Advance Report 2000
Staff ReportsGeneral Superintendent | Secretary
Picture a bee that flies from flower to flower. It stops for just a few seconds and then is gone to the next blossom. I have wondered on several occasions if I have resembled the bee during my first six months as IYM general superintendent. There have been so many things to learn, people to meet, and projects to work on that staying focused has been a real challenge. Twelve meetings have been looking for full-time, part-time, or associate pastoral leadership. I have been looking for an assistant superintendent to replace David Bridges. Shopping center tenants have demanded many hours. Ministry and Oversight from several meetings have wanted me to help them and Sundays are filled with worshiping with Friends across the yearly meeting.
The first few months felt chaotic and overwhelming, but the past month or two has been a delightful time of grasping the scope of Indiana Yearly Meeting. One cannot help but be impressed by the depth of commitment to Jesus Christ by many Friends. Meetings grapple with how they have been called to be salt and light in their communities. Yet, I see one negative undercurrent that I want to address. I would ask you to consider it and pray about it before we gather for yearly meeting.
Across Indiana Yearly Meeting there is a sense that we may have slipped to a size that precludes us from being effective in ministry and returning to a time of healthy growth. Some communicate a fear that regardless how hard we work we will only continue to dwindle in numbers. Instead of seeing Indiana Yearly Meeting as 4,300 adult members strong, these Friends see our group as 4,300 adult members weak. I would like to challenge you to ask yourselves and your meetings, “What could God do with 4,300 people who were sold out to the kingdom of God?” We know what God did with 120 who were in the upper room on the day of Pentecost. Let’s gather this year as a people who have done the heart work needed to be open, flexible, and of a heart to obey the Lord of the church. Let’s be Friends.
Alan Weinacht, General Superintendent
This certainly has been a year of change at the IYM office and yet the change has seemed minimal in many ways. The loss of David Brock and David Bridges was significant for me but Alan Weinacht competently took up the mantel of general superintendent which made for a smooth transition. Being acquainted with Alan for many years has made for an easy transition, also, and I am happy to be able to work with him.
In my fourth year as secretary at the IYM office, I continue to be very pleased to work in this capacity. Assisting me with the secretarial responsibilities is Joan Eikenberry. I am thankful for her efficient work and her affable attitude.
I thank you for getting pertinent information to me on a timely basis and for your pleasantness as I work with you. I am also grateful for the great office facility in which I work. I hope I can better serve you in the coming year.
Rowena Holliday, IYM Office Secretary
