(260) 356-2312
Sarah Joy Bittick, daughter of Pastor Rod Bittick of Pixley UB church (Pixley, Calif.) will graduate from UCLA this spring and then spend seven weeks in Japan with the Navigators’ B.E.S.T. Club (Bible, English, Sports and Travel).
Mark Ralph, pastor of Sunfield UB church (Sunfield, Mich.), has faced very serious vertigo for the past three weeks. He has fallen down a number of times. Tomorrow, Wednesday, he undergoes a four-hour series of tests to try to determine what is happening. Please keep Mark in your prayers.
The US National Conference Nominating Committee has nominated Philip Whipple for the office of bishop. The next bishop will serve 2009-2013.
Phil is senior pastor of Colwood UB church in Caro, Mich. He is a graduate of Liberty University and of the Huntington University Graduate School. He took his first pastorate in 1984, but didn’t come into the United Brethren fold until 1990, when he became an associate at Richfield Road UB church in Flint, Mich.
The next year, he began seven years as pastor of Pleasant Valley UB church (Lake Odessa, Mich.). Then, in 1998, he was assigned to Colwood. Under Phil’s leadership, the attendance has grown from 200 to over 500, and they have baptized 130 people.
Phil and his wife, Sandy, have been married for almost 30 years, and have two sons, both of whom serve as Worship Arts pastors–Josh at Mongul UB church in Shippensburg, Pa., and Mike at Colwood.You can read online Phil’s vision statement, which includes six roles he sees for the bishop and four areas for immediate attention.
Phil’s name will be the only name on the ballot, though nominations can also be made from the floor of the US National Conference. Rev. J. Michael Caley, chairman of the Nominating Committee, explains the process they used.
Bob Carpenter, a former United Brethren pastor in Michigan, passed away Tuesday, March 17. He had most previously pastored the UB church in Freeport, Mich.
Last Saturday night, March 14, fire completely destroyed the home of Ed and Jean Harvey, who pastor Lighthouse Community UB church in Dayton, Ohio.
They had been trying to trace a slight smell of smoke for much of the day, and a circuit breaker kept tripping. A friend looked in the attic and spotted heavy smoke, at which point the fire department was contacted. They fought the fire from inside until the ceiling began caving inside, at which point they retreated to outside. It took several hours to extinguish the fire.
Michael Soltis has been appointed senior pastor of Mt. Zion UB church in Wayne, Ohio. He replaces Lee Hiney, who stepped down as pastor in August after 20 years in that role.
Many of you know Harold Wust, or at least recognize his name. Harold and his wife, Dee, served as missionaries in Honduras, and Harold later served many years as Associate Director of Missions. They live in Huntington, Ind., and attend Good Shepherd UB church. He is an ordained UB minister, and has been a tremendous servant throughout the years.
Harold Wust has been diagnosed with leukemia. The report this week is that his liver and kidneys are doing well. The chemotherapy is over. Now, they must wait to see if it worked. If it did not, they will not do another dose of chemo. He would not survive it. We have to pray that the chemo worked and for daily continued strength.
Harold could use cards of encouragement and very brief visits. And your prayers.
You can contact Harold by mail:
Harold Wust
5320N – 200W
Huntington, IN 46750
Ernie Herndon, Sr., Associate Pastor of Olivet UB (Dayton, Ohio), passed away Sunday, February 1.
Vewing: Thursday, February 5, from 5-8 p.m.
Funeral: Friday, February 6, at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Phillip Marxson will officiate.
Both the viewing and funeral will be held at the Robert L. Crooks Funeral Center Preble Memory Gardens, 3377 US Rte. 35, between Eaton and West Alexandria, Ohio.
Rev. Herndon was born May 8, 1924, in Somerset, Va. He was a World War II vet, serving in the Army 1943-1946. Over the years he worked as a farmer, a self-employed carpenter, and in private security. He is survived by his wife, Carol J. (McKee) Herndon, whom he married January 6, 1968; and by six children.
Bishop Wilber Sites, Jr., was hospitalized January 3 with congestive heart failure. He sent this note yesterday: “I have been home now for a week. My doctor says that recovery will be very slow. However, I can praise God for the progress that is being made. Thanks to all the staff for their prayers. I continue to pray for you as you prepare for the National Conference.”
Bishop Ron Ramsey has appointed Barry Skinner as the interim pastor at Kilburn Ave UB, Rockford, Ill. Barry is currently pursuing a BS in Religion and working toward Mastor of Arts in Pastoral Counseling and Master of Divnity through Liberty University distance Learning Program. Barry lives in Mt. Morris, Ill.
