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Virginia Kopp, wife of former bishop Clarence A. Kopp, Jr., passed away Friday, January 2, 2015. She is the mother of Dan Kopp, pastor of NorthPointe UB church (Lewis Center, Ohio), and of three other children–Debra, Denise, and Dale. Bishop Kopp passed away in 2007. She has been living in Columbus, Ohio.
Funeral details will be posted when available.
Wayne Watkins, Prince Street UB church (Shippensburg, Pa.)
Christmas time is always a busy time at Prince Street, from decorating the sanctuary to our Christmas Eve services on December 24.
We do Angel Tree Ministry, which helps the children who have parents who are serving prison sentences and cannot be home with their families at Christmas time. It is an excellent opportunity to share the Christmas story with the children and present the children with a gift that is from their parent. It is wonderful to see a child’s face who realizes that their dad or mom remembered them on this special holiday.
This year our mission commission decided to help our local families. We have community meals every month reaching out to people who are lonely and need an encouraging word and support. During Christmas, one of our meals is a Christmas dinner with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and corn. We also purchased gifts for the children.
Christmas Caroling is always an exciting time. We divide into groups and go caroling to our people who are home-bound or residing in nursing homes.
Our choir presented us with a beautiful musical program on the real meaning of Christmas, and we even had a cookie contest where we had an opportunity to eat and fellowship with one another.
Children from Atlantic Avenue UB with shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse.
Loading shoeboxes at Atlantic Avenue.
Atlantic Avenue UB church (Franklin, Pa.) participated in Operation Christmas Child. They collected and sent 130 shoeboxes to Samaritan’s Purse.
Books 2 and 4 of the “Grow in His Word” materials are now available.
The Grow In His Word materials, used in discipleship by over 50 United Brethren churches, have been completely revised. Grow is written by Dennis Miller, pastor of Emmanuel UB church in Fort Wayne, Ind. Grow is used in over 50 United Brethren churches, and over the years has been used to systematically take thousands of people through the entire Bible.
There are four books, each of which has its own leader’s guide and accompanying teaching slides.
The Grow Ministries plan is a 52-week study which takes students through the Old and New Testaments in an orderly manner. Students grasp not only what happened, but in what order, with hooks and memory tools to help them remember what they learn. As believers learn about God’s Word, they gain confidence in their understanding and use of the Bible.
A student book, leader’s guide, PowerPoint and Keynote files, and audio files are all available.
Bishop Phil Whipple (right) presenting a retirement pin to Mike Arnold.
Arnold come out of what is now New Hope Community UB church in Bryan, Ohio. He began pastoring in the United Brethren church in 1984, serving four years at the Sherwood-Delaware circuit and then five years at West Windsor UB church in Dimondale, Mich. In 1993, he started a UB church in DeWitt, Mich., serving there until 1999.
Arnold graduated from Huntington University in 1986 with a degree in Bible & Religion, and received the Master of Christian Ministry from HU in 1990. He was ordained in 1990.
As you examine health insurance plans for your church staff, you might want to consider two plans offered through the United Brethren Association for Church Development, based at Rhodes Grove Camp in Chambersburg, Pa. This is our denomination’s voluntary insurance program. About 50 UB people, including the staff of the US national office in Indiana, are enrolled in the plan.
The UB Association offers two programs with Capital Blue Cross of Pennsylvania. The policies are effective December 1, 2014 through December 1, 2015.
L-r: Roger Overmyer, Bishop Phil Whipple, Amanda and Steve Henry, and Gary Small.
Bishop Phil Whipple conducting the ordination service.
Steve Henry, pastor of Victory Heights UB church (Franklin, Pa.), was ordained on Sunday, November 23. Bishop Phil Whipple conducted the ordination service, assisted by former pastor Roger Overmyer and Gary Small, pastor of the Atlantic Avenue UB church in Franklin.
Steve Henry has been pastor of Victory Heights since 2006.
Dr. Paul Michelson plans to retire from Huntington University in May 2015. He has been a history professor at HU since 1974. When he retires next year, it’ll be 41 years, one of the longest tenures of any professor in the school’s history.
“I’m going to be 70,” he said. “I think that’s probably a good time to call it a day. …. I’m still in reasonable condition. I need to get my book done before I turn completely senile.” He has written or co-edited six books. This will be his seventh.
In addition to his service at Huntington University, Dr. Michelson was a member of College Park UB church in Huntington and served 12 years on the denomination’s Executive Leadership Team, 1993-2005.
Michelson earned his Ph.D. from Indiana University, and considered positions at Taylor and LeTourneau universities before choosing HU.
“For one reason or another, this one to me looked more interesting,” he said. “I applied, they invited me up for an interview. I liked the people I met, who seemed serious but fun loving.”
He added, “For a very small school, Huntington had a lot of hard-working but first-class people – people who were here obviously for the teaching side of it and who were active in their fields.”
Michelson and Jack Barlow, the only other history professor at the time, formed a legendary team. Dr. Dwight Brautigam, who joined the team 27 years ago, said of Michelson, “He cares deeply about students and wants them to become the best Christian thinkers they can be, a pretty noble and significant goal if there ever was one. Of course, all of this comes in a package of sometimes bizarre humor.”
For more about Dr. Michelson, read this article published in the student newspaper, the Huntingtoninan.
Brian Reynolds speaking to pastors of UB churches in Ontario.
Pastors from the United Brethren Church in Canada are on a retreat this weekend in Stratford, Ontario. Guest speaker Brian F. Reynolds is challenging the group of 12 pastors to ask themselves, “What Do You Expect?” The topic, also the title of Reynolds’ book, focuses on expectations in ministry–how to manage them and work with those who have their own expectations.
Jeff Bleijerveld, Global Ministries director, is participating this week and will be providing an update on our shared missions efforts. Global Ministries is the international arm of the United Brethren in Christ in Canada and the United States. In addition to the oversight Canada provides for our ministry in Haiti, they have also taken on 50% of the support for Brian and Rachel Glunts. The Glunts, along with their three children, are preparing to join our ministry in Thailand.
Mabel Mundy (left) and Judy Dyer.
The National Office staff took Mabel out to a local Mexican restaurant for a farewell meal.
The UB National Office welcomes Judy Dyer to the staff. At the beginning of November, she began work as the new accounting clerk. She will work closely with Finance Director Marci Hammel.
Judy and her husband, Phil, have attended College Park UB church (Huntington, Ind.) since 1985. She and Phil met on a blind date, and were married in 1977. Phil works for the Norfolk & Southern railroad. They have two daughters. Natalie lives in Warren, Ind., and Marceline lives in Columbus, Ohio.
Judy grew up in Huntington and has lived here all her life. She graduated from Huntington University in 1976 with an associates degree in Business Management and Administration. In 2002, she received a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Judy has worked in a variety of finance-related positions. She has managed two credit unions, worked for a nonprofit senior center, and worked in accounting for over 15 years. She brings a lot of experience and expertise to the position.
Judy takes the place of Mabel Mundy, who had served at the national office since 1987. At age 74, she decided it was time to retire. She and her husband, Bill, live outside of Huntington.
For 16 years, she was executive secretary in Global Ministries, and worked for three different persons—Bishop Jerry Datema (until 1993), Global Ministries director Kyle McQuillen (1993-2001), and then Global Ministries director Gary Dilley (2001-2003). In June 2003, Mabel switched to a different role, as accounting clerk.
We are grateful for Mabel’s 27 years of service in the national office. She was extremely dedicated, tireless, selfless, and just a very very nice person to be around.
