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12 Jun

June 12, 2014 |

Dave Stephens (right), an ordained UB minister who recently retired as director of Camp Cotubic (Bellefontaine, Ohio), posted an update on Facebook on June 11 about his ongoing struggle with cancer.

“Last week I had another CT scan to see how things were developing. Today the doctor told us that the area in the pancreas was smaller than before. He was encouraged with the entire scan. We are too. I’ve shared that I am pain and symptom free. I’m able to work at the camp every day. With the exception of chemotherapy days, I feel almost normal. I am so thankful for all your prayers and support.”

12 Jun

June 12, 2014 |

Retired minister Frank Strine was hospitalized yesterday, June 11. They will determine if he needs a pacemaker. Frank is the father of Devon Strine, pastor of Mount Pleasant UB church in Angola, Ind.

10 Jun

June 10, 2014 |

Dr. C. Stanley Peters, 91, passed away Monday morning, June 9, 2014, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Ind. Stan, as everyone knew him, was a longtime member of College Park UB church in Huntington.

Beginning in September 1959, Dr. Peters served 22 years in the United Brethren national office overseeing our various publications–the United Brethren magazine, the UB Sunday school curriculum, and other materials. He concluded his service there in December 1981.

Funeral arrangements:

Visitation: 3-8 pm Wednesday, June 11.
Visitation location: Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford Street, Huntington, IN 46750.
Funeral: 10 am Thursday, June 12.
Funeral location: College Park UB church, 1945 College Ave., Huntington, IN 46750.

10 Jun

June 10, 2014 |
Scott Hardaway and Noel Marquard.

Scott Hardaway and Noel Marquard.

Scott Hardaway has announced (on Facebook) his engagement to Noel Marquard. Noel teaches second grade at Chandler Christian Academy in Chandler, Ariz. Her teaching also experience includes four years in Senegal, West Africa.

Scott served 12 years as pastor of Pathway UB church in Jackson, Mich. His first wife, Tanya, died of cancer in October 2012, and the following year Scott stepped away from the pastorate in order to raise his two sons. He wrote at the time, “I’ve never met a pastor who was a single parent. Now I know why. I’m not saying it can’t be done, but I am saying I can’t do it.”

We rejoice with Scott, and Noel, as they begin this new chapter in their lives.

09 Jun

June 9, 2014 |

Kyle McQuillen (right) and his wife, Marlouise, served as UB missionaries in Sierra Leone and later pastored the College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind. From 1993-2001, Kyle served as Director of Global Ministries. He and Marlouise then retired to a home in Edgewater, Fla., though Kyle has remained very active as a prison chaplain and on staff with Edgewater Alliance church.

In early 2012, Kyle was diagnosed with cancer, and thus began a long journey. On his Facebook page, Kyle gave a very positive update.

Kyle McQuillen

This week was marked by another milestone in my journey with cancer.

In January, 2012 I was diagnosed with lymphoma and began an exhaustive chemo treatment for the next several months until April 2012, when my cancer went into remission. However, by that time my immune system was totally compromised and I spent the next several months in and out of the hospital.

In August 2012, I began to recover but found it necessary to continue on “post cancer” treatment. For the past 22 months I have been receiving infusions each month of two treatments: IVIG, which is designed to build up the immune system; and RITUXIN, which is a cancer medication that interferes with the growth and spread of cancer cells in the body. These infusions have been administered through a port and generally take anywhere from 4-7 hours each.

This past Thursday, June 5th, was my final infusion. My immune system has fully recovered to pre-cancer days. For example, my platelet count had gone down to 17-25 at my low point. Now those platelets are at 230, which is where they ought to be! All my blood work is now normal, for which I praise God.

I am feeling great, working for the Florida Department of Corrections at Tomoka State Prison 55 hours a week and still on staff at my local church as visitation and member care pastor. Two months ago I started an exercise program of one full hour of swimming each day, and I love it! I’m 76 now and enjoying life as much as ever!

05 Jun

June 5, 2014 |

In April, a church that is considering adding a second service contacted the national office. They were wondering about the experience of other UB churches who were holding multiple services during the week. They were especially interested in how “traditional” services were faring in a multiple-service church.

The national office put up a survey, and a number of UB churches responded. Here is a compilation.

Findlay First (Findlay, Ohio)

Two identical services on Sunday morning:

  • 8 am (35-50 people attend).
  • 10 am (110-130 attend).

Comments:
“One issue that we have found that is very frustrating occurs when the first service needs to be cancelled for special services/holidays/etc. The first service people will not attend the second service. We have tried to address this, but there seems to be no response.

King Street Church (Chambersburg, Pa.)

Four services on Sunday morning:

  • 8:15 am, sanctuary – traditional.
  • 9:45 am, sanctuary– contemporary. Described on the website as “a modern worship experience.”
  • 9:45 am, Baker Center – contemporary. Described on the website as “a rock-style worship service.”
  • 11:00 am, sanctuary – blended.

The attendance at the traditional service has remained constant.

Fowlerville UB (Fowlerville, Mich.)

Three services on Sunday morning:

  • 8 am – traditional (it’s not growing).
  • 9:15 am – contemporary.
  • 10:45 am – contemporary.

Comments:
“Adding another service is definitely more cost effective than building a bigger church. Other major advantages are greater opportunity to reach more people, less problems with overcrowding, more opportunities to tweak processes, and greater potential for growth.

“The disadvantages are providing volunteer staffing for all the extra programming, and a longer work day for paid staff. However, as long as the added service is healthily attended, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.” (more…)

03 Jun

June 3, 2014 |
Bob Bruce, standing on the left, with the class members. Seated (l-r): Matthew Rhynehart, David Souers, Jeff Dice, Jeremiah Ketchum. On the screen (l-r): Mark Wallace, Jim Tice, James Gray, John Lightner, Jerald Jones, David and Kim Holt.

Bob Bruce, standing on the left, with the class members. Seated (l-r): Matthew Rhynehart, David Souers, Jeff Dice, Jeremiah Ketchum. On the screen (l-r): Mark Wallace, Jim Tice, James Gray, John Lightner, Jerald Jones, David and Kim Holt.

Bob Bruce is teaching the class.

Bob Bruce is teaching the class.

The history class is being taught from the UB national office in Huntington, Ind.

The history class is being taught from the UB national office in Huntington, Ind.

Jeff Dice (seated) with the Sunfield group.

Jeff Dice (seated) with the Sunfield group.

The United Brethren history course is being held June 2-3 at the UB national office in Huntington, Ind. This is a requirement for licensing as a United Brethren minister. Bob Bruce, associate pastor at Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.), is teaching the class.

Four persons are attending in person:

  • David Souers, senior pastor of New Horizons UB church (Rockford, Ohio).
  • Matthew Rhynehart, youth pastor at New Horizons (Rockford, Ohio).
  • Jeremiah Ketchum, senior pastor of Brown Corners UB church (Clare, Mich.).
  • Jeff Dice, associate pastor at Brown Corners (Clare, Mich.).

Five persons are attending remotely from the Sunfield UB church (Sunfield, Mich.).

  • James Gray, a local church minister from Pathway UB church (Jackson, Mich.).
  • John Lightner, a lay minister from Crossroads UB church (Charlotte, Mich.).
  • Jerald Jones, a local church minister from Kilpatrick UB church (Woodland, Mich.).
  • David Holt, senior pastor of East Ovid UB church (Coldwater, Mich.).
  • Kim Holt, pastor’s wife at East Ovid (Coldwater, Mich.).

Another two persons are attending remotely from Parkwood Gardens UB church (Guelph, Ontario).

  • Jim Tice, associate pastor of Parkwood Gardens (Guelph, Ontario).
  • Mark Wallace, CEO of CH Global, member of Mill Crossing UB church (Cambridge, Ontario).

30 May

May 30, 2014 |
Mark Ralph and his prize catch.

Mark Ralph and his prize catch.

To wind up the cluster season, the pastors of the Findlay cluster spent Thursday, May 29, fishing Lake Erie. The winner of the largest walleye caught goes to Pastor Mark Ralph, pastor of Mt. Zion United Brethren Church in Wayne, Ohio. Mark caught a 22.5 inch walleye and broke his pole doing it. Congratulations, Mark!

23 May

May 23, 2014 |
Commissioning the Pachecos--the first missionaries to be sent from Honduras Conference.

Commissioning the Pachecos–the first missionaries to be sent from Honduras Conference.

During the recent gathering of the Honduras Administrative Board, a new item of business appeared on the agenda. They were interviewing a couple for missionary service.

Since United Brethren ministry to Spanish-speakers began in 1951, Honduras National Conference has grown to more than 115 churches, an international school, a retreat center, and a theological institute. They sent one short-term volunteer to Haiti to participate with Canada in a construction project, but sending missionaries overseas has been an ambition yet to be fulfilled.

The “junta” (their governing body) interviewed and approved Milton and Erika Pacheco for ministry in partnership with Global Ministries. The location is yet to be confirmed, but Thailand is a serious consideration.

The Pachecos are active members of their local UB church. Milton has an undergraduate degree in business administration and a graduate degree from the conference seminary. He currently works for Habitat for Humanity, and he regularly ministers as a singer/songwriter in local churches. Erika is working this with Marilyn Reeck this summer with the Summer Institute of Linguistics. Both Milton and Erika plan to spend about a year at Huntington University studying missions before going overseas.

Although they will serve with Global Ministries, they will be considered missionaries of Honduras National Conference. Global Ministries’ goal is to serve as partners and facilitators in the process.

22 May

May 22, 2014 |
BILD training in District 8 of Honduras Conference.

BILD training in District 8 of Honduras Conference.

Honduras National Conference wants to get all of their churches involved in a new approach to discipleship, leadership development, and church multiplication. The conference is divided into 11 districts. This past week District 8, in south-central Honduras, was the last to officially join in.

The program, known as BILD, emphasizes the centrality of the local church in making disciples, training leaders, planting churches, and sending missionaries. As a result, discipleship is not a one-on-one function, nor is theological study institutionalized. Rather, these and other multiplication activities are church-based.

The materials being used are simple in their delivery and yet profound in their depth. Participants who recently completed the discipleship portion and were moving on to the two-year Book of Acts study said they grew immensely through their interaction with the Word in the context of a small group, and felt they were now more competent to live out their faith in word and action.