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18 Dec

December 18, 2012 |
Dan Paternoster

Dan Paternoster

Dan Paternoster (right) has made tremendous improvement since his horrific accident in August. He is now walking, talking, and eating. Dan’s wife, Nancy, wrote on December 8, “Our main areas of concern are still his left eye (doesn’t move properly due to a damaged nerve and causes double vision), his left ear (previously had muffled sounds and now there’s humming), and his left shoulder (having testing done soon to determine if it’s a muscle, nerve, or tendon problem).”

The neck and back braces were removed at the end of November. Dan continues to undergo regular therapy, but is talking about going to back to work in his veterinary practice. As a member of the denominational Executive Leadership Team, he has even been engaging with official issues by email.

Now another thing has struck: last week, Nancy was diagnosed with breast cancer. She will undergo surgery this week.

Dan and Nancy are from Fowlerville UB church in Fowlerville, Mich.

13 Dec

December 13, 2012 |

The United Brethren History Course will be held January 21-22, 2013, in Bryan, Ohio. The course is a requirement for ministerial licensing in the United Brethren church. However, people who just want to learn more about United Brethren history are free to take it.

Basic Information

  • The cost is $200 for persons who need licensing, $100 for everybody else.
  • You will need to read the UB history book “Trials and Triumphs” beforehand. It is available through the Healthy Ministry Resources bookstore for $14.95 (plus shipping). Order a copy by calling toll-free: 888.622.3019
  • Register using the online form at: ub.org/events/ubhistory

Bob BruceDetails

Location: New Hope Community Church, 15627 US Hwy 127 E/W, Bryan, OH 43506
Date: January 21-22, 2013 (Monday and Tuesday)
Time: 8 am Monday — 4 pm Tuesday
Teacher: Robert Bruce (right), associate pastor of Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.).

For more information and to register, go to the UB website. Direct any questions to Cathy Reich, Administrative Assistant.

12 Dec

December 12, 2012 |

If you’re a fan of zombies–and who isn’t these days?–Bryan Ballinger, assistant professor of digital media arts at Huntington University, has something just for you: a new dark-humored zombie graphic novel.

Ballinger (right), along with HU animation grads Josh Addessi (2010), Cole Phillips (2010), and Sarah Krzynowek Bodnar (2012), contributed stories to the graphic novel, “Dead Anyway: Stories from the Zombie Apocalypse.”

“It’s basically a collection of comic stories about zombies,” Ballinger said. “Most are silly and humorous.”

Ballinger first heard of the idea for “Dead Anyway” after connecting with Pete Mitchell, front man for the L.A. rock band “No More Kings.” Mitchell had done several zombie-themed songs with the band that caught Ballinger’s attention, but his artwork was even more impressive.

“I found his portfolio online and really liked his work,” Ballinger said. “I sent him a note about it, we became friends, and he told me about his graphic novel idea. I told him about all these great artists I was friends with and whammola, we started working on it.”

In addition to being a contributor, Ballinger also served as the art director and editor for the graphic novel, and was in charge of the layout and general production of the book. As editor, Ballinger approached various artists seeking contributions for the quirky zombie anthology.

“Having had Josh, Cole and Sarah as students, and having stayed in touch with them and their work since graduating, I was very familiar with their artwork, and I knew they’d be perfect for this,” he said.

He and Mitchell also gathered contributions from some of the best in the industry to bring their undead graphic novel to life.

“We’ve got an incredible mix of contributors to this book, from established children’s book illustrators to a concept artist who did work for several Pixar films, to an art director from Cartoon Network, to artists who’ve worked at Disney, to an animator and designer from Brazil, an illustrator from Belgium, and an artist who’s done a ton of work for Marvel comics,” Ballinger said. “I am really proud of this book, and I feel very blessed to have been able to work with all these great artists.”

After five months of work, “Dead Anyway” is now available for sale online for $20 at DeadAnyway.com.

10 Dec

December 10, 2012 |

This workshop will be helpful for leading any style board your church may have. This course is a requirement for ordination in the United Brethren church, but anyone may attend.

Date: Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Time: 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Healthy Ministry Resources Building, 302 Lake Street, Huntington, Ind. 46750.
Instructor: Phil Whipple, Bishop of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ USA

You can also attend by videoconference, if you have a computer with a camera. There are three videoconference locations:

  1. Cochranton UB Church (Cochranton Pa.)
  2. Pleasant Hill UB Church (Greencastle, Pa.)
  3. Mt Hermon UB Church (Pomeroy, Ohio)

Address any questions to Cathy Reich, administrative assistant to Bishop Phil Whipple.

Registration Cost

  • $100, if you are seeking ordination.
  • $50 for everyone else.

You can register online at the UB.org website. You’ll also find a reading list there.

06 Dec

December 6, 2012 |

We just received notice of the death of Rev. David Flick, a former UB pastor, on July 12, 2012. He succumbed to lymphoma cancer at age 56. Flick graduated from Huntington University in 1986 and went on to pastor the Franklin UB church (Franklin, Pa.), and the UB churches in Alpena and DeWitt, Mich. His brothers Tim and Steve, likewise, were former United Brethren ministers. Since 1994, David Flick and his wife of 37 years, Beverly, had lived in Alpena. He also left behind a son and a daughter. The funeral was held in Alpena on July 16, 2012.

06 Dec

December 6, 2012 |

United Brethren churches do a lot of special things during the Christmas season. What is happening at your church this year? Other UB churches would be interested in hearing about it.

While the Christmas season is still fresh in your mind, write up a little description about any special ministries, programs, events, services, activities, etc. at your church. We’ll get it posted on UBCentral.org so others can read about it.

We have a form you can use to send your report. You can even upload digital photos. (So if you’ve got a Christmas event coming up, find someone to take some photos!)

05 Dec

December 5, 2012 |

Silas ready to go home.

Tom and Evelyn Mahas are the parents of a new baby boy. Silas Thomas George Mahas arrived at 10:25 pm on December 1, at 6lbs 1 oz, and 19.75 inches. Tom is youth pastor of Bethel UB church in Elmore, Ohio.

04 Dec

December 4, 2012 |

Hermmy and two Canadian girls. Hermmy can say goodbye to the coat, mittens, and cap.

Previous posts have told about Hermmy, a 12-year-old Haitian girl who was brought to Toronto by the Canadian UBs so she could have surgery to repair a hole in her heart. Since October 1, she has been living with Joan Sider, a member of New Hope UB church in Toronto and a frequent visitor to Haiti. The operation was conducted on October 10, and was a big success.

Joan Sider and Hermmy returned to Haiti this morning (Tuesday, Dec. 4). Hermmy will be reunited with her family on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Joan will talk to them about Hermmy’s continued healthcare needs. Joan will return to Canada on Dec. 11.

28 Nov

November 28, 2012 |

S. Douglas Birdsall, a United Brethren preacher’s kid, has been selected as the next president of the American Bible Society. He starts March 1.

In 2004, Birdsall became CEO and Executive Chair of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization (now called the Lausanne Movement). He anticipates that his replacement as CEO will be chosen in early 2013. He will continue as Executive Chair unti June 2013.

Birdsall’s roots go deep in the United Brethren church. His parents, Roger and Mary Lou Birdsall, served in the United Brethren pastorate for many years. His brother Brent is a former UB pastor and missionary, and his brother Brian is part of the Global Ministries overseas staff (serving with Campus Crusade in Ukraine).

Doug will be the second United Brethren to helm the American Bible Society. Dr. Eugene Habecker left his post as President of Huntington University in 1991 to become president of the ABS, serving in that role until 2005.

The stated mission of the American Bible Society is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message.The ABS, headquartered in New York City on Manhattan, produces and distributes Scripture around the world, working with numerous national Bible societies. They are involved in Bible translation projects, and are well-known for spearheading two modern English translations, the Good News Bible and the more recent Contemporary English Version.

19 Nov

November 19, 2012 |

Alvordton UB church (Alvordton, Ohio) will holds its third annual “live nativity” December 8-9, from 6-7:30 pm. This year, the display will add more animals, a larger stable and set, and a 30-foot star above the stable.

Pastor Dan VanArsdalen says, If any are in the Alvordton area, stop by and take a look. Bring your children or grandchildren, as the animals are very friendly.”

The church is located at: 311 East Main St., Alvordton, OH 43501