Attendees of the 2012 UB Youth Summit (click to enlarge).

At the 2012 UB Youth Workers Summit (click to enlarge)

Bobby Culler (right), Chairman, Youth Task Force; Youth Minister of Mount Pleasant Church, Chambersburg, Pa.

Youth Workers from across UBdom gathered just outside Daytona Beach, Fla., for the 2012 Youth Summit. Our theme this year was “FUSION – Establishing Meaningful Connections for Ministry Effectiveness.” Throughout the week we had the opportunity to strengthen the connection that we have with others in the trenches of youth ministry as well as the connection we have with our Lord.

Our keynote speaker was Dr. James Stump, professor of philosophy at Bethel College in Mishawaka, Ind. He walked us through a variety of spiritual disciplines, and challenged our thinking by looking at “10 Propositions.” We served together (in a variety of service projects); we worshipped together (during our sessions); we laughed together (in the midst our free time); and we learned together (during our roundtable discussions).

This week has always proved to be a much-needed, timely break from the normal pace of youth ministry. The timing of the Youth Summit–May–is important, because at this time of year, many youth workers are drained. We have guys walk into the Youth Summit who are ready to hang up their cleats; they’re done. But all they really need is a break. Youth workers are spent from the year of ministry and just need a break and a chance to refocus, and to know everybody else is in the same boat. The Youth Summit provides a time of refreshment and refueling as we endeavor to finish out another school year of ministry.

Over the years, the number of participants has increased. But beyond that, the event has stayed much the same. We provide some teaching on the personal or practical side, but more than anything, it’s just a chance to let your hair down, relax, and chat.

It is a privilege and an honor, and a huge responsibility and calling, that God has placed on our lives to minister to this generation of students. We want to do that with as much excellence as possible for the glory of God. And this event, the Youth Summit, encourages us and motivates us and helps us be more effective in our ministry.

Plan to be with us next year, April 29 – May 2, 2013, in Holly Hill, Florida.

Gerald and Rozanne Hallman

Gerald Hallman, 78, passed away at 1:45 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, in Fort Wayne, Ind. His wife Rozanne was at his side.

Gerald was a farmer during his early adult years, before responding to the call to the ministry. He came to Huntington College, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1973 and then a Master’s degree from the Graduate School of Christian Ministry in 1975. He was ordained in 1978.

A Canadian by birth (though in recent years he became a US citizen), Gerald began his pastoral ministry in 1975, serving several United Brethren churches in Canada–Silverthorn (Toronto), North Bruce, and Shiloh. In 1986 he became pastor of Montgomery UB church in Montgomery, Mich., from which he retired in 2000.

Gerald and his wife, Rozanne, were married in 1971 in Roseville, Ontario. They owned and lived in the Maples Cottages on Lake Pleasant in Fremont, Ind. (near Angola). They were active members of Anchor Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind., where their son Tim has been the pastor since 1998. Gerald was preceded in death by two of his five sons, Ben and Matt. The surviving sons are Tim Hallman, Jeremy Hallman, and Michael MacFarlene. There are ten grandchildren.

Funeral details:

Visitation Time: 2-4 pm and 6-9 pm, Friday, May 11.
Visitation Location: Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford St., Huntington, IN 46750.
Funeral Time: 4 pm Saturday, May 12. (Visitation 1 hour preceding the service).
Funeral Location: College Park UB church, Huntington, Ind.

Memorials should be directed to Anchor Community Church or to the Gideons, both c/o Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford St., Huntington, IN 46750.

Tim Hallman wrote a tribute to his father on his blog.

Cards can be sent to Rozanne and the family c/o:

Timothy M. Hallman
1529 W Third St
Fort Wayne, IN  46808

Bob Bruce teaching the United Brethren History course on May 8 at Emmanuel Community Church. (click to enlarge)

Twelve persons participated in a one-day course in United Brethren history on May 8. The course was held at Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind., and taught by Bob Bruce, associate pastor of Spiritual Care at Emmanuel.

Several regional UB history courses have been held during the past year–in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and New York City. Normally it has been a two-day course. This was an experimental one-day version.

The course is a requirement for ministerial licensing in the United Brethren church, but is open to anyone who wants to know more about our history.

George Etling has been appointed senior pastor at Fifth Street Church (Staunton, Va.) effective May 1, 2012. Harry Moore, who supplied the pulpit for 16 years, retired on April 29. George and his wife, Cheri, had been part of the Jerusalem Chapel UB church in in Churchville, Va., where George received his local ministerial license.

Josh Good (right) has been appointed senior pastor at Homefront Church (Grandville, Mich.), effective May 1, 2012. He had been serving as Pastor of Discipleship and Youth at Banner of Christ UB (Byron Center, Mich.) since 2003. Before that, he served two years (1999-2001) as youth pastor at Heart O the Lakes UB (Brooklyn, Mich.).

Howard Beaver, senior pastor of Mt. Olivet Church (Chambersburg, Pa.) since July 2006, announced that he will retire on June 30, 2012. Prior to serving with the United Brethren church, Howard served with the Pennsylvania-Delaware Council of the Assemblies of God, in which he was ordained in the 1980s. The Mt. Olivet leadership and Bishop Phil Whipple will be seeking candidates for the Mt. Olivet Church. If you are interested, please complete a ministerial profile and send to the bishop’s office.

Retired minister Gerald Hallman (right), diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor in late December, is in the final stages of dying. His family, including wife Rozanne and son Tim Hallman, pastor of Anchor UB church (Fort Wayne, Ind.), is constantly around him at the Coventry Meadows home in Fort Wayne, Ind. He is under hospice care.

Please remember the family in your prayers.

UPDATE: Gerald passed away at 1:45 am Tuesday morning, May 8, with his wife Rozanne at his side.

Bishop Phil Whipple presenting a Specialized Ministries License to Amy Moreno.

On Sunday, May 6, Bishop Phil Whipple spoke at Bethany Evangelical UB church in Carlisle, Pa. He had the privilege of presenting a Specialized Ministries license to Amy Moreno, Associate Pastor of Christian Education at Bethany Evangelical.

Recipient Jessica Krause, left, with HU alum Taylor Zeman, who nominated her for the award.

Liz Smith (left) being recognized by Cindy Geders, Administrative Secretary to the President.

Two Huntington University students received the 2012 PACE Servant Leadership Award, which recognizes servant leadership in the college community.

  • Liz Smith, a junior psychology and sociology major from Berne, Ind.
  • Jessica Krause, a junior psychology major from Waseca, Minn.

Each year, Huntington University students donate thousands of hours in volunteer service to the community and college. Only juniors with a 2.5 GPA or above are eligible for the Servant Leadership Award. Smith and Krause each received a $1000 prize. Recipients are asked to designate $250 toward the charity of their choice, and to keep the rest.

Join hundreds of other United Brethren women for the 2012 UB Women’s Conference. The conference will be held in Shipshewana, Ind. (near the Michigan border) at the beautiful Farmstead Inn.

Date: September 28-30, 2012 (Friday – Sunday)

Register for the 2012 UB Women's Conference

Costs

The cost for the entire weekend–lodging and meals–starts at a mere $109. That’s if you have four persons in a room and register before May 31.

Speaker and Music

The keynote speaker is Chris Boelter, a Bible teacher who is full of life. For ten years, she was a Teaching Leader for Bible Study Fellowship. She will speak at four sessions, developing what it means to lead a life of “Undistracted Devotion” to Jesus Christ.

Also spending the weekend with us is Fresh Fire Praise, a dynamic worship team. We anticipate some wonderful times of worship and singing.

Enjoy Shipshewana

There is a so much to do in Shipshewana.

  • Shopping shopping shopping.
  • Great food.
  • Buggy rides.
  • Shows.

Please Promote the Conference Among Your Church’s Women

Please inform women in your church about this conference and encourage them to register. We’d love to see a whole van-load of women from your church!

We have an 8.5-by-11 inch poster you can use. Click on the thumbnail on the right to get the full-size PDF poster, which you can print out and post in a prominent place.

For complete details–schedule, speaker, things to do, costs, etc.–go to UBWomen.org.

Jennifer Blandin has been a United Brethren missionary in Macau since 1996. She recently returned to Macau after a one-year educational leave.

In this podcast, Global Ministries director Jeff Bleijerveld interviewed Jen via the internet. Listeners have the opportunity to learn about Jen’s previous work in Macau, the nature of her recent graduate studies, and how her studies are impacting her ministry today, and life in the world’s gambling capital.

You can listen to the podcast here. It’s just 12 minutes long.

If you would like more information about Jen’s ministry, or would like to become part of her support team, contact the Global Ministries office at 1-888-622-3019.

At the end of January 2012, we reported that Kyle McQuillen, former Director of Global Ministries (1993-2001), had been diagnosed with lymphoma cancer. Today he posted an update on his Facebook page announcing that the cancer is gone and he is in remission. Here’s what he wrote:

As most of you know, early this year I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, with major tumors along the spine, in the right groin area and smaller ones under the arm, in the neck and in the pelvic area. For the past several months I have been in a Chemotherapy regime which consisted of three days of Chemo (8 hours on Tuesday, 4 hours on Wednesday, and 4 hours on Thursday, followed by an injection of Neulasta on Friday) then 2 ½ weeks off. After I completed the fourth regime the oncologist ordered a PET scan to determine the effect the Chemo had on the cancer. Yesterday I met with my oncologist for the report. The cancer is gone and I am officially in remission, praise God! I have two more regimes to complete, one in May and the last one in June. But for all intents and purposes the cancer is no longer there. I appreciate so much the cards, emails, prayers, and love shown my friends from near and far. It’s been a tough, difficult road, but our trust is in the Lord, and when it is, He will carry us through!