Scott Hardaway and Noel Marquard.

Scott Hardaway and Noel Marquard.

Scott Hardaway has announced (on Facebook) his engagement to Noel Marquard. Noel teaches second grade at Chandler Christian Academy in Chandler, Ariz. Her teaching also experience includes four years in Senegal, West Africa.

Scott served 12 years as pastor of Pathway UB church in Jackson, Mich. His first wife, Tanya, died of cancer in October 2012, and the following year Scott stepped away from the pastorate in order to raise his two sons. He wrote at the time, “I’ve never met a pastor who was a single parent. Now I know why. I’m not saying it can’t be done, but I am saying I can’t do it.”

We rejoice with Scott, and Noel, as they begin this new chapter in their lives.

Kyle McQuillen (right) and his wife, Marlouise, served as UB missionaries in Sierra Leone and later pastored the College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind. From 1993-2001, Kyle served as Director of Global Ministries. He and Marlouise then retired to a home in Edgewater, Fla., though Kyle has remained very active as a prison chaplain and on staff with Edgewater Alliance church.

In early 2012, Kyle was diagnosed with cancer, and thus began a long journey. On his Facebook page, Kyle gave a very positive update.

Kyle McQuillen

This week was marked by another milestone in my journey with cancer.

In January, 2012 I was diagnosed with lymphoma and began an exhaustive chemo treatment for the next several months until April 2012, when my cancer went into remission. However, by that time my immune system was totally compromised and I spent the next several months in and out of the hospital.

In August 2012, I began to recover but found it necessary to continue on “post cancer” treatment. For the past 22 months I have been receiving infusions each month of two treatments: IVIG, which is designed to build up the immune system; and RITUXIN, which is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. These infusions have been administered through a port and generally take anywhere from 4-7 hours each.

This past Thursday, June 5th, was my final infusion. My immune system has fully recovered to pre-cancer days. For example, my platelet count had gone down to 17-25 at my low point. Now those platelets are at 230, which is where they ought to be! All my blood work is now normal, for which I praise God.

I am feeling great, working for the Florida Department of Corrections at Tomoka State Prison 55 hours a week and still on staff at my local church as visitation and member care pastor. Two months ago I started an exercise program of one full hour of swimming each day, and I love it! I’m 76 now and enjoying life as much as ever!

In April, a church that is considering adding a second service contacted the national office. They were wondering about the experience of other UB churches who were holding multiple services during the week. They were especially interested in how “traditional” services were faring in a multiple-service church.

The national office put up a survey, and a number of UB churches responded. Here is a compilation.

Findlay First (Findlay, Ohio)

Two identical services on Sunday morning:

  • 8 am (35-50 people attend).
  • 10 am (110-130 attend).

Comments:
“One issue that we have found that is very frustrating occurs when the first service needs to be cancelled for special services/holidays/etc. The first service people will not attend the second service. We have tried to address this, but there seems to be no response.


King Street Church (Chambersburg, Pa.)

Four services on Sunday morning:

  • 8:15 am, sanctuary – traditional.
  • 9:45 am, sanctuary– contemporary. Described on the website as “a modern worship experience.”
  • 9:45 am, Baker Center – contemporary. Described on the website as “a rock-style worship service.”
  • 11:00 am, sanctuary – blended.

The attendance at the traditional service has remained constant.


Fowlerville UB (Fowlerville, Mich.)

Three services on Sunday morning:

  • 8 am – traditional (it’s not growing).
  • 9:15 am – contemporary.
  • 10:45 am – contemporary.

Comments:
“Adding another service is definitely more cost effective than building a bigger church. Other major advantages are greater opportunity to reach more people, less problems with overcrowding, more opportunities to tweak processes, and greater potential for growth.

“The disadvantages are providing volunteer staffing for all the extra programming, and a longer work day for paid staff. However, as long as the added service is healthily attended, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.” (more…)

Bob Bruce, standing on the left, with the class members. Seated (l-r): Matthew Rhynehart, David Souers, Jeff Dice, Jeremiah Ketchum. On the screen (l-r): Mark Wallace, Jim Tice, James Gray, John Lightner, Jerald Jones, David and Kim Holt.

Bob Bruce, standing on the left, with the class members. Seated (l-r): Matthew Rhynehart, David Souers, Jeff Dice, Jeremiah Ketchum. On the screen (l-r): Mark Wallace, Jim Tice, James Gray, John Lightner, Jerald Jones, David and Kim Holt.

Bob Bruce is teaching the class.

Bob Bruce is teaching the class.

The history class is being taught from the UB national office in Huntington, Ind.

The history class is being taught from the UB national office in Huntington, Ind.

Jeff Dice (seated) with the Sunfield group.

Jeff Dice (seated) with the Sunfield group.

The United Brethren history course is being held June 2-3 at the UB national office in Huntington, Ind. This is a requirement for licensing as a United Brethren minister. Bob Bruce, associate pastor at Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.), is teaching the class.

Four persons are attending in person:

  • David Souers, senior pastor of New Horizons UB church (Rockford, Ohio).
  • Matthew Rhynehart, youth pastor at New Horizons (Rockford, Ohio).
  • Jeremiah Ketchum, senior pastor of Brown Corners UB church (Clare, Mich.).
  • Jeff Dice, associate pastor at Brown Corners (Clare, Mich.).

Five persons are attending remotely from the Sunfield UB church (Sunfield, Mich.).

  • James Gray, a local church minister from Pathway UB church (Jackson, Mich.).
  • John Lightner, a lay minister from Crossroads UB church (Charlotte, Mich.).
  • Jerald Jones, a local church minister from Kilpatrick UB church (Woodland, Mich.).
  • David Holt, senior pastor of East Ovid UB church (Coldwater, Mich.).
  • Kim Holt, pastor’s wife at East Ovid (Coldwater, Mich.).

Another two persons are attending remotely from Parkwood Gardens UB church (Guelph, Ontario).

  • Jim Tice, associate pastor of Parkwood Gardens (Guelph, Ontario).
  • Mark Wallace, CEO of CH Global, member of Mill Crossing UB church (Cambridge, Ontario).