21 Jun We’re in the Final Week Before Conference

It’s only a few days away–the 2013 US National Conference. Registrations now stand at 834 (147 of them children and youth). Preparations are in high gear. We’re looking forward to a wonderful time together in fellowship, learning, fun, and worship.

Here is some information registrants will be interested in.

Reports for Delegates
All business reports have now been posted on the conference website. Most can be viewed online. All can be downloaded in PDF format. Make sure your church’s delegates have copies of the reports for the business sessions. You can download them from the conference website, and print out enough copies for your ministerial and lay delegate(s).

It will be especially important to have a copy of Report 31, “Discipline Revision Proposals.” Much of the business will revolve around this report. Without it to refer to, you’ll be a bit lost. You can also print a copy of the Discipline, which might be helpful, too.

We were going to mail packets of reports to persons who lack internet access, but circumstances prevented this from happening. However, those delegates will be able to request a packet of reports when they register at conference.

You’ll also find ballots and biographical information regarding candidates for the two elections that will be held on Thursday: for bishop, and for the 2013-2015 Executive Leadership Team.

The business session will be preceded by a breakfast at 8am. Anyone can attend the breakfast (not just delegates).

Networking Reception
We’re trying something new on Thursday night–a “Networking Reception.” It’ll be a way to meet fellow UBs who share the same interests or life experiences. Each table in the room will have a theme of some kind–bikers, youth workers, NASCAR fans, movie buffs, guitarists, military vets, schoolteachers, “The Voice” fans, children’s workers, drummers…about 50 in all. If you have something you want to showcase–a ministry or something else–we welcome you to set-up at an unused table.

Friday Afternoon in Huntington
Everyone heads to Huntington on Friday afternoon. Figure on 2:30 or later. Much is happening at the Huntington University campus–tours in the afternoon, a picnic at 4:30, the Todd Agnew concert at 7pm, and balloon rides after the concert.

You’ll also be able to tour the UB National Office, located adjacent to the university at 302 Lake Street.

The three UB churches in Huntington will also be open for tours 2:30 – 4 pm.

• College Park church is just two blocks from the campus (1936 College Avenue).
• Check out the new family life center at New Hope Church, where Bishop Emeritus Ray Seilhamer is the pastor (2001 Engle St).
• Check on the progress at The Well’s new location at 1883 Old US 24. They plan to begin holding services there in August.

Don’t want to drive to Huntington? We’ll have a signup at registration for shuttles back and forth. More information will be available at registration.

Visit Local UB Churches on Sunday
Some delegates will no doubt stay Saturday night and attend church in the Fort Wayne area. There are several excellent choices:

• Anchor UB church is just two miles from the Grand Wayne Center. Address: 1529 Third Street, Fort Wayne IN 46808.
• Emmanuel UB church is 11 miles to the west. Address: 12222 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46814.
• Union Chapel is 10 miles to the north. Address: 12628 Coldwater Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46845.

In addition, we have several churches in nearby towns:

• South Scipio: 23 miles to the northeast (24990 Antwerp Rd, Harlan, IN 46743).
• Zanesville: 17 miles to the south (3092 Broadway St, Zanesville, IN 46799).
• Hopewell: 20 miles to the north (6852 County Road 35, Auburn, IN 46706).

Several churches are located in Huntington, about 26 miles away: College Park, The Well, and New Hope.

So if you’re sticking around, check out one of the local UB churches. They’ll appreciate seeing you.

17 Jun National Conference: Well Past 800 Registrants

Registrations for the US National Conference have surged well past the 800 mark, with 822 persons registered as of Monday, June 17. Of those, 151 are children and youth.

Registration starts at noon. The first conference event is the Wednesday evening (June 26) evening service, which starts at 6:30 pm.

Reports for Delegates

Make sure your church’s delegates have copies of the reports for the business sessions. You can download them from the conference website, and print out enough copies for your ministerial and lay delegate(s).

It’s especially important to have a copy of the “Discipline Revision Proposals” report. Much of the business session will focus on those proposals. Without it to refer to, you’ll be a bit lost. So make sure all of your delegates have a copy. You can also print a copy of the Discipline, which might be helpful, too.

07 Jun Can We Get to 800?

31 May Conference Update: 692 Registrations

We’re on the verge of passing the 700 mark in registrations for this summer’s US National Conference. We’re at 692 registrations, of which 128 are children and youth.

17 May National Conference: Hyatt Place Taking Reservations

The two main hotels for this summer’s US National Conference, the Hilton and Courtyard by Marriott, are mostly filled up. But we just (as of May 16) secured a block of rooms at the Hyatt Place. It’s nice hotel located 4.6 miles (13 minutes) from the Grand Wayne Center, our meeting place.

Cost: $102 per night.

This rate is good for June 26-30, 2013.

You can register in two ways:

Call 800-833-1516. Mention the code “G-CHUR”
Go online at: fortwayne.place.hyatt.com. In the box “corporate/group #,” type “G-CHUR”

14 May National Conference: 616 Now Registered

Registrations for this summer’s US National Conference have surged past the 600 mark. Of those, 110 are children and teens.

The schedule has been updated on the website, with a variety of additions.

Workshops are still being finalized. A number of them are now listed on the website.

17 Apr January 2014: Construction Team for Sierra Leone

Harmonie House at Mattru Hospital

The large central room.

The kitchen in disrepair.

Global Ministries is looking for individuals to become part of a construction team to do building restoration on Harmonie House on the Mattru Hospital compound. In the past, Harmonie House was a dormitory for nurses. It will be used to house medical teams and personnel working at Mattru Hospital.

The trip will take place in January 10-24, 2014. We would like to send a team of at least 6 individuals who have a knowledge of general construction. Requirements for this trip include the following:

• A current passport that will not expire within six months of the January departure date.
• A yellow fever immunization (these can be obtained from the county health department).
• Immunizations are also suggested for the following: cholera, tetanus, hepatitis A & B battery, plus a script for doxycycline, the anti-malarial med that works in Sierra Leone.

Global Ministries will work with each applicant in acquiring a special entry visa into Sierra Leone.

For more information and an application form, please contact Donna Hollopeter at 888-622-3019 ext. 306, or by sending an email to [email protected]

03 Apr National Conference: a Very Special Friday

Todd Agnew

Friday, June 28, will be a special day at the US National Conference. We’ll have workshops in the morning. Then, in the afternoon, everyone will travel down the road to Huntington University, where we’ll have the run of the campus. There will be tours of various buildings. An open house at the UB Historical Center. Inflatable games for kids. A picnic BBQ supper.

And a concluding worship concert with Todd Agnew.

Todd Agnew is a contemporary Christian musician and songwriter from Dallas, Texas. He is best known for writing the song “Grace Like Rain,” a version of the hymn “Amazing Grace.” Agnew has put out seven albums.

Agnew was born in Dallas, Texas, to a Native American mother, but was adopted at birth by a Caucasian couple. In 1999, Agnew began traveling to Memphis to help with a city-wide Bible study for college students and singles. During this time he began writing and introducing songs to the group which would later become songs on the record “Grace Like Rain.” He eventually move to Memphis to help plant a church, which developed through the Bible study into Highpoint Church. After a number of years touring out of Memphis, Agnew was married in 2008 and moved back to Texas. He currently lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Jenny, and two children.

We look forward to worshiping under Todd Agnew’s leadership on that Friday night.