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The Story of Two Teachers in Haiti

Global Ministries |
May 23rd, 2013 |
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Rosemond

Rosemond

Rosemond with students

Rosemond with students

Pauline

Pauline

Pauline and some of her students

Pauline and some of her students

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

Meet Rosemond and Pauline, two examples of dedicated teachers pouring their lives into the next generation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti:

Rosemond has been teaching for 10 years and currently teaches grade 6 at the school in Delmas 33, one of the United Brethren churches in Haiti. He wanted to be a teacher from a young age. He loves the children and especially enjoys teaching them history.

Rosemond and his family lived in a rural village when he was a child. He was able to attend elementary school at an unaccredited church school because it was supported by the church and those outside the community. As a result of being given this chance and exceling in school, his family moved in to the city of Port-au-Prince so he could attend high school. He then went on to get his teaching qualifications so that he could give an even better standard of teaching than the one he had received.

“Haiti needs schools,” Rosemond says. He likes to “bring my contribution to the children’s lives” so that they can “bring their contribution to Haiti as adults.” He is very glad to bring education and God’s love to children, since it meant so much to him at that age. He is grateful that school gave him a chance at a better life.

Pauline teaches grade 2 and loves teaching the children math and social studies. She loves the children. She says, “If you want to fight against vicious cycles and change culture, education is important.” She says she views her job as important because “any child could be the citizen that changes Haiti’s future.”

Pauline also enjoyed school growing up and went on to become a qualified teacher. As a child, she attended a quality private school because of the support she received through a child sponsorship program. She is so thankful for the sponsor who gave her that opportunity.

Education is investing in the next generation. Both Rosemond and Pauline were given roads to a better future through the educational opportunities they were given.

The Delmas 33 school is the result of a partnership between the United Brethren in Christ Church in Haiti and Christian Horizons Global. Together we are able to provide the opportunity for children to learn in an environment where they are also shown God’s love through teachers that love them. One way or another, children are Haiti’s future. It is our hope that they grow secure in God’s love and with the skills they need to make that future bright.

We have four United Brethren schools in Haiti. Currently, 194 children are sponsored and another 151 children are on a waiting list (128 children have never been sponsored, and 23 have lost their sponsor and are waiting to be re-sponsored).

There are two ways you can support the education of children in Haiti:

  1. Support an individual child for just $36 per month
  2. Provide a special gift to help fund the United Brethren school the children attend.

To learn more or to make a donation, visit our partners CH Global at CHGlobal.org/give/haiti/

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G. Blair Dowden: Exit Interview

HU News |
May 23rd, 2013 |
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Communications Director Steve Dennie conducted an “exit interview” with Dr. G. Blair Dowden, who at the end of May 2013 concludes 22 years as Huntington University president. Dr. Dowden responded to questions about his early years at HU, student life, changes in the world of academia, the denomination, and his successor, Dr. Sherilyn Emberton. The interview was sent out as an edition of the Connect e-letter. You can also read it online here.

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National Conference: Headed Toward 700

News |
May 21st, 2013 |
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Registrations have now climbed to 658, including 120 children and youth.

Some new information is available on the conference website (UB2013.org). It includes:

  • Schedule. The schedule has been updated with youth activities and other events. One addition: a luncheon on Friday for retired UB ministers, spouses, and widows.
  • Teen Track. We currently have 34 teens signed up for the teen track, which Huntington University will lead. It includes a pizza party on the opening night, a full day of fun on Thursday, and two workshops on Friday morning.
  • Floorplan. The floorplan of the Grand Wayne Center has been published, with the locations for various events mapped out–workshops, children and nursery, women’s track, youth room, exhibits, business and main sessions, etc.
  • Workshops. Nearly all of the Friday morning workshops have been posted.
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Another School Year Ends at Huntington U

HU News |
May 21st, 2013 |
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Dr. G. Blair Dowden and wife Chris walking in their last HU Commencement.

Dr. G. Blair Dowden and wife Chris walking in their last HU Commencement.

At HU Commencement.

At HU Commencement.

2013 Nursing graduates

2013 Nursing graduates

Huntington University honored 317 graduates and four honorary degree recipients on Saturday, May 18, during Commencement ceremonies. The degrees included:

  • 23 Master of Arts degrees.
  • 11 Master of Education degrees.
  • 72 Bachelor of Arts degrees.
  • 1 Bachelor of Music degree.
  • 171 Bachelor of Science degrees.
  • 21 Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees.
  • 11 Bachelor of Social Work degrees.
  • 2 Associate of Arts.
  • 9 Associate of Science degrees.

Commencement speaker Mike Packnett, Parkview Health president and CEO, challenged students to use “Your Secret Weapon” by having the mind of Christ in all things.

Four individuals were also awarded honorary doctorates.

  • An honorary Doctor of Humane Letters was awarded to commencement speaker Packnett.
  • An honorary Doctor of Commercial Science was presented to Dale Haupert, a 25-year HU Board of Trustees member.
  • An honorary Doctor of Humane Letters was presented to Dr. Emmett Lippe, an 18-year board member.
  • An honorary Doctor of Commercial Science was presented to Edward Souers, past president of the board and a 15-year board member.
2013 HU Grads
2013 HU Grads
Dr. Dave Rahn (standing in back) with recipients of the Masters in Youth Ministry Leadership.
Dr. Dave Rahn (standing in back) with recipients of the Masters in Youth Ministry Leadership.
Pinning ceremony for the nursing graduates.
Pinning ceremony for the nursing graduates.
Recipients of the Master of Education degree.
Recipients of the Master of Education degree.

Recipients of the Masters in Counseling.
Recipients of the Masters in Counseling.
2013 graduates in counseling.
2013 graduates in counseling.
Commissioning service for counseling grads.
Commissioning service for counseling grads.

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National Conference: Hyatt Place Taking Reservations

National Conference |
May 17th, 2013 |
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hyattplaceThe two main hotels for this summer’s US National Conference, the Hilton and Courtyard by Marriott, are mostly filled up. But we just (as of May 16) secured a block of rooms at the Hyatt Place. It’s nice hotel located 4.6 miles (13 minutes) from the Grand Wayne Center, our meeting place.

Cost: $102 per night.

This rate is good for June 26-30, 2013.

You can register in two ways:

Call 800-833-1516. Mention the code “G-CHUR”
Go online at: fortwayne.place.hyatt.com. In the box “corporate/group #,” type “G-CHUR”

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23 Baptisms at Banner Church!

News |
May 16th, 2013 |
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A crowded sanctuary for the baptisms.

A crowded sanctuary at Banner of Christ for the baptisms on May 5.

Pastor Mike Caley (right) performing one of the days 23 baptisms.

Pastor Mike Caley (right) performing one of the day’s 23 baptisms.

J. Michael Caley, senior pastor, Banner of Christ Church (Byron Center, Mich.)

This past 7 months, Banner of Christ Church walked as a congregation through a unique experience using “The Story” by Randy Frazee and Max Lucado. We started in October and built the schedule to hit Passion week with the account of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The teaching covers 31 lessons of overview through the Old and New Testament account of God’s Upper story plan and how he set out to reconnect with us in our lower story.

It was a full church involvement from the youngest kids through every level of adults. All small groups and Sunday school classes followed along, so the message teaching was a reinforcement or expansion on their group discussion. We wondered if everyone would stay with it for the entire 7 months…and they did!

Throughout the Story, we gave opportunity for new commitments to Christ or for recommitments as people began to see God’s whole story unfold in rich details. Over the past three months we had 7 individuals make those professions of faith. On May 5 we culminated our Story experience with a baptism day.

Twenty-three individuals, ages 9 to 80, were baptized in the service!

It was a record day with 265 people in attendance, including many guests who were invited to witness their friends or family members celebrate their new life in Christ. Each had recorded a video testimony that was played as they stepped into the tank.

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Obit: Death of Ruth Snider

UB Church in Canada |
May 15th, 2013 |
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Charlie and Ruth Snider on her 90th birthday.

Charlie and Ruth Snider on her 90th birthday.

Ruth Snider, an ordained UB minister and former UB pastor and mission executive from Toronto, passed away on Tuesday, May 14. She was 93. Ruth had successful hip surgery a little over a week ago and was coming along very well.

Ruth’s full life included pastoring UB churches in Ontario, membership on the denominational Board of Missions, serving as president of the Women’s Missionary Association, and working as director of Food for the Hungry Canada.

Visitation time: Friday, May 17, 2-4pm and 6-8 pm
Funeral time: 1 pm Saturday, May 18
Visitation and funeral location: McDougall & Brown Funeral Home – Eglinton Chapel, 1812 Eglinton Ave W, Toronto, ON M6E 2H6

Funeral details are also on the funeral home’s website.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Charlie. They celebrated their 70th anniversary in August 2012. They knew each other as children, and were married in 1942 just two weeks before he went off to serve in the military. Charlie’s address is:

Charlie Snider
Lakeshore Lodge
Rm. 411 – 3197 Lakeshore Blvd. W.,
Toronto, Ontario M8V 3X5

Joan Sider, from the UB church in Toronto, writes, “Thanks for your prayers for the entire family. Stan [son] says everyone is doing well, and because of Ruth’s recent surgery, everyone had been in to see her in recent days, including some cousins from a distance away. Please continue to pray for God’s comfort and strength for each one.”

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Vitamins for Honduras

Global Ministries |
May 14th, 2013 |
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Packing vitamins at Jerusalem Chapel for the Honduras Medical Team.

Packing vitamins at Jerusalem Chapel for the Honduras Medical Team.

Jerusalem Chapel (Churchville, Va.) collected 64,000 vitamins for this summer’s Global Ministries medical mission trip to Honduras. That’s enough for 2100 patients. On May 7, people gathered at the church to pack the vitamins for the trip, which will hold clinics in five villages.

This is the fifth year that Jerusalem Chapel has collected vitamins for the Honduras medical team. Four persons from Jerusalem Chapel will be part of this summer’s medical team: Dr. John Ocheltree, and Rick, Wendy, and Christopher Wimer.

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National Conference: 616 Now Registered

National Conference |
May 14th, 2013 |
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ubcentra500-616

Registrations for this summer’s US National Conference have surged past the 600 mark. Of those, 110 are children and teens.

The schedule has been updated on the website, with a variety of additions.

Workshops are still being finalized. A number of them are now listed on the website.

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The Friesen Center: a Rechristening at HU

HU News |
May 14th, 2013 |
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Norris Friesen (left) with Huntington University students.

Norris Friesen (left) with Huntington University students.

On May 6, the Huntington University Joe Mertz Center for Volunteer Service was be renamed the Friesen Center for Volunteer Service in honor of Dr. Norris Friesen (right). Friesen came to the university in 1985 as dean of student services, became vice president for student development in 1993, and in 2003 was named vice president and dean of the university.

The Joe Mertz Center was founded in 1992. This student-directed organization mobilizes students, faculty, and staff to give over 10,000 hours of labor each year in service to others. Over 70% of resident students are involved in some form of volunteer service.

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Upcoming Events

April 29 - May 2, 2013: UB Youth Workers Summit (Holly Hill, Fla.)
May 29 - June 2, 2013: General Conference (Kitchener, Ontario)
June 26-29, 2013: US National Conference (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
September 19-21, 2014: UB Women's Conference (Sawmill Creek Resort, Huron, Ohio)

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