01 Nov A Call to Prayer for Pastor Paul Burrus

Bishop Todd Fetters

Paul Burrus, senior pastor at Corunna UB Church (Corunna, Ind.) since 2013, has been diagnosed with a fast-acting acute leukemia and has been placed in hospice care. He and his wife, Carie, have two grown children and six grandchildren. We are asking for prayer for God’s miraculous touch and a peace for the family and Corunna UB Church in keeping with Isaiah 41:13 which reads “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

08 Sep Five Pastoral Assignments

L-r: John Christophel, Dick Thorp, Michael Richardson, David Kisamore, Dan Maas.

John Christophel has been named pastor of Mt. Olivet and (Mt. Solon, Va.), effective May 28, 2017. He most recently pastored Brooklyn Park UB church (Baltimore, Md.) 1998-2014. Before that, he served at Fifth Street UB church (Staunton, Va.).

Richard Thorp has been appointed pastor of New Beginnings UB church (Montpelier, Ohio), effective June 11, 2017. He pastored United Brethren churches 1980-2005 in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. He retired in 2005, and has come out of retirement to meet this need in Montpelier.

Michael Richardson has been named pastor of Cream Ridge UB church (Lewiston, Idaho) effective June 8, 2017. He was granted a local church license by the congregation at the time of his assignment.

David Kisamore has been named pastor of Mill Chapel (Reedsville, W. Va.) effective June 20, 2017. He was granted a National Conference ministerial license on July 15, 2017.

Daan Maas has been appointed pastor of Findlay First UB church (Findlay, Ohio) effective July 10, 2017. He previously served at UB churches in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Michigan until 2000. He was ordained in 1987.

08 Sep Licensing for Mark Self, Holly Lutton, and Matthew Hann

L-r: Brandon Baker, Mark Self, Holly Lutton, and Matthew Hann.

Brandon Baker has been granted a provisional license effective July 3, 2017. He is the Discipleship and Youth pastor at Praise Point UB church (Willshire, Ohio).

Mark Self was granted ordination status in the United Brethren church upon recognition of his ordination in the Wesleyan Church effective July 21, 2017. He is senior pastor of Trinity UB church (Fostoria, Ohio).

Holly Lutton has been granted a Specialized Ministry license effective September 14, 2017, after having served one year with a Provisional license. She is the youth pastor at College Park UB church (Huntington, Ind.).

Matthew Hann has been granted a Specialized Ministry license effective September 14, 2017, after having served one year with a Provisional license. He is the worship pastor at College Park UB church (Huntington, Ind.).

07 Jul Nine Persons to be Ordained July 15

Top row, l-r: Michael Burtnett, Jeff Dice, David Grove, Jason Haupert, Stuart Johns. Bottom row, l-r: Matthew Kennedy, Gener Lascase, Brent Liechty, John Shadle.

The closing service of National Conference, on July 15, will feature the ordination of nine persons. This is very exciting.

Michael Burtnett
Associate pastor of Youth and Outreach
Franklin UB church
New Albany, Ohio

Jeffrey Alan Dice
Associate pastor
Brown Corners UB church
Caro, Mich.

David Grove
Senior pastor
Ebenezer UB church
Greencastle, Pa.

Jason S. Haupert
Eagle Quest UB church
Columbia City, Ind.

Stuart Wade Johns
Senior pastor
Idaville UB church
Gardners, Pa.

Matthew D. Kennedy
Senior pastor
Dillman UB church
Warren, Ind.

Gener Lascase
Haitian congregation pastor
Salem UB church
Chambersburg, Pa.

Brent C. Liechty
Senior pastor
Mongul UB church
Shippensburg, Pa.

John W. Shadle
Pastor of Middle School Ministries
King Street UB church
Chambersburg, Pa.

13 Jun Tim Hallman Awarded Doctor of Ministry Degree

Tim and Tara Hallman.

On Saturday, June 10, Tim Hallman received the Doctor of Ministry degree from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago.

Hallman, an ordained UB minister (and son of UB ministry couple Gerald and Rozanne Hallman), graduated from Huntington College in 1996 and from the Graduate School of Christian Ministries in 1998. In 2008, he was awarded the Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Hallman pastored Anchor Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.) from 1998 until 2016. He then accepted a position as Christian Emphasis Director with the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne.

30 May May 31: Cancer Surgery for Rev. Tim Scroggs

Tim Scroggs (right), pastor 2003-2016 of Eagle Quest UB church (Columbia City, Ind.), has been battling cancer for some time. He will undergo surgery on Wednesday, May 31. Here is an update from Tim.

“First I want to thank everyone for their prayers and support. I recently completed chemo and radiation. It served its purpose in that the tumor has shrunk and the cancer has not spread to other organs.

“The next step is surgery this coming Wednesday. They will be removing the tumor and surrounding cancer. Our prayer is that all the cancer cells are removed and I am able to receive full healing.

“In addition to successful surgery, please also pray for peace for my wife Christine and my children. Pray also that the Lord will use us to minister to others in our time of weakness and need.”

07 Mar Update on Linda Smith

On Monday, March 6, Linda Smith was taken to the Hillsdale Hospital (Hillsdale, Mich.) with what appeared to be stroke-like symptoms. Doctors determined that Linda is experiencing some type of brain bleed, and she was transported to a hospital in Kalamazoo. The Smith’s pastor the Hillsdale UB church.

Bishop Todd Fetters received this update Tuesday afternoon (March 7) from Tamar Eisenman, daughter of Les and Linda.

“Good news today. Linda’s vitals are still good. They just woke her up, and she is able to respond with head nods and simple movements like wiggling her toes when asked. They have turned down the breathing machine, and she is beginning to breath more and more on her own. If her own breathing gets stronger, they hope to be able to take out the breathing tube later today.

“Still don’t know the cause of the brain bleed or the extent of the harm, but she got an MRI and we should know the results by 5:30 tonight. We’re asking for no visitors at this time. She’s at high risk for another brain seizure, so we’re trying to keep mental stimulation to a minimum. Dad and I want to thank our UBIC family for your understanding, care, and prayers!”

Later Tuesday night, Bishop Fetters received this update from Tamar:

“The MRI results ruled out some possible causes of the brain bleed/hemorrhage, but still didn’t determine the cause. She will have an angiogram either tomorrow or the next day that will hopefully give a reason.  They are waiting on the angiogram because they want to space out how many brain scans she’s getting. 

“Good news: her EEG showed no more seizures in her brain.  Also, she’s no longer under sedation.  She instantly is able to respond to questions with head nods and can also move her toes, legs, hands and arms when asked.  When asked if she was in pain, she shook her head “no.” All good signs. We were hoping the breathing tube would be removed today, but she’s still too drowsy.  Please pray she’ll be able to stay alert and awake so doctors know she can breathe on her own and then remove the breathing tube. Lastly, tonight she had a higher temp of 101–not too bad but please pray against infection. 

“A praise: When the Residence Inn in Kalamazoo heard about mom, they gave Dad and I a two bedroom, 2 bathroom suite with a full kitchen for over 50% off.  They also gave us a gift bag full of goodies & a very nice card.”