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20 Jun

June 20, 2011 |

Rev. Arthur Wilson has been named interim campus pastor of Huntington University, with responsibility for shaping and mentoring the student body to have hearts for God. He replaces Rev. Bill Fisher, who left the university in June after 18 years as Campus Pastor.

Wilson serves as the director of urban scholarship and mentoring at Huntington University. He came to the university in 2009 to head the Horizon Leadership Program, which he will continue during this interim period.

Wilson formerly served as the City Life coordinator for Fort Wayne Area Youth for Christ, overseeing operations of the Primetime Community Center which ministers to at-risk teenagers. He will also continue serving as assistant pastor at New Covenant Worship Center in Fort Wayne, Ind.

“Arthur is a gifted ministry professional who has impacted our students in significant and profound ways,” said President G. Blair Dowden. “He will do an outstanding job in this new position and will continue to make a positive difference in the lives of our students. I am very grateful that he is a part of the Huntington University community.”

Wilson also helped to shape the Horizon Leadership Program at HU to create a more racially and ethnically diverse campus. Launched in the fall of 2008, the program is a collaborative effort between the university and Youth for Christ that is designed to attract and retain students of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. The Horizon Leader Scholarship covers fees associated with tuition and housing costs for up to 10 semesters.

Arthur is a 2004 graduate of Taylor University Fort Wayne, with a degree in pastoral ministries. He is currently working toward his Master of Arts degree in youth ministry leadership at Huntington University.

16 Jun

June 16, 2011 |

Dr. Paul R. Fetters

In the Western Christian liturgical calendar, Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost. Trinity Sunday celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity–the mystery of the Triune Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

As United Brethren in Christ, we say in our Confession of Faith:

“In the name of God, we declare and confess before men that we believe in the only true God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: that these three are one—the Father in the Son, the Son in Father, and the Holy Ghost equal in essence or being with both; that this Triune God created the heavens and the earth and all that in them is, visible as well as invisible, and furthermore sustains, governs, protects, and supports the same.”

Immanent Trinity. In Scripture, each person of the Trinity is found in eternal equality of essence and being. In Scripture, each Person of the Trinity is found in loving relationship and intimate communion. This intrinsic Being has been referred to by an early Church Father, Gregory of Nanzianzus, as a perichoresis. In the Greek, peri means “around” and choresis “choreography (dancing).”

One hymn, The Dance of the Trinity, captures the mystery of the Three-in-One or the One-in-Three:

The play of the God head, the Trinity’s dance,
Embraces the earth in sacred romance:
With God the Creator, and Christ the true Son,
Entwined with the Spirit, a web daily spun
in spangles of mystery the great Three-in-One.
–The Play of the God Head

Economic Trinity. In Scripture, each Person of the Trinity is involved in every aspect of creating, sustaining, governing, protecting, redeeming, and sanctifying. Also, Scripture emphasizes the identification of the predominant work of each Person of the Trinity–God the Father, the Creator; God the Son, the Redeemer; and God the Spirit, the Sanctifier.

Let not the glorious mystery of the Holy Trinity hinder our Church of the United Brethren in Christ in its proclamation of this fundamental Christian doctrine.

14 Jun

June 14, 2011 |

Idaville UB church (Idaville, Pa.) is looking for a fulltime assistant pastor. This person will be responsible to plan, oversee, and coordinate all activities of the youth and young adults in the church, and oversee the entire music ministry of the church.

(more…)

13 Jun

June 13, 2011 |

Huntington University was mentioned in a USA Today article about private liberal arts colleges that help students repay loans. This is targeted at students headed toward careers in low-paying public-service fields, enabling private colleges to attract and keep students who otherwise might opt for something cheaper…or skip college altogether.

The article quoted Erica Harris, 22, who graduated in May from Huntington with a degree in Family and Children’s Ministries. If she ends up in a job that pays less than $20,000 a year, the loan repayment plan will cover her payments for that year. Students pay nothing for this benefit. Instead, the college pays an average of $1200 per student per year to LRAP Association, a company that repays loans using the pooled funds.

It makes another good reason to attend Huntington University.

13 Jun

June 13, 2011 |

David Rawley (right), senior pastor of Otterbein UB church in Greencastle, Pa., gave the baccalaureate address for Greencastle-Antrim High School. His message was based on the life of Joseph in the Old Testament. He told them that to achieve their dreams, they may need to lose their most precious childhood possession–which, in Joseph’s case, was his colorful coat. “Part of the journey was, he had to lose the robe. It seemed like a tragedy. But that’s life.”

The RecordHerald.com printed quite a bit from his message. Dave has pastored Otterbein since 1985.

08 Jun

June 8, 2011 |

As of Tuesday, June 7, we had 625 people registered for the US National Conference, July 6-9, 2011.

Here is a further breakdown:

  • 159 ministers
  • 163 lay delegates
  • 227 other lay persons
  • 78 children
  • 99 signed up for the UB Historical Society Banquet
  • 28 signed up for the Golf Scramble (if you haven’t signed up, do so here)
  • 24 youth signed up for Cedar Point Trip

Note: the registration cost goes up June 10. So register now.

07 Jun

June 7, 2011 |

Dr. Paul R. Fetters, Emeritus Dean of the Huntington University Graduate School of Christian Ministries

As the early Christians of Jerusalem were attending the feast of Pentecost 1,978 years ago, the Holy Spirit came in the power of the wind with purifying flame, and the people heard the Gospel in their own languages. The Christian Church, conceived in the mind of God and promised in the person of Christ, was born of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.

As German immigrants were attending a “great meeting” in Isaac Long’s barn, Lancaster, Pa., on Whitsuntide (Pentecost Sunday) nearly 250 years ago, circa 1767, the Holy Spirit breathed upon the heart of a preacher, Martin Boehm. His sermon moved the hearts of the congregation, among whom was Rev. William Otterbein. Embracing Boehm, he exclaimed, “Wir sund bruder”–We are brethren! From this small beginning, the Church of the United Brethren in Christ took root to become the first denomination born in America.

This Sunday, June 12, is Pentecost Sunday, a major date in the Christian church calendar. As Christian believers, United Brethren people have double reason to celebrate Pentecost Sunday.

02 Jun

June 2, 2011 |

The annual United Brethren History course, usually held only in Huntington, Ind., is coming to western Ohio. The two-day course will be held August 5-6 at the Park Layne UB church in New Carlisle, Ohio. That’s a Friday and Saturday.

This course has already been held in four regional settings this year–Chambersburg, Pa.; Wayne, Ohio; Flint, Mich.; and the Bronx, NY. This course is a requirement for becoming a licensed United Brethren minister. However, people who just want to learn more about United Brethren history are free to take the course.

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

August 5-6, 2011 (Friday and Saturday)

Location: Park Layne UB church (New Carlisle, Ohio)
Time: 9 am Friday — 4 pm Saturday
Teacher: Rev. Robert Bruce (right), associate pastor of Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.)

For more information, including nearby hotels, and to register, go to the UB website.

01 Jun

June 1, 2011 |

The Michigan Women’s Missionary Fellowship is planning a Family Friendly Missions day. This is to replace the WMF Spring Regional and WMF Fall Rally days.

Date: Saturday, June 25, 2011.
Time: 9-4 pm.
Location: Carson City Campground (Carson City, Mich.).

Everyone is invited–men, women, and children. Come learn the latest updates from UB missions.

A lunch is being planned, and John Johnson is doing his famous grilled quarter-chicken for a $2 donation. You’ll need to reserve your chicken with Sally Hock-Harrison by email or phone (517-410-6176) by June 15. Salads, desserts, and drinks will also be available.

There will be music by the McCallum praise team and specials by Ray and Bill Bryde “The Brydes of Christ.”

Jeff Bleijerveld and Donna Hollopeter, from Global Ministries, will share about the work of UB missions, along with our missionary from India.

We are planning to have a great day of fun and music and sharing time on the campgrounds. Let Sally know you’re coming, and bring a full car or van.