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23 Apr

April 23, 2011 |

We learned that Donelle Raab (right), wife of former UB minister Dick Raab, is not doing well. In January 2008, she was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on her spinal column. She underwent surgery and radiation treatments. But on Thursday, April 21, tests showed fluid accumulating in pockets throughout her body, rather than going to her vital organs.

Her son David wrote on Facebook, “Her liver has decided not to do its job. It looks like the fight is coming to a close. Doc doesn’t see hope for her to kick the troubles she is experiencing right now.”

The doctor said he could put her in the hospital and run more tests, but they might never learn what is discovering the problem.

Donelle said she wanted no more tests or treatments, and that she is ready to meet her Lord. The doctor suggested they get set up with hospice, which they did on Friday, April 22.

Donnelle has no strength, and needs 24-hour care. Please pray for the family during these difficult days.

Dick and Donnelle served 42 years in the pastoral ministry, retiring in January 2007 from their last pastorate, Richfield Road UB church in Flint, Mich. Dick passed away January 1, 2010, after his own battle with cancer. Donelle holds a Specialized Ministries license, and until the end of 2007 was a member of the denominational Women’s Ministry Team.

Donelle’s son David is giving updates on his mother on her Facebook page. Donelle is too weak to talk on the phone. However, cards are appreciated. Her address is 1914 Jackpine Ct., Dorr, MI 49316.

21 Apr

April 21, 2011 |

Alice Clay, 89, passed away on April 19, 2011, in Wakarusa, Ind. She was the wife of Rev. Burley Clay, a pastor in the United Brethren church and Missionary church for 58 years. He and Alice served six churches in Arizona, California, Ohio, and Michigan.

Alice grew up in Phoenix, Ariz., and graduated in 1944 from Fort Wayne Bible Institute with a music degree. She and Burley met at college and were married in 1944. Burley died in September 2010. The Clays had six children, all of whom survive. One daughter is Polly Dunten, whose husband, Darwin Dunten, is senior pastor of First UB church in Findley, Ohio. Darwin will officiate at the funeral.

Visitation: Friday, April 22, 4-6 pm and 6-8 pm.
Visitation Location: Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo, Ohio.
Funeral: 11 am Saturday, April 23.
Funeral Location: Redeemer Community Church, 5321 Springdale Ave., Toledo, Ohio.

21 Apr

April 21, 2011 |

This video features a number of volunteer opportunities for Honduras, Nicaragua and Poland in 2011. The Honduras medical trip is filled, but opportunities for Nicaragua and Poland remain. This video, which runs 4:46, was part of the quarterly Mission Moments DVD sent to all UB churches earlier in the year. Each Mission Moments DVD includes four short videos for use in UB churches. All of the Missions Moments videos can be viewed on the Global Ministries site.

21 Apr

April 21, 2011 |

Bill Fetrow, a former United Brethren endorsed missionary, passed away during the night of April 20 at a hospice home in Huntington, Ind. He had been diagnosed in early March with bladder cancer. Bill and his wife, Ann, served in Papua New Guinea with Wycliffe Bible Translators. They have been living in Huntington, Ind., and attending College Park UB church.

20 Apr

April 20, 2011 |

On Palm Sunday, April 17, the children’s and youth ministry teams from Lancaster UB church (Lancaster, Ohio) portrayed the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem using a live “mini” donkey during the morning service.  The narration was from the donkey’s perspective:  how the lowest of beasts was chosen to carry the King of Kings!  Pictured are Samantha Ashton, Children’s Ministry Director Ryan Voight, and Hunter Bashore….oh, and Bunny, the donkey!

20 Apr

April 20, 2011 |

Clockwise from left: Rubenia Bomatay, Phil Whipple, Geraldo Bomatay, Jeraldina Bomatay.

Bishop Phil and Sandy Whipple have been in the northeast, and today fly to Florida to attend the Exponential conference on church planting. On Tuesday, April 19, they were in the Boston area. He sent this note:

“On Tuesday we met with the Bomatay family. Rubenia and her husband, Geraldo, work side by side pastoring the Iglesia Reformada Emanuel Church in Jamaica Plain, Mass. Jeraldina, their daugther, leads the youth work in the church. They have a variety of outreaches into their community including meals that help those around the church, and health clinics to meet basic needs and to raise awareness of health issues. We had a great time of sharing together.”

18 Apr

April 18, 2011 |
Bishop Phil Whipple with Linton and Michelle Thomas of First UB in the Bronx.

Bishop Phil Whipple with Linton and Michelle Thomas of First UB in the Bronx.

Phil Whipple, Bishop

Yesterday, April 17, Sandy and I attended First UB Church in the Bronx, a Jamaican congregation. It was pastor’s appreciation day. The church had quite a program to honor Pastor Linton Thomas and his family. Many gave a tribute to him. He was also given the Logos Bible software and reservations for a two-day get-away for Linton and Michelle.

The sanctuary was packed, and the children were upstairs because there wasn’t room for them. I had the opportunity to preach, with a meal afterwards. We started at 11:15 and left around 4 pm. It was a great and meaningful day.

18 Apr

April 18, 2011 |

Bishop Phil Whipple (right) with Jon Christophel, pastor of Brooklyn Park UB in Baltimore, Md.

Bishop Whipple and Edner Antoine, pastor of God's Church by the Faith in Philadelphia, Pa.

Bishop Whipple and Edner Antoine, pastor of God's Church by the Faith in Philadelphia, Pa.

Bishop Whipple (right) with leaders from God's Church by the Faith.

The building used by God's Church by the Faith is a former Episcopal church. Can you tell? (Click to enlarge. Get a good look at this amazing place.)

Phil Whipple, Bishop

Bishop Phil Whipple and his wife, Sandy, are on the road for a few weeks visiting churches in the east and then heading to Florida for the annual Youth Leaders Summit. Here are some notes from the first couple days of the trip, which started last Wednesday, April 13.

We spent the first day of our trip in Baltimore, Md., at the Brooklyn Park Church. We spent a couple of hours with John Christophel, the pastor, and then shared a meal with the people at the church. Sandy and I had a Maryland crab cake which was quite good. Then I shared  for a little bit with all of them.

We then drove up to Philadelphia and met Edner Antoine and his wife and a couple of laymen from God’s Church by the Faith, and toured their building. They bought a former Espiscopal Church. It is quite ornate, and they have done a great job cleaning it up and making it usable.

We went out to eat with Edner and his wife and one of the laymen. Then we came back around 9 p.m. with a Bible study in full swing. I was asked to speak to the group.

It was a great beginning to our trip.

17 Apr

April 17, 2011 |

John Cole, pastor of Park UB in Bluffton, Ind., leads training for the Monroe Cluster. (Click to enlarge)

The Monroe Cluster (Indiana) held its second Leadership Development Day on April 9. John Cole, pastor of Park UB church in Bluffton, Ind., led the training for the 17 people attending. Cluster meetings are designed for senior pastors, but in this case, they’ve been inviting laypersons to participate in the training.

“When I arrived in Bluffton in August 2010,” says John, “I started talking to Troy Green, our cluster leader, about extending the cluster experience beyond pastors and into the churches more. We also talked about leadership development being a significant addition to the great teaching we already get through the video lessons.

“During our fall meetings, I began introducing the group to the Habitudes series from Dr. Tim Elmore of Growing Leaders. I received training in that back in 2008 at the Train the Trainer seminars held in Huntington, Ind. The cluster liked the idea, and we decided on a quarterly training day to invite the leaders from our churches so they could interact and share ideas around the leadership principles I would be teaching about.

“So far, we have had 15-20 from the Park, Monroe, and Praise Point churches attend the two meetings, and some great discussion has come out of it. We are looking forward to continuing this and seeing it expand.”

15 Apr

April 15, 2011 |

Global Ministries is planning a baseball-themed mission trip to Nicaragua in January 2012. We want to use baseball to build relationships and share Christ.

We’re putting together a team of high-level players who will compete against teams in Nicaragua’s National League during January, their “spring training” time. We’ll practice with various clubs, conduct baseball clinics in some smaller villages, and play games in stadiums. During the games, we’ll invite everyone to an event where players can share their testimonies.

We need players (minimum of 6) and coaches to make this experience happen.

When: January 2012. The trip will last 11-13 days. Final dates will be determined in early August 2011.

Who: Collegiate level baseball players, current or former.

Cost: Airfare + $700. This includes lodging in Granada at a beautiful vacation home, transportation in Nicaragua, food, home/away uniforms, other equipment, and something fun (basically everything!). Homeruns sold separately.

Next Steps: Please email Jeff Dice to indicate you are interested and to get any questions answered. Deadline is August 1, 2011.