Hoosier United Methodists 1 www.inareaumc.orgHOOSIER UNITED METHODISTS together September 2007 Open hearts. Open minds. Open doors. Volume 37 The people of The United Methodist Church® Number 7 Clergy take to the streets for janitors in Indianapolis By Daniel R. Gangler that janitors in Indianapolis have access to affordable heath care?” INDIANAPOLIS – Saying an Janitors also deserve a voice in the emphatic “NO” to economic seg- workplace and full-time steady regation, more than 250 pastors, employment, Cushman-Wood janitors and supporters of social said. justice joined in an hour-long prayer vigil rally Aug. 15 on Mar- Rights of workers ket Street just west of Monument At issue for more than 125 In- Circle near the Market Street Tow- dianapolis clergy are the rights of er, a building workers, sub- that does not standard pay pay a living and lack of af- wage to its jan- “We believe this is fordable itors, accord- a God ordained health care in- ing to the Indi- surance for anapolis Cler- thing for us to do.” janitors em- gy Committee – Kim Tillman ployed by Ex- of Interfaith ecutive Man- Worker Jus- agement Ser- tice. vices, an Indianapolis-based jani- This is the same building where torial service that contracts with five pastors, including the Rev. HDG Mansur, Indianapolis Pow- Darren Cushman-Wood, senior er and Light, The Children’s Mu- pastor of Speedway United Meth- seum, Roche Diagnostics and odist Church, were arrested May 17 Dow Agra Sciences. during a sit-down prayer vigil held Former EMS employee, Dar- at the entrance of the building. nale Tillman said he made $7.25 Cush- an hour (biweekly pay of $310) man-Wood and had no health benefits. He said Together photo co-hosted he was fired by EMS for trying to Darren Cushman-Wood, senior pastor of Speedway UMC, leads 250 clergy, janitors and supporters of social the August organize workers. justice during a noon-time prayer vigil rally on Market Street in downtown Indianapolis. rally with Tillman and other janitors also “If we can spend a billion dollars Bishop T. cited a lack of training and inade- on a stadium, surely we can give Garrott quate safety and cleaning equip- decent wages to a janitor who Benjamin, ment to do their jobs. cleans up our mess,” he said to senior pas- Tillman’s wife, Kim, told those loud applause. tor of Light gathered, “We believe this is a The pastors are working to of the Cushman-Wood God ordained thing for us to do.” support justice for janitors with World Christian Church. Other Hamm said to the applause and the Service Employees Interna- speakers included Disciples of cheers of the lunchtime crowd, tional Union, which is working Christ ministers Richard Hamm “Something is wrong when a per- in Cincinnati, Cleveland and In- and Linda McCrae, Fr. Tom Fox son works full-time and still dianapolis for janitors. of Hispanic Ministries in the Ro- makes wages under the poverty man Catholic Archdiocese of In- line of $15,000 a year.” He fur- Some success dianapolis, Indiana State Rep. ther noted that CEOs on the aver- David Orentlicher and Craig Clergy have had some success age in the U.S. typically bring with Indianapolis businesses. Dur- Jones, head of the Cincinnati jan- home some $14 million in com- itors’ union, which recently won ing the rally they celebrated that pensation while increasing their business leaders like Eli Lilly, Si- better pay and benefits conces- profits by “moving to places sions from that city’s largest jani- mon Malls, Duke Realty and Sal- where there is no voice for labor.” lie Mae have responded positive- torial companies. Tim James, associate general minister and administrative secretary of Benjamin who heads the larg- ly to the needs of Indianapolis jan- “We come here today to de- the (Disciples of Christ) National Convocation, encourages supporters est Disciples congregation in In- itors. nounce economic segregation. Is dianapolis, added, “A first-class to sign a pledge to fight for better wages of janitors in Indianapolis. it not too much to ask that janiors In an open letter to the “India- city cannot have citizens locked napolis Community” shared at the Methodist clergy, have led a “Jan- its janitorial company, EMS, in Indianapolis earn a living out of a decent wage, locked out wage?” Is it not too much to ask rally, clergy asked, “We want to itors for Justice” campaign, seek- which opposes a union for jani- of affordable health care,” added know why building owners would ing to improve janitors’ poor wag- tors. McCrae reported that IPL employ janitorial companies that es, scant benefits and long hours. officials received the petition Living wage knowingly and purposely prevent During the rally Hamm, Mmo- without response. She said the “The United Methodist Church recognizes the responsibility our community’s transformation ja Ajabu, a minister at Light of the group would press ahead for an of governments to develop and implement sound fiscal and mon- from poverty-wage jobs into the World, McCrae and Fox delivered agreement with companies that etary policies that provide for the economic life of individuals. kind of jobs that will benefit our a petition to the Indianapolis Pow- have not signed with a union. Every person has the right to a job at a living wage” (Social city.” er and Light Building on nearby For more information about the Principles, 2000 Book of Resolutions, p. 55). For more than two years, Indi- Monument Circle, asking IPL to campaign, log on to anapolis clergy, including United investigate the labor practices of www.interfaithworkerjustice.org www. inareaumc.org Hoosier United 2 Methodists FROM THE BISHOP together September 2007 We are coming together Two things seem to be happening at the sions planning and celebration. I will be some goofy games. The theme of the Conference and Area offices. same time here in Indiana. privileged to celebrate Holy Commun- event will be “Living the Wesleyan Way Our two Cabinets had a summer plan- First, the Imagine Indiana Design Team ion with them. in a New Day” including some serious ning retreat together, with excellent con- is working on an Implementation Plan to ♦ The laity of our two conferences will presentations and worship, but also sultation by Dr. Kennon Callahan, author bring to the North and South Indiana Con- join together for a “LEAP Event” on much of the retreat will be about having of Twelve Keys to an Effective Church. The ferences in 2008 for a vote on the details of Feb. 29 and March 1, 2008. The name fun together and getting to know one two Cabinets and many of the two confer- creating a new, unified Indiana Conference “LEAP” is not just because Feb. 29 is another. ence staffs went to Mississippi this past in 2009. This work is going well leap-year day, LEAP also means In addition to these events, other things January on a joint mission trip that allowed and the result of the overwhelm- “Let’s Establish a Priority” and are happening that bring us together, too. those groups to get to know one another in ing votes received during our that priority is Evangelism. The Our two Outdoor Ministry Teams are work- the midst of providing service to families two 2007 annual conferences to Boards of Laity of the North and ing to develop a state-wide plan to use all recovering from Hurricane Katrina. move toward a new conference. South Conference, led by our of our current campgrounds in a unified It is interesting that even as the Imag- I am now visiting in all 18 dis- Lay Leaders Kayc Mykrantz plan to grow more disciples by reaching ine Indiana Design Team is working on a tricts to bring updates about this and Ike Williams, are planning larger numbers of children, youth and adults detailed plan for a new Indiana, we are work and to hear your concerns, a great event of sharing and fo- through our camping programs. already “living into” a new sense of com- new ideas, hopes, dreams and cusing upon the role of laity in Our two Boards of Pensions and Insur- ing together as The United Methodist fears about this process. evangelism. ance are working together to find a way for Church in Indiana. We seem to be discov- Second, while this official work is mov- ♦ The clergy of North and South confer- all of our clergy, spouses and surviving ering that we are already united by Christ ing forward, it seems that something else ences are joining together for an “Our spouses to be covered fairly and equitably for ministry to the whole state, and we is happening. People and groups in North Life Together” retreat on April 7-8. by our pension and insurance programs. seem to be enjoying getting to know one and South Indiana are meeting together, While clergy from both conferences Our two Councils of Finance and Ad- another as we work side-by-side. We are working together, getting to know one an- have had “Our Life Together” days in ministration have visited one another’s coming together. other and planning events for us to become the past three years, this will be the first meetings to learn from each other and to Bishop Michael J. Coyner better acquainted. time all clergy will come together for enhance our ministry of finance and stew- Indiana Area of Here are some examples: such an event. Dr. Greg Jones, Dean of ardship. The United Methodist Church ♦ The United Methodist Women of North Duke Divinity School, will be the key- We even had a meeting of all staff mem- Making a Difference in Indiana and South Indiana are having their An- note speaker, a whole series of home- bers from the North Conference, South and around the world.