We have received word that Ted Doolittle passed away on August 23, 2024 at the age of 67 in the comfort of his home in Toledo, Ohio. Doolittle served for 41 years as a United Brethren minister in six churches including Main Street Church (1980-82), Steubenville Church (1982-86), Oak Harbor Church (1986-94), First UB Findlay (1995-00), Mount Zion (2000-08), and Calvary Community Church (2008-2021). 

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, September 14 at 11 am at Mount Zion UB Church in Wayne, Ohio, with visitation hours on Friday, September 13 from 3 pm to 7 pm and again at 10 am Saturday.

Read more about Ted, his family and his ministry service here in his obituary.

Reverend Lee Roy Palmer passed away in his home in Carson City, Michigan on Thursday, August 22, 2024 at the age of 86. Palmer was a long-time minister in the United Brethren church serving in 4 churches from 1964 to 2011 including Kalamazoo (1964-67), Pleasant Valley (1967-81), Harrison (1983-03), and East Washington (2004-11). He also spent time on the mission field in Sierra Leone from 1981-83.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, September 7, at 11:00 a.m. at East Washington United Brethren Church in Ashley, Michigan. Additional times of visitation and sharing will take place on Friday, September 6, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturday at 10:00 a.m. 

You can read more about Lee, his family, his ministry and the service details in his obituary.


Dr. Sherilyn Emberton will preside over Huntington University as the institution’s 13th president for one final academic year. She recently announced her plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2024-25 spring semester.  

Dr. Emberton came to Huntington University in 2013 from East Texas Baptist University where she served as provost and vice president for academic affairs. Under her leadership, Huntington University expanded its reach and academic offerings to two additional campuses in Fort Wayne, Indiana (2014) and Peoria, Arizona (2016). Annual enrollment also increased from approximately 1,100 students in 2013 to 1504 students in 2023. 

Bishop Todd Fetters has worked closely with Dr. Emberton for the last nine years and has developed, not just an ongoing institutional partnership, but a cherished friendship. When asked for comment, he had this to say,

“The Church of the United Brethren in Christ is grateful for Dr. Emberton’s leadership at Huntington University. She has led our denominational college through continual growth and innovation, making it stronger than ever. I admire the way she has led with vision, collaboration, humility and a deep faith. 

I admire the way Sherilyn has always connected to people, especially her love for students. Her pride in them has been abundantly clear. She wants the best for them! And then there is her humble Christian spirit, which is always present. 

Although I’m sad to see Sherilyn leave, I’m grateful for her service to our University and denomination and I’m confident that God has exciting things in store for her.”

You can find the official press release here to learn more about her time at Huntington University.



College Park Church in Huntington, Indiana has an opening for a Pastor of Student Ministries. The ideal candidate will be a high-capacity and self-directing individual, with a pastoral calling and deep passion for ministry to students and families. This individual will help to foster a team approach to leading the ministries they oversee as well as contribute to the overall leadership and direction of the church.

College Park Church is a congregation of approximately 275 people and sits on the edge of the campus of Huntington University. Their mission is to reach, teach and equip families to passionately follow Jesus.

To learn more about the church and read a more detailed job description, click here.

Byron Center, Michigan
Banner Church is a multi-generational, family-oriented congregation located just south of Grand Rapids, Michigan. One of the primary goals of Banner Church is to be an equipping and sending church. Throughout its history, Banner has seen a number of individuals go into vocational ministry, both at home and abroad. Moving forward, we want to double down on that commitment by creating avenues for believers to find their God-given gifts, connecting them with opportunities to use those gifts, equipping them for effective ministry, then unleashing them for Kingdom impact.

Banner Church is seeking a passionate developer to lead our Youth & Worship ministries. Rather than a professional that can do it all themselves, we want someone who is willing to take what they know and pass it on. If this sounds like you, please check out the following role description or email [email protected].