The Indiana e-Christian

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.

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.

Youth and young adult groups from Central Christian Church in Lebanon combined to carry out three mission trips this summer.

Chi Rho youth from Central Christian in Lebanon bring down the walls of a house being razed in Neon, Ky.

A group of Chi Rho youth and their sponsors, 16 people in all, traveled to Neon, a community in southeastern Kentucky, from June 14 to June 20.  While there, the group worked with HOMES (Housing Oriented Ministries Established for Service), a non-profit organization that builds and repairs houses for low income families living the Neon area.

The group’s task for the week was to demolish one of two houses in such bad repair that they were creating a health and safety issue for the surrounding neighbors.  It was the hope of the HOMES staff that after the two homes were demolished and the lots were cleared that the town would use the ground for a community playground.

What at first seemed to be an overwhelming task was accomplished as the group’s skills, confidence and determination increased.  By the end of the week, the youth had made so much progress that they were split into two groups, with one group returning to finish work on the house and another group assigned to help pour footers for a new home being built.

A group of 13 CYF youth and sponsors traveled to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to work from June 21-27.  Hosted by First Presbyterian Church, the group spent the week working on a Habitat for Humanity build.  Although it was was first Habitat build for most of the group, they worked diligently with the Habitat staff and local volunteers to take a house from a slab foundation to locked with windows and doors in less than five days.  The workers from Central even had time to share an evening meal with their sister congregation, Central Christian Church, in Murfreesboro.

Then, during the week of August 2-8, seven young adults traveled to Kent County, Mich., near Grand Rapids, to work with Habitat for Humanity there.  Hosted by Wyoming Park United Methodist Church, the group spent its first day working at the Habitat ReStore, where local builders and stores can donate surplus building and decorating supplies.

The rest of the week they worked at two houses being renovated for Habitat-qualifying families. These are houses that are too good to tear down and just need some TLC to once again be livable and bring pride to the neighborhood. Most of the work involved preparing and painting walls and woodwork, doing small repairs to windows and doors, cleaning, and helping make lists of those things that still need to be completed.

The youth and young adults of Central Christian Church, Lebanon, demonstrated their ability to rise to a challenge and their commitment to giving of themselves to benefit others.

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.

Mark Gray and Anthony Gray demonstrate the ceremonial burning of a tattered American flag.

Few people are aware that flags that have become tattered or otherwise unsuitable for display should be burned in a ceremonious fashion.  This and other interesting information about the handling of the American and Christian flags was shared as part of the LOGOS ministry of Westview Christian Church in Indianapolis. 

Representatives of Boy Scout Troop 505, which meets at Westview, attended the regular Wednesday night meeting of Westview’s LOGOS Program on October 23 to instruct the children and youth in the proper respect and handling of both the American and Christian Flags.  The demonstrations by Anthony Gray, Mark Gray, and Ron Turner were held in the outdoor Vespers area at the church. 

A wiener roast was enjoyed by all as a part of the evening.

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.

Hazelwood Christian Church in Muncie dedicated a substantial addition to its sanctuary in 1991. Included in the addition were an expanded kitchen, a library, classroom space (since used to establish a preschool), and a meeting area designed to accommodate 350 people in meetings and 225 for meals.

The meeting area was named “The Common Room” at the suggestion of the senior minister at the time, Dr. David Cartwright. Dr. Cartwright had been familiar with that term from his student years at Yale University, where the dining area was known as “The Common Room.”

Dr. Cartwright retired as Senior Minister at Hazelwood in 2006. At the time of his retirement, the congregation bestowed the title Minister Emeritus.  He and his wife, Susan, returned to Hazelwood in 2008, and they continue as active and involved members.

As a recognition of Dr. Cartwright’s ministry and to honor his wife and their children, the board of Hazelwood Christian Church voted to rename The Common Room as Cartwright Hall.

The renaming became official at a dedication service held on Sunday, August 9. Rev. Colby Smith, who currently serves Hazelwood as senior minister, led the service. Dr. Cartwright responded on behalf of his family, all of whom were present.

Children from First Christian Church, Lafayette, prepare boxes for Operation Christmas Child

Children and youth at First Christian Church, Lafayette, have been actively involved in outreach ministries.  They recently completed their annual “Tools For Schools” program. ”Tools for Schools” helps to provide school supplies for local children.

Children and yout at First Christian will soon begin stuffing boxes for “Operation Christmas Child.”  The boxes will be sent to children around the world in hopes of sharing God’s word with them.  The youth of the church have also helped the congregation reach out to the community, serving lunch to the homeless as well as raising money for the “Hunger Hike.”  The youth are able to share excitement and gain valuable insight by serving their downtown neighbors. 

Michelle Schluttenhofer serves as Director of Children  and Youth Ministries at First Christian. Greg Eberhard serves the congregation as senior pastor.