In the News

West District Days

As an ongoing intentional effort to become immersed in the mission and ministry of the Indiana Conference, Bishop Trimble has begun a district by district itineration to meet and hear from the clergy and laypeople. Most recently, Bishop Trimble visited the West District where he connected with the Rev. John Groves, Conference Superintendent to the West District, to be engaged in missional conversations of what ministry looks like in the area. Over the course of the two days he preached at Greencastle Gobin Memorial, met with the district operational team, learned more about the ministries of Brazil First and Youngstown, as well as met the president of DePauw University.

Southeast District and Friends

Bishop Julius C. Trimble continues his multi-district tour of the Conference, this time stopping in the Southeast District. The bishop began his visit at Korean UMC, where he shared a message of hope to an enthusiastic congregation with a choir consisting entirely of Korean students attending Indiana University. The bishop also affirmed the constructions plans for the new parsonage, with construction set to break ground this summer.

The bishop met with local pastors and spouses for lunch to exchange ideas and goals for enriching the ministerial experience for churchgoers and those who have yet to encounter Christ. Those conversations were followed by a meet and greet with Shane and Shanon Hartman to discuss developments in the programming at Camp Moneto. Bishop Trimble was able to delve into the mission and advocacy programs established by Asbury and Columbus UMCs, including outreach programs for feeding the hungry, housing development, and aiding children living with physical and mental deficiencies. To conclude his visit, Trimble met with the District Operational team and Peer Leaders to discuss their visions for the Southeast District.

Feeding minds and souls in the Central District

In his continual effort to learn about the mission and ministries of the Indiana Conference, as well as getting the know the hands and feet that put it all into practice, Bishop Julius C. Trimble continues his visits throughout our ten districts.

The bishop stopped in the Central District Sunday, February 26, 2017, and was immediately drawn into conversations regarding the poverty level in Central Indiana and how church leaders are addressing the issue throughout their communities. The dialogue was led by several Central District leaders, including; Dr. James Bushfield – Conference Superintendent of the Central District, Lisa Morris – Director of Metro Ministries, Inc. in Indianapolis, Pastor Duane Carlisle of Kokomo Main UMC, Pastor Ronnie Bell of North UMC, and several others.

The conversation on aiding the needy carried on into the evening as Bishop Trimble met with Pastor John Franklin Hay of East Tenth UMC for their Sunday night “Souper Bowl” meal, served by volunteers from St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, which feeds over 60 people each week. The bishop also took a tour of the East Tenth UMC Children and Youth Center which provides affordable day care services to the community, maintaining a roster of over 100 children.

Addressing social matters in the South District

Bishop Trimble is on the move and meeting the people he shepherds.  On March 5th and 6th, Bishop Julius Trimble visited the South District of the Indiana Conference.  He kicked off the visit by preaching at Wesley UMC in Jeffersonville. After worship, he had the great opportunity to meet with ministry leaders serving homeless and impoverished persons in Clark and Harrison County.  He also spoke with pastors working towards racial reconciliation in their communities, as well as those who are leading congregations in fresh expressions of spiritual formation.

District Superintendent, Gary Schaar, introduced Bishop Trimble to a sizable group at a district-wide reception, hosted by Wesley Chapel of Floyds Knobs. Following the meet and greet, the Bishop got to experience a one-of-a-kind ministry called Encouraging the Called. Spearheaded by Pfrimmer’s Chapel of Corydon, lay-perons and clergy alike gather each month for dinner, devotions and prayer as they encourage one another in living out God’s calling on their lives.

On Monday, pastors of the South District gathered at Edwardsville UMC to meet the Bishop and discuss the unique strengths and challenges of ministry in their region. Following the pastors’ meeting, Bishop Trimble enjoyed a luncheon with the district operational team and other district leaders.

Bishop Trimble spends time listening, encouraging and praying with SW District Laity and Clergy

This past weekend, Bishop Julius C. Trimble took in an eventful tour of the Southwest District of the Indiana Conference. He began his journey Friday, March 17 at the United Methodist Youth Home in Evansville, visiting with the Board of Directors. The bishop listened to the current realities, dreams, and vision of the team led by Executive Director, Kelly Salee. They shared that in 2016, the UMYH served 52 children in their residential program alone. Unfortunately, they had to turn away 59 applicants due to lack of space and resources. The residential program is just one area of ministry the youth home provides.

Next, Bishop Trimble visited Simpson United Methodist Church, Evansville. Rev. Dennis Adams gave the bishop a quick tour of the ongoing ministries offered to the local community, which includes a clothing ministry and food bank, before asking him to walk to the downtown area to visit a new ministry called “The Hub,” where the laity of Simpson UMC shared their vision for this new location.

Bishop Trimble also met with Mrs. Evelyn Owens, who will turn 96 in June of this year, and has faithfully served (and currently serves) the UMC as a Lay Speaker for 41 years. 38 of these years have been spent as a Lay Director and organizer of Lay Servants to fill pulpits. She first became a lay speaker in 1976, just a year or two after her husband, Roy.  In 1979, she became Lay Director of former Vincennes District.

Bishop Trimble used this area to gather with several pastors to learn about other ministries in the Evansville area, like Trinity UMC’s vision for ministry with Medical School build, Methodist Temple’s involvement with Homeless ministries, numerous ministries at Blue Grass UMC, including Childcare services serving over 200 children, and other ongoing projects.

On Saturday, March 18, the Bishop made time to greet and encourage the lay people who were attending the Lay Servant Ministries Academy at Blue Grass UMC during their break. He encouraged the laity to always begin everything with prayer. After praying with the laity he went into a prayer time with pastors where he started with the prayer to “Be Still and know He is God.”

On Sunday, Bishop Trimble concluded his tour to the Southwest District by attending the chartering service of the first-ever Haitian United Methodist Church of Washington, Indiana. With the leadership of Pastor David Draeger —  a long-time missionary to Haiti and speaker of the native language “Kreyol” — Premye Ayisyen (First Haitian) UMC welcomed a total of 30 members who were thrilled to embark on the mission of leading an international ministry and are committed to “préché l’évangile” — preach the gospel. The bishop encouraged congregants to continue down this path, to stay in faith, and remain even deeper in prayer.

Bishop Trimble later joined John Scheider, a seminarian of Mt. Vernon First UMC, for a tour of the USS LST-325, a decommissioned tank landing ship of the United States Navy, now docked in Evansville.

North Central District

As Bishop Trimble continues his state-wide tour of the Indiana Conference, his most recent stop was in the North Central District, led by Rev. Michelle Cobb, Conference Superintendent. The bishop began his visit at Noblesville First UMC’s Teter Organic Farm, which provided 10,000 pounds of produce in 2016 that were distributed to local food pantries and food banks, and supported the church’s weekly community meal. Bishop Trimble visited with Pastor Nathan Whybrew and Karen Autry of Frankton UMC and met with several school representatives to discuss the viable partnership that has been created between the Church and school community, as well as other similar partnerships that are benefiting children and youth in the local area.

Bishop Trimble also got the chance to visit and learn more about the Hope Clinic at Anderson New Hope UMC, through a personal tour with Rev. Ray Wilkins, who used this opportunity to elaborate on the partnership of the Hope Clinic with the Madison County Health Department. The bishop’s visit also included a tour of the Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home in Lebanon, Indiana. Bishop Trimble met with Directors Rich Lapinski, Robert Milner, and Susan Bennett, whose services support the efficient management of the children’s home, which utilizes the Teaching Family Model for therapeutic group home care.

The bishop ended his day by touring the Whitestown/Anson area, getting to know and hearing the vision of Rev. Seth Neckers, who also serves Otterbein UMC, and his wife, Chassity about the upcoming church plant. Rev. Seth Neckers is working in collaboration with INUMC Church Development to assess the potential of a renewed United Methodist presence in the area. The bishop then met with the North Central Operational Team for a time of learning and fellowship.