28 Feb Regional Meetings in Ohio and Michigan

Bishop Phil Whipple explaining the proposals which will come before the National Conference this summer.

On February 25, the second of four regional meetings was held in Willshire, Ohio, with 52 people attending. Bishop Phil Whipple led everyone through the 27 proposals for changing the United Brethren Discipline which the National Conference will consider in June.

As a result of suggestions and discussion at that meeting, the bishop made six changes to the proposals (and a couple other ideas are being considered). The complete document containing the proposals has been updated, and can be downloaded from the National Conference website.

Two more meetings will be held–one in March in eastern Ohio, and one in April in Michigan. These meetings are open to anyone. Ministers and lay delegates are especially encouraged to attend.

Monday, March 18: Pleasant Heights Church (East Liverpool, Ohio)
Location address: 848 Northside, East Liverpool, OH 43920

Monday, April 8: East Washington Church (Ashley, Mich.)
Location address: 8051 S Crapo Rd, Ashley, MI 48806

Also participating in the meetings and making presentations will be:

• Todd Fetters, Director of National Church Ministries.
• Gary Gates, Director of Ministerial Licensing.
• Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries.
• Steve Dennie, Communications Director

Please Register in Advance! We need to give the host churches a headcount for lunch. 

The meetings go from 9:30 am through lunch (which is free).

26 Feb Winter Slam 2013

Teens attending Winter Slam 2013 (click to enlarge)

Teens attending Winter Slam 2013

The crowd at Winter Slam (click to enlarge)

Dan Henley, Prince Street UB church (Shippensburg, Pa.)

Winter Slam, held February 8-10, 2013, brought 359 students and youth workers from 15 different churches to western Pennsylvania. There, on the slopes of Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands on the western Appalachian Mountain range, they spent three days in a time of winter fun and spiritual renewal.

Sponsored by Big MAC Youth Ministries in conjunction with Huntington University, Winter Slam (formally Big MAC Ski Attack), a weekend winter retreat, has been an annual youth attraction for over 20 years. Various churches, both in and out of UBdom, use it as an outreach and spiritual renewal event.

Located about 45 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, in Mt. Pleasant, Pa., has served as the venue for three days of worship, fellowship, and the presentation of the Gospel–not to mention skiing, tubing, and snowboarding. For most, the messages during the morning and evening sessions are a highlight in the lives of students.

This year, our times of worship were led by the Indiana-based Christian pop-rock band, “Attaboy.” Their combination of popular worship music and a few of their own original recordings were well received by both students and youth workers. Together, with over 350 voices rising in praise and adoration, these three young men poured both their hearts and their talent into their music and their worship.

The organizers took a different approach this year in regards to the speaker. Rather than bring in one speaker for all four sessions, four different youth pastors affiliated with Big MAC Youth Ministries filled the role of “speaker,” each using their own unique approach to the subject of “Value.” Each message touched on how much God values us and how it makes no difference how non-valuable you think you are, to God you are very important. The speakers also challenged the group about the things they value, and whether or not Christ is high on that list.

One evening as a call to respond to God was given, over 200 students and adults made a literal stand for Jesus, rising to their feet and proclaiming before God and others that they were turning their lives over to Christ, or rededicating their lives to Him. Praise God!

25 Feb 52 Attend Regional Meeting in Willshire, Ohio

Todd Fetters, Director of National Ministries, got the morning started with a devotional.

Bishop Phil Whipple led people through the nearly 30 proposals for revising the Discipline.

Gary Gates, director of Ministerial Licensing, gave an update on some licensing issues.

On Monday morning, February 25, 2013, Praise Point UB church (Willshire, Ohio) hosted a regional meeting attended by 52 people. The event was designed primarily to provide a preview of proposals which will come before the US National Conference in June 2013.

The award for coming the farthest goes to Kevin Bergdall, a layperson from Kilburn Avenue UB in Rockford, Ill. Other distant travelers came from Blissfield, Mich., Oak Harbor, Ohio, and Lancaster, Ohio.

The event began with a devotional by Todd Fetters, newly hired as Director of National Ministries. Jeff Bleijerveld, director of Global Ministries, gave an update on UB mission work around the world, and then Gary Gates, the Director of Ministerial Licensing, gave an update on some licensing issues.

After a short break, Bishop Phil Whipple spent the rest of the morning walking everyone through the nearly 30 proposals for revising the Discipline. There was some feedback and discussion on a few issues, with some good suggestions.

Two more regional meetings are scheduled:

• March 18 at Pleasant Heights UB church (East Liverpool, Ohio).
• April 8 at East Washington UB church (Ashley, Mich.).

These meetings are open to anyone who wants to attend. However, we ask that you register online so the host church can be given a count for lunch.

21 Feb 2013 General Conference

Delegates and guests who attended the 2010 General Conference in Honduras.

The next meeting of General Conference, an international gathering of UBs from every conference, will occur in a few months:

Date: May 29 – June 2, 2013.
Location: Parkwood Gardens UB church, Guelph, Ontario

General Conference brings together representatives from all 10 United Brethren national conferences, along with guests from the various mission districts (countries which haven’t yet organized as an official national conference).

General Conference meets every three years. The last event was held in La Ceiba, Honduras, in January 2010.

The 2013 General will be held at the Parkwood Gardens UB church in Guelph, Ontario. Brian Magnus (right), Bishop of the Canadian conference, is the pastor at Parkwood Gardens. He is also chairman of the International Executive Committee, and will chair the meetings of the General Conference.

12 Feb 2013 Youth Workers Summit

In 2012, the Youth Workers Summit attracted 25 youth workers from across UBdom (above). It was a great time of networking with other youth leaders and being encouraged by others who are in the trenches of youth ministry. They enjoyed 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.

You can now register for the annual UB Youth Workers Summit.

Date: April 29 – May 2 (Monday – Thursday).
Location: at First UB church in Holly Hill, Fla.
Registration Cost: $99 ($120 after April 1).

The theme is “THRIVE: More Than Just Surviving in Youth Ministry.” Participants will spend some much-needed time together talking, learning, serving, worshipping, laughing, sharing, and connecting with brothers and sisters in the trenches of youth ministry.

This conference is for the “lead” (or primary) youth leader of your United Brethren church, whether full-time, part-time, or volunteer.

The keynote speaker is Arthus Wilson (right), campus pastor at Huntington University.

Attendees will stay at the Ocean Walk Resort in Daytona Beach, Fla. The cost of lodging is included in the registration fee, unless you bring your spouse (in which case you are responsible for your own lodging expenses and reservations.

The conference begins with steaks on the grill at 4:00 on Monday afternoon, April 29, and will come to a close after the evening session on Thursday, May 2. Please make your travel arrangements accordingly.

07 Feb First Regional Meeting: Feb 25 in Willshire, Ohio

Three regional meetings are planned during these opening months of 2013, the first just a few weeks away on February 25. These events will acquaint people with the proposals coming before the National Conference in June 2013. These meetings are open to anyone. Ministers and lay delegates are especially encouraged to attend.

Monday, February 25: Praise Point Church (Willshire, Ohio)
Location address: 555 Decatur Rd North, Willshire, OH 45898

Monday, March 18: Pleasant Heights Church (East Liverpool, Ohio)
Location address: 848 Northside, East Liverpool, OH 43920

Monday, April 8: East Washington Church (Ashley, Mich.)
Location address: 8051 S Crapo Rd, Ashley, MI 48806

Over 20 proposals for revising the UB Discipline will come before the delegates in June 2013. Most are minor changes, but some will no doubt generate a good deal of discussion. These regional meetings will acquaint people with the proposals and the rationale for them. Hopefully, this introduction will help cut down the amount of time taken in floor discussion at national conference.

Each meeting will go from 9:30 am through lunch. The host churches will provide lunch.

These events are free. But please let us know now many people from your church will attend, so we can give the host church a headcount for lunch.

22 Jan UB History Course in Bryan, Ohio

Bishop Phil Whipple spoke briefly to the class as it began on Monday morning, January 21 (click to enlarge).

Bishop Whipple speaking to the class.

Bob Bruce is a frequent teacher of the UB history courses, which are held regionally.

A course on United Brethren Church History is underway at New Hope Community Church in Bryan, Ohio. The course is a requirement for ministerial licensing in the UB church, but is open to anyone who wants to attend. Bob Bruce, associate pastor of Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.), is teaching the class, which has 12 students.

The class began on Monday, January 21, and will conclude today (Tuesday). Bishop Phil Whipple was on hand Monday morning as the class began, and spoke briefly to the students.

15 Jan 27 Attend “Governing Board” Class

Bishop Phil Whipple teaching the “Leading a Governing Board” class. The screen in the back of the room shows persons attending remotely.

On January 15, 2013, 27 persons attended a glass on “Leading a Governing Board,” taught by Bishop Phil Whipple. The course was held at the Healthy Ministry Resources building in Huntington, Ind. Of the partipants, 17 attended in person and another 10 attended remotely, by video, from four different locations.

“Leading a Governing Board” is a requirement for ordination in the United Brethren church, though anyone is welcome to attend.

15 Jan Cluster Leaders Hold Annual Training Session

Bishop Phil Whipple speaking to the cluster leaders.

Bishop Phil Whipple (left) presenting a gift to Dennis Miller for his leadership of the clusters since 2009.

A table of cluster leaders talking during break time. L-r: Chris Little (Chambersburg, Pa.), Charles Millkin (Franklintown, Pa.), Kevin Cherry (Brooklyn, Mich.), Stephen Smith (Camden, Mich.), and Douglas Stull (Logan, Ohio).

About 25 persons participated in the annual Cluster Leader Training on January 14, 2013. They met at the Habecker Dining Commons at Huntington University.

Denny Miller, the Cluster Coordinator, was in charge of the meeting, which lasted from noon to 4 pm. Gary Gates, Director of Licensing, spoke to the group about the new Provisional ministerial license and other issues regarding ministerial credentialing. Bishop Phil Whipple then walked through the 20-some proposals for changing the Discipline. These proposals will be acted upon in June 2013 at the US National Conference. (He will also present the proposals at a series of regional meetings in February, March, and April 2013).

Bishop Whipple also talked about the upcoming addition of Todd Fetters, pastor of Devonshire UB church (Harrisburg, Pa.), to the national office staff. Fetters, among other duties, will assume leadership of the clusters, a role which Denny Miller has filled for the past three years.

Bishop Whipple explained, “I’d been thinking for some time about ways to be more effective with the tasks God has placed before us. In November, I met with Gary Gates, Denny Miller, and Jeff Bleijerveld for a little over a day. One of the concepts that came out was the advantage of bringing in somebody fulltime, rather than part-time.

“I looked into the budget to see if it would be possible to hire a fulltime person. I decided it would work. With a part-time person, you need to find somebody who matches the specific need, has the time to give in addition to their regular work, and is close enough to drive in to the office. But if you’re looking at a fulltime position, you have a much larger pool of prospects.”

He interviewed Todd Fetters in late December 2012, and in early January offered him the position, which he accepted. It was announced January 11 on UBCentral.

The Bishop continued, “Denny Miller has been very gracious, saying that if we brought in somebody fulltime, he would be willing to step aside in leading the clusters. I appreciate that attitude. As I thought about Todd’s position, it seemed like it would be a good thing to place him in charge of the clusters.”

Bishop Whipple expressed appreciation to Denny Miller for his leadership of the clusters during the past three years, and for the ways he has advanced this important area. He then presented a gift to Denny on behalf of the denomination.

08 Jan Sarah Groves Concert January 27

Sara Groves will be in concert on January 27, 2013, at Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.) The concert begins at 7 pm (doors open at 6:30).

Tickets: $10 in advance, or $15 at the door.

For more information, contact Dan Friend by email or by calling 260-672-3377.

Location:

Emmanuel Community Church
Family Life Center
12222 US 24 West
Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46814