On June 8th 2023, the Indiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church began with worship. Resident Bishop of the Indiana Conference Julius C. Trimble addressed the group stating, “We are praying forward with confidence in the God who calls us and walks with us. There is no turning back for God is doing a new thing among us”.
Throughout the three day long Conference many motions and resolutions were passed. Senior Pastor at Plymouth Trinity, Kayla Grehl, made a motion for taking up a special offering to go toward eliminating gun violence. Reverend Paul Wagner presented R-6 Jacobson: Supporting the removal of discriminatory policies. Both of the motions presented were passed.
On the third and final day of the Conference individuals were ordained as deacons, elders, and commissioned as provisional members. During the conference it was also acknowledged that 17 churches closed their doors this year.
The Strategic Planning Team announced the new strategic direction: Cultivate Joy! Conference leadership and strategic partners will be working over the next several months developing action plans and strategies to live through cultivating joy. The purpose is to do good works so people can see, experience, and glorify Christ.
A recurring theme throughout the Conference was supporting children and young people. Reverend Jen Huff introduced the new Dream and Do award, which provides an opportunity for children and young people to receive a grant to help further the ideas young leaders have around mission, justice, and community. Co-author of the book Growing Young, Jake Mulder posed a question to the Conference, “What does the future of your church look like?” He presented an opportunity for churches to “grow young” into the future.
The Missional Offering of the 2023 Annual Conference is going toward Bishop Trimble’s challenge of raising $300,000 for scholarships for students at Africa University. During a Missions Moment, John McCullough and Dan Weirich shared the benefits of children’s literacy development and the impact of scholarships for Africa University. Reverend Jen Huff announced that every participant in the Annual Conference will receive a children’s book. “Even if you don’t have a child in your church, we believe there is one in your community,” she stated.
Rejoicing in God’s grace and goodness over the past four decades, Bishop and First Lady Grandberry-Trimble have chosen to celebrate their 40-year journey in pastoral ministry by shining a light on another important milestone, the 30th anniversary of Africa University.
Commemorating 30 years of ministry, Africa University aspires to become a world class university for leadership development in Africa. The mission is to provide quality education with a Pan-African context through which persons can acquire general and professional knowledge and skills, grow in spiritual maturity, develop sound moral values, ethics and leadership qualities. Africa University has over 10,000 alumni with a graduation rate of 97%. There are 28 African countries represented by African University with just over 3,000 students.
If you wish to give you can make a one-time or recurring gift by visiting here, Ways You Can Give. Or, you can make a check payable to the United Methodist Foundation of Indiana with “Trimble AU Scholarship Fund” in the memo line. And mail the check to the Foundation office at 8401 Fishers Center Drive, Fishers, IN 46038.
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