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25 Jun

June 25, 2015 |

Rev. Burton M. Lange, 82, of Chambersburg, Pa., passed away Monday morning, June 22, 2015, after an extended illness. He was a pastor, radio personality, entertainer, and extraordinary Gospel pianist.

Burt served 58 years as a United Brethren pastor–in Kansas, Indiana, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. At the time of his death, he was visitation pastor at Salem UB church in Chambersburg, Pa. He was also a long-time radio personality on WKSL radio as well as Christian station WNLR in Virginia. Burt was known as a pianist and entertainer, providing piano comedy programs to many civic and church groups.

For a number of years, he traveled extensively as the piano accompanist for singer Tony Fontane, as well as for other Christian singers.

Burt Lange was born in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1932, but shortly thereafter his family moved to Peoria, Ill., where he grew up. He was a member of First UB church in Peoria. He entered Huntington University in 1950, where he majored in music and graduated in 1954. He and Esther were married in August of that year. He then studied for the ministry, graduating from the Huntington seminary in 1957.

In 1957, the Langes relocated to Kansas, pastoring the UB church in Abilene for one year followed by four years at the church in Colby. He was ordained in 1960.

In 1962, they returned to Indiana, where Burt pastored a Methodist circuit in Mt. Etna for two years. Then he moved east in 1964 to resume pastoring United Brethren churches:

  • 1964-1968: the UB church in Rohresville, Md.
  • 1977-1981: Jerusalem Chapel in Churchville, Va.
  • 1983-1987: Mt. Olivet UB church in Mt. Solon, Va.
  • 1988-1998: Mt. Olivet UB church in Aspers, Pa.
  • 2002-2009: Cold Springs UB church in Fayetteville, Pa.

Burton Lange is survived by his wife of 60 years, Esther, and his two sons, Roger and Jerry.

Memorial services will be held June 26 and 27 in different locations. In both, the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Memorial service time: 11am Friday, June 26.
Service location: Salem United Brethren Church, 4349 Letterkenny Road, Chambersburg, PA 17201. Senior pastor Art Page will officiate.

Memorial service time: 11am Saturday, June 27.
Service location: Bunker Hill E.C. Church, Bunker Hill, PA.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be sent to Salem United Brethren Church.

22 Jun

June 22, 2015 |

Rev. Burton Lange, who spent 40 years pastoring United Brethren churches in Pennsylvania and Virginia, passed away Monday, June 22, 2015. Since 2010, he had served on staff as visitation pastor at Salem UB church in Chambersburg, Pa.

Funeral arrangements are still being made.

Rev. Lange was well-known as an outstanding pianist. He accompanied Tony Fontaine on many of his gospel tours in the 1960s and 1970s, including performing at the White House. Every year at Pennsylvania annual conference, he would entertain people with his playing and his amazing wit.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Esther, and sons Roger and Jerry.

22 Jun

June 22, 2015 |

Todd Fetters, Director of National Ministries

Our practice since 2007 has been to go light on conference business every other year. We handled over 20 proposals in 2013, but this year is the “off” year. However, the docket has been filled with 13 proposals, some of which may generate considerable discussion.

We posted the Rules & Procedures for the upcoming US National Conference. The first order of business will be to officially adopt these rules.

Please note rule 17, which states, “Any item of business, petition, or Discipline revision proposal must be submitted to the Bishop’s Office no later than Wednesday, July 1, 2015.”

Report 41, “Proposals,” contains the official list of proposals which will go before the delegates. Any proposals you wish to have included in Report 41 must reach the Bishop’s Office by July 1. The final version of Report 41 will be posted on July 3.

Of course, parliamentary procedure allows for setting aside Rule 17 to consider new proposals from the floor. Any delegates wanting to do this will need to take responsibility for duplicating the proposal for all 300+ delegates.

Most reports, along with all of the proposals submitted thus far, have been posted on the conference website. You can view them online or download them as PDF files.

17 Jun

June 17, 2015 |

Middle East expert Dr. Mark Fairchild, Professor of Bible at Huntington University, will lead this unique trip through Israel and Turkey. He will be accompanied by HU President Sherilyn Emberton and Vince Haupert, vice president for advancement.

Date: October 27 – November 7, 2015.

Registrations are needed by July 1, and space is limited. If you’re interested in taking part in this tour, reserve your spot now.

“I have had the pleasure of being in Israel in the last few years and loved my time there,” Emberton said. “I look forward to traveling with such a wonderful leader and teacher as Dr. Fairchild.”

The tour will take place from October 27 to November 7. During that time, participants will visit multiple sites throughout the Holy Land, including Ephesus, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, and Jerusalem.

Fairchild, who discovered the oldest known synagogue, has explored many sites in Turkey and will serve as the trip guide.

“When people visit the Holy Lands (Israel and Turkey), we begin to understand how life was really lived back then,” says Fairchild. “There are hundreds of insights that people gain from a trip to the Holy Lands with the result that we deepen our appreciation for the forefathers of our faith and we deepen our commitment to our Lord. I almost never see students or adults return from a trip like this without experiencing a profound change in their lives.”

The trip is $3,990 per person, including international airfare (leaving from Chicago) and hotel stay.

08 Jun

June 8, 2015 |

We appreciate the work of our cluster leaders. In addition to leading the regular cluster meetings with their group of pastors, they are also called upon to interact with the churches in their clusters in various ways.

We recently had four changes of cluster leaders:

  • Dan Van Arsdalen, senior pastor of Alvordton UB church (Alvordton, Ohio), is now leading the cluster around Camden, Mich. Todd Fetters, director of National Ministries, had been leading this cluster.
  • Greg Voight, pastor of Lancaster UB church (Lancaster, Ohio), is the new leader of the Columbus (Ohio) cluster. Mike Brown, senior pastor of Franklin UB church (New Albany, Ohio), had been leading that cluster.
  • Steve Henry, senior pastor of Victory Heights UB church (Franklin, Pa.), is the new leader of the Franklin cluster. The previous leader was Steve Clulow, senior pastor of Cochranton UB church (Cochranton, Pa.).
  • Darrel Bosworth is now leading the Grand Rapids (Michigan) cluster. He is pastor of Kilpatrick UB church (Woodland, Mich.). He replaces Randy Carpenter, senior pastor of Sunfield UB church (Sunfield, Mich.).

In addition, nobody is currently leading the Midwest cluster (Kansas and Missouri). Micheal Dean, the previous leader, is no longer pastoring the Sabetha, Kansas, church.

The UB website has a list of all clusters and their leaders.

29 May

May 29, 2015 |

The Bishop’s Office is sponsoring a luncheon at noon on Friday for retired ministers and missionaries, and their spouses. Thus far, 25 people have signed up.

The speaker will be Dr. Michael Wanous, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty at Huntington University. As Dean, Dr. Wanous supervises faculty, plans and operates academic programs, and oversees the library, student registration, and academic facilities. He is responsible for creating, updating, and overseeing the academic strategic plan for HU as well as providing leadership for assessment, accreditation, curriculum development, faculty development, faith-learning integration, and the use of educational technology.

Dr. Wanous holds a Ph.D. in genetics from the University of Missouri, a Master of Science degree in plant breeding from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy and international agriculture from the University of Minnesota.

Prior to his work at Huntington, he served at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He chaired the natural science division and biology department, in addition to teaching biology and genetics classes. He then became associate academic dean at Augustana, the position he held before coming to HU.

His research efforts have focused on plant molecular cytogenetics and gene expression. Dr. Wanous spent a sabbatical in Norwich, United Kingdom, working at the John Innes Centre, an independent, international center focusing on plant science and microbiology. He also served as President of the South Dakota Academy of Science.

22 May

May 22, 2015 |

fred-scroggsFred P. Scroggs, 95, of Columbia City, Ind., died Wednesday, May 20, 2015. He was the father of Tim Scroggs, senior pastor of Eagle Quest UB church in Columbia City.

Visitation: Noon – 3pm Saturday, May 23, 2015.
Funeral: 3pm Saturday, May 23.
Visitation and funeral location: Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, Ind. 46725. The burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, in Huntertown, Ind.

Condolences can be sent to Pastor Tim Scroggs at:

Timothy E. Scroggs
1120 N SR 109
Columbia City, IN 46725

21 May

May 21, 2015 |

Steve Dennie, Communications Director

United Brethren churches need to know about Clear Elevation, a high quality design firm co-owned by Huntington University. They set up a page just for UB churches.

Need a new website? A professional logo? A nice brochure or bulletin? A church video? A Facebook page? Consider Clear Elevation. They are good–very good. They operate from a Christ-centered philosophy. And a cut of the profits goes to support Huntington University, our denomination’s college.

clearelevation600Clear Elevation began in 2013 as the first HU Venture, a for-profit subsidiary of Huntington University. The managing partners are Nate and Julie Reusser, both of whom attended Huntington University. They also head Reusser Design, a web development agency which has seen dramatic growth during its 10+ years in the industry.

With Clear Elevation, the Reussers are excited to help small business owners and nonprofits with their various creative needs–websites, social media, graphic design, illustration, etc. Clear Elevation strives to generate high-quality, quick-turnaround projects for lower costs.

You can see examples of their work on their website. Contact them for a quote. It may or may not fit your budget, but at least get them on your radar. Account exec Amy Mattox will be happy to talk to you about what they can do.

21 May

May 21, 2015 |

NoReena Elizabeth Eagle, 69, passed away on May 17, 2015, in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. She was the wife of Rev. George Eagle, senior pastor of the Harrison UB church in Harrison, Mich.

Viewing time: 1:30 – 4:30 pm Sunday, May 31, 2015.
Funeral time: 1:30 Sunday, May 31, 2015.
Funeral and viewing location: Eagle Church of God, 7087 East Dover Road, Clare, MI 48617.

21 May

May 21, 2015 |

Did you know there are more people learning English as a new language than there are people who speak English as their first language?

For many churches, teaching English to internationals is an exploding ministry opportunity. Many Christians want training to provide this English teaching, but don’t know where to turn.

Huntington University’s Institute for TESOL Studies is a place to turn. Specifically, July 20 – August 7, 2015.

You can earn certification to teach English as a foreign language in just three weeks, beginning on July 20. Join HU for this affordable and convenient intensive course on TESOL methodology, training, and practice.

For more details, contact Shoshannah McKinney by email or by calling 260-359-4296.