06 May Second Pastors Summit Underway in Michigan

Todd Fetters, director of National Ministries, is spearheading the Pastors Summits.

Brent and Loretta Liechty, from Pathway UB in Jackson, Mich., are leading music for the Pastors Summit.

Bishop Phil Whipple is the keynote speaker at the Pastors Summit.

A group of 42 United Brethren pastors and spouses are attending.

The second Pastors Summit is underway at Gull Lake Ministries campground in Hickory Corners, Mich. This event is for pastors and wives from churches with an attendance under 150. An identical event was held last week at Rhode Grove Camp in Chambersburg, Pa.

There are 42  people attending–about the same as at the Pennsylvania summit. The attendees, most of them senior pastors and spouses, come from Ohio (18), Michigan (16), and Indiana (8).

01 May The Pennsylvania Pastors Summit

Bishop Phil Whipple speaking to the group on Monday night.

Dan Kopp (left), pastor of NorthPointe UB church (Lewis Center, Ohio), with William and Mary Flamer, ordained ministers from Philadelphia, Pa.

The Pastors Summit attendees.

Drawings for prizes were a part of each session. Charles Milliken, pastor of the church in Franklintown, Pa., reads a name while Todd Fetters holds up the prize options.

Bishop Emeritus Ray Seilhamer, who now pastors New Hope UB church in Huntington, Ind., closed the Summit with a prayer time.

Steve Dennie, Communications Director

Four Pastors Summits will be held during 2014. The first was held earlier this week, Monday – Wednesday. It was for senior pastors and spouses from churches with an average attendance under 150.

A total of 44 persons attended, including 39 pastors and spouses from seven different states–Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Kansas. Yes, Kansas. Michael Mattox, pastor of New Life UB church in Chanute, Kansas, came all the way out. Michael was assigned to that church at the end of 2013.

Todd Fetters, Director of National Ministries, spearheaded the event. Although he didn’t lead a session, he organized everything–the schedule, the coaching combinations, the music, etc.–and emceed the sessions. His wife, Lisa, led a session for pastors’ spouses–about a dozen of them–on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.

The Pastors Summit opened with supper on Monday night, followed by the opening session. Mark Young, pastor of worship at Mount Pleasant UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.), led the group in worship.

Bishop Phil Whipple was the speaker for the three sessions. He opened on Monday night by telling about his journey as a minister, from his call to ministry through serving various churches both before and after joining the United Brethren denomination. It was fascinating stuff. On Tuesday he addressed principles he has learned along the way, and then spoke primarily about brokenness.

It was a rainy few days, so folks stuck pretty closely to the Miller Lodge, with its hotel-like accommodations. However, with Tuesday afternoon and evening free, some of the attendees ventured out to Gettysburg (45 minutes away), or simply to the mall or other local sites.

Coaching was a big part of the Pastors Summit. Pastors could sign up for a coaching session with one of the five trained coaches, all UB ministers: Dan Kopp, Greg Voight, Rocky Spear, Mike Brown, and Greg Helman. They had two sessions with their coach–an hour on Tuesday afternoon, and an hour Wednesday morning. These proved to be very helpful. Coaching is not counseling, and it’s not being told what you need to do. Rather, the person comes with an issue or situation, and the coach, through questions, helps the person come to a resolution of some kind–a way to deal with the situation. The coachees expressed much appreciation for what they gained from the sessions.

The Pastors Summit ended Wednesday morning with a group session during which pastors were invited to give a brief (no longer than 4 minutes) testimony which completed one of these statements:

• Because of Jesus….
• If it hadn’t been for Jesus….

The group was continuously in transition, since coaching sessions were going on at the same time; every hour, some ministers would leave and others would return. A fluid format was needed, and this proved to be just the thing.

All but two of the ministers presented something, a slice of testimony from their lives. It was most definitely a highlight of the event, as the ministers revealed interesting, occasionally surprising, and sometimes soul-baring parts of their lives, and explained how Jesus had worked in specific situations.

Another Pastors Summit, also for pastors of churches under 150 attendance, will be held next week at the Gull Lake conference center near Kalamazoo, Mich. The same number of people are signed up–about 45 total.

(Click on the photos below for a larger view.)

10 Apr June 2-3: UB History Course in Indiana and Michigan

The United Brethren History Course is a requirement for ministerial licensing in the United Brethren denomination. However, people who just want to learn more about United Brethren history are free to take the course.

During the past two years, 110 people have attended the course in 12 different locations. The next edition will be held at the beginning of June in Huntington, Ind., with a remote site in Sunfield, Mich.

Date: June 2-3, 2014 (Monday and Tuesday)
Time: 9 am – 4 pm
Location: United Brethren National Office in Huntington, Ind.
Remote location: Sunfield UB church, 8436 W. Grand Ledge Highway, Sunfield, MI 48890
Phone: (517) 566-8481

The instructor is Robert Bruce (right), Pastor of Caring Ministries at Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.).

Registration Cost

• $200, if you are seeking a ministerial license.
• $100 for everyone else.
• $20 for “Trials and Triumphs,” a history of the United Brethren church. ($14.95 for the book, $5.05 shipping for US, $12.95 international). The book will be sent from the national office. Or, stop by the office and pick up a copy, to save shipping. You MUST have a copy of the book for the class. Order a copy from Church Services by calling toll-free: 888-622-3019, ext. 301.

Payment
Course payment must be sent one week prior to the class, unless other arrangements are made. Send to:

United Brethren in Christ
302 Lake Street
Huntington, Ind. 46750

Make checks payable to “United Brethren in Christ.”

09 Apr Associate Staff Summit: May 12-15

Are your church staff signed up for the Associate Staff Summit? Time is running out. The early registration deadline is April 15.

This event is held every two years for persons serving in such staff roles as pastoral care, assimilation, adult education, visitation, counseling, missions, discipleship, children’s ministry, etc.

Location: the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The keynote speaker is Mike Bonem, author of the book “Leading from the Second Chair.” He will focus on the role of leaders in secondary positions–perfect for the Associate Staff Summit.

The registration cost is either $250 (2 persons in a room) or $400 (1 person in a room). Registration includes lodging, 3 breakfasts, and 3 dinners. The cost rises $50 per person after April 15. For more information and to register, go to UB.org.

08 Apr Paul Hirschy Wins the March Madness Bishop’s Challenge

The 2014 March Madness Bishop’s Challenge is now history. It started with 68 UB ministers and assorted others filling out an NCAA bracket on ESPN. It should be noted that NOBODY picked either UConn or Kentucky to win. However, we do have a points leader for everything leading up to the final.

And the winner is: Paul Hirschy, one of our former bishops. Paul is currently associate pastor at College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind. Congratulations, Paul!

In second place was Cal Hodgson, pastor of Heritage UB church in Dansville, Mich. And tied for third were Bishop Phil Whipple and National Ministries director Todd Fetters.

07 Apr Take a Chartered Bus to the Creation Museum in August

On Saturday, August 9, Monroe UB Church (Monroe, Ind.) is taking a chartered bus to the Creation Museum and would like to invite others to attend. They have 20-25 seats available on the 55-seat bus.

The cost is $45 per person (include museum ticket and bus seat). The bus leaves at 7 a.m. The Creation Museum is located in Petersburg, Kent.

To reserve your seat, you’ll need to send a check to the Monroe UB Church with Creation Museum in the memo line.

Monroe UB Church
205 South Adams Street
Monroe, IN   46772

25 Feb Ministry Security Course Coming to Fort Wayne

Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.) and Brotherhood Mutual Insurance have partnered to sponsor a Ministry Security Course:

Date: May 6, 2014
Time: 9 am – 4:15 pm
Location: Emmanuel Community Church, 12222 W. Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46814

The course will deal with such issues as:

• A child goes missing from the children’s department.
• A violent or unstable person disrupts your place of worship.
• A person becomes seriously ill during service.
• A non-custodial parent takes their child from a classroom.
• Your receptionist is confronted by a hostile person.
• A person shows up at church with a gun.

Cost: $149 per person.

06 Feb 2014 UB Women’s Conference: Registration Open

Registration is now open for the 2014 UB Women’s Conference, with Early Early Bird Registration until April 1.

Date: September 19-21, 2014
Location: Huron, Ohio

Join hundreds of other United Brethren women and friends for the 2014 UB Women’s Conference. The conference will be held at the beautiful Sawmill Creek Resort in Huron, Ohio. That’s a little east of Toledo, very close to the Cedar Point amusement park. We held the 2007, 2009, and 2011 US National Conferences at Sawmill Creek, so it will be familiar to many of you.

Registration
Registration includes lodging, meeting costs, 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 1 dinner.

Registration cost is based on number of persons sharing a room:

• One person in a room: $310 per person
• Two persons in a room: $189 per person
• Three persons in a room: $149 per person
• Four persons in a room: $129 per person (except for Early Early Bird Registration)

Early Early Bird Registration

• Until April 1, the cost is just $99 per person for a quad-occupancy room (four persons sharing the room).
• After August 15, the cost rises $50 per person and is on an availability-only basis. This is due to contracted arrangements with the hotel.

For More Information:

• Go to the conference webpage at UBWomen.org.

Please inform women in your church about this conference and encourage them to register. We’d love to see a whole van-load of women from your church!

05 Feb 2014 Youth Summit: Registration Online Now

Registration is now open for the 2014 UB Youth Summit.

This is an annual event of encouragement and training for persons in youth ministry. It is available to all paid youth ministry staff or the lead youth ministry volunteer in the church.

Date: April 28 – May 1, 2014
Location: Best Western Aku Tiki Inn in Daytona Beach, Fla.

About 25 youth workers attend each Summit. It’s a great time of networking with other youth leaders and being encouraged by others who are in the trenches of youth ministry. They enjoy the beach, the golf course, and incredibly beautiful weather, along with the chance to slow down and step away from the constant demands of youth ministry.

Registration
The registration fee includes meeting costs, lodging, breakfasts, and two dinners (one hosted by Huntington University, one by Bishop Phil Whipple). You are responsible for transportation to and from Daytona, a few meals, and hotel incidentals.

• Two persons in a room: $195 per person (whether it’s a spouse or another youth worker)
• One person in a room: $280 per person

You can register online. Registration closes April 1. After that date, the cost rises $50 and is on an availability-only basis. This is due to contracted arrangements with hotel.

15 Jan 2014 Cluster Leader Training – Winter Gathering

Dr. Sherilyn Emberton speaking at the banquet.

Bishop Phil Whipple speaking to the cluster leaders and guests on Monday night.

Each cluster leader was recognized on Monday night. Here, standing, is Steve Clulow, who pastors the UB church in Cochranton, Pa.

The current and former bishops led in the prayer time that concluded the Monday night banquet.

L-r: Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, Global Ministries director Jeff Bleijerveld, and Micheal Dean, pastor of the UB church in Sabetha, Kansas.

Dr. Mike Dittman was the keynote speaker for the Tuesday morning training.

On January 13-14 (Monday and Tuesday), 22 cluster leaders met in Huntington, Ind., for the annual Cluster Leader Training. Todd Fetters, Director of National Ministries, organized and led the event. Bishop Phil Whipple was also involved in leading the meetings.

The meeting began Monday evening with a banquet sponsored by Huntington University. Also attending were various denominational officials and spouses, plus all four of the former bishops–Ron Ramsey, Paul Hirschy, Ray Seilhamer, and C. Ray Miller. After the meal, the new president of HU, Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, spoke to the cluster leaders and guests about the work and mission of the college.

Then came a time of recognition for the cluster leaders.

Cluster leaders oversee a group of 6-10 senior pastors. Todd Fetters had asked cluster members to write a note of affirmation and appreciation for their cluster leader, and many did. The comments were then compiled and presented in a nice folder to the cluster leaders.

At the Monday night gathering, one by one each cluster leader stood and was handed a folder by administrative assistant Cathy Reich. Then Todd and Lisa Fetters alternated reading one comment for each cluster leader. There was applause, and then it was the next cluster leader’s turn.

The evening ended with a prayer time. Bishop Phil Whipple and the four bishops emeriti stood in the middle, with the cluster leaders circled around them, and other persons forming an outer ring. The five bishops then took turns praying for the cluster leaders, their ministers, and the work of the United Brethren church in general.

Tuesday morning was spent in training. Mike Dittman, who heads up a ministry called Haven for the Heart, was the keynote speaker. He addressed “How to Cultivate a Transformational Cluster.” It was an information-packed morning. After a noon meal together, the event concluded.

On the UB Facebook page you’ll find a gallery of 75 photos from the event.