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02 Dec

December 2, 2010 |

Former bishop Paul Hirschy, now on staff at Huntington University, sends out a monthly email newsletter spotlighting prayer concerns regarding the college. Here are three items from his latest newsletter, sent on December 1.

Economic Stress
Pray for the Huntington University community (faculty, staff, students, and families). The tight economic situation is impacting all of us in some way. Pray for guidance as leaders address several needs that were suspended from the budget.  Pray that morale will remain high! Please pray that our demonstration of faith in God will be a positive example to all who observe us!

Faculty Searches
We have faculty searches for mathematics, psychology, music, and librarian. Pray that God will direct the right people to apply for these positions! Pray for the people who are doubling up to cover these needs.

Nursing Program Accreditation
The university should receive word in April 2011 if the accreditation has been approved. Pray for the nursing faculty and staff as they follow up with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education for this important accreditation.

If you are interested in receiving this newsletter, you can subscribe here.

02 Dec

December 2, 2010 |

Women at Zion United African Church in Philadelphia, Pa.

At the end of  October and into November, I spent several weeks in Pennsylvania.

On October 31, I spoke at Zion United African Church, the UB church in Philadelphia where Joe Abu is the pastor. That was an interesting and fun experience. They had dubbed it as sort of a rally day. Some other ethnic churches in the area came over. The building was packed–and it’s quite a large building—with what I guessed to be several hundred people.

Bishop Phil Whipple speaking at Zion United African Church.

They had special African garb for me to wear. They warned me that there would be dancing. I’ve been to Mozambique, in Africa. The shuffle common in Mozambique was the same that the folks from Sierra Leone do. It was a very fun experience.

I spoke at Franklintown UB church (Franklintown, Pa.) on November 7, and then at Prince Street Church (Shippensburg, Pa.) on November 14.

About 35 pastors attended the Mid-Atlantic Resource Day, held November 7-8 at Rhodes Grove Camp in Chambersburg, Pa.

I saw a lot of pastors and had some very productive conversations. I sensed that pastors were thankful to see me on their terms, at their place, to hear their heart and see their ministry. In the past, annual conferences were the connection bishops had with pastors. The National Conference is a great experience, but it’s not conducive to meeting people beyond a handshake. Part of the need of the bishop’s office is to get out and meet our pastors on their turf. It’s helpful to speak to them when there is not a problem, to get acquainted when things are going well.

I’ve now been in 105 churches since taking this position. I’ll visit the Pixley UB church in California in January, and visit the Florida churches later. During the summer, Sandy and I took a 26-day tour through the west and visited 11 churches. By comparison, I saw more churches during my two weeks in Pennsylvania in a much shorter span of time. My hope is to have been in every UB church in the United States by National Conference in July 2011. I think it’s doable.

16 Nov

November 16, 2010 |

The annual Winter Slam youth retreat is coming up February 4-6, 2011. This annual retreat, which has been held for about 20 years now, will take place in southwest Pennsylvania at the Laurelville Mennonite Church Center near Mount Pleasant, Pa.

You can read all about it on the UB website–schedule, speakers, musicians, how to register, etc. There are a variety of items you can download.

Bring some teens from your youth group for fun and spiritual inspiration.

12 Nov

November 12, 2010 |

Thirteen Huntington University students will be taking the plunge next week to help those in need in the Chicago area.

The trip, known as Urban Plunge, is sponsored by the Joe Mertz Center for Volunteer Service on campus and will take place Nov. 19-21.

“Our purpose for the trip to Chicago is twofold,” said Grace McBrayer, director of first-year students and volunteer services. “First and foremost, it’s to engage in service in these organizations and to the people in need there, but it’s also to create an educational opportunity for our students to encounter a culture, community or people that may be different for them.”

The students will work with various service organizations including:

  • Emmaus Ministries. They will participate in an Immersion Night, which is an attempt to stop male prostitution.
  • Cornerstone Community Outreach. They will help sort through clothes for the Outreach’s “free store” where those in need may obtain clothing.
  • A Just Harvest. They will work in the soup kitchen.

“I think it will be a shock to some, uncomfortable for many, and different for all of us. I also think, however, that it will be a good learning experience,” said Dana Lancaster, a junior at HU and the student organizer of the trip.

The students attending the trip are:

  • Felicia Pettigrew, a senior graphic design major, from Lampe, Mo.
  • Regina Brenneman, a senior elementary and special education major, from Delphos, Ohio
  • Jonathan Zamora, a freshman undecided major, from Chicago, Ill.
  • Mitsuzi Stone, a sophomore nursing major, from Jamaica
  • Brittany Scales, a freshman educational ministry-family and children major, from Rochester, Ind.
  • Monica Salvo, a junior social work major, from Deerfield, Wis.
  • Heather Mayer, a sophomore educational ministry-family and children major, from Ossian, Ind.
  • Margaret Kubina, a junior biology major, from Sheridan, Ind.
  • Justin Sommer, a junior youth ministries major, from Berne, Ind.
  • Sean Cruse, a senior animation major, from Melville, N.Y.
  • Catherine Rinchak, a freshman fine arts major, from Chesterton, Ind.
  • Rebekah Lantz, a junior psychology major, from Fowlerville, Mich.
  • Dana Lancaster, a junior entrepreneurial/small business management major, from Hereford, Pa.

12 Nov

November 12, 2010 |

From Sam Suman, senior pastor of Trinity UB (Fostoria, Ohio): ”

A scheduled four-day revival spontaneously expanded to an eight-day outpouring of God’s Spirit on the UB church in Fostoria, Ohio. God’s people were willing seekers around the altars each evening. The final Sunday morning service ”shook” with the Presense of God’s Spirit. The transforming power of the preached Word of God brought all of us to our knees.

“This was an extention of the spiritual renewal that is gripping the church in Fostoria. This past summer we saw the salvation of three persons over the age of 55. God is still reaching people that the statistics say are unreachable. A renewed missionary zeal is gripping the ”old folk” at Trinity UB.”

10 Nov

November 10, 2010 |

Jim Woodward, a member of First UB church of Findlay, Ohio, didn’t think his city was living up to its Congressional designation as Flag City USA. So he contacted the Downtown Findlay Improvement District, which bought 186 2×5-foot flags. Woodward then joined inmates from the country jail to install the flags around town in time for Veterans Day.

WTOL ran an article about Woodward on its website, with an accompanying video. Woodward is a barber in Findlay.

04 Nov

November 4, 2010 |

Mark Wilson (right), senior pastor of Fowlerville UB (Fowlerville, Mich.).

Our Annual Trunk N Treat event grew out of a few passionate parents who wanted to offer a safe alternative to the annual Halloween activities in our community.

After 6 years of being faithful to share Christ in a creative way of loving people, God brought record numbers to our event on Sunday night, October 31. What a blessing it was to serve over 1100 people from our community.

After many positive comments and great conversations with many from our community, I also found out that we had over 100 volunteers and fed over 900 people.

We are looking forward to seeing how Christ will continue to use these simple contacts with our community.

04 Nov

November 4, 2010 |

The Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team approved these persons for ordination:

  • Warwick Fuller, Devonshire Church, Harrisburg, Pa. A date of December 12, 2010, has been set for his ordination at Devonshire, with Senior Pastor Todd Fetters and Bishop Phil Whipple. Warwick was recently selected as associate pastor of Crestview UB church in Lafayette, Ind.
  • Tim Scroggs, Eagle Quest, Columbia City, Ind. On January 30, 2011, an ordination service will be held at Eagle Quest, where Rick Pride is the senior pastor. Bishop Whipple will conduct the service.
  • Thurm Payton, Lighthouse Community, Williamson, Mich. His previous ordination was recognized by Bishop Whipple in the October 24 worship service at Lighthouse Community, where he serves as senior pastor.
  • Mary Flamer, Park Layne, Dayton, Ohio. An ordination service, with the laying on of hands, will be held at the Park Layne Church in March 2011, with Pastor Roland Albert and Bishop Whipple, to recognize Mary’s prior ordination.

Other licensing updates:

  • Gary Reiber was ordained in a service on September 19, 2010, at Union Chapel Church, Fort Wayne, Ind. Bishop Whipple officiated and the following elders participated in the service: Wayne Goldsmith, Jim Reiber, and witness Tony Roberts. Gary Reiber is senior pastor of Union Chapel.
  • Dan Van Arsdalen was appointed senior pastor at Alvordton UB, Alvordton, Ohio, effective November 1, 2010. He will receive his local license from Bishop Whipple in a service on November 21.

02 Nov

November 2, 2010 |

The Well's co-ed softball team.

Submitted by Cathy Reich, Assistant to Bishop Whipple and attender at The Well

At The Well, we waited until the final Sunday in October to make a presentation to Pastor Josh Kesler (right). According to the presenting elder, Larry Lawrence, it was to make sure he was doing a good job all month! Of course that brought a few laughs. Pastor Josh said, “And they gave it to me anyways!”

There was no announcement made as to what was in the card, but I heard Josh say, “I was pleasantly surprised and looking forward to taking my family for a little get-away sometime soon.”

Later in the day, the church’s co-ed softball team from the city league ended in third place in an injury-free tournament game. Not a bad ending to the month.