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26 Nov

November 26, 2008 |

George Rhodifer sent this update on his condition.

“My doctor told me she is satisfied with my recovery from my blood infection and that she did not see any reason at this time to consider any more Chemo treatments unless my condition changes. She is going to monitor me and see how I do. She will tell me more when I meet with her December 2. She told my daughter that I beat the odds, because I should not be here. With my will to live and my faith in God, I may just go on beating the odds.”

George is pastor of Olivet Church in New Lebanon, Ohio. In early September, he was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer and given three months to live.

25 Nov

November 25, 2008 |

Emmanuel Community Church is hosting a free concert featuring rock band Attaboy and indie-rock newcomer The Fabulous at 7 p.m. on December 5.

Three of the four members of Attaboy, a Huntington-based alternative rock group, are graduates of Huntington University. Vocalist/keyboardist Amos Caley, who holds a degree in Bible and Religion, is the son of UB pastor J.
Michael Caley (Banner of Christ UB, Byron Center, Mich.).

The concert is open to the public and is sponsored by Huntington University, Remedy.fm, and Emmanuel Community Church Student Ministries.

24 Nov

November 24, 2008 |

Marie Mellott passed away Sunday evening, November 23. She was the widow of Rev. O. Guy Mellott, who pastored the Heidlersburg UB church (Heidlersburg, Pa.) for over 20 years. For a short time, both Marie and Guy pastored the Mt. Olivet UB church in Aspers, Pa.

Memorial Service: Saturday, November 29. 10:15 – noon.
Location: Heidlersburg UB church, 2725 Heidlersburg Road, Gettysburg, Pa.
Viewing: 9 a.m. Saturday, November 29 (prior to the memorial service)
Officiating: Revs. Dan Summers and Phil Byers.

Condolences can be sent to the entire family at this address:

Mr. and Mrs. Darren (Beth) Mellott
198 Fickel Hill Road
Gardners, PA 17324

24 Nov

November 24, 2008 |

UBAttendances_500.jpg
(Click on the chart for a larger view.)

Ron Ramsey, Bishop
This chart shows the average attendance in United Brethren churches since 1960. In the United States (the blue lines), we climbed to a high point in the mid-1970s, fell to a low point in the mid-1980s, then gradually grew back to a new high in 2004. What does it all mean?

The sharp decline after 2004 no doubt relates to our efforts to join the Missionary Church, and the aftermath (when a number of churches withdrew). But it looks like we have stopped the hemorrhage, and are growing again (albeit with a smaller number of churches).

Notice the green line, too–the worldwide attendance. Although the United States attendance hasn’t grown very much, the overseas work has done well. And most of our overseas churches are an outgrowth of the US churches.

The ups and downs in charts like this are open to lots of interpretation. Factors such as leadership, emphases, generational changes, and demographics can all play a role. We welcome your own interpretations. Leave a comment.

19 Nov

November 19, 2008 |

Ron Ramsey, Bishop
I have been around people who have the gift of leadership. It is apparent. When they enter a room, they just sort of take over, even though they might not be in charge of the meeting.

What if I have been elected, appointed, or drafted into an area of leadership? Does that mean I can do it? I believe so, and here’s why.

Even though I lack the spiritual gift of leadership, I can learn to act in the ways of a leader. No, that doesn’t mean you’re being a hypocrite. After all, I can share my faith with nonbelievers without being endowed with the spiritual gift of evangelism. I can help people in need without possessing the spiritual gift of mercy.
(more…)

18 Nov

November 18, 2008 |

Ron Ramsey, Bishop
I talk about leadership frequently as I represent the United Brethren church. When I interact with other denominational leaders, we collectively acknowledge that spiritual leadership is probably our number one problem.

If you check with the local Christian bookstore, you will find numerous leadership how-to books. Go to any Barnes & Noble and look at all their titles about leadership.

I recently flew to an engagement. The free magazine in the seat-back pocket contained several ads for books, CDs, DVDs, and college courses on the subject of leadership. Often, the instructors were people I recognized as having a reputation for leadership.
(more…)

17 Nov

November 17, 2008 |

Huntington University and Ivy Tech Community College have signed an agreement that will streamline the process for students transferring from Ivy Tech’s Associate of Science in business administration program to Huntington’s Bachelor of Science in business administration program.

Students may transfer into any of the bachelor’s degree programs offered through Huntington’s EXCEL program, including business administration, accounting, human resource management and not-for-profit leadership. The agreement is in effect for courses taken beginning in the fall of 2008. More.

17 Nov

November 17, 2008 |

The online Mineral Daily News-Tribune has an article called “Operation Christmas Child Begins.” It tells about Fountain United Brethren church, pastored by Daryl Elliott, which is again serving as a collection point for Samaritan Purse’s Christmas Child program. Last year, over 8300 shoeboxes were shipped from Fountain. Sox local “relay centers” (four of them churches) feed shoeboxes to Fountain. This year’s goal is 8500 shoeboxes.

14 Nov

November 14, 2008 |

The final Mission Team Training event starts today in Lancaster, Ohio. We’ve held four of these two-day events, one each month since August 22.

Altogether, about 40 people have attended. That’s a good number of potential mission-team leaders.