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The 2011-2013 UB Discipline is available for download. However, no changes were made at the recent US National Conference. So if you already have the 2009-2011 version, that will suffice for another two years. The only change is the date on the cover.
Phil Whipple, bishop
When I came into this position as bishop in 2009, I decided I wanted to see things for myself. One of my goals for these past two years was to get into all of our churches and meet our pastors on their turf. I was able to accomplish that goal, visiting all of the United Brethren churches in the United States. It was an enjoyable journey.
Here are some of the things I have learned and observed during my travels.
Pastors
I found our pastors to be enjoyable people with a strong love for the Lord and His church. They are mostly male and of the baby boom generation. They are committed to their families and have a fairly strong commitment to the UB church.
We have some strong leaders among us and many who want to learn how to lead more effectively.
Churches
It is no surprise that many of our churches are in rural locations. Most of them have been maintained very well, both inside and outside. We have many who are working at developing their facilities to reflect the changes that have emerged in the methodology of doing church today.
Congregations
We are slowly and with some struggles moving into a balanced style of worship in many churches. We have some that are far ahead of others and some that are very traditional.
We have many good cooks among us. I have attended many potlucks and have found some wonderful dishes.
Our people are friendly, but we must do a better job of opening the front door through outreach and closing the back door through effective assimilation and discipleship. We must move discipleship away from just a learning experience to a lived-out relationship with Jesus that impacts all that we do.
Lay Leaders
We have some sharp leaders on some of our leadership teams at the local church level. They are made up of men and women who have a desire to see the church move forward and impact their community.
A number of churches are changing their structure to an accountability governance model.
The Cluster System
I have met with a number of our cluster groups. The cluster system is still a work in progress, but it has made some huge strides forward in the last two years.
Denny Miller has helped to keep the connection with our cluster leaders. We have many cluster leaders who are doing a great job with their cluster, and who are being the first point of contact when issues arise.
Overall Assessment
I have concluded that while we have some significant issues, we have a bright hope for the future.
I was impressed by the warm hearts from so many of you. I also saw churches and people engaged in the Great Commission. This is happening in some locations but clearly needs to be the rallying cry for UB churches everywhere, so that we reach the people Christ wants us to reach in these days.
I believe the commitment to the Great Commission is improving. We need to move further into the implementation of reaching people for Christ and growing strong disciples in our churches.
I want us to remain committed to our confession of faith and our core values. At the same time, I want us to be willing to aggressively move into the flow of God’s Spirit to see the church advance. We began as a movement of the Spirit of God, and that is where we must return.
Jane Seely (left) and Marilyn Waters in the bookstore.
Marilyn has spent a lot of time with Jane during May, helping her understand the many aspects of running the bookstore operation.
To help say good-bye and show appreciation, the staff took Marilyn out to lunch on May 10. Then, on May 24, she opened several presents with a lighthouse motif, including this afghan (Marilyn collects lighthouses). On the right is Mabel Mundy, who works in accounting.
Since 1996, Marilyn Waters has been in charge of the Healthy Ministry Resources bookstore. She has diligently handled all curriculum orders from United Brethren churches, shipping out thousands of pieces of Sunday school literature and other materials every quarter.
But now, after 15 years, Marilyn has decided to retire. She let us know a couple months ago. Today, May 26, is her last day in the office.
Marilyn was hired in 1996 to manage the United Brethren bookstore following the departure of Euanna Holloway, who had held that position for many years. In addition to supplying Sunday school curriculum to 150 UB churches, she also handled curriculum sales for 180 other congregations. We are also the official distributor for the Missionary Church USA.
Marilyn and her husband, Ted, a former high school teacher, live in Bluffton, Ind., and are members of Park United Brethren church. They have two children, Scott and Sheri.
Replacing Marilyn will be Jane Seely. Jane has worked alongside Marilyn since January 2009. She is the person who actually boxes up and ships Sunday school orders. So she knows how things work.
Jane will work Monday through Thursday with the Healthy Ministry Resources bookstore. She is also a beautician, which is how she plans to spend her Fridays.
Jane is a former United Brethren pastor’s wife, and is the sister of Rev. Mike Caley, pastor of Banner of Christ UB church in Byron Center, Mich. Jane and her husband, Rod, live in Huntington, Ind. They have three children: Michael, David, and Rachel.
After a year-and-a-half, 489 people now “like” the United Brethren Facebook page. Seems like we should be able to pass the 500 mark by National Conference.
The Facebook page is often used to post urgent information about people and events.
The Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team, meeting on March 15, 2011. Cathy Reich, administrative assistant to Bishop Phil Whipple, is seated at the computer in the foreground taking notes. To her left, and continuing around the table, are PMLT members Dennis Sites, Terry Smith, Robert Bruce, Chris Little, Chuck Wheatley, Craig Burkholder, Gary Gates, Lee Rhodes (chairman), and Bishop Phil Whipple.
The Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team met yesterday and today (March 14-15) in Huntington, Ind. They had the privilege of being the first denominational group to use the new conference room in the national office.
The PMLT deals with a range of issues related to ministers–licensing, education, accountability, restoration, the Pastoral Ministry Handbook, and much more. Lee Rhodes, pastor of Countryside UB in Breckenridge, Mich., is the chairman. All of the members are ministers.
Darlene Burkett with Box Number 1.
Peggy Sell (left) and Darlene Burkett.
On Wednesday, February 23, the Healthy Ministry Resources staff recognized Darlene Burkett for her seven years as Administrative Assistant to Global Ministries. As reported earlier, Darlene will complete her work at the national office next week.
Darlene and her husband, Phil, will load up a truck on Friday, March 4, and move to Cass City, Mich., where Phil will become senior pastor of the Cass City Missionary Church. Until the end of 2010, Phil was Minister of Music and Worship at College Park Church in Huntington, Ind.
During the morning break time, the staff presented a bunch of nicely-wrapped gifts to Darlene. Each box held part of a large, elaborate nativity set. Darlene collects nativity sets.
Then, over lunch, the staff went to downtown Huntington to the Brick House Grill, where Phil was waiting. Everyone enjoyed a nice meal together as a send-off for Darlene. She’ll be back next week to continue training her replacement, Peggy Sell. But after that, Peggy will be on her own.
We at the national office wish Phil and Darlene well as they begin this new venture.
The six living bishops. L-r: Ray Seilhamer, Paul Hirschy, Phil Whipple, Raymond Waldfogel, C. Ray Miller, and Ron Ramsey. (click to enlarge)
The six living bishops gathered for breakfast this morning in the new conference room at the national office in Huntington, Ind. Bishop Phil Whipple meets with them every couple of months; they are his accountability group. The original plan was to try to do a conference video hook-up with Wilber L. Sites, Jr., who lived in Pennsylvania; unfortunately, he passed away December 28.
Because of the blizzard, the Healthy Ministry Resources offices will be closed on Wednesday, February 2.
The new conference room at the national office is now finished. Everything is brand new–tables (with A/C and ethernet plugins), swiveling chairs, indirect lighting, carpet, electronic projection system, and more. Very, very nice. Removing two closets even made the room a little bigger.
The previous conference room had remained basically the same since 1987. Cathy Reich, administrative assistant to Bishop Phil Whipple, oversaw the makeover.
The annual United Brethren History course, usually held only Huntington, Ind., will be held in two regional settings this year. This course is a requirement for becoming a licensed United Brethren minister.
Basic Information
February 21-22, 2011
Location: Rhodes Grove Campground (Chambersburg, Pa.)
Time: 9 am Monday — 4 pm Tuesday
Teacher: Dr. Daryl Elliott (right), senior pastor of Fountain UB (Keyser, W. Va.)
Registration Deadline: February 1, 2011
Lodging: available at Rhodes Grove by calling: 717.375.4162. Meals will be off-campus on your own.
March 7-8, 2011
Location: Mt. Zion UB church (Wayne, Ohio)
Time: 9 am Monday — 4 pm Tuesday
Teacher: Rev. Robert Bruce (right), associate pastor of Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.)
Registration Deadline: February 15, 2011
Meals: breaks and lunch provided at the church for a donation. Breakfast and dinner on your own.
Hotel rooms have been reserved at:
Comfort Suites
3700 Speedway Drive
Findlay, OH 45840
Cost per room per night: $79.95 single, $89.99 double (plus tax). Make your reservation by calling 419.420.1212 before February 7. The hotel is about a 20-minute drive from the Mt. Zion Church.
