed.

Seminarians and Others to Gather at Camp Barbee

The second Chalice Camp for seminarians and others in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indiana and other regions is set for Thursday through Saturday, October 15 through 17, at Camp Barbee. The camp is located on Kuhn Lake near Leesburg, Ind.  Camp begins at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday and will conclude at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.

Blanche Hudson practices immersion with Elizabeth Ann Hartman during Chalice Camp 2008

The first Chalice Camp was held one year ago and was so well received that planning began soon afterwards for this second one. The purpose of the Camp is to provide a working introduction to ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for women and men who:

• are in seminary preparing for ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
• are in programs of licensed ministry
• have recently come into the ministry of the Disciples movement and who seek further exposure to the Disciples ethos
• have recently graduated from seminary
• are interested in exploring what ministry might be like in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
• persons from other denominations or movements

Participants will have opportunities to:

• review key ideas and practices in the ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
• consider ministerial ethics for Disciples ministers
• meditate on what it means to be a Disciples minister today
• practice immersion in a YMCA pool in nearby Warsaw
• practice presiding over the Lord’s Supper
• practice leading a wedding rehearsal and a wedding
• practice leading a funeral
• consider ministerial leadership in situations of conflict
• participate in small group discussions
• work with the search-and-call process
• practice interviewing with a mock pulpit (search) committee
• work with a church budget
• hear about exciting developments in the regional and general church, including church starts, and implications of our new Disciples identity, “We are a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.”
• become more familiar with Disciples resources
• network with Disciples leaders and with others preparing for ministry
• have time for spiritual renewal and reflection in a beautiful camp setting
• learn Disciples lore

The camp will have two levels of experiences: basic workshops and groups for beginning participants and more advanced experiences for those who have already participated in basic encounters.

Leaders for the camp come from all expressions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)—congregations, regional staff, general staff, theological seminaries, and retired persons. Many seasoned ministers from each of these expressions of the church will be on hand as mentors and conversation partners.

Campfires, singing, S’mores and holy rowdiness will conclude each day.

The camp will include four services of worship, each with preaching by a noted Disciples leader. Preaching and worship will reflect the diversity of the Disciples of Christ.

Deb Phelps is camp director. Ron Allen from Christian Theological Seminary and Linda McKiernan-Allen, interim minister of West Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Tipton, Ind., are advisors.

Cost is $85, and scholarships are available. Please bring a Bible, sleeping bag, clothes appropriate for unpredictable fall weather, and an electric heater.

Congregations and individuals are urged provide scholarships for participants and to make donations to support the camp.

For more information contact Ron Allen at ron.allen@cts.edu or Deb Phelps at dphelps@cts.edu.

The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Mooresville, Ind., has received a grant of $48,516 from the Lilly Endowment to enable its minister, Kelly Carter, to participate in the 2009 Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations. First Christian is one of 30 congregations in Indiana that will engage in the program, which allows pastors to step back from their busy lives and renew their spirits for challenges ahead.

First Christian plans a sabbatical with a wellness theme.  The congregation and pastor will have programs that center around spiritual, physical, and mental health. Pastor Carter will travel with her family for a time of renewal and fun as well as work with a fitness trainer and nutritionist. She will also work with Sotello V. Long, Regional Minister for South Carolina, for Spiritual Direction.

During her sabbatical time, Kelly will also have the opportunity to work with Disciples’ former General Minister and President, Richard Hamm. “Having the chance to spend time just sitting at the feet of Jesus; to pray, to reflect, to write, this is such an amazing gift!” says, Carter.

Roger Heimer will serve as pastor to the congregation during the sabbatical period, and Stacy Nelson has been contracted to offer fitness and nutrition instruction at the church. The grant has given the pastor and congregation an opportunity of a lifetime.

The 30 Indiana congregations represent 18 cities and towns and 14 counties. Half have fewer than 200 persons at worship (the smallest is 30), eight have between 200 and 400, while seven have regular worship attendance of more than 1,000 (the largest is 5,522).

The 30 grants this year totaled $1.4 million. Since the program began in 1999, 336 renewal grants have been awarded to Indiana congregations.  The Endowment offers a separate renewal program for congregations in the other 49 states.

This is the 11th year for the Clergy Renewal Program, which invites congregations and ministers to consider and plan a period of “intentional reflection and renewal.” Grant funds assist congregations in providing an extended time for ministers to take a break from their daily obligations and gain a fresh perspective and renewed energy.

“We ask these congregations and ministers to consider the question, ‘What will make your heart sing?’, as they devise their plans,” said Craig Dykstra, senior vice president for religion at the Endowment. “they never fail to come up with wonderful and imaginative yet doable ways to fulfill their dreams. Their time away has freed them up to pursue personal interests and needs in ways that have given them new energy for ministry–and the congregations have discovered that they too experienced a refreshment of their own and newfound sense of their own strengths.

The Traveling Communion Table will grace the chapel at General Assembly before moving on to displaced congregations.

Paul Hartig, pastor of Saint Paul (Ind.) Christian Church and a student at Christian Theological Seminary, has constructed a traveling communion table that will make its first stop in the chapel at the upcoming General Assembly in Indianapolis. 

Hartig originally built the table for Downey Avenue Christian Church in Indianapolis after the sanctuary had been severely damaged by fire in December 2005.  The original intent was to provide an enhanced sacred feel to the fellowship hall of the church, where the congregation met for worship while the sanctuary was being rebuilt.

The design of the table incorporates a three-part, angled shape, representative of the Triune God, and the words, “Do this in remembrance of me.”  Hartig says, “My hope for this table was that it would encourage each of us to remember the the gift of love shared with us 2000 years ago as well as to offer us a place today where we can ‘re-member’ the Body of Christ.”

Three panels of stained glass, also built by Hartig, will be incorporated into the construction of the table.  The center panel depicts the logo and theme for the 2009 General Assembly, For the Healing of the Nations.  Lettering on the glass was done by Patty and Tom Pike of Sign Masters in Saint Paul and members of Hartig’s congregation.

Paul Hartig, pastor at Saint Paul Christian Church, holds a stained glass piece that will be part of the traveling communion table.

The Administrative Board at Downey Avenue helped launch the Traveling Communion Table ministry by voting to allow the table to journey to another congregation that had been displaced from their regular worship space by human activity or natural disaster.  When the table makes its first stop in the chapel, participants at General Assembly will have the opportunity to learn about the ministry of the Traveling Communion Table.

Regional Minister Rick Spleth (right) welcomes new regional elders Bob Shaw (left) and Andy Crowley. Don Haase was not available for the photo.

Andy Crowley, Don Haase and Bob Shaw have joined the team of regional elders for the Christian Church in Indiana.  The three retired ministers will fill the spots left vacant by the resignations of Jack Canedy, Jack Collins and Dick Kilgore.

Andy Crowley served Speedway Christian Church for 32 years until his retirement in 2006.  Andy will join Bob and Sue Bates and Art Hanna in service to the congregations and pastors in the Greater Indianapolis (GIDA) area.  With only a few exceptions, the 36 churches in the GIDA area are located in Marion County.

Don Haase began his work as regional elder to the Four Rivers Area in March.  Don retired in 2005 after serving the Oak Grove Christian Church in Monticello for 17 years.  The Four Rivers Area is one of three areas in the region that straddle the Eastern and Central time zones, stretching from Newton County to Miami and Fulton Counties.

Bob Shaw will serve pastors and congregations in the Heartland area.  Bob also currently serves as chair of the Congo Partnership Task Force.  Prior to retirement, Bob served a variety of congregations as an interim minister.  Two regional elders are assigned to the 20 congregations of the Heartland area, which covers Tipton, Hamilton, Madison and Hancock Counties.  The other spot for a regional elder to the Heartland area is currently vacant.

Mark Briley, Minister of Youth and North Campus Pastor for Geist Christian Church, Indianapolis, has accepted a call to become Senior Minister at Harvard Avenue Christian Church, Tulsa, Okla., following a six year ministry with the congregation at Geist.

Mark Briley

“It is with both a mixture of great sadness and immense pride that we announce the resignation of our associate pastor Mark Briley,” said Mike Fitzgerald and Randy Spleth, president of the congregation and senior minister respectively, in a joint letter sent to members today. “Mark’s last weekend at Geist Christian Church is July 25-26. He will begin his ministry in Tulsa on August 24, 2009.”

Briley began his ministry as an intern from Christian Thelogical Seminary while also serving Third Christian Church. He was ordained at Geist Christian and called as a full-time pastor in January 2005.

“During his tenure, Mark has touched the lives of many youth,” noted Spleth. “He launched ALTARed worship and has anchored the ministry of the north campus community.  A strong community of young adults knows him both as pastor and friend. He will be greatly missed.”

“Our six years at Geist Christian Church have shaped us in ways we never imagined and the relationships we have made have changed us forever,” said Briley.  “We will deeply miss our church family and the ministry we have shared.  We felt God leading us to accept this challenge of senior leadership at this time and the spirit of Geist will go with us.” 

Fitzgerald and Spleth shared in their letter, “We as a congregation can take pride in sending leaders into the wider church as an important part of our ministry. Sometimes, like now, it is a painful experience. But it is a value that we bring to the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).”

Receptions are planned to honor Mark, Carrie, Morgan and Dane following the 5:30 p.m. north campus worship on July 25 and the 10:30 a.m. ALTARed and south campus worship services on July 26. 

“We are sad even as we are excited about this opportunity for Mark’s career and the Harvard Avenue Christian Church,” said Fitzgerald. We ask for your prayers for the Briley family as they go through the difficult task of saying goodbye. We also ask for prayers for the personnel committee and senior staff as we begin a search for ministerial leadership to serve our youth this fall.”

News story and letter posted at Geist Christian Church website: http://www.geistchristian.org/briley-accepts-call

Victoria Ubben, co-pastor at First Christian Church in Valparaiso, will be taking an intergenerational group from the church to Taltree Arboretum and Gardens on Sunday morning, August 9. The Spirit Walk and worship at Taltree will begin at 11:00 AM (CDT). Picnic lunches will follow at noon.

Taltree Arboretum is a natural inspiration located on the southwest side of Valparaiso, near the Lake-Porter County line. The gardens at Taltree display all kinds of plants from around the world in gorgeous, natural settings. It has one of the most diverse collections of native oak trees in Indiana.

The Gardens contain more than three miles of easy trails for walking, hiking, or running, and the memorial pavilion next to Heron Pond will provide shelter in case of rain.

Pastor Ubben invites ministers and members from United Church of Christ or Disciples of Christ congregations to participate.  An RSVP is required in order to generate the correct number of tickets.  Also, Victoria would welcome any ministers who would like to help with planning.

For those who do not have an annual pass to Taltree, admission tickets will be generated so that participants can enter the arboretum at no charge on August 9 for worship, walking, and a picnic.  A free will offering collected during worship will be given to Taltree.  A donation of $5.00 per person is suggested.

Please RSVP to Victoria Ubben if you plan to attend or if you need more information.

Donna Campbell, a student at Christian Theological Seminary and student associate at New Light Christian Church, is one of five Disciples semarians selected by the East Asia and Pacific office of Global Ministries to participate in the People to People Pilgrimage. The group will travel to China from May 29 through June 9.

Global Ministries ministers Julia Brown-Karimu and Dr. Xiaoling Zhu will travel with the group as they study Christianity in China and visit various historical sites. During the group’s 10 days in China, they will visit Shanghai, Nanjing, Chengdu, Xi’an, Zhoukou and Beijing. They will meet church leaders, attend worship services, and visit seminaries and projects.

City tours will include the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, the Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing.

The other seminarians chosen for the People to People Pilgrimage are: Rebekah Cypert, Brite Seminary; Ryan Charles Motter, Vanderbilt Divinity School; Tara Lyn Thompson, Phillips Theological Seminary; Jonathan David Wallace, The University of Chicago Divinity School.

The East Asia and Pacific office of Global Ministries encompasses a vast region from Mongolia to New Zealand, China to the Pacific Island nations. The region is home to nearly 1.6 billion people – one-quarter of the world’s population – and contains one-sixth of the world’s landmass.

Global Ministries currently has partners and projects in Mongolia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Australia, New Zealand, Micronesia, Fiji, and the Marshall Islands, including 16 missionaries in 7 different countries.