22 Dec Big MAC Ski Attack

Some of your teens would no doubt enjoy taking part in the Big MAC Ski Attack. This youth ski retreat started as a ministry of the former Mid-Atlantic Conference, thus the MAC. But UB youth from Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio have taken part during the last few years. It’s open to any UB youth.

Bobby Culler, youth pastor of Mount Pleasant Church (Chambersburg, Pa.), heads up the Big MAC event, and also chairs the denominational Youth Ministry Team, He says they have around 500 people at Big MAC. So this is no small thing.

You can find complete information on the UB Youth website. Here are some basic details:

Date: February 6-8
Location: a Mennonite conference center in Laurelville, Pa. (near Pittsburgh).
Cost: $80 registration, plus an activity fee of $10-$40, depending on the activity you choose.

25 Nov December 5: Free Concert at Emmanuel UB

Emmanuel Community Church is hosting a free concert featuring rock band Attaboy and indie-rock newcomer The Fabulous at 7 p.m. on December 5.

Three of the four members of Attaboy, a Huntington-based alternative rock group, are graduates of Huntington University. Vocalist/keyboardist Amos Caley, who holds a degree in Bible and Religion, is the son of UB pastor J.
Michael Caley (Banner of Christ UB, Byron Center, Mich.).

The concert is open to the public and is sponsored by Huntington University, Remedy.fm, and Emmanuel Community Church Student Ministries.

14 Nov Final Mission Team Training Event

The final Mission Team Training event starts today in Lancaster, Ohio. We’ve held four of these two-day events, one each month since August 22.

Altogether, about 40 people have attended. That’s a good number of potential mission-team leaders.

13 Nov Lancaster Regional Meeting

Pat Jones speaking to the attendees in Lancaster, Ohio. (enlarge)

About 20 people attended the November 12 regional meeting held at the Lancaster UB church in Lancaster, Ohio. Pat Jones, director of Healthy Church Ministries, reviewed proposals coming before the 2009 US National Conference and entertained discussion on them. Then Bishop Ron Ramsey talked about the upcoming leadership transition and his view of various aspects of the denomination.

One more regional meeting remains: Tuesday, November 18, at East Washington UB church in Ashley, Mich., from 10 a.m. to noon.

13 Nov November 18 – Final Regional Meeting

Michigan people: Bishop Ron Ramsey will hold a regional meeting for you next week. This is the  last of five regional meetings. He and Pat Jones, Director of Healthy Church Ministries, will talk about proposals coming before the 2009 US National Conference and about the upcoming leadership transition (neither of them will be available for the position of bishop).

This is open to any UB ministers or laypersons who wish to attend.

Date: Tuesday, November 18
Time: 10 a.m. – noon.
Location: East Washington UB church, Ashley, Mich.

30 Oct Talking About Leadership

About 40 people came to New Hope Church in Bryan, Ohio, on October 23 for the second of six regional meetings with Bishop Ron Ramsey. The first was held three days before in Huntington, Ind. This one included a surprise announcement.

As in Huntington, Bishop Ramsey and Pat Jones, Director of Healthy Church Ministries, explained the two referenda and various Discipline revision proposals which will come before the US National Conference next June.

Bishop Ramsey has previously made known his intention to serve only until 2009. What wasn’t known was that Pat Jones plans to leave the national office at the same time, neither staying in his current position nor allowing his name to run on the ballot for bishop. Pat made that announcement publicly at the regional meeting in Bryan.

Bishop Ramsey then led the group in a discussion about the upcoming leadership transition. He asked, “What do we need in terms of leadership?” The assembled pastors and laypersons addressed that question from various angles.

The next four regional meetings will be held:

• Thursday, November 6: Cochranton UB, Cochranton, Pa. (1-3 p.m.).
• Monday, November 10: Rhodes Grove Camp, Chambersburg, Pa.
• Wednesday, November 12: Lancaster UB, Lancaster, Ohio (1-3 p.m.).
• Tuesday, November 18: East Washington UB, Ashley, Mich. (10-noon).

The meetings are open to any UB ministers and laypersons. Please register in advance.

20 Oct Huntington: First of Six Regional Meetings

About 40 people, mostly pastors, attended the first of 6 regional meetings Bishop Ron Ramsey is holding during the next few weeks. This morning’s meeting was held at the Good Shepherd UB church in Huntington, Ind.

• Bishop Ramsey gave challenge to the group, speaking about Christian Newcomer, one of the early bishops whose ministry extended the United Brethren church into Ohio and Indiana.
• Bishop Ramsey discussed the upcoming US National Conference, and
• Bishop Ramsey discussed two referenda items being proposed for next summer’s US National Conference.
• Pat Jones, Director of Healthy Church Ministries, walked through a variety of Discipline changes being proposed, and invited feedback.

20 Oct Mid-Atlantic Pastoral Resource Day

Mid-Atlantic Pastoral Resource Day will be held Monday, November 10 at Rhodes Grove Camp outside Chambersburg, Pa. The event includes afternoon seminars on key issues of interest, including the Foundation Health Insurance Plan.

Speakers

• Ron Ramsey, Bishop
• Pat Jones, Director of Healthy Church Ministries
• Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

Sunday night will feature a fireside chat hosted by Dr. Anthony Blair.

Cost

• $35 (includes meals and continuing education credit from Lancaster Bible College)
• $75 (lodging, meals, and continuing education credit, if staying overnight)

This event is hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Church Multiplication, in conjunction with the Ecclesiastes Institute (a continuing education program hosted at Rhodes Grove).
For additional information, contact Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center:

• Phone: 717-375-4162
• Email: info@rhodesgrove.com

15 Oct Regional Meetings Regarding National Conference Issues

Ron Ramsey, Bishop
On Monday we sent an email to the denominational list telling about the upcoming regional meetings regarding National Conference. The first is next Monday here in Huntington at the Good Shepherd UB church, followed by a meeting three days later in Bryan, Ohio. Then, in November, we’ll hold meetings in:

• Cochranton, Pa. (Nov 6)
• Chambersburg, Pa. (Nov 10)
• Lancaster, Ohio (Nov. 12)
• Ashley, Mich. (Nov.18)

These meetings are for both ministers and laypersons. Pat Jones and I want to talk to you about various things in preparation for next summer’s US National Conference.

• How your church should process the two referenda items, which your members must vote on next February.
• Make sure your church selects lay delegates for the conference.
• Get your input as we look toward a leadership transition next summer, when we elect a new bishop.
• Inform you about a variety of Discipline revisions being proposed.

The meetings:

• Are open to all UB people, both ministers and laypersons.
• Will last two hours.
• Are free (but we’d like you to register).
• Won’t include a meal, like the Hang with the Bishop meetings held earlier this year.