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20 Sep

September 20, 2010 |

Rev. Simon White, 55, former pastor of First UB Church of the Bronx (New York City), was killed September 18 in a car accident on the New York State Thruway. Also killed were his wife, Zelda, and four members of the Joy Fellow Christian Assembly (a non-UB Jamaican church), of which White was the pastor.

The Whites and 12 parishioners were traveling in a 15-passenger Ford Econoline van when the left rear tire blew out. The vehicle spiraled, and ejected 8 passengers. The dead included Simon White’s sister and an assistant pastor.

AOLNews published an article about the accident.

Rev. White grew up in Jamaica and was a former minister in Jamaica Conference.

20 Sep

September 20, 2010 |

Huntington University has launched four new Bachelor of Science degrees for the fall 2010 semester.

  1. Studio Art: geared toward students serious about becoming professional artists or pursuing graduate-level study.
  2. Graphic Design: replaces the former Bachelor of Arts degree, expanding the depth and breadth of the program to better prepare a new generation of students for careers after graduation.
  3. Exercise and Movement Science: prepare students for careers in fields such as personal training, strength and conditioning, corporate wellness and coaching, and provide a strong foundation for graduate school.
  4. Sport and Exercise Studies: prepare students for careers in fields such as personal training, strength and conditioning, corporate wellness and coaching, and provide a strong foundation for graduate school.

These majors join the more than 70 academic programs offered on campus.

20 Sep

September 20, 2010 |

Tom Datema, senior pastor of Zanesville UB church (Zanesville, Ohio), writes:

“We want to say thank you to everyone who helped make the 6th Annual Tom Ponsot Memorial Golf Tournament a success. For the last six years, the Zanesville United Brethren Church has hosted the tournament to raise funds for Camp Cotubic.

“This year, the morning of September 11 was cold, and for the first time in several weeks, it looked like rain in Northeast Indiana. But that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 21 four-man teams who had gathered in support of Camp Cotubic. The rain did come, and it was very cold, but the teams soldiered on for a great cause. With the entry fees, hole sponsorships, and generous donations made that morning, well over $5,000 was raised for the camp. Thanks again for your support and we look forward to seeing even more of you next year.”

16 Sep

September 16, 2010 |

Huntington University enrolled a record number of traditional undergraduate students this fall and reported its second-largest incoming class in the school’s history.

The total enrollment for fall 2010 is 1278. This includes:

  • 1040 traditional, fulltime and part-time undergraduate students (up eight students from 2009).
  • 148 students in the EXCEL Adult Degree Program.
  • 90 graduate students.

Other stats of note:

  • The university enrolled 320 new fulltime students, including 263 new freshmen and 57 transfers,
  • Fulltime undergraduate enrollment increased from 949 to 982 students.
  • The students come from 20 countries and 35 different states.
  • 60% of the students are from Indiana.
  • Ethnic minorities make up 5% of the student population.
  • This is the largest class of international students (33) in at least two decades.

13 Sep

September 13, 2010 |

Homeschooled children can take advantage of a physical education program being offered this fall by Huntington University’s Department of Physical Education. There are nine session from September to December for children in grades K-5. Classes last for 50 minutes and are free. More information is on the HU website.

13 Sep

September 13, 2010 |

Rev. Reuben Zurcher, a retired United Brethren minister, passed away early this morning, Sept. 13, 2010. He was a World War 2 veteran and, at the time of his death, a member of Monroe United Brethren church in Monroe, Ind.

Rev. Zurcher graduated from Huntington College in 1962 and began his pastoral ministry at the Zanesville, Ind., United Brethren church. He served six other UB pastorates: Third Street (Fort Wayne, Ind.), St. Mary’s (Ohio), Olivet (near Dayton, Ohio), Kettering (Dayton, Ohio), Alexandria (Ind.), and Bobo (Willshire, Ohio). He also served a term as conference superintendent in Central Conference. The family believes he retired in 1986.

Viewing: Tuesday, Sept 14, 2010, 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm.
Viewing Location: Maplewood Park D.O. McComb and Sons funeral home, 4017 Maplecrest Rd., Fort Wayne, Ind. 46815.

Funeral: 10 am Wednesday, Sept 15, 2010. Viewing will be at 9 am.
Location: Maplewood Park D.O. McComb and Sons funeral home, 4017 Maplecrest Rd., Fort Wayne, Ind. 46815.

Read more about Rev. Zurcher on the D. O. McComb website.

12 Sep

September 12, 2010 |

Burley Clay, 88, a retired United Brethren minister, passed away September 10, 2010. He was a pastor for 58 years–48 in the Missionary Church, and 10 in the United Brethren church. He pastored the Alvordton, Ohio, and Waldron, Mich., UB churches during the 1980s. Prior to that, they served non-UB churches in Arizona and California.

Burley Clay is the father of Polly Dunten, whose husband, Darwin, is pastor of Findlay First United Brethren Church, Findlay, Ohio.

Arrangements:

Viewing: Monday, Sept. 13, 2010.
Location: Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Avenue, Toledo, Ohio.
Funeral: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2010. Visitation at 10 a.m.
Location: Redeemer (Community) Missionary Church, 5321 Springdale Ave., Toledo, Ohio.

Rev. Clay is survived by his wife of 66 years, Alice, 6 children, 15 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

09 Sep

September 9, 2010 |

Huntington University launched a $21 million capital campaign to:

  • Renovate Becker Hall (the former Administration Building).
  • Build a new Studio Art Center.
  • $9.5 million to expand the Merillat physical education complex.
  • $3 million for the University Fund.
  • $2 million for endowment.

“We must dream again,” said HU President G. Blair Dowden. “We need to expand and renovate and build.”

“Together: The Campaign for Huntington University” started in 2007 to improve and expand campus offerings and facilities. Over the past two years, the university has received $9.7 million in donations and pledges, resulting in:

  • Construction of the Studio Art Center — a combination of the Art Annex building and a new 2-D studio.
  • Renovations to Becker Hall, including refurbishing the entryway, adding an elevator, and renovating the third floor to create a film studio for the digital media arts program.

Work has also begun at the Merillat Complex. New bleachers were installed this summer. Additional plans include:

  • Creating a new entryway.
  • Expanding the exercise and weight-training areas.
  • Adding new classroom and fitness lab spaces.
  • Renovating the outdoor track.
  • Constructing a new hardwood floor gymnasium.
  • Installing all-weather turf on the soccer field.
  • Funds for a facilities endowment.

The University Fund helps to bridge the gap between what students can afford and the financial aid available to them. Currently, 91 percent of the student body receives some sort of financial aid.

The endowment has a long-term impact by establishing scholarships, endowing faculty chairs, or supporting a particular program. It also helps supplement funds for the overall operation of the university.

Donations can be made to the university in various forms such as cash, appreciated securities, or real estate. The Office of Advancement will work with individuals to make sure that their gifts fulfill the donor’s wishes as well as the university’s needs.

08 Sep

September 8, 2010 |

Felida Christian Fellowship, a UB church in Vancouver, Wash., has withdrawn from the denomination. On August 4, the congregation voted to join, and integrate its assets with, Summit View Church, a megachurch located 17 miles away.

Summit had been planning to launch a new campus on the west side of town. For that, they will now use the former UB building, which will be known as Summit View: Felida. Services are being held there at 10 am on Sundays.

Ian McIntosh, pastor of Felida Christian Fellowship, will become a part-time staffperson at Summit View.

The church began in 1976 as a mission church under the sponsorship of the denominational Board of Church Extension. It was named Guiding Light, and Ron Mulles was the founding pastor. For three years, the congregation met in a local Grange Hall, growing to about 65 people. A 3.9 acre piece of land was purchased, and in 1979, ground was broken for a building.

The name was later changed to Friendship Community Church, and then to Felida Christian Fellowship.

07 Sep

September 7, 2010 |

Pastor Les Smith enacts the Book of James

Pastor Les Smith enacts the Book of James

Kurt Charleville, Hillsdale's new youth and worship director.

Kurt Charleville, Hillsdale's new youth and worship director.

On Sunday, August 29, the Hillsdale UB Church held its 11th annual Outdoor Service at Michindoh Conference Center. The day featured the 4 Friends Quartet and a visit from the Apostle James.

Pastor Les Smith’s dramatization of the book of James had an unusual sense of divine timing. As he began the final sentence of James, there was a crashing sound from above and suddenly a huge limb fell to the ground. Since there were no seats left in the amphitheatre, the quartet members were standing to the side under the tree. One of the singers stepped aside just in time, as the branch landed next to him.

The crowd gasped and there was a pause, whereupon “James,” without missing a beat, seized the opportunity and finished his book, “Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way, shall SAVE A SOUL FROM DEATH.” Before he could add the last phrase, the crowd broke out in laughter and applause. Then the Apostle concluded, “and shall cover a multitude of sins” and exited.

During the potluck picnic and waterfront activities that followed, the buzz continued. Several people who witnessed it asked Pastor Les if he had somehow arranged this “prop.” The pastor’s reply was, “I think the Lord just wanted to emphasize that last verse to us, about the eternal importance of turning sinners back to him.”

There was a record attendance for the Outdoor Service of over 550, including a large number of guests.