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11 Nov

November 11, 2021 |

Rev. Thomas L. Brodbeck, 85, passed away on November 9, 2021. He served 19 years in United Brethren ministry in Indiana, Ohio, and Idaho.

Viewing: 9:00 am Saturday, November 13, 2021.
Funeral: 10:30 am Saturday, November 13, 2021.
Location: Glancy-H.Brown & Son Funeral Home, Warren, Ind.

Brodbeck graduated from high school in 1953 in his hometown of St. Mary’s, Ohio, served in Korea with the US Army, and worked for the city of St. Mary’s until sensing God’s call to the ministry. He was 35 when he moved his family to Huntington, Ind., so he could enter college. He graduated from Huntington University with a bachelor’s degree, and in 1975 received the Master of Christian Ministries. He was ordained in 1975.

Brodbeck served 19 years in United Brethren ministry: 1972-1979 at the UB church in Van Buren, Ind.; 1979-1983 as director of Camp Cotubic in Bellefontaine, Ohio; 1985-1988 as pastor of Log Cabin UB church in Boise, Idaho; and 1988-1993 as pastor of Third Street (now Anchor) UB church in Fort Wayne, Ind. He then served a Wesleyan congregation in Waldron, Mich., until 2017.

At the time of his death, Brodbeck was living with his wife Cathy in Van Buren, Ind. (609 E 3rd St, Warren, IN 46792-9410). He is the father of Rev. Thomas M. Brodbeck, who served 27 years in United Brethren ministry, including as fulltime superintendent of Central Conference.

Memorial contributions should be directed to Camp Cotubic, 2158 Road 25 North, Bellefontaine, OH 43311.

You can read the online obituary here.

09 Nov

November 9, 2021 |

The “UB Year in Review,” published every January since 2012, is now in the works. You are invited to submit news about your church from 2021–events, ministries, mission trips, or anything else of interest. If you have any relevant photos, those would be great. Of particular interest: information about how your church has adjusted in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, or any continuing effects of the pandemic on your church.

Send to [email protected], or use the form on this page.

05 Oct

October 5, 2021 |

Congratulations to Bishop Paul Hirschy! On October 1, Huntington University awarded him the Distinguished Alumni Citation, a “lifetime achievement” award which recognizes exceptional service over an extended period of time.

Paul graduated from HU in 1968, where he served on the student senate for four years and was study body president. He then went on to a lifetime of ministry in the United Brethren church, which included:

  • 9 years as pastor of Park UB church in Bluffton, Ind.
  • 4 years (1978-1981) managing the denominational printshop in Huntington, Ind.
  • 20 years (1981-2001) as the elected Director of Church Services at the UB national office.
  • 4 years (2001-2005) as bishop of the US National Conference.
  • 7 years (2005-2012) working as a development officer at Huntington University.

Since 2012, Paul has served as an associate pastor of College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind.

The award was presented on Friday night, October 1, as part of the 2021 Huntington University Homecoming.

28 Sep

September 28, 2021 |

Registration is open for the next “Idea to Action” symposium, sponsored by the denomination and Huntington University. It will be offered online-only. The event is free to everyone, but you must register.

Date: Monday, October 25 (10:00 am – 1:00 pm)

Topic: “Discipling Youth and Families.”

There will be three keynote sessions.

  • 10:00 am. “Generation Z and Spiritual Maturity: Challenges & Opportunities,” by Dr. Tom Bergler, Professor of Christian Thought and Practice at Huntington University.
  • 11:00 am. “Making Disciples in the Home: Practices and Problems,” by Dr. Becky Benjamin, Associate Professor of Psychology and Department Chair at Huntington University.
  • 12:00 noon. “Ministering to GenZ within Today’s Context.” A panel discussion with United Brethren ministers Chris Augustat, Brian Kramer, and Mark Vincenti.

For complete information and to register, go to this address on the UB website.

28 Sep

September 28, 2021 |

During October, you’re invited to participate in “A Different Kind of Thailand Experience.” There will be four one-hour Zoom sessions. You can register for all sessions, but join those you are most interested in.

You will hear from a number of key UB leaders who influence the efforts of the Good Soil Community Center. You’ll also follow Steve Fish and Isa Rivera as they travel to Honduras to meet with the Nunez family, who are preparing to serve with the UB team in Thailand.

There is no cost, but you need to sign up.

28 Sep

September 28, 2021 |

The next UB History course will be held November 1-2. That’s a Monday and Tuesday, 9am – 4pm each day. Rev. Bob Bruce is the instructor.

The UB History Course will be held November 1-2, 2021. That’s a Monday and Tuesday, 9am to 4pm each day. Rev. Bob Bruce will teach the course via Zoom, so you can take it from the comfort of your own home.

This course is a requirement for ministerial licensing in the UB church, but anyone may attend. For complete information and to register, go to: ub.org/ubhistory

24 Sep

September 24, 2021 |

Emma Lou Evans, 75, passed away September 23, 2021, in Coldwater, Mich. after a battle with cancer. She and her husband of 51 years, Ron Evans, served 28 years in United Brethren pastoral ministry in Indiana and Ohio.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 27, at Lockwood Community Church, 202 E Lockwood Rd, Coldwater, MI 49036. Officiating will be Rev. Mike Arnold and Rev. Ron Evans. Visitation will be held 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, September 26, at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.

Condolences can be sent to Ron Evans at:
233 Prairie River Dr
Coldwater, MI 49036-8064

22 Sep

September 22, 2021 |

During October, you’re invited to participate in “A Different Kind of Thailand Experience.” There will be four one-hour Zoom sessions. You can register for all sessions, but join those you are most interested in. You’ll also follow Steve Fish and Isa Rivera as they travel to Honduras to meet with the Nunez family, who are preparing to serve with the UB team in Thailand. There is no cost, but you need to sign up here.

One trip to follow online:
Follow Steve Fish & Isa Rivera to La Ceiba, Honduras on FB and Zoom to meet the Nuñez Family, who are candidates to join our team in Thailand.

Four one-hour Zoom sessions:

  • Talk discipleship with US Bishop Todd Fetters.
  • Talk incarnational ministry with Roger and Marilyn Reeck
  • GLOBAL ZOOM CALL – join UB leaders and other believers reaching the Northern Thai from around the world.
  • Speak with Thai students and HU TESOL students in conversational English.

What you invest:

  • NO COST. We are thankful for donations towards Steve and Isa’s travel costs.
  • Register for all sessions, but join those you are most interested in.
  • Let’s all join together for the GLOBAL ZOOM CALL on Oct. 22/23.

26 Aug

August 26, 2021 |

Samantha Essig

Two staff changes are occurring at the United Brethren National Office. Cathy Reich, who has been administrative assistant to the bishop since 2007, is transitioning to a new role: Events Coordinator. Taking her place as administrative assistant, as of August 16, is Samantha “Sam” Essig.


Samantha was born and raised in Huntington, Ind. Her paternal grandfather, George Brown, is a brother of UB missionary June Brown.

She graduated from Huntington University in 2013 with a degree in Psychology, and two years later married Jake, a 2014 HU grad. They moved away for a while, but returned to the area in 2020 after Jake was named soccer coach at the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Samantha has spent two stints as an admissions counselor for Huntington University, about two years total. That’s what she was doing since the beginning of 2021, before the position at the UB National Office opened up.

We welcome Samantha to the UB team. As administrative assistant, she will interact regularly with United Brethren ministers and other leaders.

Cathy Reich (left) and Samantha Essig

Cathy Reich has spent nearly 25 years working at the denominational office. In 1975, as a student at Huntington University, she began working in the UB printshop, and continued doing so until the 1981 General Conference voted to close the printshop. She then became administrative assistant to Paul Hirschy, who had just been elected Director of Church Services. She left that job in January 1984 upon the birth of the first of her three children.

In November 2007, Cathy returned to the UB National Office as administrative assistant to Bishop Ron Ramsey. She continued in that role with Bishop Phil Whipple and then with Bishop Todd Fetters.

Organizing events became a major aspect of Cathy’s job. The flagship event is the US national conference, which occurs every two years. But there are many other events, including the UB women’s conference, the pastor & spouse summits, the annual youthworkers summit, ministry team meetings, and other gatherings. Cathy scouts locations, negotiates with hotels and convention centers, oversees event planning and registration, and handles many other responsibilities related to UB events. Over the years, Cathy has acquired considerable expertise, knowledge, and savvy when it comes to the various types of UB gatherings.

As Events Coordinator, Cathy will focus solely on these meetings. It’s a part-time position which she will do remotely, without an office at the UB headquarters. But she’ll still be around, close at hand, continuing to advance the work of the United Brethren church.

25 Aug

August 25, 2021 |

An earthquake struck the southwestern arm of Haiti on August 18, killing over 2200 people. Four United Brethren churches around the city of Les Cayes sustained damage and many members lost their homes. A couple children from the Archambeau UB church were killed.

UB Global is coming alongside Haiti Conference to help in this time of need. If you’d like to contribute toward, go to this link. You’ll also find a video in which the Haitian superintendent, Rev. Jean Louis Supreme, describes how United Brethren people and churches were affected by the earthquake, and by the tropical storm which soon followed.