Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center (Chambersburg, Pa.) is seeking an Executive Director for the camp. RGC is in covenant with the Church of the United Brethren in Christ and has a long history of partnership and ministry with the denomination.

Those interested in the position can email the RGC Board at board@rhodesgrove.com.

To find out more about the camp, visit www.rhodesgrove.com.

Position Description

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director will provide overall creative vision and empowering leadership for the operations, promotion, and fundraising of Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center. This position will lead a full-time, part-time, seasonal, and volunteer staff necessary to fulfill the mission of Rhodes Grove.

The Executive Director will empower and encourage the creation, development, and ongoing effectiveness of all programs and activities. All functions will be performed within the stated mission and core values of Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center.

Strategic Vision and Direction

  • Works with the Board to prepare a long-range vision and strategic plan for Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center. The strategic plan includes programming, human resources, facility, financial, and fundraising. Thus, the Executive Director serves as an ex-officio member of all Board committees.
  • Reports regularly to the Board the progress toward and measurement of organizational objectives, financial status of the organization, and other issues of concern.

Operational Leadership and Administration

  • Develops an annual operating plan consistent with the Rhodes Grove mission, strategic plan goals, objectives, and approved budget.
  • Provides fiscal responsibility of the camp stewardship.
  • Develops and fosters a cooperative and cohesive team environment.
  • Serves as an effective coach and mentor for the Ministry Director and the Operations Director.
  • Initiates and prepares the development of organizational policies for Board approval.
  • Oversees the overall staffing structures and processes having final authority in hiring and firing.
  • Provides written and verbal reports related to finances, facilities, programming, and so forth at scheduled Board meetings or as needed.

Promotion and Development

  • Serves as a key communicator of the mission of Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center to various constituencies and stakeholders including individuals, churches, local organizations, local government, and other organizations.
  • Serves as a liaison between Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center and all regulatory bodies and accrediting agencies.
  • Develops, modifies, and implements Rhodes Grove’s overall marketing and camper/conference retention plans consistent with approved policies and standards.
  • Takes leadership in developing and implementing Rhodes Grove’s annual fundraising plans by initiating and maintaining positive relations with donors and supportive community organizations and churches.

Position Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business, Camping and Recreation or related field preferred; or equivalent education and work experience.
  • Minimum of five years’ experience in a related organization working at the Director level. Must have supervisory experience along with programmatic and budgetary planning and control.
  • Experience in resource development and fundraising is preferred.
  • Must have advanced computer skills with working knowledge of Microsoft Office products.
  • Must possess strong interpersonal skills with the ability to interact professionally with staff members, Advisory Board members, regulatory agencies, donors, conference leaders, and campers of all ages.
  • Possess a passion for God’s Word and prayer.
  • Must be in agreement with Rhodes Grove’s mission, core values, and Christian beliefs.
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license.
  • Must pass and maintain Criminal Background Checks and Child Abuse Clearance.

Registration is now open for the various UB pastoral summits scheduled for this spring. All three will be held in Daytona Beach, Fla., during April and May at The Plaza Resort & Spa (600 N Atlantic Ave, Daytona Beach, FL).


Pastor & Spouse Summits

Every two years, we hold summits for senior pastors and spouses. This year there will be two summits, based on the church’s attendance.

April 25-28: for pastors and spouses from churches with an attendance of 0-299. Register here.

May 2-5: for pastors and spouses from churches with an attendance over 300. Register here.


Ministry Leaders Summit

April 25-29. The Ministry Leaders Summit is for persons serving in staff positions in United Brethren churches. This includes such roles as pastoral care, youth, worship, assimilation, adult education, visitation, counseling, missions, discipleship, children, etc. It is not for senior pastors. The annual Youth Workers Summit is being folded into this event for 2022. Register here.


Idea to Action Symposium

One other event to get on your schedule is the Idea to Action Symposium, sponsored jointly by the denomination and Huntington University. It will be held entirely online.

Date: Monday, March 28, 2022.
Topic: Young Adults and the Church

Details will be announced here closer to the event.

Cochranton Community Church (Cochranton, Pa.) is looking to hire a fulltime staff person to serve as Pastor of Student and Family Life. The person would start as soon as practical.

Job Description
To build young disciples for Christ by developing and implementing a comprehensive approach to child and youth ministry (in the areas of group building, worship, discipleship, mission, and outreach) while serving as a spiritual leader and role model. Fostering spiritual development for the entire family by providing resources and opportunities for parents to learn and excel in their ability to create a Christ-centered environment in the home.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee and coordinate all aspects of the children’s and student ministry (cradle through 12 grade).
  • Be an advocate for youth and educate the congregation about the hopes, concerns, and needs of youth in the local church and community.
  • Work closely with current and future student leaders for training, equipping and encouragement.
  • Provide opportunities for students to serve within the church and community.
  • Create a presence in the community by building relationships with local middle school and high school leadership.
  • Recruit and equip lay leaders for all areas of Family Ministries.
  • Help plan, organize, and oversee our Sunday morning children’s activities (Orange curriculum), and Sunday evening student activities.
  • Recruit and train volunteers who work with youth in all aspects of youth ministry and ensure adequate volunteer support and adult to youth ratios.
  • Lead meetings with volunteers and parents to increase communication and address any concerns.
  • Support and guide the work of the Youth Commission and the Christian Education (CE) Commission in directing monthly planning sessions, prudently overseeing commission budgets and annually evaluating the achievements, vision, and goals of both ministries.
  • Coordinate Sunday school curriculum for youth and recruit teachers in partnership with the Christian Education Commission chair.
  • Make yourself available to youth in a variety of ways (i.e. Motzing Center, visitation, times of crisis, etc.).
  • Build relationships with parents for ongoing ministry opportunities.
  • Be the “cheerleader” for the mission and values of the Church.
  • Assist with the pastoral needs of the entire congregation (pastoral care, leadership, teaching, preaching etc.).
  • Overseeing and attending all Kamp 4 Kids meetings and activities.

Qualifications
Bachelor Degree in Ministry/related subject or Highschool Diploma/GED along with at least 4 years of youth/ministry related experience.

Expectations

  • Average work week will consist of 45-50 per week with two days off per week (hours include evenings, weekends, and extracurricular work-related activities). This would include 20-30 hours per week in the office on average (can include a reasonable amount of personal devotion/study time). Remote office work may occasionally be permitted with approval from the Senior Pastor.
  • Attend the worship service when not participating in children’s activities.
  • Teach and/or provide teachers for the Sunday morning student Bible classes.
  • Be on time or early to all meetings and events.
  • Work towards UB licensing and ordination.

If Interested
Forward cover letter and resume to Senior Pastor John Authenreith at: john@ccubchurch.org

Rev. Donald Merillat, 80, passed away January 29, 2022, at his home in Morenci, Mich. He cited the Munson UB church in Morenci as his home church, and was converted in 1953.

Don owned his own carpentry business from 1974 to 1982 prior to entering Huntington University to prepare for the ministry. He graduated from HU in 1987 with a bachelor’s degree, and received the Master of Christian Ministry from HU in 1989. He was ordained as a UB minister in 1989. He pastored the Victory Chapel UB church (Liberty Center, Ohio) for many years, and also served as a conference superintendent in Michindoh Conference.

The funeral service was held at 11:00 am on February 1, 2022, in Morenci, Mich.

Donald and Carol were married in 1960 in Hudson, Mich. and have three children. Condolences can be sent to Carol at this address:

Carol Merillat
301 Lincoln St.
Morenci, MI 49256

L-r: Bishop Todd Fetters, Rev. Todd Frederick, Rev. Cyle Young.

The Pathway congregation.

The new “Jackson Campus” sign of Heart O’ the Lakes.

Heart O’ the Lakes UB church now has two locations in Michigan–Brooklyn and Jackson. As of December 6, Pathway UB church in Jackson is now officially Heart O’ the Lakes – Jackson.

Pathway, known as Gethsemane until 2006, was founded in 1970 by Rev. Herb Cherry. In 1972, Gethsemane helped support Rev. Milan Maybee in planting a new UB church in Brooklyn. Now those two congregations have come together under the same banner.

Rev. Cyle Young has been lead pastor of Heart O’ the Lakes since 2016. He will continue in that role with both congregations. Rev. Todd Frederick, who was assigned as senior pastor of Pathway in 2017, will now join Cody Morehead as associate pastors of Heart O’ the Lakes—one church with two locations.

Rev. Ted and Linda Doolittle

On December 19, the Calvary UB church of Saginaw, Mich., held a retirement celebration for Rev. Ted and Linda Doolittle, who have served the church for the past 14 years, and a total of 41 years in United Brethren ministry.

Ted and Linda both grew up in United Brethren churches–Ted at First UB in Findlay, Ohio, and Linda at Richfield Road in Flint, Mich. They graduated together from Huntington University in 1979 and were married in March 1980. Ted graduated from the HU Graduate School of Christian Ministries in 1981 and was ordained that year.

Ted began his ministry in 1980 with two years on staff at Mainstreet UB church in Walbridge, Ohio. That was followed by four years at the UB church in Steubenville, Ohio; eight years at what is now Shoreline UB church in Oak Harbor, Ohio; five years at Ted’s home church of First UB in Findlay, Ohio; and then eight years as an associate pastor at Mount Zion UB church in Wayne, Ohio. In 2008, they were assigned to Calvary Community Church.

Rev. H. Dean VanderVeen, 93, a retired UB minister in Michigan, passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, December 15, 2021. He was at home, with family at his side.

Both visitation and the funeral will occur on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at Calvary United Brethren church in Saginaw, Mich. (2895 E. Moore Road, Saginaw, MI 48601).

Visitation: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
Funeral: 1:00 pm.

Dean’s son, Rev. Gary VanderVeen, and Rev. Ted Doolittle, the current pastor of Calvary UB, will officiate.

Dean was ordained as a United Brethren minister in 1965. He founded Calvary Community Church in Saginaw in 1971 and served as its pastor until 1992.

Dean and Annabelle, who survives, were married in 1951. Her address:

Annabelle VanderVeen
4620 McIntosh Rd
Birch Run, MI 48415-8704

The memorial service for former bishop Paul Hirschy will be held at 11:00 am Monday, December 20, 2021. Location: College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind.

Visitation is 2-7 pm Sunday, December 19, at Myers Funeral Home in Huntington (2901 Guilford St, Huntington, IN 46750). Visitation will also occur one hour before the service on Monday.

The memorial service will be livestreamed on Youtube at this address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkNtTZVUvYI

Bishop Todd Fetters will give the memorial message. Former bishop Ray Seilhamer will also give some remarks.

Former Bishop Paul E. Hirschy, 75, passed away December 1, 2021. The viewing and funeral will be held December 19-20 in Huntington, Ind.

Viewing: 2-7 pm Sunday, December 19, 2021
Viewing location: Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford St, Huntington, IN 46750
Funeral: 11 am Monday, December 20, 2021
Funeral location: College Park UB church, 1945 College Avenue,
Huntington, IN 46750.

Bishop Todd Fetters will officiate at the funeral service, which will be streamed online on Youtube.

Paul graduated from Huntington University in 1968, and from the HU Seminary in 1972. In 1968 he began ten years of pastoral ministry–initially in Convoy, Ohio, followed by nine years at Park UB church in Bluffton, Ind. He managed the denominational printshop 1978-1981, and then was elected by General Conference to the first of five terms as Director of Church Services at the UB national office.

In 2001, Paul was elected bishop of the US National Conference. He served in that role until 2005. He worked the next seven years as a development officer at Huntington University, and since 2012 has been associate pastor at College Park UB church in Huntington.

On October 1, 2021, Huntington University awarded Paul the Distinguished Alumni Citation, which recognizes exceptional service over an extended period of time. “Service” is, indeed, what Paul is most known for—a man with a true servant’s heart.

Paul is survived by his wife Barbara, to whom he was married in 1969, and their three children: Jason Hirschy (Thornton, Colo.), Heather Gonzales (Washington, D. C.), and Amber Kaushik (Alexandria, Va.).

Condolences can be sent to Barbara Hirschy at:

Barbara Hirschy
5493 N Goshen Road
Huntington, IN 46750-8940

Memorial donations may be made to Huntington University or College Park UB Church, both in care of Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford St., Huntington, IN 46750.

You can read the official obituary on the Myers Funeral Home website.