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04 Dec

December 4, 2009 |

Phl Whipple speaking to UB students visiting Huntington University

This morning (Friday, Dec. 4), Bishop Phil Whipple spoke briefly to a group of youth from United Brethren churches who were visiting Huntington University. They met in the Longaker Recital Hall in the Merillat Centre for the Arts. The students had come for the Toby Mac Winter Wonder Slam concert, held the night before at Huntington University. They represented these churches:

  • Cochranton Community (Cochranton, Pa.)
  • Pathway Community (Jackson, Mich.)
  • Jerusalem Chapel (Churchville, Va.)
  • Fowlerville UB (Fowlervile, Mich.)
  • Banner of Christ (Byron Center, Mich.)
  • Bethel UB (Elmore, Ohio)

03 Dec

December 3, 2009 |

Construction on the Delmas Church and Conference Center in Haiti

United Brethren people in Haiti have been working hard on a new church in Delmas. This facility will also serve as a national conference center. The property, located on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, was purchased by the Haitian church. The building is being constructed through the efforts of church members and local contractors using gifts from Canada and the United States. A team from the UB churches in Canada will travel to Haiti to help with the construction.

On December 13, the Delmas church will celebrate its third anniversary. While the project continues, the local church is increasing in attendance and has been baptizing people.

Last spring, we contributed $8000 through our Self-Denial Offerings. However, an additional push is needed to complete the building before the rainy season comes. Pastor Oliam Richard has been under pressure by the municipality to complete the project. Any assistance toward the total amount needed would be appreciated.

02 Dec

December 2, 2009 |

On Thursday, December 3, Bishop Phil Whipple will take part in a panel discussion on the Mid-Morning program on WBCL, a Christian radio station in Fort Wayne, Ind. He will be joined by Jerry Davis and Mike Cook, from the Huntington University graduate school, and Monte Sheets, a pastor in Fort Wayne.

The panel will talk about healthy pastors and healthy churches.  They will particularly tackle the questions, “How can pastors care for their inner life, and how can their congregations help?”

The program airs 9-10 am. You can listen over the internet.

01 Dec

December 1, 2009 |

MtZionHomecoming500

L-r: Bishop Phil Whipple, Joe Leighton (current pastor of Salen Chapel), Chuck Wheatley (former pastor), Billy Snider (special speaker)

Annette Self, Mt. Zion UB (Junction City, Ohio)
Mt. Zion UB (Junction City, Ohio) had a homecoming on October 4 with special speaker, Rev. Billy Snider. He grew up at Mt. Zion and entered the ministry in the 1950s. The day included special music in the morning and afternoon services, a dinner, several guest singers, and guests from other churches and the community. Ninety people attended in the afternoon.

The church also contributed to Franklin Graham’s Operation Christmas Child. We did 36 shoeboxes this year–an average of over one per person in Sunday attendance.

We are also once again adopting a family for Christmas and contributing to the local food pantry with 70 boxes of crackers. Each of the churches contributes something like that, and the community ministry compiles food baskets for needy people for Christmas. Salem Chapel UB usually participates in this too.

27 Nov

November 27, 2009 |

Bishop Phil Whipple reports that his wife, Sandy, had her heart catheterization, and there is no blockage. Praise the Lord! There is an irregularity with her heartbeat which can be regulated with a change in medication.

Thank you for your prayers for her.

27 Nov

November 27, 2009 |

missionshouseback_480

Global Ministries owns a small house in Huntington, Ind., where missionaries on furlough stay. It is used almost continuously.

In the spring, we’d like some exterior work done on the home, particularly repairs to the back porch and some painting. Would you or your church be able to provide the labor? Contact Jeff Bleijerveld to make plans for a team to assist with this need.

25 Nov

November 25, 2009 |

Bishop Phil Whipple and his wife, Sandy, were supposed to be on vacation this week. However, this afternoon Phil took Sandy to St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind., where she is being checked out for heart symptoms.

Sandy is scheduled for a heart catheterization. She and Bishop Phil would appreciate your prayers at this time.

25 Nov

November 25, 2009 |

Mission Team TrainingGlobal Ministries will sponsor another workshop for persons interested in leading short-term mission trips. We did four such events in 2008.

Date: February 12-13, 2010
Location: Mainstreet Church, Walbridge, Ohio
Cost: $60

This workshop is open for all persons who either will lead short-term trips in 2010 or who may be considering leading trips in the future.

Participants will receive a lot of material helpful in putting together the trip, team development, dealing with cultural differences, and much more. If your church is considering short-term mission ministry, this is a “must” event.

Jeff Bleijerveld and Donna Hollopeter will be team teaching. More information will be coming to local churches. The Global Ministries website gives the schedule, and you can download a brochure about the event. You can register and pay online.

23 Nov

November 23, 2009 |

On Sunday, November 22, Bishop Phil Whipple returned to Colwood UB (Caro, Mich.), the church he pastored for 11 years before being elected bishop in June 2009. The visit was a surprise to the congregation, but senior pastor Jonathan Herron was well aware of it.

The occasion: to present a National Conference ministerial license to Jonathan Herron. Bishop Whipple presented the license during all three morning worship services.

20 Nov

November 20, 2009 |

Two churches have have chosen to withdraw from the denomination.

  1. Reash UB (Cochranton, Pa.) withdrew effective October 31, 2009. They had an average attendance of 30 in 2008.
  2. Montgomery UB (Montgomery, Mich.) withdrew effective June 7, 2009. They merged with New Testament Ministries, Inc. to form The New Beginnings Church, Inc. Montgomery had an average attendance of 58 in 2008.