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: [email protected]

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.

13 Oct Bishop to hold Regional Meetings

Bishop Ron Ramsey is holding a series of regional meetings in preparation for the 2009 US National Conference, which will be held June 4-7. These meetings are designed to:

• Make sure pastors understand their responsibilities in presenting two changes to the UB Constitution (referenda). In February, members of all UB churches in the United States must vote on these proposed changes.
• Get input from UB people as we look to a new bishop taking office next summer. Bishop Ramsey does not intend to seek re-election.
• Review any necessary Discipline changes.

The meeting is open to all UB people, both ministers and laypersons. The meetings will last two hours, and there is no cost.

October 20 (Monday)
Good Shepherd UB church
Huntington, Ind.
Time: 10 a.m. – Noon

October 23 (Thursday)
New Hope Community Church
Bryan, Ohio
Time: 10 a.m. – Noon

November 6 (Thursday)
Cochranton UB Church
Cochranton, Pa.
Time: 1-3 p.m.

November 10 (Monday)
Rhodes Grove Camp
Chambersburg, Pa.
Part of the Mid-Atlantic Foundation meeting, during the afternoon breakout sessions

November 12 (Wednesday)
Lancaster UB Church
Lancaster, Ohio
Time: 1-3 p.m.

November 18 (Tuesday)
East Washington UB Church
Ashley, Mich.
Time: 10 a.m. – Noon

If you have any questions, please contact Cathy Reich at 888-622-3019. Cathy is the bishop’s administrative assistant.

13 Oct Meetings, Meetings

October is always infested with lots of meetings.

• The Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team met last Monday and Tuesday (October 6-7).
• The Global Ministries Leadership Team met Thursday and Friday (October 9-10).
• The Executive Leadership Team meets tonight and all day tomorrow (October 13-14).
• The Higher Education Leadership Team meets Wednesday (October 15).
• The Huntington University Board of Trustees meets Thursday and Friday (October 16-17). Bishop Ron Ramsey and Pat Jones, from the national office, are members of all three groups meeting this week.

29 Sep Seminar with Dr. Kevin Leman

In case you missed it the first time, here’s another promo for the November 1 conference in Wabash, Ind., with Dr. Kevin Leman. The event is called the 2008 Day of Healing.

In addition to Leman, over 20 other psychologists will be there, presenting workshops on a variety of subjects related to relationships, the family, and emotions. This is a good opportunity for ordained ministers looking to pick up another CEU for 2008.

26 Sep Women’s Conference Starts Today

The 2008 UB women’s conference begins today at the Salt Fork Resort near Cambridge, Ohio. You can be praying that they have a great time of fellowship and inspiration.