Duane Walter, a United Brethren ordained minister in Michigan, begins chemotherapy treatments this Friday, July 14. The treatments will occur once every six weeks until around November.

Duane had been suffering severe back pain since April, and eventually had surgery to remove a tumor. They removed as much of the tumor as they could. The tumor was determined to be cancerous, but they are still trying to determine the exact form of cancer.

In addition, test of soft tissue showed that Duane also has some lymph node involvement. Therefore, to be on the safe side, they decided to start chemotherapy.

Duane Walter would appreciate your prayers. He can be contacted at: 10596 W Grand Ledge Hwy, Sunfield, MI 48890.

Denny Miller, senior pastor of Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind., is teaching the UB Staffing Course.

Denny Miller.

Five persons are attending the class remotely–from Waynesboro, Pa., and Cochranton, Pa.

The conference room at the Healthy Ministry Resources office.

The UB Staff Management Course is being held today (Wednesday, July 11) at the Healthy Ministry Resources building in Huntington, Ind. Denny Miller, senior pastor of Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.), is teaching the class. The class includes 18 persons–13 attending in person, another 5 attending remotely via our new videoconferencing capabilities. Three persons are attending from Blue Rock UB church in Waynesboro, Pa., and two more from Cochranton, Pa.

The course is a requirement for ordination in the United Brethren church. The Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team developed a list of courses required for ordination, most of which can be obtained from a variety of seminaries. However, several courses are not readily available elsewhere, so we are providing them ourselves. Two of the courses are specifically United Brethren in nature–one on UB church history (which is a basic requirement for any ministerial licensing in the UB church), and a course on UB missions. The UB staffing course is the third.

About two-thirds of the participants are taking the course as an ordination requirement. The others are taking is as a continuing education requirement, or simply because it interests them.

AFChapel900

Phil Whipple, Bishop, US National Conference

On June 20, I visited Chaplain Major Darren Duncan at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Spring. Darren is in his fourth year serving as a chaplain there. He met me at the gate and took me to the chapel.

Darren started out at Living Word United Brethren church in Columbus, Ohio, serving on staff and then as senior pastor. He did some chaplaincy work in the Reserves for a few years, and then was approached about going fulltime. He went on active duty in the spring of 2003. Since then, he has served in several locations, including at an “undisclosed location” in early 2004.

The Air Force Academy is a prestigious posting, and looks good on your resume if you’re looking to climb the military ladder. Usually, the Air Force moves you every two or three years, so this is an extra-long posting for Darren. The Wing Commander, who oversees the religious programs at the Air Force Academy, was asked to stay one more year before retiring, and he didn’t want to break in anybody new during his last year. So, Darren was asked to stay an extra year.

In the past, the United Brethren denomination has been the endorsing entity for military chaplains from UB churches. That is changing. The National Association of Evangelicals, of which we are one of many denominations, is now the endorsing organization for UB chaplains, and there are some advantages to that.

As it turns out, Darren is in the process of switching his ministerial credentials to the Anglican Church. They are an evangelical church in doctrine, but more liturgy based. However, I caught up with Darren while he was still under the United Brethren umbrella. (more…)

Sidewalk Prophets

More than 50 bands will take the stage August 10-11 at Huntington University’s second annual Fandana Festival.

This two-day music, art, and film festival will feature Chris Tomlin, Sidewalk Prophets, Sevenglory, Manic Drive, Hyland, HU’s own Attaboy, and Da Messenger on Friday. Taking the stage Saturday will be Over The Rhine, Family Force 5, Blessed By A Broken Heart, Write This Down, Rocky Loves Emily, Jetty Rae, Red Umbrella, The Lost Colors, Lee Roessler, and many more.

Chris Tomlin

“We want to create an event that families and youth groups would want to attend as a great retreat and a final event of the summer before school begins,” said Jeff Berggren, senior vice president for enrollment management and marketing at HU.

New this year is the Fandana Film Festival featuring multiple feature-length films, including the 2012 Academy Award nominated animation “A Cat in Paris” and the comedy film “Not That Funny.” These films will screen multiple times during the festival weekend along with other festival submissions in the categories of narrative, documentary, animation, and a special category for high school students. The film festival will also feature Q&As and film lectures. The Film Festival will impart more of an “arts festival.” Event coordinator Nathan Hartman says, “The whole festival will now be a celebration of the senses.”

Rounding out the festival this year is the Partner and Play Program, which features an artist talent competition. The bands compete for a Sweetwater Sound prize package, including a chance to play at the next year’s festival.

A 5K Fun Run and kid-friendly activities, including inflatables and hot air balloon rides, provide fun for the whole family.

Full event passes are available for $48 for adults and $10 for children ages 6-10. Children 5 and younger are free.

UPDATE: It was previously reported that SuperChick would perform. They won’t. They cancelled their show.

The Air Force Academy Chapel in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Phil Whipple, Bishop, US National Conference

On June 20, I visited Chaplain Major Darren Duncan at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Spring. Darren is in his fourth year serving as a chaplain there. He met me at the gate and took me to the chapel.

Darren started out at Living Word United Brethren church in Columbus, Ohio, serving on staff and then as senior pastor. He did some chaplaincy work in the Reserves for a few years, and then was approached about going fulltime. He went on active duty in the spring of 2003. Since then, he has served in several locations, including at an “undisclosed location” in early 2004.

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #9b9b9b;”] T [/dropcap]he Air Force Academy is a prestigious posting, and looks good on your resume if you’re looking to climb the military ladder. Usually, the Air Force moves you every two or three years, so this is an extra-long posting for Darren. The Wing Commander, who oversees the religious programs at the Air Force Academy, was asked to stay one more year before retiring, and he didn’t want to break in anybody new during his last year. So, Darren was asked to stay an extra year.

In the past, the United Brethren denomination has been the endorsing entity for military chaplains from UB churches. That is changing. The National Association of Evangelicals, of which we are one of many denominations, is now the endorsing organization for UB chaplains, and there are some advantages to that.

As it turns out, Darren is in the process of switching his ministerial credentials to the Anglican Church. They are an evangelical church in doctrine, but more liturgy based. However, I caught up with Darren while he was still under the United Brethren umbrella.

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #9b9b9b;”] T [/dropcap]he Air Force Chapel, completed in 1962, was designed to accommodate all faiths in the same building. The building is impressive from a distance, and even more impressive inside. If you are traveling through Colorado Springs, you should stop to tour the chapel.

On the ground level is the 1200-seat Protestant sanctuary, where two services are held each Sunday—a contemporary service, and a liturgical/traditional service. The platform has a divided chancel, with an elevated pulpit on one side and a lectern on the other. In the back is a massive pipe organ, with over 4300 pipes, and a choir loft. The organist, I was told, has a doctorate in classical organ and has been playing there for about 30 years, rarely missing. This is not an organ that just anyone can sit down and play.

The Protestant sanctuary has held as many as 2000 people. However, about 50 cadets typically attend the liturgical/traditional service and about 150 attend the contemporary service. Visitors can attend, too, so the attendance may include more non-cadets than cadets.

All cadets have the freedom to attend church in town on Sunday, so many of them leave the base. The first-year students, called “doolies,” only get a few passes a year to leave the base, but they can leave every Sunday to attend church, so most take advantage of that opportunity. In addition, each cadet has a sponsoring family in the community, so many cadets go to church with them.

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #9b9b9b;”] D [/dropcap]arren took me down a flight of stairs to the Catholic sanctuary, which is probably half the size of the Protestant sanctuary and seats 500. It has a smaller pipe organ (a mere 1950 pipes). Around the outer walls are pictures of the 14 Stations of the Cross, with a little bit of local Colorado Springs landscape tossed in.

Down one more level is the Jewish synagogue, a round room (to resemble a tent) which seats 100. On the outside walls are paintings depicting Old Testament stories, and those pictures have been valued at $2 million each.

In addition, there is a Muslim prayer room, and a Buddhist room. You must remove your shoes to enter the Buddhist room. It’s a very plain room, with just pillows on the floor for kneeling.

They have one more room called the All Faiths Room, which has no religious symbolism. If you haven’t been covered in the other areas, this room is for you.

Then, outside high on a hill, is a circle of stones called Falcon Circle, designed for followers of Earth-based faiths, such as pagans, Wiccans, druids, witches, and Native Americans. Falcon Circle was dedicated in 2011.

The 2011-2012 cadets included 11 Muslims, 16 Buddhists, 10 Hindus, 3 followers of Earth-based religions, and 43 self-identified atheists.

Each chapel has its own entrance, and services can be held in each chapel simultaneously without interfering with the others.

The Air Force Academy is committed to providing counsel to any of their cadets, whatever their faith may be. There are cadets from numerous other countries. It’s not easy for an American to be admitted to the Air Force Academy, and no less so for foreigners; only the best and the brightest may enroll. Darren showed me a map with probably 100 pins stuck in it, representing where the cadets were from. That’s 100 cadets out of the total student body of 4000, so it’s a small percentage. They bring in about 1000 new cadets each year.

[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #9b9b9b;”] D [/dropcap]arren is a very sharp guy who is well respected by his peers. He seemingly fits naturally into military life, and has risen through the ranks. The Wing Commander, a colonel, has two men serving directly under him. Darren is one of those guys, so he’s at a fairly high level. He has 13 chaplains and support persons under his command.

Serving at the Air Force Academy is a prominent posting. To this point, Darren has had just one overseas deployment. He told me he will need to have another one.

I’m impressed with Darren, and enjoyed spending time with him and seeing the Air Force Academy Chapel.

Linda Carter

Al Carter, senior pastor of First UB church (Columbus, Ohio), sent a surgery update on his wife, Linda.

“Linda came home Sunday, July 1, after radical surgery to remove a tumor that was attached to her kidney on Friday, June 29. She is doing well and can move about on her own. We are praying for a full recovery and will know more about the tests on the tumor in about 10 days.

“Thanks to everyone for your prayers, and thank our loving and meriful God for His marvelous hand in working through all we have been going through.”

Storm damage in Findlay, Ohio. Similar scenes could be found in cities throughout the East after the June 29 storm.

Darwin Dunten, senior pastor, Findlay First UB church (Findlay, Ohio)

Findlay, Ohio, is now in its fourth state of emergency in 5 years.

  • In 2007, a flood covered 50% of the city and damaged the church.
  • The 2008 flood covered one-third of the city.
  • Last summer’s hail storm with baseball-size hail caused $50,000 damage to the church.
  • And now the powerful storm of June 29 with 91 mph winds.

The south end of Findlay is decimated. 19,000 Findlay residence do not have power and are not expected to have power until July 7. Findlay First church was not damaged during this story. However, we did have to cancel the July 1 services due to lack of power, trees down, and power lines down.

I toured the south end of town, and it reminds me of a blizzard with snow piled up on the side of the street, but instead of snow, these are trees. Many 4–5 foot diameter trees are snapped at the base. At the Boy Scout camp, once again, large trees are snapped.

I am starting to hear some stories from my church members and how fortunate we are. One church member had a tree limb crash through her roof and land on her husband’s bed. Another church member was working at the Boy Scout camp and was getting the scouts into shelters when a tree crashed (he said) one foot in front of him. One tree landed and a branch pierced the roof of the cabin and landed on a bed. Another member had houses next to her with roofs severely damaged, and hers was fine. One block away, one of her neighbors had no roof or ceiling in their house. We are thankful for God’s protection.

My office has been moved to McDonalds (the only place with internet and power).


How did the storm affect your church? Let us know.

The 2012 China Team

Luke Fetters, a professor at Huntington University, talks with the team about this year’s trip.

On Thursday, July 5, a team from Huntington University leaves for China for a three-week program which includes a two-week English camp for primary and middle school students. The Institute for TESOL Studies at Huntington University has an agreement to train English teachers in a city in southeast China, across the border from Macau in China’s Guangdong Province. TESOL training and English Camp activities run concurrently to provide a valuable and rewarding experience for teachers and students. The team has a blog.

Kyle McQuillen (right), Director of Global Ministries 1993-2001, has been having quite a battle healthwise. On Thursday, June 28, he sent this encouraging update:

It’s been a bit of a difficult journey these past 7-8 weeks. Following the good news in April that my lymphoma had gone into remission after four four-day treatments of chemotherapy, I thought the worst was over. But then the effects of the chemo on my immune system began to hit me like a freight train!

I spent the next 6 weeks in hospitals in New Smyrna and Daytona Beach. In addition to viral pneumonia, my blood work just went out of wack. Finally a couple of weeks ago my oncologist suggested that I have a bone marrow biopsy, a rather unpleasant experience where the doctor inserts a 7” needle (large) into the hip and goes as far as he can into the bone marrow to collect marrow and blood. (This without any major sedative –just some topical lydacane.) Those samples were then sent out to various places for pathology examination to discover in what way my bone marrow may have been compromised.

As Mar Louise and I prepared to sit down with the oncologist today, we had all kinds of possibilities dancing in our heads: leukemia, bone marrow cancer, lymphoma in the bone marrow. We were prepared for the worst news but hopeful for the best. Well, the best news was shared by the oncologist: my bone marrow is totally normal and there is absolutely no indication of any abnormality. We’re still not sure why the blood counts are low in some areas, but the doctor feels that the chemo and the large number of drugs I had over the past two months have contributed to the problems. He feels that with rest and care I’ll be back to my pre cancer days eventually.

In the meantime, I will not be able to return to work at the prison or at the church for at least another month. But that will give me time to work on projects I have long put on the back burner. Thank you all so much for your love and prayers through this journey!

You can write to Kyle at: Kyle W. McQuillen, 299 Casa Grande, Edgewater, FL 32141.