2014 UEK report from Indiana-Kentucky Conference

by Global Ministries | published on Oct 10, 2014

The Indiana-Kentucky Conference Partnership Working Group, relating to the Evangelical Church of Westphalia in Germany, has had a very busy year.

Two young women from Westphalia have been nested in two of our congregations, enriching the ties that have developed in the past 24 years. Roxanne Camen has been warmly accepted into the congregational life of Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Evansville and its pastor, Marc Sirnic. Charlotte Joern has also found a home away from home at Immanuel United Church of Christ in Highland, including filling in for Billy Kilgore as the Kilgore’s welcomed their new baby. Both have represented our German partners with distinction, leaving lasting memories of their time with us.

Jonathan Basile, pastor of Zion Evangelical United Church of Christ in Indianapolis, will be partnered with Astrid Taudien in Hamm, Germany, as part of his sabbatical this summer. He is very interested in exploring the challenges and opportunities of urban churches in this new setting.

This fall we will be welcoming Susanne Rompza to the conference, a local church secretary, who would like to be immersed in the life of one of our congregations for 4 to 6 weeks.

This is also the year for recruiting youth for Generation 6 of our Young Ambassadors program. Fifteen youth and two adult advisors from Wittgenstein will be coming to our conference in July of 2015 and fifteen youth and our two adults will be going to Germany in July of 2016. This faith partnership with youth requires considerable planning and financial support, and your willingness to participate is certainly appreciated.

We are pleased with the continuing support of these initiatives as we seek to strengthen the ties that connect us with our Christian partners in Germany.