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14 Mar

March 14, 2013 |

Dawn Spangler and her husband, Jay.

Dawn Spangler, pastor of Strinestown UB church (Strinestown, Pa.), is mourning the loss of her son Jay, who died suddenly of a brain aneurysm. The funeral service was held at 7 pm on Thursday, March 14, at the Church of the Nazarene in New Cumberland, Pa.

Dawn Spangler, an ordained Nazarene minister, was assigned as pastor of Strinestown UB in May 2012. Her address:

Dawn Spangler
5675 Susquehanna Trail
Manchester, PA 17345

14 Mar

March 14, 2013 |

Huntington University will overhaul its campus wireless network and add cloud printing capabilities during the summer months.

“When we first built our campus wireless network in 2001, students might have brought a single laptop computer to college,” said Gary Campbell (right), director of technology services. “Today, things are very different. Our students now bring a wide variety of wireless devices to campus — computers, tablets, mobile phones, gaming consoles, and even televisions and DVD players — so the demand on our system is much greater. To help meet students’ expectations, we have developed a plan to substantially overhaul our wireless infrastructure.”

In addition, the university will also provide a new cloud-based printing system for students. The initiative will replace low-volume printers that have been available in residence halls and computer labs with more reliable, high-volume multi-function printers.

“We are moving away from small distributed network printers where students had to supply their own paper,” Campbell said. “Instead, we will strategically locate high-availability printer/copier/scanner units in student and academic areas around campus for student use as needed.”

These two initiatives will be underwritten by a new $250 per year technology fee.

13 Mar

March 13, 2013 |
Top row (l-r): David Holt, Todd Moser, John Authenreith, Ben Gladhill, Stuart Johns. Bottom row (l-r): Matt Kennedy, Andrew Sikora, Kevin Whitacre, Erin Stringer, Victor Collins.

New ministerial licensees. Top row (l-r): David Holt, Todd Moser, John Authenreith, Ben Gladhill, Stuart Johns. Bottom row (l-r): Matt Kennedy, Andrew Sikora, Kevin Whitacre, Erin Stringer, Victor Collins.

The Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team approved ten ministerial licenses during their meeting on March 4, 2013. All of these persons currently hold senior pastor or staff positions at United Brethren churches.

Provisional License
David Holt, senior pastor of East Ovid UB church (Coldwater, Mich.).
Todd Moser, Children’s Ministry Director at New Horizons Community Church (Rockford, Ohio).

National Conference License
John Authenreith, Pastor of Worship Arts at Mainstreet Church (Walbridge, Ohio).
Benjamin Gladhill, Associate Pastor of Christian Education at Lake View Church (Camden, Mich.).
Stuart Johns, senior pastor of Idaville Church (Idaville, Pa.).
Matthew Kennedy, associate pastor of Anchor Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.).
Andrew Sikora, senior pastor of Renew Communities (Berea, Ohio).
Kevin Whitacre, Pastor of Spiritual Care at Anchor Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.).

Specialized Ministries
Erin Stringer, Director of Word/Walk Ministries at Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.).

Ordination
Victor Collins, associate pastor of Kilpatrick Church (Woodland, Mich.).

13 Mar

March 13, 2013 |
Members of the Blue Rock team at work in Honduras.

Members of the Blue Rock team at work in Honduras.

Blue Rock UB (Waynesboro, Pa.) sent a group of 8 men to Honduras in February to work at the national compound in La Ceiba. Five men left on February 17, and the other three left on February 22.

The purpose of the trip was to secure the school and the buildings in the compound. The first group gathered the supplies they needed, found local workers, and arranged to have a gate and some window covers made and installed. Juanita Chavez, superintendent of Honduras Conference, hosted the team.

Dave Blubaugh, a member of the team, wrote:

We had a block wall to finish that runs the whole length of the property. A gate was removed, and a smaller gate was replaced with a new one. We also had some windows Encased with grills that finished all of the first floor windows in the compound. Superintendent Chavez also asked if we could extend the back of the bookstore to the block wall. That would give them storage room and help organize the store a little better.

We were also asked to update the kitchen in the administration building. They needed more cupboard space and the counter top needed replaced. Last, she wanted a little flower garden space beside the new part of the bookstore.

With the help of the Lord we finished all of this and even did some concrete work off the back porch leading to the new gate.

On our last Friday, Juanita’s husband, Carlos, took us to the Dole processing plant for a guided tour. That was something that very few folks get to see. We saw pineapples from the field to the shipping crate and everything in between. After the tour we went back to the hotel and got our swimming suits and went to the kids camp for a swim.

On our way back we stopped by the compound to finish up with sister Juanita and those that were still there. She prayed with us and then Pastor Greg Helman prayed. That is always a hard time for all of us, saying good-bye.

13 Mar

March 13, 2013 |

Jamaica Conference is currently holding their annual meeting. Donna Hollopeter, associate director of Global Ministries, is attending the meeting, along with her husband, Jason.

Isaac Nugent was elected bishop of Jamaica Conference in March 2012. This will be his first experience chairing the annual meeting.

11 Mar

March 11, 2013 |

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

The Evangelical College of Theology is an important part of our ministry in Sierra Leone. Many United Brethren leaders in Sierra Leone hold degrees from TECT (which was once known as Sierra Leoone Bible College). The United Brethren Church is one of four denominations that send students to TECT, which has over 350 students.

Global Ministries does not help underwrite the school itself, but we do try to support individual UB students through sponsorships. Currently, two United Brethren students attend TECT.

You may be interested in seeing this TECT-Report. The main campus in Jui, outside of Freetown, is growing and doing well. As the report shows, TECT has 99 students in the theology and Christian ministry programs, and 255 students in non-theology programs.

The student breakdown for the 2011-2012 year looks like this:

Theological Programs
Bachelor’s in Theology 49
Diploma in Theology 20
Diploma in Christian Ministry 30
     Total 99
Non-Theology Programs
BA Adult Education 62
BA Community Development 130
BA Peace & Conflict 36
Dip. Community Development 19
Dip. Peace & Conflict 8
     Total 255

TECT plans to expand its program to offer graduate studies in the city of Bo. Since Bo is central to United Brethren work in Sierra Leone, this would have a tremendous impact on our churches, pastors, and laypersons in that area.

Sierra Leone Conference is in the midst of renovating its headquarters building in Bo, a building which was severely damaged during the rebel war. One mission project focuses on the renovation. The plan is for TECT to use some of the building space, but this would require additional renovation. As TECT works toward launching this extension program, we would like to provide additional support.

Dan Ryan, TECT’s Director of Development and Communications, will attend our National Conference this summer and will be available to field your questions.

08 Mar

March 8, 2013 |

The two-day United Brethren History Course will be held over two Saturdays, April 20 and 27, at the Fountain UB church in Keyser, W. Va. The course is a requirement for ministerial licensing in the United Brethren church. However, people who just want to learn more about United Brethren history are free to take it.

Basic Information

  • The cost is $200 for persons who need licensing, $100 for everybody else.
  • You will need to read the UB history book “Trials and Triumphs” beforehand. It is available through the Healthy Ministry Resources bookstore for $14.95 (plus shipping). Order a copy by calling toll-free: 888.622.3019
  • Register using the online form at: ub.org/events/ubhistory

Daryl ElliottDetails

Location: Fountain UB church, Rural Route 6, Keyser, WV 26726-9205.
Phone: 304-788-5180
Date: April 20 and 27 (both are Saturdays)
Time: 9 am – 4 pm each day
Teacher: Daryl Elliott (right), senior pastor of Fountain UB church.

For more information and to register, go to the UB website. Direct any questions to Cathy Reich, Administrative Assistant.

04 Mar

March 4, 2013 |

Charles F. Malson, Sr., a retired United Brethren minister, passed away at 8:35 pm on March 3, 2013. Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Visitation: 3-8 pm Friday, March 8, 2013,
Visitation location: East Washington UB church, 8051 S. Crapo Road, Ashley, MI 48806 (on M 57 two miles east of US 127).
Funeral: 11 am Saturday, March 9, 2013.
Funeral location: East Washington UB church.

Charles was called to the ministry while making his living as a chicken farmer in Hillsdale County, Michigan, and serving as a volunteer with Youth for Christ. He headed to Houghton College in New York before returning to pastor Brown Corners United Brethren Church in Clare, Mich., from 1952-1957. In 1957, while serving as pastor/superintendent, Charles started a United Brethren Church on Richfield Road in Flint, Mich. He was elected as fulltime Michigan Conference superintendent in 1981. At that time, he and Doris moved to Carson City, Mich. He retired from that role in 1991. Charles also served as chaplain and as a volunteer at Carson City Hospital for a total of 25 years.

Charles was a life-long learner, taking classes and seminars throughout life. He received his Masters from Huntington University in 1987.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Doris; his six kids and their spouses; 19 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations can be made in memory of Charles to Carson City Christian Camping Association (10890 Easy St., Carson City, MI 48811), Greater Lansing Youth for Christ (Campus Life), or Camp Living Waters (536 E. Six Mile Rd. Luther, MI 49656).

03 Mar

March 3, 2013 |
Charles and Doris Malson.

Charles and Doris Malson.

Charles F. Malson, Sr., a retired UB pastor and superintendent in Michigan, passed away at 8:35 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013. Funeral arrangements will be posted here when available.

Posted on Facebook by his son, Chuck Malson, pastor of Brown Corners UB church (Clare, Mich.):

Some of us called him Daddy, some called him Pop. No matter what you called him, he loved you. He is now enjoying his new home, probably touring with St. Peter. I can imagine him being greeted by those who came to faith in Christ because of his influence. We will miss him terribly, but our grief is tempered by hope. We know we will see him again. Mom, his much loved wife of 71 years, will miss him the most. We love you Mom, and thank you both for loving each other. As of 8:30 pm this evening, Pop is now a new resident of paradise. How appropriate that he went home on Sunday, the Lord’s Day.

02 Mar

March 2, 2013 |
Charles and Doris Malson

Charles and Doris Malson

Charles Malson, Sr., a retired UB minister now living in Carson City, Mich., was hospitalized on January 23, and has gone through a couple surgeries. There have been ups and downs since then. Several updates have appeared on UBCentral.

On Saturday, March 2, Chuck Malson, pastor of Brown Corners UB church (Clare, Mich.), posted this note on his Facebook page about his father:

“I’m sad to report that the doctors have determined that nothing seems to be working for Pop. His kidneys are stressed and shutting down, and fluid is building in his heart/lungs, so the heart is being more stressed as well.

“None of the efforts have been successful, so the doctor indicates that there is not much more to be done for Pop. So, he will be going home to heaven, most likely within the next few days.

“Thanks so much for your love and concern over these last 5 weeks. The whole Malson clan thanks you for your love.”

Cards can be sent to Charles’ wife, Doris, at this address:

Charles F. Malson, Sr.
10928 Easy Street
Carson City, MI 48811