Indiana Christian – Summer 2018
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The Indiana CVolume 100 • Numberhr 2 is IndianaDisciples.orgti anSummer• 2018 Legacy Gifts Undergird the Life of the Church he Christian Church It was given In 2000, two in Indiana is pleased then as a sisters in the First to announce the receipt “no-interest Christian Church, of a substantial gift to no-term” loan Highland, Indiana, undergird our life and to the Region Rose Loretta ministries from Maurice to create some and Florence and Janalie Robeson of working capital Lovinna Sass Flora, Indiana. This gift of to fund new made the Region $250,000 has established church starts. administrator the Maurice and Janalie of a fund they Shortly before Robeson Endowment Fund established to his death in to support the general Maurice and Janalie Robeson support Disciples Regional Assembly November operations of the Region. congregations in Lake County, 2017, Maurice Robeson of the Christian Church The fund will be invested Indiana. Each year, and in communicated that he desired (Disciples of Christ) in Indiana with the Christian Church perpetuity, this fund gives to make this long-term loan a Foundation, the general us opportunity to distribute gift to be used for the Region’s October 5-6, 2018 ministry of our church that about $7,000 to each of those greatest need. The Regional Light of the World Christian Church / Indianapolis holds long term endowment four congregations. Board first learned the identity funds for our congregations of this long-time benefactor More recently, we received and the Region. couple in April 2018 and notice of a gift of $25,000 In actuality the Robesons with joy and deep gratitude from the estate of Mary Jo quietly provided the Region established the endowment Graham, a former member with these funds in 1997. fund in their name. of Speedway Christian Church. Her gift was Janalie Robeson has recently designated for the support Friday Dinner Saturday Women’s Saturday Men’s Saturday Worship relocated to Carmel, Indiana Bishop Jennifer Breakfast Breakfast Dr. Ron Allen of the Indiana Christian. Baskerville‐ Bethany Watkins Rafael Sanchez Professor of Preaching and has become active in the Lowery News Anchor and Gospels and Letters Burrows RTV6 ‐ The Indy Channel Christian Theological Director of Development Episcopal Diocese Member of Tabernacle Seminary Carmel Christian Church. Their We also receive gifts each Disciples Church of Indianapolis Christian Church Extension Fund and daughter, Miriam Robeson, year from the Christian Franklin, Indiana Hope Partnership has served for a number of Church Foundation from years as the Treasurer for the endowment funds that www.indianadisciples.org Region, and granddaughter faithful Indiana Disciples Background by Mrsiraphol ‐ Freepik.com Samantha Pickens is a regular have established to bless camp counselor at our MAD their local congregation camp. We give thanks for the and the Region. Others “Can We Talk?” About multi-generational commitment have let us know that they of this family to our church and have included the Christian Regional Assembly for this most generous gift that Church in Indiana in their ou have been hearing about our next Regional Assembly, will bless generations to come. will. That is an efficient and but NOW is the time to begin registering to attend. There effective way for you to use The Robesons are not alone is something strengthening about being with the larger a portion of your estate in using their accumulated community of Disciples as we gather from 140 congregations to undergird the ongoing resources to benefit the in Indiana. We’ll sing together and pray together, hear about life of your local church Region and congregations of our shared ministries, greet old friends and meet new ones. Best and other ministries of the the Region. Mamie Young of of all, together we’ll deepen our faith and strengthen our witness Christian Church (Disciples Evansville, Indiana, who died and spirit by learning to “speak the truth in love.” of Christ). For information in 1960, named the Christian on how to establish such an It has been said that the world changes ‘one conversation at a Church in Indiana, alongside endowment fund with the time’. As people of faith we want to be sure that our conversations other charitable causes, in her Christian Church Foundation (even about potentially divisive subjects) are shared with hearts of will in 1952. Our Region has contact India Bobadilla, grace and care for the other. That is what we will spend some time received an annual gift from [email protected], practicing during our time together. We hope you will come away her estate for 58 years and we (317) 713-2420 † with some skills to offer our communities that can really impact were just informed this year The IndianaThe Christian Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indiana #150 42nd Street, W. 1100 IN 46208 Indianapolis, our world for the better ‘one conversation at a time’. that future gifts will increase. † 2 The Indiana Christian In The Spirit Richard L. Spleth, Indiana Regional Minister n October 5-6 the To do so we would need to of us who would never think Christian Church practice. That is what this of carrying a concealed in Indiana will year’s Regional Assembly weapon walk about at the gather once again is all about, to have an same time armed with “bullet for Regional Assembly. experience, in a safe space, points.” We do “pack heat” in We have been doing this with of talking about some difficult that regard. The Gospel calls regularity since we first issues so that we feel more us to a different way. came together as Disciples confident to engage in such I hope you will join me at Light churches in Indiana in 1839. discussions in our families, of the World Christian Church Important matters have been our neighborhoods, our This is not a new Anti-Burgher Seceder for this conversation. I believe decided at our assemblies, workplaces, and our church. phenomenon. The church Presbyterians. They were it will be worth your time. Can like in 1883 when we decided Our Assembly this year is not in the New Testament was part of a sect of a sect of we talk? We must. to build a church camp, or in similarly fractured. The Spirit a sect of the Presbyterian about debate, in fact there 1914 when we provided for of God brought communities church in their day and are no resolutions, rather it May God’s blessings be on the transportation needs of of faith into being in surprising the common rule was that is about practicing respectful you and your congregation. † our Regional staff with a fleet places which then created you did not associate with, conversation. Our intention is of Model T Fords, or in 2000 unexpected and suspicious and certainly did not share not to coerce or convince one when we committed to study diversity. In Acts 15 we read communion with, persons another around any topic but the concerns around human how Paul and Barnabas whose credential was unlike to practice active listening sexuality, and in 2008 when testified to the Christian your own. The Campbells with one another. Richard L. Spleth we launched a partnership Regional Minister community in Jerusalem believed this was wrong. It Truthfully, we do not always with Congolese Disciples. their first-hand experience of misrepresented who Christ operate in that fashion. Most Our Regional Assembly has the church in Galatia whose is. It squandered the gift of often given us impetus for life did not mirror that of unity that is offered to us by our life together. And this their Jerusalem cousins. In God that gives us capacity to year we will come together to describing this meeting, the transcend our differences. 2018 Regional Calendar talk, to really talk. It is most scripture says that there The Campbells, with Barton important that we do so. was “no small dissension and W. Stone and others, launched AUGUST debate.” I imagine. The glaring There is no question that a new movement. Their hope August 11 Anti-Racism Pro-Reconciliation Training - FCC, Bedford differences forced deep our society is polarized. It was not to start yet one more August 25 Youth Conversation on Race - Central Christian Church, reflection on identity is not just our geographic denomination but to inspire Indianapolis and purpose. states that are divided into Christians to come together, to August 29 Regional Board Meeting, Regional Office red and blue camps. Most That day in Jerusalem our be a light in the world, to be the of our families are similarly SEPTEMBER ancestors came to an uneasy people God longs for us to be. September 3 Regional Office Closed - Labor Day Holiday divided. It all causes many truce, a sort of “you go your If that could happen it would September 13 Regional Elders Meeting, Regional Office to lose heart and lose hope. way and I will go my way” not only benefit the church, Fear and pain inhibit our kind of settlement. Likely but it would provide a healing capacity for conversation it was the best outcome balm for the whole society. OCTOBER and robs us of the desire to that could be derived. But October 5-6 2018 Regional Assembly, Light of the World Christian Church, Fast forward to today. In initiate discussion. the consequence was that Indianapolis 2018 we know this same division has always been a October 5 Anti-Racism Pro-Reconciliation Training - Regional Office Sadly, the church in our day need. We are reminded daily latent possibility in our life. October 9 Nurture and Certification Meetings, Regional Office too often reflects this division.