The Indiana e-Christian

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.”

Greg Bryant, pastor of Centenary Christian Church, leads worship at the original site as part of the church's 100th anniversary celebration.

Centenary Christian Church in Indianapolis celebrated 100 years of service in worship on Sunday, October 11.  The church is located on the near east side of Indianapolis at 1035 N. Oxford.

The morning began with a gather at the original site of the church, above a storefront at the corner of 10th and Rural.  Following a time of scripture, prayer and singing, the group walked a block and a half back to the congregation’s current meeting location.

The celebration included the presentation of a quilt made by the women of the church entitled, “Helping Hands: Past, Present and Future.”  The quilt was made possible by a gift in memory of Margaret Wright.

Presentations included as part of the worship service included music from the chancel choir and bell choir and snapshots of church history.  Manna, a quartet from earlier days at the church, reunited for the celebration and also presented special music.

The morning message, “1910,” was given by a former pastor of Centenary, Richard Powell.  Other former ministers in attendance included Paula Peterson, Jeff Gill, Lind Trowbridge, Brooks Barrick and Richard Moore.

Over 200 members, former members and friends shared in the celebration.

First Christian Church in Kokomo has discovered new ministry and vitality using backpacks and toothbrushes.  Over the last few years, First Christian Church, located at the corner of Sycamore and Malfalfa on the west side of Kokomo, has entered into partnerships with schools to reach out to children and their families. 

One way is through dental care.  The “Happy Teeth” program provides dental exams and sealants to second grade children in the Kokomo-Howard County Schools.  This program is staffed by volunteer dentists along with students and staff from the Ivy Tech dental assistant program.  This partnership of funding and coordination from the church, with hands on caring by the dentists and students, is making a difference for the children of Kokomo. 

Another way is through backpacks.   “Building Blocks” provides food for a weekend for the families of first, second and third grade children at Bon Air elementary.  Each week backpacks are filled with non-perishable food at the church to be distributed on Friday at Bon Air. 

As with other such programs in the community, teachers and staff notice both the joy of children who receive the food and the increased health and ability to concentrate on Monday.  Bon Air principal, Paula Concus, says: “Families at Bon Air Elementary School are truly blessed by the First Christian Backpack Program.  Parents and students have shared that the food provided by this program has allowed the family to eat and eat in a healthy way.  We truly appreciate the support we have received for our students and families from First Christian Church members and others supporting this program.”

The relationship of First Christian and Bon Air also connects church members with students in a weekly reading program and, last spring, an adult Sunday School class provided new books to every student at Bon Air Elementary to encourage the love of reading.

With over 150 years of ministry in the Kokomo community, First Christian continues to be a church that “lives and shares the good news of Jesus Christ; witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.” 

For more information, visit http://www.kokomofirstchristian.org.

Eureka College is accepting applications for two full-tuition ministry fellowships for students pursuing vocational ministry in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The fellowships include two on-site mentorships exploring ministry anywhere in the world, upon approval by the college.

For more information and to request an application, contact Chaplain Bruce Fowlkes at bfowlkes@eureka.edu or (309) 467-6429 or go to the college’s Web site at www.eureka.edu and click on the admissions and financial assistance links.

Deadline for application is Jan. 10, 2010.

Eureka College is among 17 colleges and universities affiliated with the Christian Church. It was chartered in 1855 by anti-slavery activists who were members of the Christian Church. The college offers academic degrees in a wide area of the sciences, mathematics, business administration, social sciences, fine and performing arts, humanities and education.

Residents of Briarwood Health and Rehab with their prayer shawls. Also pictured are facility Administrator Sonia Patel, and Activities Director Michelle DeBona.

Several residents of an Indianapolis nursing home will enjoy the warmth and comfort of prayer shawls made during this summer’s General Assembly.  Briarwood Health and Rehab, located on the near-northeast side of Indianapolis, was the recipient of 26 prayer shawls knitted and crocheted as part of the “Threads of Healing” outreach ministry. 

The “Threads of Healing” ministry, developed by Arlene Pimintel and Carmen Fernández as part of the General Assembly’s overall theme of “For the Healing of the Nations,” was based on the original Prayer Shawl Ministry of Janet Bristow and Victoria Galo.  Bristow wrote in 1998:

Shawls…made for centuries universal and embracing, symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving, God.  They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter, and beautify.  Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles…

More than 26 women and one man participated in making the prayer shawls that were donated to Briarwood Health and Rehab.  “Threads of Healing” was thoroughly enjoyed by those who participated.

Participants expressed interest in expanding the outreach ministry at future assemblies to include teaching the art of knitting, crocheting, and weaving.  Molly Plantz, from the Local Arrangements Mission Committee, offered special thanks to all of those who participated in “Threads of Healing.”

 For more information on the Prayer Shawl Ministry, visit www.shawlministry.com.

They’re an unlikely pair: a seventy-six-year-old woman with a cochlear implant and shoulder replacement and a large shaggy dog weighing almost as much as she does. It all began with a sermon given by John Davis (pastor of Greenfield Christian Church) more than four years ago.

Children rush up to pet Reggie before the service when Judy Brown and her therapy dog come for the children’s moment.

Pastor Davis’ text is Matthew 14:25-31. “Before Peter could walk on water,” he says, “he had to get out of the boat. And if you are going to serve God, you’ve got to get out of the boat . . .Think about what you enjoy doing, what you’re good at, and figure out how you can do that for the Lord.” He continues, “But you’ve got to get out of the boat.”

Herb and Judy Brown are listening. Both are enjoying the freedom of retirement, but Judy is wondering “Isn’t there more to retirement than this?” With experience training family pets, she has often thought it would be challenging and rewarding to train and work with a therapy dog. But there has never been a right time to make the huge commitment in time, money and effort. Now for the first time she considers a therapy dog as a ministry. Pastor Davis’ phrase “You’ve got to get out of the boat” sticks to her mind, as Judy says, “like beggar lice to wool socks.”

A few days later she stops by the church to discuss the possibilities of a therapy dog ministry with Pastor Davis. He practically jumps out of his chair with enthusiasm. “You’ve got to do it,” he exclaims. Her husband, Herb, is harder to sell, but he too becomes a strong and supportive silent partner in the project.

Reggie and Judy are now registered Delta Society Pet Partners (therapy dog team). Together they visit Hancock Regional Hospital every week and Springhurst Health Care Campus bi-weekly. The unique part of their work is a ministry with the children and youth at Greenfield Christian Church. Judy incorporates Reggie (a Giant Schnoodle) in stories for the “Children’s Moment” and in the message for Youth Worship once a month.

“Reggie captures the children’s attention,” Judy explains, “and illustrates key points in the story. By connecting the story to what Reggie does, the children seem to remember the object of the story better.”

The most recent aspect of the Pet Partner’s ministry is a web site where they share the details of their journey and a collection of stories Judy has written for the children and youth at Greenfield Christian Church. To learn more about the ministry of Judy and Reggie, go to www.therapydogministry.org.

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.