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06 May

May 6, 2015 |

A full slate of exciting workshops is schedule for Friday morning of National Conference. They include several workshops which tackle important current issues, getting beyond political rhetoric to at least begin a conversation for United Brethren on these issues.

Who is My Neighbor? A Christian Discussion on Immigration. Matthew Soerens of World Relief specializes in helping churches understand the complexities of immigration from a biblical perspective. Matthew will take a step back from the political rhetoric to examine immigration issues from the perspective of Scripture,. He will address common concerns about immigration issues and provide practical ideas for how churches can respond to the opportunities presented by the arrival of immigrants into our country.

The Church, Same-Sex Attraction, and Homosexuality. How does the church uphold biblical values without alienating those we are trying to reach? How do we respond as individuals and churches? Persons struggling with SSA and homosexuality are people with souls, loved by God and searching for their place in God’s family. This workshop looks at what the Bible says about SSA and homosexuality, attempts to understand their struggles, and considers how the local church can respond with grace, compassion, and truth. The workshop will be led by Robert Bruce, associate pastor of Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.).

Transitioning to Multiethnic Ministry. It’s rightly been said that despite the progress that has been made toward racial integration, Sunday morning at 11:00 is still the most segregated hour of the week. Dr. Wayne Schmidt, our keynote speaker, intentionally moved his church from being a predominantly white congregation to one with a 30%+ minority/ethnic constituency. This workshop will share the principles and practices that helped get them there, and what they encountered along the way.

06 May

May 6, 2015 |
L-r: Luke, Todd, and Brooks Fetters.

L-r: Luke, Todd, and Brooks Fetters.

Congratulations to Brooks Fetters, the current mayor of Huntington, Ind., who last night won the Republican primary against three opponents as he seeks a second four-year term. Pictured are Brooks (right) with his two brothers, Luke (a professor at Huntington University), and Todd (UB director of National Ministries). All three are ordained United Brethren ministers.

05 May

May 5, 2015 |

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For the fifth year, the Findlay First United Brethren Church (Findlay, Ohio) honored a correction’s officer from the Hancock County Jail during a Sunday morning worship service. The person was selected by their peers for their attitude and desire to impact the lives of the inmates in a positive way.

This year’s presentation occurred during the second service at Findlay First and resulted. Also in the attendance were the county sheriff, jail administrator, receipts supervisor, and family members.

This is one way of saying thank you to the sheriff’s department for allowing the church to have a Bible study every Thursday night in the jail’s library.

Also, Pastor Darwin Dunten (right), who is a chaplain of the jail, had been joking with the sheriff for years about getting a gun since he was a “special deputy.” This year, the sheriff presented Pastor Dunten with his official gun during the CO award service. It was orange and shot caps.

On May 17, Findlay First will start a Tuesday night Bible study for inmates who have been released. This came as a result of the inmates’ desire to continue to study God’s Word.

01 May

May 1, 2015 |
Shoppers perusing the various items for sale inside the Activity Center.

Shoppers perusing the various items for sale inside the Activity Center.

A line formed between the Activity Center and the church building, waiting for the sale to begin at 9 am on the opening day of the sale.

A line formed between the Activity Center and the church building, waiting for the sale to begin at 9 am on the opening day of the sale.

Teens of Hillsdale United Brethren Church (Hillsdale, Mich.) will go on two mission trips this summer. One team will travel to Washington, D.C., June 13-20. The other team will travel to Mexico July 4-11.

To pay for the expenses for these two trips (about $35,000), a number of fundraising activities have been held this year. The rummage sale held April 30 – May 2 in the newly-renovated HUB Activity Center has now put them over the top, so both mission trips are fully funded.

01 May

May 1, 2015 |

pump-inside

Working on the pump at Regent College of the Caribbean in Mandeville, Jamaica.

Working on the pump at Regent College of the Caribbean in Mandeville, Jamaica.

Rev. Ron Cook (right), Chambersburg, Pa.

The mission team of Salem UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.) asked me to go along with them to Jamaica January 24 through February 3 to help with the dining hall project at Regent College in Mandeville. They asked me to hold a Bible study each morning with them, and also to preach on January 25 at the Salem Church in Jamaica.

When I knew that I was going with the team, the Reflections Sunday school class at King Street wanted to help me with the cost of the trip. They took an offering for two weeks in December, and they gave me far more than the cost of the trip. The remainder was used to purchase materials for the team to work on the dining hall.

I emailed Dwight Kuntz prior to going to Jamaica about some plumbing issues at the college, which he talked to me about two years ago when I went along with Salem team to Jamaica. He told me that the plumbing issues still existed and needed attention.

I asked the New Life Sunday school class at King Street, which I teach once a month, if they would be willing to give some money toward the plumbing costs. They took an offering and gave me a check on January 18 for $900. With that money, I was able to purchase materials in Mandeville hardware store for the various plumbing projects.

One issue was changing the water pump for the campus from a very small area to inside the building beside it. We moved the pump from the small enclosure to the inside of the building, where there is plenty of space around the pump and it can be secured adequately (pumps had been stolen two times). The window was enclosed and bars placed on both window and door.

In addition to changing the pump, there were plumbing issues in commodes, showers, and sinks in almost every bathroom. I was able to fix many of these problems so that they worked adequately. There are still plumbing issues that will need to be addressed next year when I return on a mission trip.

I was able to help the mission team, when not doing plumbing, to get work done on the dining hall. There is still much work to be done over the next several years. There are walls that need to be erected, plumbing and electrical work, concreting of the floor, and steel beams to be placed.

There are two critical needs for this work to be completed: work teams to go to Mandeville, and finances to purchase the materials. I am certain that Dwight Kuntz, who is overseeing this project, would appreciate help in both of these areas. If you are interested, contact Donna Hollopeter in Global Ministries.

01 May

May 1, 2015 |

In preparation for National Conference this summer, Bishop Phil Whipple will hold regional meetings in three locations during May. These will provide an opportunity for people to give feedback on some proposals which will come before the national conference. We held such meetings before the 2013 National Conference, and they proved helpful.

In addition, there will be updates from ministries of the national office, and updates related to Huntington University.

Anyone may attend, but pastors and lay delegates are especially encouraged to attend.

Monday, May 11: Chambersburg, Pa.
Time: 9 am – 3 pm
Location: Rhodes Grove Campground

This event will be held in conjunction with a UB Ministry Resource Day. The time with the bishop will occur in the morning. After lunch in the camp cafeteria, there will be an update on a new Pennsylvania law regarding screening, supervising, and reporting procedures. ALL Pennsylvania churches are encouraged to attend.

Monday, May 18: Sunfield, Mich.
Time: 9 am – noon.
Location: Sunfield UB church.

Tuesday, May 19: Willshire, Ohio
Time: 1 – 4 pm
Location: Praise Point UB church.

24 Apr

April 24, 2015 |

A United Brethren Ministry Resource Day will be eld May 11 at Rhodes Grove Camp in Chambersburg, Pa. It is designed for pastors and church leaders. Time: 9am – 3 pm.

Here is what will happen.
From 9am – noon, Bishop Phil Whipple and Todd Fetters, Director of National Ministries will offer:

  • Updates from the UB National Office.
  • Updates related to Huntington University.
  • Opportunities to learn about and discuss proposals for revising the UB Discipline which will be voted on at this summer’s US National Conference.

Lunch will be served from noon to 1pm.

From 1-3pm, the focus will be on new Pennsylvania laws that take effect on July 1, 2015, regarding child protection, background checks, and mandated reporting. The resource person will be Jim Bower, Jr., of James O. Bower Insurance Agency representing Brotherhood Mutual. He will help churches understand the new requirements in the Child Protection Service Law.

Please RSVP to Carrie 717-375-4162.

21 Apr

April 21, 2015 |

The United Brethren History Course is a requirement for ministerial licensing in the United Brethren denomination. However, people who just want to learn more about United Brethren history are free to take the course. The course is held periodically in regional settings.

Two dates and locations are available in May 2015.

Akron, Ohio (Two Days)

Date: May 4-5, 2015 (Monday and Tuesday)
Time: 9 am – 4 pm each day
Location: Holiday In Express & Suites Airport, Akron, Ohio
Address: 898 Arlington Ridge East, Akron, OH 44512
Instructor: Daryl Elliott, senior pastor of Fountain UB church (Keyser, W. Va.).

Fort Wayne, Ind. (One Day)

Date: May 20, 2015 (Wednesday)
Time: 8 am – 5 pm
Location: Emmanuel Community Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Address: 12222 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46814
Instructor: Bob Bruce, associate pastor of Emmanuel Community Church.

Registration

  • $200, if you are seeking a ministerial license. There is a $50 discount if you pay fully in advance of the class, making your cost just $150.
  • $100 for everyone else.

Register on the UB Website.

Trials and Triumphs Book

In addition to the registration fee, you will need a copy of “Trials and Triumphs,” a history of the United Brethren church. ($14.95 for the book, $5.75 shipping for US, $12.95 international). You can order a copy for $20.70 from the national office. Or, stop by the office and pick up a copy, to save shipping. You MUST have a copy of the book for the class. Order a copy from Church Services by calling toll-free: 888-622-3019, ext 301.

20 Apr

April 20, 2015 |

Scott Graham (right), senior pastor, Good Shepherd UB (Greenfield, Ohio)

The roof at Good Shepherd UB desperately needs to be replaced. Over 20 years of storms and deterioration have taken a toll, and shingles are peeling off. It won’t be long until it starts leaking.

Members of the church’s facilities team have received bids to replace the roof. The church needs $16,500 and it’s not in the bank. The church had discussed and prayed about the need, and $9700 has been received over the past year through small gifts.

Instead of going through a long capital campaign to raise the rest of the funds, the church decided to receive one special offering, trusting God to provide.

For about six weeks, we shared the Raise the Roof special offering. We asked the congregation to prayerfully consider a sacrificial gift over and above their tithes.

On Sunday, April 19, we received the offering. The one-time special offering was $6,815, which brought the roof total to $16,515—nearly exactly what was needed!

20 Apr

April 20, 2015 |
Ray Hilbert

Ray Hilbert

Ray Hilbert, CEO of Truth@Work, will be the keynote speaker at Huntington University’s 117th Commencement on Saturday, May 16. That day, the university will award master’s, bachelor’s and associate degrees to 285 graduates.

Huntington will honor graduates in the fieldhouse of the Merillat Complex at 2:30 p.m. The graduate hooding ceremony will take place at College Park Church at 10:15 a.m.

Ray Hilbert is the CEO and co-founder of Truth@Work, a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Indianapolis, Ind., which he co-founded in 1998. Through its monthly roundtable groups, Truth@Work equips Christian business owners and leaders in building their organizations on proven biblical principles, while integrating their faith into their daily operations.

Truth@Work is one of America’s fastest growing marketplace ministries, with nearly 700 participating members in 25 chapters across the country.

As CEO of Truth@Work, Hilbert has coached more than 500 business owners/executives in a wide variety of industries (both public and private companies). His faith-based approach covers such areas as hiring, firing, marketing, personal integrity, and organizational development.

His 20007 book “The Janitor – How an Unexpected Friendship Transformed a CEO and his company,” has been published in six languages, and is an international bestseller with more than 1 million copies sold worldwide. The book features the story of a young CEO mentored by a wise old janitor who teaches the struggling young business executive the true definition of success and business.

Previously, Hilbert was a regional director for Promise Keepers, where he facilitated large conferences and developed training programs for churches and other ministries. He has co-founded an inner-city church and food pantry and worked with some of America’s top corporations in sales and marketing.

Hilbert holds degrees from Anderson and Taylor universities. While in college, he played for the traveling Athletes-in-Action baseball team.