The October 1 Golf Outing, designed to raise support for endorsed missionary Anna Geivett, was a big success. Altogether, 45 people participated, and there wer 19 hole sponsors. The event raised $1988 toward Anna’s sending costs. Additionally, Anna made a few contacts that may end up producing additional long-term support.

The money raised from the outing has basically finished her sending costs, and now Anna only has 18% of her regular monthly support to raise before heading to Peru in November.
The Golf Outing was sponsored by the six churches of the Northeast Indiana cluster, which includes the Good Shepherd, Emmanuel, Anchor, Eagle’s Quest, and South Scipio churches in Indiana, and New Horizons UB in Rockford, Ohio. Anna attends Emmanuel.

During this year’s Homecoming festivities at Huntington University, Mrs. Ruth Evelyn Baker received the Distinguished Alumni Citation, an award annually to recognize outstanding service over an extended period of time.

Evelyn Baker
Mrs. Ruth Evelyn Baker accepts the Distinguished Alumni Citation from (l-r) Margaret Roush, Alumni Board chairman Greg Will, and Dr. G. Blair Dowden, HU President.

Evelyn earned a teaching certificate from Huntington in 1939, and went on to teach in Ohio and Maryland. After World War II, she and her husband, Dewitt, traveled to Sierra Leone, West Africa, where they spent 16 years as United Brethren missionaries. During that time they opened 20 schools, including the high schools at Bumpe and Mattru.
In 1965, Dr. Baker was chosen as President of Huntington College, and so Evelyn and Dewitt moved back to the States. Evelyn served as Huntington’s “First Lady” for 16 years. Though retired, Mrs. Baker remains active in the university community and at College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind.

Junior high and senior high students from UB churches are invited to attend the Big M.A.C. Ski Attack, a winter retreat in the mountains of western Pennsylvania February 2-4, 2007. This year’s speaker will be Tim Atkins. “Hot Sundae,” a band from Indiana, will provide music for the weekend. The cost for the retreat is $80, plus the cost of a Saturday activity of your choice, including skiing or snowboarding, tubing, skating, bowling, or nothing at all.

This annual retreat has existed for the past 20 years (the M. A. C. stands for Mid-Atlantic Conference). For more information about this weekend, email Bobby Culler or call him at (717) 264-8414. This retreat is sponsored in part by Huntington University. It would be great to have you and the students of your Youth Ministry participate.

  • Steve Fish has been named senior pastor of Oak Harbor UB church (Oak Harbor, Ohio) effective November 1.
  • Kelly Burnside has been named senior pastor of Gaines UB church (Caledonia, Mich.) effective November 5.

Huntington University‘s EXCEL program for adults is offering two new bachelor’s degree programs this fall. The previous Organizational Management major–the first and only EXCEL program–was replaced this fall with the Organizational Leadership major. In addition, this fall EXCEL added a major in Business Administration.

Two additional majors will begin next year.

  • The Accounting major will begin in the fall of 2007. Many of the professors will be working certified public accounts, thus giving students the chance to interact with successful accountants.
  • The Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management will start in January 2007.

The EXCEL program has grown from an initial enrollment of 15 students in 1993 to a current enrollment of 145. EXCEL offers classes and degrees geared specifically toward working adults, and conducts classes on the main campus in Huntington, Ind., and at the new Huntington University Adult Education Center in Columbia City, Ind. Go here to learn more about the Excel program.

Olinda Barnes, director of Camp Living Waters near Luther, Mich., writes about a fundraiser held for the camp: “John Reynolds of Mt Hope UB church (Carson City, Mich.) holed a 50-foot putt at the Rose Golf Course, LeRoy Michigan to in Leron, Mich., to win $2,500.

The long putt was made on No. 9 during a fundraising event held for Camp Living Waters. No practice putts were allowed and this was his only attempt allowed.

Over $20,000 was raised by 16 golfers to go for capital improvements at Camp Living Waters.

Ron Ramsey, Bishop
SchallerI have been meaning to post this for sometime. When I remember, I’m traveling and away from my computer, and when I am close, I forget. But anyhow, I read a book recently that I thought would be good to recommend to you. It is The Very Large Church, by Lyle E. Schaller. Now, when some of you come back down to earth, let me tell you why I recommend the book. It has nothing to do with large churches or small churches. Rather, it is one of the more excellent books I’ve read describing the culture we live in. The chapter “The Consequences of Consumerism” should be required reading for every pastor, staff, board chairman, commission chairman…in other words, anyone in leadership in your church.

Mr. Schaller has a very perceptive mind as it relates to understanding our culture and the church. I dare say that this book will answer some of the questions you’ve been asking for some time, regardless of the size of your church.

Anyway, this is one of those “for what its worth” entries. Let me know what you think when you read it. Oh yes, if you don’t want to purchase a copy, check it out of your local library. If they don’t have it on the shelf, I am sure they could get it for you. It will be worth your trouble.