30 Aug Flooding in Findlay, Ohio

National news reports told of the recent flooding in Findlay, Ohio. Darwin Dunten, pastor of First UB church in Findlay, reports that one-third of his parishioners were affected by the flooding. In addition, the church basement was flooded with sewer water. The church’s resources are going primarily toward helping people from the church.

Churches have been inquiring about ways they can help. Instead of trying to coordinate things through the church, Pastor Dunten is pointing everyone to the United Way, which can coordinate on a much larger scale. If you’d like to help, you can call the United Way at: (419) 423-1432.

Pastor Dunten says the Mormon Church has mobilized an estimated 500 people to assist in the recovery. An official has pointed to the Mormons as the key to the city’s recovery. Hmmm.

People from several United Brethren churches are responding. A group from Monticello UB (Spencerville, Ohio) is going up to help, and several other UB churches have inquired. Pastor Dunten has also been been encouraged by the response from other UB churches in Findlay’s cluster.

First UB church can be used as a staging area for anyone who wants to come help. Call the church at: (419) 422-9398. You can also email Darwin at [email protected].

06 Aug Dillman UB Performs Patriotic Musical

Linda Walters from Dillman UB church (Warren, Ind.) sent this news item.
The Dillman Community Choir presented the musical “Liberty” at the College Park UB church on Sunday, July 8. The program was a patrotic tribute to God and country. The musical contained songs that made you laugh out loud and also songs that made you cry.

The program began with flag carriers bringing in both the American and the Christian flags, followed by the veterans who were not all able to walk on their own. There were many solos and duets and just great music by the 33-member choir. We sang of Yankee Doodle and Dixieland. The all-men Joy Choir of Dillman sang the Statue of Liberty, by Neil Enloe. The narration spoke of good times in our country and of bad. When the song God Bless the USA was sang, the participation of the audience was electric.

Of course one of our favorite parts of the program was when we had the salute to the Armed Forces. The military men in uniform were breathtaking. The final song was ” Pledge My Allegiance,” which included the choir, children, the veterans, the flag carriers, the military, and a fireman and a policeman. God truly blessed our program that evening. We at Dillman want to thank College Park for sharing their sanctuary with us.

13 Jul Death of Mildred Griffin

Mildred Griffin from Avlon UB church (Bremen, Ohio) passed away July 11. She was the mother of Jane Baker, who served as a missionary in Sierra Leone with her husband, Dr. Ron Baker. Mildred was well-known in the old Scioto Conference. She spent her latter years in a care facility in California.

10 Jul Faith and Freedom Sunday

On Sunday, July 1, Franklin UB church (New Albany, Ohio) held its third annual Faith & Freedom Sunday. The purpose is to give thanks to God and recognize local citizens who have gone above and beyond the ordinary to support their country. It is also a time of recognition of the church’s military veteran as America’s birthday is celebrated.

This year an award of appreciation was given to members of Lima Company. Lima Company is a Columbus, Ohio, based Marine reserve infantry unit that was called to duty in the spring of 2005. In a period of just two months, 23 men were killed in action, and most of others in the unit were injured. The subject of a book, a movie, and national news, Lima Company came home in September 2005; many of the men carried scars that will last a lifetime.

Special invitations were sent out to area politicians, Proclamations and recognition were received from the offices of the Ohio governor and Columbus mayor, and an aide to Senator George Voinivich attended, along with many other local elected officials.
 
After the church service, members picnicked on an “All American” meal. Local media coverage was generous, with, newspapers and local CBS, ABC, and Fox news crews on hand to do stories for the evening news casts.

10 Jul Nation’s Youngest Mayor Comes to Hillsdale UB

Hillsdale, Mich., has the nation’s only teenage mayor, which has earned him celebrity status. Mayor Michael Sessions (right) has appeared on Letterman, Good Morning America, etc. after winning election as a write-in candidate by two votes while still a high school senior. Now a 19-year-old freshman at Hillsdale College, Mayor Sessions accepted an invitation to the Dedication Service of the Ministry Office Center of the Hillsdale UB Church on Febuary 25. Bishop Ramsey was the keynote speaker before a congregation of over 300 who braved a winter storm despite the cancellation of services by several churches in Hillsdale County.
 
The Ministry Office Center was the result of a seven month renovation of the former parsonage next door to the church. Pastor Smith’s new office is his former bedroom. The garage was enlarged and serves as a beautiful new classroom. All the staff have relocated to various rooms of the former house and the basement serves as a conference room. 

On Friend Day, March 25, Mayor Sessions returned to Hillsdale UB. Over 200 people in the first service witnessed the baptism of nine people. Over 300 attended the second service, which was followed with a “Friendship” potluck meal.

25 Jun Dillman UB Performing Cantata July 7

Dillman UB church is presenting its cantata “Liberty” on Sunday, July 8, at 6 p.m. The performance will be held at College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind.

Dillman originally did this cantata on the opening night of Central Conference several years ago. They later added some characters and performed it at the Life Center in Bluffton, Ind., for a few years. Now, after taking a few years off, they have revived it. They needed a larger venue than Dillman’s church, and College Park offered their facility.

There is no admission fee, but a free will offering will be taken.

13 Jun Death of Margaretta Manchey

Mrs. Margaretta Manchey passed away on June 2 at age 95. She was recognized by the Guinness book of World Records for having played the organ at her home church for 77 years. Her home church is Otterbein Church in Waynesboro, Pa. (a United Brethren congregation until withdrawing in 2005).

She also played the organ for campmeetings in the old tabernacle at Rhodes Grove Camp for decades.  The funeral was held June 8 at Five Forks Brethren in Christ Church in Waynesboro.

26 Mar Teens Take Part in 30 Hour Famine

Pictured are (first row, from left) Kaitlyn Coomer, Erika Waugh, Kristen Godby, Kelsey Reno, Steve Goss. (Second Row) Corina Donaldson, Billie Brooks, Shane Meyer, Elijah Williams, Kelly Herring. (Third Row) Tanner Kline, Chelsea Williams, Heather Wyckoff, Justin Clark Samantha Guerrette, Gary Brooks. (Back Row) Seth Tobias, Cody Joy, Shaylyn Allen, Natalie St. Clair and Jeremy Grove.

The West Pleasant Hill UB church of Rockbridge, Ohio, sponsored a 30 Hour Famine in which 21 teens representing ten different local churches participated. They joined approximately 500,000 teenagers nationwide, aiming to raise $12 million while getting a real taste of hunger as they helped feed and care for children living in extreme poverty around the world.

Now in it’s 16th year, World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine raises awareness and money to fight hunger overseas and in the United States.  During the 30 hours, participating teens go without food (consuming only liquids), learn about world hunger and poverty, and perform community service projects.

According to youth director and organizer Sheila Meyer, this group of teens was one of the greatest  to work with since starting this program at West Pleasant Hill about ten years ago. This local group boxed 10,750 pounds of food by working at the Southeastern Ohio Regional Food Center in Logan. They raised $3,080 in donations to send to World Vision. Every dollar raised is matched by U.S. Government grants, which give Famine donations raised in 2007 four times the effectiveness!

The entire congregation gets involved along with the teens and their families by holding a carry-in dinner at the end of the famine.