12 Apr UB Youth Camp: July 11-14 Alongside National Conference

A Youth Camp will run alongside the US National Conference this summer. It is for any youth currently in grades 8-12 (or who, this summer, will have completed those grades). They do not need to be attending the USNC.

The Youth Camp will begin on Tuesday, July 11. After the opening service of the National Conference, students will be transported to Huntington University. They will spend Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights at the college, with meals provided on campus.

On Wednesday and Thursday, students will participate in various activities, both on-campus and off-campus. They will then be returned to Fort Wayne on Friday morning, as the National Conference concludes.

We encourage you to bring your youth for this special camp. They do not need to register for the US National Conference or have parents attending the conference. Just get them to Fort Wayne for the opening service, and some great folks from Huntington University will take it from there.

Register for the Youth Camp here.

18 Jan April 24-28: 2023 UB Youth Summit (Register Now)

Registration is now open for the 2023 UB Youth Summit.

Dates: April 24-28, 2023 (Begins Monday evening; ends Thursday evening with check-out on Friday)

Location: Aku Tiki Best Western in Daytona Beach Shores, Fla.

The UB Youth Summit is an annual event which averages around 25 persons. It’s a great time of networking with other youth leaders and being encouraged by others who are in the trenches of youth ministry. Enjoy the beach, golf course, and incredibly beautiful weather, along with the chance to slow down and step away from the constant demands of youth ministry.

Go here for more details and to register.

05 Oct October 21: Celebrate! with UB Global

UB Global is holding a special missions event on Friday evening, October 21. It’s designed for the whole family, and it’s free!

When: 6:30 – 8:00 pm Friday, October 21
Where: Emmanuel UB church, (12222 US Highway 24 W, Fort Wayne, Ind. 46814
Cost: Free!

Some highlights:

• Designed for the whole family.
• Sample international appetizers from places like Ethiopia, Pakistan, Myanmar, and other countries.
• Missions stations for engaging with international cultures, including a challenge food table for extra spicy, weird-tasting foods.
• A great chance to meet & connect with others interested in missions from our wider region
• The evening will conclude with a series of short but high-impact stories of what God is doing around the world.
• Interact with the UB Global staff and other UB leaders.

Learn more on the UB Global website. You’ll also find promotional resources you can download.

05 Oct October 15: UB Global Prayer Gathering in Walbridge, Ohio

Mainstreet Church (Walbridge, Ohio) will host this UB Global Prayer Gathering on Saturday morning, October 15. It will be a time of gathering together to pray over our mission fields and for our missionaries. Prayer is so powerful and we invite you to join us!

Date: Saturday, October 15, 2022
Time: 10 – 11:30 am
Location: Mainstreet UB church, 5465 Moline-Martin Rd, Walbridge, OH 43465

Please register at this link so we can get a number count for lunch.

04 Oct October 22: Idea to Action Symposium (Free!)

“A Morning with Mark: the Backstory of the Bible” is the topic of the next Idea to Action Symposium. It will be held Monday, October 22, from 10am to 12:30 pm. The cost is free, but you need to register. The symposium will be held in-person at Huntington University, and also online.

The three sessions will be led by Dr. Mark Fairchild (right), professor of Thought and Practice at Huntington University. He has done original archaeological research on the early Christian church in Turkey, and has written extensively about the Apostle Paul. He is currently a Fullbrght Senior Research Scholar studying the underwater basilica at Nicea, thought to have hosted the Council of Nicea which issued the Nicean Creed.

Register at this link.

02 Aug UB History Course Sept 26-27

The next edition of the UB History Course will be held September 26-27, 2022. It is held entirely online via Zoom. Rev. Bob Bruce will teach the course, with guest appearances by a number of persons with expertise in aspects of UB history.

This course is a requirement for ministerial licensing. However, people who just want to learn more about United Brethren history are welcome to take the course. Laypersons, especially local church leaders (board chairpersons and members, lay delegates, etc.), are encouraged to attend. It’s valuable to have an understanding about United Brethren history.

Use this link to register or learn more.

10 May Report on the Inaugural Ministry Leaders Summit

Bobby Culler and Craig Mickey

The first Ministry Leaders Summit was held April 25-29 at the Plaza Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, Fla. This event, designed for persons serving in staff roles at United Brethren churches, was a wonderful time of refreshment, relaxation and refueling.

Dr. Dave Rahn, the keynote speaker, brought challenging and insightful messages to the group dealing with our “joy switch” as well as some habits of integrity and ministry.

This summit included a mix of ministry positions from across the United Brethren denomination. And to say that it was enjoyable would be an understatement. Here are some of the comments from those who attended.

• “It was valuable to me just hanging out with other like-minded people” (Matt Gish, High School Youth Pastor, King Street Church, Chambersburg, Pa.).
• “Getting to know that people that I am working with at the different churches brings a sense of ‘we are in this together’” (Angela Vincenti, UB Global, Huntington, Ind.).
• “I enjoyed spending face-to-face time with other ministers and having the chance to make connections and build friendship with people who understand the joys and struggles of ministry” (Jordan Hart, Worship Pastor, Atlantic Avenue UB church, Franklin, Pa.).
• “The whole week was well planned and purposeful” (Julie Llewellyn, Early Childhood Pastor, Emmanuel Community Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.).
• “Getting to know other UB worship pastors and discussing ministry practices was very helpful” (Mark Young, Worship Pastor, Mt. Pleasant Church, Chambersburg, Pa.).
• “To me, the relational sharpening and encouragement that takes place between attendees is very valuable” (Brian Kramer, Middle School Pastor, Emmanuel Community Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.).
• “I really enjoyed being able to connect with other worship pastors, and I love the community we’ve developed with the youth pastors” (Byron Spear, Youth & Worship Pastor, Colwood UB church, Caro, Mich.).

Future Summit dates are as follows:

April 24-28, 2023. UB Youth Summit.
April 29 – May 3, 2024. Ministry Leaders Summit.

We all look forward to being together again. Until then, continue to be faithful to the calling that God has placed on your life in the place that he has put you.

08 Feb Pastor Summits in April and May

Registration is now open for the various UB pastoral summits scheduled for this spring. All three will be held in Daytona Beach, Fla., during April and May at The Plaza Resort & Spa (600 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL).

Pastor & Spouse Summits

Every two years, we hold summits for senior pastors and spouses. This year there will be two summits, based on the church’s attendance.

April 25-28: for pastors and spouses from churches with an attendance of 0-299. Register here.

May 2-5: for pastors and spouses from churches with an attendance over 300. Register here.

Ministry Leaders Summit

April 25-29. The Ministry Leaders Summit is for persons serving in staff positions in United Brethren churches. This includes such roles as pastoral care, youth, worship, assimilation, adult education, visitation, counseling, missions, discipleship, children, etc. It is not for senior pastors. The annual Youth Workers Summit is being folded into this event for 2022. Register here.

Idea to Action Symposium

One other event to get on your schedule is the Idea to Action Symposium, sponsored jointly by the denomination and Huntington University. It will be held entirely online.

Date: Monday, March 28, 2022.
Topic: Young Adults and the Church

Details will be announced here closer to the event.

28 Sep October 25: Register Free for the Next Idea to Action Symposium

Registration is open for the next “Idea to Action” symposium, sponsored by the denomination and Huntington University. It will be offered online-only. The event is free to everyone, but you must register.

Date: Monday, October 25 (10:00 am – 1:00 pm)

Topic: “Discipling Youth and Families.”

There will be three keynote sessions.

• 10:00 am. “Generation Z and Spiritual Maturity: Challenges & Opportunities,” by Dr. Tom Bergler, Professor of Christian Thought and Practice at Huntington University.
• 11:00 am. “Making Disciples in the Home: Practices and Problems,” by Dr. Becky Benjamin, Associate Professor of Psychology and Department Chair at Huntington University.
• 12:00 noon. “Ministering to GenZ within Today’s Context.” A panel discussion with United Brethren ministers Chris Augustat, Brian Kramer, and Mark Vincenti.

For complete information and to register, go to this address on the UB website.

28 Sep Experience Thailand During October with UB Global

During October, you’re invited to participate in “A Different Kind of Thailand Experience.” There will be four one-hour Zoom sessions. You can register for all sessions, but join those you are most interested in.

You will hear from a number of key UB leaders who influence the efforts of the Good Soil Community Center. You’ll also follow Steve Fish and Isa Rivera as they travel to Honduras to meet with the Nunez family, who are preparing to serve with the UB team in Thailand.

There is no cost, but you need to sign up.