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11 Jul

July 11, 2007 |

Brent BirdsallBrent Birdsall (right), pastor of College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind., since 1993, has resigned to accept a position on staff with a church in Minnesota. Starting August 13, he will be Adult Ministries Pastor at Berean Baptist Church in Burnsville, Minn., overseeing all ministries from post-college through senior adults.

Brent and Sandie Birdsall and family served two stints as missionaries in Sierra Leone, and pastored the Emmanuel UB church in Fort Wayne, Ind., in between. Their second term in Sierra Leone was cut short by the civil war; they were part of the emergency evacuation of all UB missionaries on a military transport.

Gary DilleyBrent served as a member, and then chairman, of the Global Ministries Leadership Team, and also served on the Executive Leadership Team.

Gary Dilley (left), director of Global Ministries, was named Interim Pastor of College Park Church, effective July 1. On top of his duties with Global Ministries, he will give about 20 hours a week to leadership at College Park and will preach about half of the Sundays. He was asked to serve during this transition time.

11 Jul

July 11, 2007 |

Jennifer BlandinJennifer Blandin, UB missionary in Macau, sent these notes on June 17.

  • Living Stone Church hosted an ELP Sunday service the end of May. Besides our students being invited to come, people already attending Living Stone were encouraged to bring friends. About 50 people attended! Two women, who had been attending the follow-up sessions for chapel, and one man who is a Christian but hadn’t been to church in a while, came from the ELP Program! Plus, people from the church also brought friends and family!
  • During the past ELP term, the staff and students took many opportunities to interact outside of class time. It helped to develop closer relationships, and the difference has shown.
  • We held a final farewell party for Russ and Nellie Birdsall, who left last week. Over 60 people attended! One person I talked with thought only four or five people would come. : Sometimes we don’t realize the impact we are making until the goodbyes. But investing in people’s lives for Christ gives higher return than the Dow Jones could ever hope to!
  • On July 1-4, the local staff and missionaries held a four-day retreat to Thailand.
  • At the beginning of August, I will return to the States for my six-month furlough. My furlough was moved up a few months so I can attend fall classes and attend a few family events while I’m back. I have contacted some churches about speaking, but still have some empty time slots available, should you or your church like me to come and share about Macau and what goes on here. Also, while I’m in the States, I’ll need some reliable transportation. If anyone has a car available, please let me know.

11 Jul

July 11, 2007 |

Parkview Huntington Hospital has awarded a $75,000 grant for Huntington University’s new nursing program. This gift is in addition to Parkview’s $100,000 grant in February 2006.

“We could not imagine starting a program without the support of Parkview Huntington Hospital,” said Dr. Norris Fr5iesen, vice president and dean of the university, “and we anticipate a long-term partnership. Parkview Huntington Hospital not only provides financial support like this grant, but will also work with us to provide hands-on training for our future nurses.”

The funds will be used for start-up costs for the nursing program.

“This partnership enhances our already strong ties with the university and addresses the national shortage of experienced nurses,” said Darlene Garrett, chief operating officer for Parkview Huntington Hospital. “The stability and quality of our nation’s health care system relies on a sufficient supply of well-educated and skilled nurses. The addition of a nursing degree program at Huntington University is a major step toward meeting these needs.

Lutheran Hospital of Fort Wayne, Ind., donated 12 beds to Huntington University’s nursing clinical lab. The beds are the same type used in Lutheran’s clinical care areas. They were placed in two classrooms in the newly renovated lower level of the Science Hall, eight beds in one room and four in the other.

Read more about Huntington University’s nursing program.

10 Jul

July 10, 2007 |

On Sunday, July 1, Franklin UB church (New Albany, Ohio) held its third annual Faith & Freedom Sunday. The purpose is to give thanks to God and recognize local citizens who have gone above and beyond the ordinary to support their country. It is also a time of recognition of the church’s military veteran as America’s birthday is celebrated.

This year an award of appreciation was given to members of Lima Company. Lima Company is a Columbus, Ohio, based Marine reserve infantry unit that was called to duty in the spring of 2005. In a period of just two months, 23 men were killed in action, and most of others in the unit were injured. The subject of a book, a movie, and national news, Lima Company came home in September 2005; many of the men carried scars that will last a lifetime.

Special invitations were sent out to area politicians, Proclamations and recognition were received from the offices of the Ohio governor and Columbus mayor, and an aide to Senator George Voinivich attended, along with many other local elected officials.
 
After the church service, members picnicked on an “All American” meal. Local media coverage was generous, with, newspapers and local CBS, ABC, and Fox news crews on hand to do stories for the evening news casts.

10 Jul

July 10, 2007 |

Huntington University GraduatesOn May 19, Huntington University awarded degrees to 200 students during Commencement Exercises. Four new programs at Huntington University saw their first graduates walk the aisle

  • Marci Roller, an elementary teacher in Andrews, Ind., received the Master of Education degree. The program, begun in 2005, now enrolls 15-25 students each term.
  • Six students received degrees in Social Work.
  • One student, Jason Latino, received a degree in Digital Media arts. “Our goal is for students to be making films, images, and projects that will find their way out into the campus community and beyond,” says instructor Steve Leeper. “By the time a student graduates from the DMA program, there is every possibility that his or her work will already have established a presence on the Internet, in festivals, and even within the media industry. With the advent of the Internet, there are literally hundreds of venues available for digital media.”
  • Jason Rahn and Matt Gerlach comprise the first graduating class of Recreation and Sport Ministry majors, a program started in 2004 which prepares students to plan, direct, and initiate church-based or community recreation programs and to use recreation and sports as a tool for outreach.

10 Jul

July 10, 2007 |
Roger Skinner receives honorary degree from Huntington University
HU Board Chairman Ed Souers (left) and Dean of the College Norris Friesen (right) conduct the hooding ceremony for Roger Skinner.

Huntington University awarded four honorary degrees at its 2007 Commencement Exercises on May 19. Among them was Roger Skinner, a United Brethren endorsed missionary serving as USA executive director of OMS International. He was awarded a Doctor of Divinity degree for his long-time enablement of missionaries to serve around the world. He then delivered the Commencement address.

Skinner holds a degree in philosophy from Huntington University and a Master of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife, Mary Lou, served as OMS missionaries in Ecuador from 1973-1995, initially in evangelism and church planting, and later at Evangelical bible Seminary and in a pastoral role. They returned to the US in 1995 to work at the OMS International headquarters in Greenwood, Ind., where they now live.

Previously, Roger Skinner received the Alumnus of the Year award from Huntington University and was inducted into the HU Athletic Hall of Fame.
Other honorary degrees went to:

  • Homer Hiner, former president and CEO of Hiner Transport, and his wife Marjorie Hiner. They received a Doctor of Commercial Science.
  • Dr. Carol a. Clark, who practices obstetrics and gynecology in Anderson, Ind., received the Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

10 Jul

July 10, 2007 |

Alan and Doris MacDonaldAlan and Doris MacDonald left Wycliffe Bible Translators at the end of 2006 after over 30 years of service in the Philippines, Hong Kong, and several stateside assignments. no longer serving as missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Alan is now Pastor of Global Engagement at Fairfax Community Church in Fairfax, Va.

The Braeded ChordDoris is half of the music group The Braeded Chord, whose music has been described as “a mixture of folks-rock-gospel-blues.” She and Sharon Dennis have now released three albums, the latest one being “Radio Lane” in October 2006. In February, The Braeded Chord was awarded a WAMMIE (Washington Area Musicians Association) for Best Gospel/Inspiration Group of 2006, the second year in a row they received this award. Bob Schieffer, CBS newsman, who calls himself a “fledgling songwriter,” hosted the ceremony. Doris and Sharon serve as worship leaders for Church of the Word in Gainesville, Va., and perform in local coffeehouses, churches, festivals, and benefits. They have also been the featured musicians at several United Brethren missions events.

Doris is the granddaughter of Dr. Y. T. Chiu, founder of many UB churches in Hong Kong and a former professor at Huntington University. She grew up in the Glendale UB church in Glendale, Calif.

10 Jul

July 10, 2007 |

michaelsessions.jpgHillsdale, Mich., has the nation’s only teenage mayor, which has earned him celebrity status. Mayor Michael Sessions (right) has appeared on Letterman, Good Morning America, etc. after winning election as a write-in candidate by two votes while still a high school senior. Now a 19-year-old freshman at Hillsdale College, Mayor Sessions accepted an invitation to the Dedication Service of the Ministry Office Center of the Hillsdale UB Church on Febuary 25. Bishop Ramsey was the keynote speaker before a congregation of over 300 who braved a winter storm despite the cancellation of services by several churches in Hillsdale County.
 
The Ministry Office Center was the result of a seven month renovation of the former parsonage next door to the church. Pastor Smith’s new office is his former bedroom. The garage was enlarged and serves as a beautiful new classroom. All the staff have relocated to various rooms of the former house and the basement serves as a conference room. 

On Friend Day, March 25, Mayor Sessions returned to Hillsdale UB. Over 200 people in the first service witnessed the baptism of nine people. Over 300 attended the second service, which was followed with a “Friendship” potluck meal.

09 Jul

July 9, 2007 |

Olive Weaver (Rickersey), a former UB missionary in Sierra Leone, passed away on Friday, July 6, 2007. Olive’s Christian commitment led her to many years of mission work in Sierra Leone and Australia, as well as to teaching elementary children in Fort Erie, Ontario.

Olive’s husband, Tom, an Australian, passed away in 1996. Olive leaves behind four step-children and ten step-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at 2 pm on Tuesday, July 10, at Grace UB Church in Sherkston, Ontario. Viewing will be Monday, 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm, at the Davidson Funeral Home (135 Clarence St., Port Colbourne, Ontario), and again on Tuesday 1-2 pm.