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02 Sep

September 2, 2022 |

L-r: Alan Harbold, Jody Fleming, Rick Tawney, Al Carter, Jim Pryor, John Brainard, Byron Spear.

We need to get caught up on some pastoral assignments.

Senior Pastors

Alan Harbold has been appointed senior pastor of Strinestown UB church (Manchester, Pa.). He has been pastor of Mt. Washington UB church (York, Pa.) since September 2020, and will now pastor both congregations. Jody Fleming, who had pastored Strinestown since September 2019, has retired.

Rick Tawney has been appointed to oversee First UB church (Columbus, Ohio) while continuing as a church planter in Columbus, which he has been doing since 2019. Al Carter, a UB minister since 2002 who had pastored First UB since August 2011, has retired.

Jim Pryor has been named senior pastor of Richfield Road UB church in Flint, Mich. He previously pastored that congregation 2007-2017. In between Richfield Road was served by John Brainard, who concluded four years as pastor there in December 2021.

Byron Spear has been appointed senior pastor of Banner of Christ UB church (Byron Center, Mich.), effective September 11. Since 2011, he has served primarily in youth ministry at three different churches, including four years at Rising Hope UB (Shippensburg, Pa.) and, since 2018, at Colwood UB (Caro, Mich.). Banner has been served by interim ministers since April 2021.

L-r: Todd Frederick, Bill Blue, Daryl Elliott, Matt Coppess, Ted Doolittle, Robert Rose, Ricky Hull, Amos Rawley.

Todd Frederick has been appointed senior pastor of Shoreline UB church (Oak Harbor, Ohio) effective July 1. He had served the UB church in Jackson, Mich. (originally Pathway Community, now Heart O’ the Lakes-Jackson) since February 2017. Bill Blue, the pastor at Shoreline since 2011, retired in October 2021 after 45 years in United Brethren ministry going back to 1976, mostly as a youth pastor.

Dwight Walker has been appointed senior pastor of Fountain UB church (Keyser, W. Va.). Daryl Elliott, the pastor at Fountain 2002-2021, retired in June 2021 after 32 years of United Brethren ministry.

Matt Coppess has been serving since February 2022 as senior pastor of Calvary UB church (Saginaw, Mich.). Ted Doolittle, who had pastored Calvary for the previous 14 years, retired at the end of December 2021 after 41 years in UB ministry in Ohio and Michigan.

Robert Rose was appointed senior pastor of First Church of the Bronx (Bronx, New York) effective July 1, 2022. He was previously a United Brethren minister in Jamaica Conference.

Mike Heim has been appointed senior pastor of Victory Heights UB church (Franklin, Pa.). Previous pastor Steve Henry passed away in 2021, as did interim pastor Tim Bell, who followed him.

James Martin was appointed senior pastor of Orrstown UB church (Orrstown, Pa.) in February 2022. Ken Williamson, the pastor since 2012, departed in 2021.

Ricky Hull has been appointed senior pastor of Crosswords UB church (Charlotte, Mich.) effective September 11, 2022. He has served in UB ministry since 2012 in Ohio and Michigan, including a previous six-year stint at Crossroads.

Amos Rawley concluded seven years of ministry at New Hope UB (Huntington, Ind.), including senior pastor since July 2016, at the end of May 2022. The church is currently in the stationing process.

L-r: Greg Reed, Steve Fish, Don Baker, Keith Elliott, Mark Ralph, Darrel Bosworth.

Interim Pastors

Craig Holler has been serving as interim pastor of Mt. Hermon UB church (Pomeroy, Ohio) since June 2021.

Greg Reed retired in December 2021 as senior pastor of Morning Star UB church (Kokomo, Ind.), after serving there since 1978. Since then, Steve Fish has been serving as a part-time interim pastor, a role which will conclude in November 2022. Steve began his ministry in 1989 with 12 years on staff at Morning Star, and is currently an associate director of UB Global.

Dave Bowersock has been serving the past year as interim pastor of The Heights, a UB church in East Liverpool, Ohio.

Don Baker was appointed interim pastor of Criders UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.) in June 2022. He has served in ministry since 1980, most recently with 11 years on the staff of King Street UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.). In November 2021, Keith Elliott concluded ten years as pastor at Criders.

Mark Ralph has been serving as interim pastor of First UB church (Van Wert, Ohio) since June 2021. In March 2021 he concluded seven months as interim part of First UB in Findlay, Ohio. He will conclude his assignment at Van Wert at the end of September 2022. Mark officially retired in 2018 after 33 years as a UB minister going back to 1975 (with about 11 years serving elsewhere).

Darrell Bosworth, a UB minister in Michigan since 1999, concluded a year as Revitalization pastor of Crossroads UB (Charlotte, Mich.), and will now begin a 6-12 month interim assignment at Sunfield UB (Sunfield, Mich.).

25 Aug

August 25, 2022 |

Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University, speaking at a press conference about the Step Forward campaign.

Huntington University set out to raise $34 million, and ended up raising over $56 million! HU made the announcement earlier this week.

In 2014, as the Huntington University Board of Trustees looked toward the schools 125th anniversary in 2022, they approved Step Forward, a comprehensive campaign to raise $34 million, the largest campaign in University history.

“For those of us in the room when that was decided, that was a large goal and frankly, a pretty daunting one,” said Tom Clounie, Advancement Committee chair. “And it had a ticking clock on it. We knew this campaign was intended to wrap up in 2022 as part of the University’s 125th birthday year.”

That $34 million figure included funding for six capital projects, nine new academic program launches, and growing the endowment and scholarship funds. Seeing how well things were going, the trustees upped the goal to $40 million in the fall of 2019.

Capital Projects
When this campaign launched in 2014, only six capital projects were on the University’s radar. But the University has gone well beyond that. Below are the capital projects which have been completed since 2014.

  • New occupational therapy labs ($75K).
  • Renovations at HU Arizona to create space for an entire occupational therapy program location ($125K).
  • The reconfiguration of the Nursing Lab in the Dowden Science Hall ($300K).
  • Forest Glen baseball field renovations and new turf project ($1.3M).
  • The reimagination of the student center (known as the HUB) ($4.3M).
  • The construction of the Welcome Center as part of the Merillat Centre for the Arts ($800K).
  • The Ware Plant Science Production Facility addition to Dowden Science Hall ($500K)
  • The construction of the Don Strauss Animal Science Education Center ($1.2M).
  • The creation of the esports competition lab ($35K).
  • The updates to the sand volleyball court and construction of the pavilion ($50K).
  • The UB Launch renovation ($100K).

Endowment
$5.8 million has been added to the University endowment. That’s over $1.8 million more than the goal. The overall endowment during the campaign years (2014-2022) has increased by 50%.

New Academic Programs

  • $3.8 million has been invested in launching five new academic programs, including.
  • The Doctoral Program in Occupational Therapy — one of the first in the country.
  • The Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy assistant — the first in the country.
  • The Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.
  • The Master of Business Administration degree.
  • 12 degree programs in agriculture.

Academic Upgrades

  • Nearly $1.2 million has been invested in academic upgrades and improvements, including:
  • Additional academic classroom resources ($250K).
  • Anatomage Tables ($300K).
  • Agriculture tractors/trucks/equipment ($400K).
  • Technology ($200K).

Investing in People

  • Scholarships. $4.3 million has been raised toward the Forester Fund, HU’s student scholarship fund, which provides financial assistance for over 90% of the University’s traditional undergraduate students. Every dollar raised for that Fund goes directly toward student scholarships. Since 2014, overall enrollment has increased by 12.7%.
  • Employees. $4.8 million has been invested in personnel and employee compensation.

“The results of this campaign allow HU to move forward faster to accomplish the mission God has called us to do,” said Dr. Sherilyn Emberton, president of Huntington University. “God’s faithfulness to the University through challenging times and a global pandemic is beyond evident in this campaign, not only in the capital projects completed and the dollars raised, but more importantly in the lives impacted. Nearly 400 additional graduates earned HU degrees as a direct result of this campaign. That’s a powerful statement to the steps of faith taken by so many since 2014.”

05 Aug

August 5, 2022 |

Harold Hancock, a UB Global missionary, passed away August 1, 2022. Both visitation and the funeral will be held on Saturday, August 6, at New Hope UB church in Camden, Mich. Harold and his wife of 53 years, MaryAnn, served eight years as UB Global missionaries in Jamaica, concluding in 2020.

Visitation: 11am – 1pm Saturday, August 6, 2022.
Funeral: 1:00 August 6, 2022.
Location: New Hope United Brethren Church, 5051 W. Montgomery Road, Camden, MI

Harold and MaryAnne Hancock joined the UB Global staff in 2012 and served at Jamaica Bible College in Mandeville, Jamaica (now Regent College of the Caribbean). Harold spent his career working in various trades–welding, electrical work, plumbing, etc. He taught those skills at a vocational high school located on the college campus, while MaryAnn worked in the college library.

Harold and MaryAnn have eight children. They have been longtime members of New Hope UB church. MaryAnn worked many years there as administrative assistant for the church and the former New Hope Christian School.

View Harold’s online obituary here.

04 Aug

August 4, 2022 |

The UB Global team (l-r): David Kline, Angela Vincenti, Frank Yang, Michelle Harris, and Steve Fish.

In August, Michelle Harris will conclude six years as an associate director of UB Global. Michelle will work full-time this year on writing her doctoral dissertation on community-based resettlement of refugees. After that, her hope is to focus her work and ministry in Fort Wayne, where she lives.

She writes, “It has been a privilege to serve the United Brethren in Christ Church through UB Global these last six years. I have been blessed to serve on this team with gifted and godly people.”

Michelle joined the UB Global team in 2016 with over 25 years of cross-cultural experience in mentoring, training, and teaching in a variety of settings. Her responsibilities with UB Global have included overseeing our partnership with Mattru Hospital in Sierra Leone, working with short-term mission teams, and using her gifts in writing.

In 2012, Michelle and her family moved to Fort Wayne, Ind., after serving in cross-cultural ministry with college students with InterVarsity Link—8 years in France, and 11 years in the African nation of Gabon. Since returning to Indiana, her husband, Scott, has continued working for InterVarsity. They are members of Anchor UB church in Fort Wayne. Scott and Michelle’s son and daughter-in-law, Justin and Lydia, will be serving with InterVarsity Link in France beginning in September.

We thank Michelle for the valuable contributions she has made to United Brethren missions during the past six years and wish her the best in whatever comes next.

 

02 Aug

August 2, 2022 |


The next edition of the UB History Course will be held September 26-27, 2022. It is held entirely online via Zoom. Rev. Bob Bruce will teach the course, with guest appearances by a number of persons with expertise in aspects of UB history.

This course is a requirement for ministerial licensing. However, people who just want to learn more about United Brethren history are welcome to take the course. Laypersons, especially local church leaders (board chairpersons and members, lay delegates, etc.), are encouraged to attend. It’s valuable to have an understanding about United Brethren history.

Use this link to register or learn more.

14 Jul

July 14, 2022 |

L-r: Jody Bowser, Christopher Little V, Mark Vincenti, Joni Michaud, Kim Fish, Kent Eilers.

In April 2022, the Executive Leadership Team appointed a six-person “Task Force on Human Reproduction.” They will study a wide range of issues and propose Discipline revisions to be considered by the next US National Conference, which will meet July 11-14, 2023, in Fort Wayne, Ind.

The Task Force’s work will focus on three statements in the “Family Standards” section of the Discipline, none of which have been revised since 1985.

  • The “Abortion” statement was adopted in 1969, and was revised in 1981 and 1985.
  • The “Family Planning” statement was adopted in 1969 under the heading “Responsible Family Planning.” In 1985, one sentence was added and the name was shortened to “Family Planning.”
  • The “Genetic Engineering” statement was adopted in 1985 and has never been revised. This statement is probably most in need of updating, as a slew of new reproductive technologies have arisen during the past 30 years.

Bishop Todd Fetters felt that these statements desperately needed to be updated. We need principles which are consistent with Scripture, and which can be applied to new reproductive technologies which may arise in the future.

Bishop Fetters emphasizes that, as was the case in 2017, there is no appetite among the general UB constituency for “liberalizing” our stands. It’s just a matter of addressing current realities and giving sound biblical guidance to UB people.

The Team
This task force is modeled somewhat on the Task Force on Human Sexuality, whose work was approved by the 2017 US National Conference. Two members of this group, Joni Michaud and Mark Vincenti, also served on the Task Force on Human Sexuality.

  • Joni Michaud, the chairperson, is a member of Pleasant Valley United Brethren Church in Lake Odessa, Mich. She holds degrees from Huntington University and the Notre Dame Law School (2008), was admitted to the State Bar of Michigan in 2008, and is now a practicing attorney with Voices for Hope PLC in Grand Rapids, Mich., with a focus on criminal law, family law, and immigration law. She was a member of the Task Force on Human Sexuality.
  • Rev. Mark Vincenti has been a United Brethren minister since 2000, serving on staff at King Street UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.), College Park UB church (Huntington, Ind.), and now Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.). In addition to his work at Emmanuel, in late 2021 Mark assumed the role of Campus Chaplain at his alma mater, Huntington University.
  • Dr. Jody Bowser has been pastor of King Street UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.) since 2015. Prior to that, he served in ministry at non-UB churches in California, Washington, and Ohio going back to 1989. He holds an undergraduate degree from Judson College (1985), a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary (1989), and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (2003).
  • Rev. Christopher Little V, the son of former UB minister Chris Little, served 2015-2020 as Pastor of Outreach at Mount Pleasant UB church (Chambersburg, Pa.) and is now planting a church in Harrisburg, Pa. He holds degrees in Christian Ministry and Music from Geneva College (2014), and in 2018 completed a masters in church planting from Wesleyan Seminary in Indiana.
  • Kim Fish grew up in a United Brethren minister’s home, the daughter of Dr. Kent and Carol Maxwell. She holds a psychology degree from Huntington University and a masters in social work from Indiana-Purdue a degree in Psychology and went on to earn a masters in social work from IUPUI, a state university in Indiana. She has worked over 25 years in the social service field, and now works in private practice with Clarity Counseling in Fort Wayne, Ind. She is married to Rev. Steve Fish, a United Brethren ordained minister who currently works an associate director of UB Global.
  • Dr. Kent Eilers has been a professor of theology at Huntington University since 2009. He grew up in a Christian home in the Evangelical Covenant tradition, and went on to serve on staff with several churches in Michigan and Colorado. He holds an undergraduate degree from Calvin College, a master of divinity from Denver Seminary, and a PhD in systematic theology from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.

Timeline
The Task Force held an initial meeting via Zoom on March 30, and then met in person on June 17 in Huntington, Ind. They will present a preliminary report to the October 2022 Executive Leadership Team, and will submit its final report to the Bishop’s Office by March 1, 2023.

In May 2023, regional meetings will be held to prepare people for the upcoming US National Conference. A representative of the Task Force will attend those meetings to present the proposals and invite feedback.

In June 2023, a final version of all proposals will be published for delegates and the entire UB constituency. They will then be acted upon during the July 12 business session of the US National Conference.

15 Jun

June 15, 2022 |

Rev. Keith Smith, 89, passed away June 11, 2022. He graduated from Huntington University in 1961 and from its seminary in 1965. He was ordained in 1965. Rev. Smith concluded his ministry serving on staff at First UB (now Element UB) church in Blissfield, Mich. from 2005 to 2018, most recently as Minister of Visitation.

Visitation: 6-8 pm Wednesday, June 15
Funeral: 11:00 am Thursday, June 16, 2022
Visitation and Funeral Location: Element UB church, 220 East Jefferson Street, Blissfield, Mich.

Keith and his wife Dorothy were one week away from celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary.

You can view the online obituary here.

10 May

May 10, 2022 |

Bobby Culler and Craig Mickey

The first Ministry Leaders Summit was held April 25-29 at the Plaza Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, Fla. This event, designed for persons serving in staff roles at United Brethren churches, was a wonderful time of refreshment, relaxation and refueling.

Dr. Dave Rahn, the keynote speaker, brought challenging and insightful messages to the group dealing with our “joy switch” as well as some habits of integrity and ministry.

This summit included a mix of ministry positions from across the United Brethren denomination. And to say that it was enjoyable would be an understatement. Here are some of the comments from those who attended.

  • “It was valuable to me just hanging out with other like-minded people” (Matt Gish, High School Youth Pastor, King Street Church, Chambersburg, Pa.).
  • “Getting to know that people that I am working with at the different churches brings a sense of ‘we are in this together’” (Angela Vincenti, UB Global, Huntington, Ind.).
  • “I enjoyed spending face-to-face time with other ministers and having the chance to make connections and build friendship with people who understand the joys and struggles of ministry” (Jordan Hart, Worship Pastor, Atlantic Avenue UB church, Franklin, Pa.).
  • “The whole week was well planned and purposeful” (Julie Llewellyn, Early Childhood Pastor, Emmanuel Community Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.).
  • “Getting to know other UB worship pastors and discussing ministry practices was very helpful” (Mark Young, Worship Pastor, Mt. Pleasant Church, Chambersburg, Pa.).
  • “To me, the relational sharpening and encouragement that takes place between attendees is very valuable” (Brian Kramer, Middle School Pastor, Emmanuel Community Church, Fort Wayne, Ind.).
  • “I really enjoyed being able to connect with other worship pastors, and I love the community we’ve developed with the youth pastors” (Byron Spear, Youth & Worship Pastor, Colwood UB church, Caro, Mich.).

Future Summit dates are as follows:

April 24-28, 2023. UB Youth Summit.
April 29 – May 3, 2024. Ministry Leaders Summit.

We all look forward to being together again. Until then, continue to be faithful to the calling that God has placed on your life in the place that he has put you.

10 May

May 10, 2022 |

Rev. Marion E. Burkett, age 100, passed away May 4, 2022. Since becoming a United Brethren minister in the 1940s, he has served as a pastor, church planter, evangelist, and missionary in Sierra Leone. Here are the funeral details:

Visitation: 10:00 – 11:00 am Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
Funeral: 11:00 am Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
Location: Bailey Love Mortuary, 35 W Park Drive, Huntington, IN 46750.

From the online obituary at Bailey-Love:

“Marion spent his whole life in ministry, started at the age of 16 and faithfully continued teaching bible study up until one week before his passing. His life was devoted to his family and ministry as a pastor in congregations in several states and Canada and mission work in Southeast Kentucky and Sierra Leone West Africa for the Church of The United Brethren in Christ, United Methodist and Missionary churches.”

Preferred memorials to The Gideons International, in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN, 46750. Or go online to www.gideons.org/donate.

Go to the Bailey-Love website for complete information.

04 May

May 4, 2022 |


Nancy N’Gele
Huntington, Ind.

“100 Years Loved” was the sign on the wall at Rev. Marion E. Burkett’s birthday party at Sugar Grove Church of the Nazarene in the village of Tunker, Ind. on Good Friday afternoon, April 15.

Earlier in the day, Rev. Burkett had conducted a Good Friday service at his residence, the Columbia City Miller’s Merry Manor. He shared that he had become a Christian believer 85 years before. His sons Rev. David Burkett, wife Julie, and daughter Molly from Franklin, Pa., and Rev. Phil Burkett and wife Darlene from Cass city, Mich., led in singing “The Old Rugged Cross” and “One Day,” accompanied by Phil on the accordion. Phil also sang an a capella solo of “Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?”

Two members of the nursing home staff assisted Rev. Burkett in serving communion to approximately 40 residents and guests. Rev. Amos Rawley, pastor of New Hope United Brethren church in Huntington, gave the benediction.

At 2:00 p.m., the party began in Tunker, hosted by M. E. Burkett’s son Dr. Mark and Sandy Burkett. Delicious hot food and desserts were served guests from the church kitchen.

Special music was provided by sons David, Mark, and Phil, along with other family members. The family group sang two favorites of the guest of honor, “Life is Like a Mountain Railroad,” and “Trust and Obey,” with Darlene Burkett at the piano.

Approximately 75 members of the family and friends had come to celebrate the 100th birthday.

On Monday, the staff of Miller’s Merry Manor surprised him with another party with a huge cake and the release of 100 balloons.

Rev. Burkett grew up in a United Brethren church in Monroe, Mich. He was ordained as a United Brethren minister in 1946, and in the years ahead served in ministry in many ways. He pastored churches in a half-dozen states, served as a missionary in Sierra Leone for two terms in the 1950s and another term in 1971, served in Kentucky at the UB Laurel Mission and the United Methodist Redbird Mission, planted a UB church in Pima, Arizona…and so much more. It was fitting that he would spend his 100th birthday serving communion.

Rev. Burkett and his wife of 73 years, Frances, raised four sons. David and Phil became ordained United Brethren ministers and missionaries, and Mark became a medical doctor. The fourth son, Stephen, died of cancer in 1990.