Rev. Marion E. Burkett, age 100, passed away May 4, 2022. Since becoming a United Brethren minister in the 1940s, he has served as a pastor, church planter, evangelist, and missionary in Sierra Leone. Here are the funeral details:

Visitation: 10:00 – 11:00 am Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
Funeral: 11:00 am Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
Location: Bailey Love Mortuary, 35 W Park Drive, Huntington, IN 46750.

From the online obituary at Bailey-Love:

“Marion spent his whole life in ministry, started at the age of 16 and faithfully continued teaching bible study up until one week before his passing. His life was devoted to his family and ministry as a pastor in congregations in several states and Canada and mission work in Southeast Kentucky and Sierra Leone West Africa for the Church of The United Brethren in Christ, United Methodist and Missionary churches.”

Preferred memorials to The Gideons International, in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN, 46750. Or go online to www.gideons.org/donate.

Go to the Bailey-Love website for complete information.


Nancy N’Gele
Huntington, Ind.

“100 Years Loved” was the sign on the wall at Rev. Marion E. Burkett’s birthday party at Sugar Grove Church of the Nazarene in the village of Tunker, Ind. on Good Friday afternoon, April 15.

Earlier in the day, Rev. Burkett had conducted a Good Friday service at his residence, the Columbia City Miller’s Merry Manor. He shared that he had become a Christian believer 85 years before. His sons Rev. David Burkett, wife Julie, and daughter Molly from Franklin, Pa., and Rev. Phil Burkett and wife Darlene from Cass city, Mich., led in singing “The Old Rugged Cross” and “One Day,” accompanied by Phil on the accordion. Phil also sang an a capella solo of “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?”

Two members of the nursing home staff assisted Rev. Burkett in serving communion to approximately 40 residents and guests. Rev. Amos Rawley, pastor of New Hope United Brethren church in Huntington, gave the benediction.

At 2:00 p.m., the party began in Tunker, hosted by M. E. Burkett’s son Dr. Mark and Sandy Burkett. Delicious hot food and desserts were served guests from the church kitchen.

Special music was provided by sons David, Mark, and Phil, along with other family members. The family group sang two favorites of the guest of honor, “Life is Like a Mountain Railroad,” and “Trust and Obey,” with Darlene Burkett at the piano.

Approximately 75 members of the family and friends had come to celebrate the 100th birthday.

On Monday, the staff of Miller’s Merry Manor surprised him with another party with a huge cake and the release of 100 balloons.

Rev. Burkett grew up in a United Brethren church in Monroe, Mich. He was ordained as a United Brethren minister in 1946, and in the years ahead served in ministry in many ways. He pastored churches in a half-dozen states, served as a missionary in Sierra Leone for two terms in the 1950s and another term in 1971, served in Kentucky at the UB Laurel Mission and the United Methodist Redbird Mission, planted a UB church in Pima, Arizona…and so much more. It was fitting that he would spend his 100th birthday serving communion.

Rev. Burkett and his wife of 73 years, Frances, raised four sons. David and Phil became ordained United Brethren ministers and missionaries, and Mark became a medical doctor. The fourth son, Stephen, died of cancer in 1990.

Norma R. Murphy, 97, passed away April 16, 2022, in Fairborn, Ohio. She was both a United Brethren pastor and pastor’s wife for nearly 40 years in Michigan.

After graduating from high school in June 1942, Norma accepted a job constructing World War II amphibious landing craft at the Chris Craft boat plant in Cadillac, Mich. Two years later, she enrolled at Marion College in Marion, Ind. to study to become a teacher and athletic coach. There she met John Murphy, a World War II vet who was studying for the ministry. They were married in 1947.

After John graduated in 1951, they moved to Michigan for John’s first pastoral assignment. She served alongside him in ministry for 30 years as pastor’s wife, Sunday school teacher, youth leader, and young adult counselor. She and John had two sons.

John and Norma served the Pleasant View United Brethren church in rural Blanchard from 1966 until John’s death in November 1981. Norma was then granted a Certificate of Ministry from the Michigan Conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, and continued serving the Pleasant View congregation as pastor until she retired in June 1997. In addition to her pastoral duties, Norma worked as a dietician, store clerk, and cashier.

A private family graveside service will be held in Six Lakes, Mich.

Orrstown UB Church, in conjunction with a ministry partner, installed a new blessing box outside the front of the church. The blessing box will be stocked with non-perishable food, tracts, and Bibles. The box will serve as a means for Orrstown UB Church to be a blessing to our community through ways that are meaningful and leaving an impact on our community.

Fonda Cassidy passed away on March 1, 2022. A nurse, Fonda and her husband, Robert, led a number of UB medical teams to Honduras and Nicaragua. Fonda is a sister of Rev. David Rawley, pastor of Otterbein UB church in Greencastle, Pa.

Viewing: 4-8pm Friday, March 11, 2022 at Johnson Funeral Service, 208 South Main St., Bridgewater, Va. 22812

Funeral: 2:00 pm Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Jerusalem Chapel UB church, 314 Chapel Road, Churchville, Va. 24421

Former Bishop Ray Seilhamer has published his autobiography. “My Journey” is available on Amazon–$9.95 in paperback, $4.99 in epub format.

“My Journey” covers his life from growing up on the farm in Pennsylvania, through Huntington College, serving as president of Evangelical Seminary in Pennsylvania, his eight years at bishop, six years leading the graduate school at Huntington College, and pastoring at nine United Brethren churches, two of which he started (Emmanuel and Devonshire). It’s been a very full life. He and Ruth continue pastoring the UB church in Zanesville, Ind.

Roger and Marilyn Reeck have been endorsed UB missionaries since the 1970s, serving with Wycliffe in Mexico and Honduras (where they continue living). They sent this update on February 24:

One time someone told me, “When a person retires they need to sit under a coconut tree in a hammock and sip on Coke all day long”——-Naught! Not the retired people we know! God has given us so many opportunities since we retired at the end of July.

We returned to Honduras at the end of September. Since then Marilyn has led four Healing Groups and three Trauma Healing Trainings. In December, she began mentoring four very capable and committed young people to continue on doing Healing Groups here in Honduras in her absence. We have several churches who have requested that we hold one for their congregation, so there are many opportunities ahead. It is such a blessing to hear the testimonies of people being healed from so many of their hurts.

Roger continues on doing Bible translation with language groups in Guinea Bissau by Zoom. One of the groups that he has been working with over the last 8 years just completed the translation of the whole New Testament! His next assignment is with a language group called Manjaco, and they will be working on the book of Esther.

We now leave back to San Antonio for three months. Part of the time we will be visiting churches in the eastern part of the US. Roger is flying straight to the US and Marilyn is stopping off in Mexico. She will be holding a Healing Group for Huastec Indians February 28-March 5. It is a large group of one and a half million speakers. There are New Testament translations in the 3 different dialects of the language. This is the first step toward producing Story Based Trauma Healing in their language. Another couple will help with the Healing Group and then Marilyn will stay on for a few days mentoring the translation team in how to produce the materials in their own language. We are very excited about this new Project!

God has been so good to us and we praise Him for His goodness to us. We thank Him for letting us continue serving Him, for His protection and His wonderful provision. We praise Him that so many of those who have supported our work for so many years are still being supportive during this new phase in of our lives.

Huntington University will begin an undergraduate Electrical Engineering program in the Fall of 2022 through the University of North Dakota. Check out the video below to hear from Dr. Jeff Lehman, Associate Dean of the Sciences and Professor of Computer Science, about this exciting opportunity for future Foresters! For more information about Huntington University’s Electrical Engineering program, go here.

Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center (Chambersburg, Pa.) is seeking an Executive Director for the camp. RGC is in covenant with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and has a long history of partnership and ministry with the denomination.

Those interested in the position can email the RGC Board at board@rhodesgrove.com.

To find out more about the camp, visit www.rhodesgrove.com.

Position Description

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide overall creative vision and empowering leadership for the operations, promotion, and fundraising of Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center. This position will lead a full-time, part-time, seasonal, and volunteer staff necessary to fulfill the mission of Rhodes Grove.

The Executive Director will empower and encourage the creation, development, and ongoing effectiveness of all programs and activities. All functions will be performed within the stated mission and core values of Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center.

Strategic Vision and Direction

  • Works with the Board to prepare a long-range vision and strategic plan for Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center. The strategic plan includes programming, human resources, facility, financial, and fundraising. Thus, the Executive Director serves as an ex-officio member of all Board committees.
  • Reports regularly to the Board the progress toward and measurement of organizational objectives, financial status of the organization, and other issues of concern.

Operational Leadership and Administration

  • Develops an annual operating plan consistent with the Rhodes Grove mission, strategic plan goals, objectives, and approved budget.
  • Provides fiscal responsibility of the camp stewardship.
  • Develops and fosters a cooperative and cohesive team environment.
  • Serves as an effective coach and mentor for the Ministry Director and the Operations Director.
  • Initiates and prepares the development of organizational policies for Board approval.
  • Oversees the overall staffing structures and processes having final authority in hiring and firing.
  • Provides written and verbal reports related to finances, facilities, programming, and so forth at scheduled Board meetings or as needed.

Promotion and Development

  • Serves as a key communicator of the mission of Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center to various constituencies and stakeholders including individuals, churches, local organizations, local government, and other organizations.
  • Serves as a liaison between Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center and all regulatory bodies and accrediting agencies.
  • Develops, modifies, and implements Rhodes Grove’s overall marketing and camper/conference retention plans consistent with approved policies and standards.
  • Takes leadership in developing and implementing Rhodes Grove’s annual fundraising plans by initiating and maintaining positive relations with donors and supportive community organizations and churches.

Position Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Camping and Recreation or related field preferred; or equivalent education and work experience.
  • Minimum of five years’ experience in a related organization working at the Director level. Must have supervisory experience along with programmatic and budgetary planning and control.
  • Experience in resource development and fundraising is preferred.
  • Must have advanced computer skills with working knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
  • Must possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact professionally with staff members, Advisory Board members, regulatory agencies, donors, conference leaders, and campers of all ages.
  • Possess a passion for God’s Word and prayer.
  • Must be in agreement with Rhodes Grove’s mission, core values, and Christian beliefs.
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license.
  • Must pass and maintain Criminal Background Checks and Child Abuse Clearance.

Registration is now open for the various UB pastoral summits scheduled for this spring. All three will be held in Daytona Beach, Fla., during April and May at The Plaza Resort & Spa (600 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL).


Pastor & Spouse Summits

Every two years, we hold summits for senior pastors and spouses. This year there will be two summits, based on the church’s attendance.

April 25-28: for pastors and spouses from churches with an attendance of 0-299. Register here.

May 2-5: for pastors and spouses from churches with an attendance over 300. Register here.


Ministry Leaders Summit

April 25-29. The Ministry Leaders Summit is for persons serving in staff positions in United Brethren churches. This includes such roles as pastoral care, youth, worship, assimilation, adult education, visitation, counseling, missions, discipleship, children, etc. It is not for senior pastors. The annual Youth Workers Summit is being folded into this event for 2022. Register here.


Idea to Action Symposium

One other event to get on your schedule is the Idea to Action Symposium, sponsored jointly by the denomination and Huntington University. It will be held entirely online.

Date: Monday, March 28, 2022.
Topic: Young Adults and the Church

Details will be announced here closer to the event.