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Thursday, November 18, is the annual Huntington University Day of Giving. Every gift goes toward student scholarships. Day of Giving is all about helping current and future students experience HU. They’ve arranged a variety of matching grants to make your gift go further. For more information and to donate, go to www.huntington.edu/DayOfGiving.
Randy and Toni Fennig
Randy Fennig, 67, passed away November 11, 2021, at his home in Portland, Ind. He had served as a UB pastor for ten years, as a UB missionary in Sierra Leone for three years, and as a member of the UB Global Leadership Team.
Visitation: 4-7 pm Monday, November 15, at Williamson-Spencer and Penrod Funeral Home in Portland, Ind.
Funeral: 11:00 am Tuesday, November 16.
Funeral location: Westchester United Methodist Church, 4487 E. 400 N. Portland, Ind.
Randy grew up on a farm in Indiana and earned a degree in Agricultural Economics from Purdue University. He and Toni had served for a time with Africa Inland Mission in Mozambique.
Randy was senior pastor of Prince of Peace UB church (Springfield, Ohio) from 1998-2008. He was ordained as a United Brethren minister in 2002.
In 2008, Randy and his wife, Toni, moved to Sierra Leone. Randy taught at Evangelical College of Theology in the Freetown area, a seminary which trains many of the UB pastors in Sierra Leone Conference, and also engaged in agricultural development.
The Fennigs concluded their ministry in Sierra Leone in 2011, and returned to the States in August of that year.
Rev. Thomas L. Brodbeck, 85, passed away on November 9, 2021. He served 19 years in United Brethren ministry in Indiana, Ohio, and Idaho.
Viewing: 9:00 am Saturday, November 13, 2021.
Funeral: 10:30 am Saturday, November 13, 2021.
Location: Glancy-H.Brown & Son Funeral Home, Warren, Ind.
Brodbeck graduated from high school in 1953 in his hometown of St. Mary’s, Ohio, served in Korea with the US Army, and worked for the city of St. Mary’s until sensing God’s call to the ministry. He was 35 when he moved his family to Huntington, Ind., so he could enter college. He graduated from Huntington University with a bachelor’s degree, and in 1975 received the Master of Christian Ministries. He was ordained in 1975.
Brodbeck served 19 years in United Brethren ministry: 1972-1979 at the UB church in Van Buren, Ind.; 1979-1983 as director of Camp Cotubic in Bellefontaine, Ohio; 1985-1988 as pastor of Log Cabin UB church in Boise, Idaho; and 1988-1993 as pastor of Third Street (now Anchor) UB church in Fort Wayne, Ind. He then served a Wesleyan congregation in Waldron, Mich., until 2017.
At the time of his death, Brodbeck was living with his wife Cathy in Van Buren, Ind. (609 E 3rd St, Warren, IN 46792-9410). He is the father of Rev. Thomas M. Brodbeck, who served 27 years in United Brethren ministry, including as fulltime superintendent of Central Conference.
Memorial contributions should be directed to Camp Cotubic, 2158 Road 25 North, Bellefontaine, OH 43311.
The “UB Year in Review,” published every January since 2012, is now in the works. You are invited to submit news about your church from 2021–events, ministries, mission trips, or anything else of interest. If you have any relevant photos, those would be great. Of particular interest: information about how your church has adjusted in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, or any continuing effects of the pandemic on your church.
Send to steve@ub.org, or use the form on this page.
Congratulations to Bishop Paul Hirschy! On October 1, Huntington University awarded him the Distinguished Alumni Citation, a “lifetime achievement” award which recognizes exceptional service over an extended period of time.
Paul graduated from HU in 1968, where he served on the student senate for four years and was study body president. He then went on to a lifetime of ministry in the United Brethren church, which included:
Since 2012, Paul has served as an associate pastor of College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind.
The award was presented on Friday night, October 1, as part of the 2021 Huntington University Homecoming.
Registration is open for the next “Idea to Action” symposium, sponsored by the denomination and Huntington University. It will be offered online-only. The event is free to everyone, but you must register.
Date: Monday, October 25 (10:00 am – 1:00 pm)
Topic: “Discipling Youth and Families.”
There will be three keynote sessions.
For complete information and to register, go to this address on the UB website.
During October, you’re invited to participate in “A Different Kind of Thailand Experience.” There will be four one-hour Zoom sessions. You can register for all sessions, but join those you are most interested in.
You will hear from a number of key UB leaders who influence the efforts of the Good Soil Community Center. You’ll also follow Steve Fish and Isa Rivera as they travel to Honduras to meet with the Nunez family, who are preparing to serve with the UB team in Thailand.
There is no cost, but you need to sign up.
The next UB History course will be held November 1-2. That’s a Monday and Tuesday, 9am – 4pm each day. Rev. Bob Bruce is the instructor.
The UB History Course will be held November 1-2, 2021. That’s a Monday and Tuesday, 9am to 4pm each day. Rev. Bob Bruce will teach the course via Zoom, so you can take it from the comfort of your own home.
This course is a requirement for ministerial licensing in the UB church, but anyone may attend. For complete information and to register, go to: ub.org/ubhistory
Emma Lou Evans, 75, passed away September 23, 2021, in Coldwater, Mich. after a battle with cancer. She and her husband of 51 years, Ron Evans, served 28 years in United Brethren pastoral ministry in Indiana and Ohio.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 27, at Lockwood Community Church, 202 E Lockwood Rd, Coldwater, MI 49036. Officiating will be Rev. Mike Arnold and Rev. Ron Evans. Visitation will be held 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, September 26, at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Condolences can be sent to Ron Evans at:
233 Prairie River Dr
Coldwater, MI 49036-8064
During October, you’re invited to participate in “A Different Kind of Thailand Experience.” There will be four one-hour Zoom sessions. You can register for all sessions, but join those you are most interested in. You’ll also follow Steve Fish and Isa Rivera as they travel to Honduras to meet with the Nunez family, who are preparing to serve with the UB team in Thailand. There is no cost, but you need to sign up here.
One trip to follow online:
Follow Steve Fish & Isa Rivera to La Ceiba, Honduras on FB and Zoom to meet the Nuñez Family, who are candidates to join our team in Thailand.
Four one-hour Zoom sessions:
What you invest:
