(260) 356-2312

UB.orgUBGlobal.orgChurch Search

23 Feb

February 23, 2010 |

We made some changes in the cluster system, which is our primary structure for pastoral training and accountability. One change involves staffpersons.

Previously, we required all licensed ministers–senior pastors and staffpersons–to attend monthly cluster meetings. In some cases, staffpersons attended the same cluster as the senior pastor. In other cases, staffpersons attended a cluster with other persons in their area of specialty–a youth cluster, a pastoral care cluster, a cluster for music ministers, etc.

Now, we only require that senior pastors attend cluster meetings. But we don’t want to neglect training for staffpersons.

As a substitute for staffpersons, we are holding four “summits” in the coming months. These are two-day events designed for ministers in specific areas of specialization.

April 26-30: UB Youth Workers Summit. This annual meeting goes back a number of years. It is not limited to staffpersons. Rather, UB churches are invited to send their “lead” youth worker, whether on the payroll or not.

May 6-8: Worship Summit. This new event is designed for staffpersons who focus on areas related to worship and music.

May 17-19: Children’s Ministry Leaders Summit. This new event is for persons who specialize in working with children. Again, it is not limited to staffpersons. As with the Youth Workers Summit, it’s limited to your “lead” children’s worker.

May 18-20: Warmth Summit. This new event is for staffpersons whose ministry involves such issues as spiritual care, visitation, and assimilation.

As bishop, I encourage churches and pastors to make sure their staffpersons are able to attend one of these summits if it is in their area of specialization.

22 Feb

February 22, 2010 |

Darlene Burkett’s father, Max Conner, passed away Saturday night, February 20. Darlene is the administrative assistant in Global Ministries. Darlene and her husband, Phil, now Minister of Music and Worship at College Park Church (Huntington, Ind.), were one of the founding couples of the missionary work in Macau.

Funeral arrangements:

Visitation: 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm Tuesday, February 23; and one hour before the funeral on Wednesday.
Funeral: 11 am Wednesday, February 24.
Visitation and funeral location: Smith & Son Funeral Home, 207 North Main Street, Columbia City, Ind.

Max is survived by his wife, Sue; Darlene (their only child); and two grandchildren. He and Sue have been members of College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind.

22 Feb

February 22, 2010 |

Sylvester Martin, 90, passed away Friday, February 19, in Decatur, Ind. He pastored a number of United Brethren churches during his career in the ministry, stretching back to 1940.

1940-1941: Celina, Ohio.
1941-1945: Rockford, Ohio.
1946-1951: Zanesville, Ind. (his home church)
1951-1958: Park UB, Bluffton, Ind.
1958-1961: Cincinnati, Ohio.
1961-1984: First UB, Decatur, Ind.

Sylvester and his wife, Marcile, retired in 1984. He is survived by Marcile, who lives in Decatur, 2 sons, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

The funeral arrangements are:

Visitation Times: 6-8 pm Monday, February 22, and 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Tuesday, February 23.
Visitation Location: the Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, Ind.
Funeral: 10:30 am Wednesday, February 24
Funeral Location: Cornerstone Community Church, Decatur, Ind.

19 Feb

February 19, 2010 |

Lori Ann Gossert, from Mt. Pleasant UB (Chambersburg, Pa.), writes:

“We’re trying to get a Young Adult ministry started at Mt. Pleasant Church and I am trying to find some information on what might already be out there–especially in other UB churches. ‘Young Adults’ is a group that tends to be excluded in the church, leaving after graduating high school and only sometimes returning after they start having kids.

“I went through all the UB websites and found only a handful of references to Young Adults, mostly Sunday school classes or small groups. I am wondering what some of our churches offer for Young Adults (generally 18-35) in their churches. ”

How about it? What is your church doing to minister to Young Adults in the 18-35 age range? Leave a comment here, or send an email to Lori.

18 Feb

February 18, 2010 |

The Huntington University Board of Trustees approved the following cost increases for 2010-2011.

  • Tuition and fees: $22,330 (up 4.9%, or $1,040)
  • Room and board: $7,430 (up 3.5%, or $250)

Those costs apply to fulltime traditional undergraduate students. By comparison, tuition and fees at four-year public colleges rose by an average of 6.5 percent last year, according to The College Board.

“In light of the current economy, Huntington has worked diligently to moderate any increases in tuition and fees. We want to keep college affordable for students and their families,” said Tom Ayers (right), vice president for business and finance.

“This year, we strategically increased scholarships and grants for students to help offset declining state aid. Our goal is to give students and their families more value for their higher education dollar.”

For the current academic year, Huntington University’s price of $21,290 for tuition and fees is $4,983 less than the national average for private colleges and universities.

Huntington University enrolled a record 1,297 students last fall, a 7 percent increase over the previous year.

18 Feb

February 18, 2010 |

Marvin Schwartz (right), pastor of New Horizons UB (Rockford, Ohio), had surgery yesterday (February 17) at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Ind. He had a serious infection around his artificial hip. The hardware had to be removed until the infection is eliminated. That’s what yesterday’s surgery was about.

Marvin will remain at St. Vincent’s for 7-10 days. The doctor gave him a 90-95 percent “heal rate.”

18 Feb

February 18, 2010 |

We prepared a flyer which you can distribute to your congregation on Sunday. This 8.5-by-11 document includes information about:

  • 3 upcoming UB mission trips–to Honduras, Spain, and Germany. Perhaps people in your congregation will be interested in participating on one of these trips.
  • The September UB Women’s Conference.
  • Isaac Stevenson, a six-year-old UB boy who raised over $450 for Haiti. It’s an inspiring story.

Just download the flyer (it’s a PDF document) and print as many copies as you need for your congregation. You can also use the information in other church publications (bulletins, newsletters, etc.).

18 Feb

February 18, 2010 |

Over 200 kids of all ages attended a Super Bowl Party at Hillsdale UB Church (Hillsdale, Mich.). In addition to watching the game on one of the big-screen TVs scattered around the church, the kids could:

  • Burn off energy in an inflatable bounce house.
  • Play 3-on-3 basketball.
  • Challenge each other in Rock Band.
  • Play ping pong and pool.

At halftime, everyone gathered in the gymnasium for an interactive game.

The youth and adult supervisors were from the Hillsdale Youth Network, which consists of the local Young Life group plus five area churches–the Hillsdale and Lakeview United Brethren churches, the Hillsdale Free Methodist and Assembly of God churches, and El Bethel Church.

The Super Bowl Party is one of two events the Hillsdale Youth Network organizes each year. The events are funded by donations from the churches and community.

Michelle Vigil, Hillsdale’s youth pastor, says, “It’s a real group effort to make it happen.”

16 Feb

February 16, 2010 |

Sandy Whipple, wife of Bishop Phil Whipple, fell on ice this afternoon and broke both bones in her wrist. She will have surgery around 5 p.m. tonight (Tuesday, Feb. 16). Please keep her in your prayers. She and Phil were scheduled on Friday for a two-week trip to Israel.

16 Feb

February 16, 2010 |

George Rhodifer, pastor of Olivet UB Church (New Lebanon, Ohio) is in Veterans Administration hospital in Dayton, Ohio. He was having some gall bladder difficulties, but is doing well and is expected to be released today. This report comes from Roland Albert, pastor of the nearby Park Layne UB church. Please keep George in your prayers.