16 Jun June 19: Trinity Sunday

Dr. Paul R. Fetters

In the Western Christian liturgical calendar, Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost. Trinity Sunday celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity–the mystery of the Triune Godhead: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

As United Brethren in Christ, we say in our Confession of Faith:

“In the name of God, we declare and confess before men that we believe in the only true God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost: that these three are one—the Father in the Son, the Son in Father, and the Holy Ghost equal in essence or being with both; that this Triune God created the heavens and the earth and all that in them is, visible as well as invisible, and furthermore sustains, governs, protects, and supports the same.”

Immanent Trinity. In Scripture, each person of the Trinity is found in eternal equality of essence and being. In Scripture, each Person of the Trinity is found in loving relationship and intimate communion. This intrinsic Being has been referred to by an early Church Father, Gregory of Nanzianzus, as a perichoresis. In the Greek, peri means “around” and choresis “choreography (dancing).”

One hymn, The Dance of the Trinity, captures the mystery of the Three-in-One or the One-in-Three:

The play of the God head, the Trinity’s dance,
Embraces the earth in sacred romance:
With God the Creator, and Christ the true Son,
Entwined with the Spirit, a web daily spun
in spangles of mystery the great Three-in-One.
–The Play of the God Head

Economic Trinity. In Scripture, each Person of the Trinity is involved in every aspect of creating, sustaining, governing, protecting, redeeming, and sanctifying. Also, Scripture emphasizes the identification of the predominant work of each Person of the Trinity–God the Father, the Creator; God the Son, the Redeemer; and God the Spirit, the Sanctifier.

Let not the glorious mystery of the Holy Trinity hinder our Church of the United Brethren in Christ in its proclamation of this fundamental Christian doctrine.

16 Jun Registrations: Shooting Past 700

As of Thursday morning, June 16, we have 719 people registered for National Conference, which begins in just under two weeks.

The national office is a flurry of activity with conference-related stuff–phone calls, emails, sundry preparations.

Reports from denominational officials will be posted today on the National Conference website.

08 Jun 625 Now Registered for National Conference

As of Tuesday, June 7, we had 625 people registered for the US National Conference, July 6-9, 2011.

Here is a further breakdown:

• 159 ministers
• 163 lay delegates
• 227 other lay persons
• 78 children
• 99 signed up for the UB Historical Society Banquet
• 28 signed up for the Golf Scramble (if you haven’t signed up, do so here)
• 24 youth signed up for Cedar Point Trip

Note: the registration cost goes up June 10. So register now.

07 Jun Two Reasons to Celebrate Pentecost Sunday

Dr. Paul R. Fetters, Emeritus Dean of the Huntington University Graduate School of Christian Ministries

As the early Christians of Jerusalem were attending the feast of Pentecost 1,978 years ago, the Holy Spirit came in the power of the wind with purifying flame, and the people heard the Gospel in their own languages. The Christian Church, conceived in the mind of God and promised in the person of Christ, was born of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.

As German immigrants were attending a “great meeting” in Isaac Long’s barn, Lancaster, Pa., on Whitsuntide (Pentecost Sunday) nearly 250 years ago, circa 1767, the Holy Spirit breathed upon the heart of a preacher, Martin Boehm. His sermon moved the hearts of the congregation, among whom was Rev. William Otterbein. Embracing Boehm, he exclaimed, “Wir sund bruder”–We are brethren! From this small beginning, the Church of the United Brethren in Christ took root to become the first denomination born in America.

This Sunday, June 12, is Pentecost Sunday, a major date in the Christian church calendar. As Christian believers, United Brethren people have double reason to celebrate Pentecost Sunday.

02 Jun August 5-6: UB History Course in New Carlisle, Ohio

The annual United Brethren History course, usually held only in Huntington, Ind., is coming to western Ohio. The two-day course will be held August 5-6 at the Park Layne UB church in New Carlisle, Ohio. That’s a Friday and Saturday.

This course has already been held in four regional settings this year–Chambersburg, Pa.; Wayne, Ohio; Flint, Mich.; and the Bronx, NY. This course is a requirement for becoming a licensed United Brethren minister. However, people who just want to learn more about United Brethren history are free to take the course.

Basic Information

• The cost is $200 for persons who need licensing, $100 for everybody else.
• You will need to read the UB history book “Trials and Triumphs” beforehand. It is available through the Healthy Ministry Resources bookstore for $14.95 (plus shipping). Order a copy by calling toll-free: 888.622.3019
• Register using the online form at: ub.org/events/ubhistory

August 5-6, 2011 (Friday and Saturday)

Location: Park Layne UB church (New Carlisle, Ohio)
Time: 9 am Friday — 4 pm Saturday
Teacher: Rev. Robert Bruce (right), associate pastor of Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.)

For more information, including nearby hotels, and to register, go to the UB website.

01 Jun June 25: Family Friendly Missions Day

The Michigan Women’s Missionary Fellowship is planning a Family Friendly Missions day. This is to replace the WMF Spring Regional and WMF Fall Rally days.

Date: Saturday, June 25, 2011.
Time: 9-4 pm.
Location: Carson City Campground (Carson City, Mich.).

Everyone is invited–men, women, and children. Come learn the latest updates from UB missions.

A lunch is being planned, and John Johnson is doing his famous grilled quarter-chicken for a $2 donation. You’ll need to reserve your chicken with Sally Hock-Harrison by email or phone (517-410-6176) by June 15. Salads, desserts, and drinks will also be available.

There will be music by the McCallum praise team and specials by Ray and Bill Bryde “The Brydes of Christ.”

Jeff Bleijerveld and Donna Hollopeter, from Global Ministries, will share about the work of UB missions, along with our missionary from India.

We are planning to have a great day of fun and music and sharing time on the campgrounds. Let Sally know you’re coming, and bring a full car or van.

20 May 23 Attend UB Youth Summit in Florida

Attendees of the 2011 UB Youth Summit in Holly Hill, Fla. (click to enlarge).

Bobby Culler, chairman, Youth Ministry Team

The 2011 UB Youth Summit was held May 2-5 at First UB church in Holly Hill, Fla, (near Daytona Beach). This year, 23 youth workers from across UBdom gathered for a time of relaxation and refueling as we spent some much needed time “focusing” and “refocusing” on the things that are really important.

Rev. Denny Miller, senior pastor of Emmanuel Community Church in Fort Wayne, Ind., was our keynote speaker. He shared with the group the importance of focusing on the Word of God. This proved to be a very valuable time as each of us were challenged in our preparation and our presentation of our messages and lessons.

The Summit was a beneficial time of networking with other youth leaders and being encouraged by others who are in the trenches of youth ministry. We enjoyed the beach, the golf course, and the incredibly beautiful weather, along with the opportunity to slow down and step away from the constant demands of Youth Ministry.

Mark your calendar for next year’s Summit: April 30 – May 3, 2012. It is well-worth it!

19 May Registrations Pass the 600 Mark

Registrations for this summer’s US National Conference hit 606 on May 19, up 60 from two weeks ago.

You can register online, or by using the registration brochures mailed to all churches.

Reminder:

Date: July 6-9, 2011
Location: Saw Mill Creek Resort, Huron, Ohio

For complete information about the conference, go to USNationalConference.com

03 May Brandon O’Brien Appearing at the US National Conference

Brandon O’Brien, editor-at-large for Leadership Journal, will present a seminar at the US National Conference based on his book, “The Strategically Small Church. The book shows how small churches are uniquely equipped for success in today’s culture.

He explains, “A ‘strategically small’ church is one that has learned to recognize and leverage the inherent strengths of being small. Being strategically small means that instead of trying to overcome your congregation’s size, you have learned to use it to strategic ministry advantage…. I’m hoping that by telling the stories of some truly innovative and effective small churches, other small congregations will stop viewing their size and limited resources as liabilities and begin thinking about them as advantages.”

12 Apr National Conference Choir; Nearing 500

Registrations for this summer’s US National Conference hit 487 on April 12, and will no doubt pass 500 by the end of the week.

You can register online, or by using the registration brochures mailed to all churches.

Attendees are invited to join the first-ever National Conference Choir. Participants from across the denomination will sing on Friday, July 8, during the evening session.

The Choir will have ONE practice: 1:30 – 3:30 Friday afternoon, July 8.

Much more information is available on the conference website, including:

• A PDF file containing all of the music, so you can download and print the songs.
• Links to YouTube videos of all of the songs, in case you’re not familiar with some of them.
• A form you can use to confirm your interest in joining the choir,