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08 Jan

January 8, 2013 |
L-r: Pete Schownir, HU director of gift planning; Mindi Ahl, 2007 alum and business manager at Tom Ahl Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep in Lima, Ohio; Tom Ahl, owner of Tom Ahl dealership; and Grace McBrayer, director of volunteer service and outreach ministry. (With their "knock your socks off" deal)

L-r: Pete Schownir, HU director of gift planning; Mindi Ahl, 2007 alum and business manager at Tom Ahl Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep in Lima, Ohio; Tom Ahl, owner of Tom Ahl dealership; and Grace McBrayer, director of volunteer service and outreach ministry. (With their “knock your socks off” deal)

After more than four years of fundraising, the Joe Mertz Center at Huntington University received an early Christmas present: a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country minivan.

The Joe Mertz Center raised $3100, and the rest was made up by the dealer, Tom Ahl Chrysler of Lima, Ohio (Tom Ahl is the father of 2007 alum Mindi Ahl).

For 20 years, since the JMC began, students have used a 1992 Ford Aerostar for transportation to service projects in the surrounding communities. Because of the wear and tear on the Aerostar, the JMC was only able to use the van for short trips to Fort Wayne and around the Huntington community. Four years ago, fundraising efforts began to replace the van with a more reliable vehicle.

“Receiving this newer van means we will be able to continue our ministry in the communities of Huntington, Fort Wayne and now beyond,” said Grace McBrayer, director of volunteer service and outreach ministry. “It allows us to transport supplies and tools for work days, help with food and clothing drives, and provide for other various needs. Without this van, hours of volunteer service every week would not be happening.”

The Joe Mertz Center for Volunteer Service is a student-directed organization that mobilizes the campus community for Christian service. Each year, students, faculty, and staff log more than 11,000 volunteer hours working with the Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, the Girl Scouts, and numerous other community organizations. Throughout the year, students travel on mission trips with the university and host work days to help with needs in the community.

08 Jan

January 8, 2013 |

Sarah GrovesSara Groves will be in concert on January 27, 2013, at Emmanuel Community Church (Fort Wayne, Ind.) The concert begins at 7 pm (doors open at 6:30).

Tickets: $10 in advance, or $15 at the door.

For more information, contact Dan Friend by email or by calling 260-672-3377.

Location:

Emmanuel Community Church
Family Life Center
12222 US 24 West
Fort Wayne, Indiana, 46814

08 Jan

January 8, 2013 |

Jean Bell, an endorsed missionary serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators, has been experiencing some health problems recently. Her husband, Wes, reported on January 4, “They think Jean has developed an auto-immune disease where her body breaks down blood cells and clogs her kidneys called thrombocytopenic purpura. She only has a few of the symptoms, so they were having trouble figuring out what to do. They started her on steroids and did a blood plasma exchange last night [January 3] called plasmotherisis. The kidney specialist wants to do a biopsy when her kidneys are back to normal as well.”

On Monday, January 7, Wes sent this update: “Jean came through the biopsy fine, and was in recovery for three hours to monitor her vital signs more closely.”

Wes and Jean served 34 years in Brazil with Wycliffe, and relocated to home assignment in 2011. They now live in Huntington, Ind., at this address:

Wes and Jean Bell
1914 N. Meridian Rd
Huntington, IN 46750

08 Jan

January 8, 2013 |

mongul-christmasshoes500

Roxton Spear (right), senior pastor, Mongul UB church (Shippensburg, Pa.)

On December 14-16, Mongul Church presented “The Christmas Shoes” musical four times. Over 800 guests enjoyed the presentation and the hospitality of the church family. Many comments were shared of how they were touched by the message of “The Christmas Shoes.” This production was directed by Tim Wright.

Our volunteers did an awesome job of set design, hosting, and presenting. We are grateful for the opportunity to share a Christmas message through this drama to our community.

08 Jan

January 8, 2013 |

Chester Hirschy, a retired United Brethren minister, passed away December 27, 2012. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Myona, and his three children.

Hirschy pastored three United Brethren churches, and also served as chaplain with Market Place Ministries. A funeral notice appeared in the Orlando Sentinel.

A memorial service details:

Date: January 12, 2013.
Time: 5 pm
Location: Grace Community Church, 14244 Johns Lake Road, Clermont, Fla. 34711.

04 Jan

January 4, 2013 |
Peggy Sell (left) and Jana Gass.

Peggy Sell (left) and Jana Gass.

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

Peggy Sell is leaving her position as administrative assistant with Global Ministries. It’s hard to see her go, as she has been a tremendous help in developing a number of new services for us during her two years of employment. She has also been a fabulous team player and spiritual inspiration to us each personally.

We would like to introduce to you our new administrative assistant, Mrs. Jana Gass. Jana operated her own business in Markle Indiana for 20 years, but after completing the Perspectives program, both she and her husband, Herb, sensed a definite call into missions.

Since that time, she and her family went overseas to Papua New Guinea to serve as support workers with New Tribes Mission. While there, she worked in various positions–first as a finance secretary, and later as an administrative assistant in the field headquarters office.

Jana and Herb have two children. Alicia attends Cornerstone University in Michigan, and Caleb is a student at Huntington North High School. Herb works for MacAllister Caterpillar in Fort Wayne, Ind.

04 Jan

January 4, 2013 |

Andy Sikora (right), senior pastor, Renew Communities (Berea, Ohio)

The power of Christmas is that Jesus became one of us and moved into the neighborhood to meet our needs. This Christmas we asked, “Wat would it look like for Jesus to move into your neighborhood this year?”

Instead of doing one big Christmas project as a church, we decided to empower our people (especially Missional Communities) to identify needs in their “neighborhoods” and invite their friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers to help meet those needs. The projects were very exciting, and the results were inspiring.

  • The West Park MC collected $420 to give to a single mom to help her buy groceries and clothes, and to pay utilities.
  • The North Ridgville MC collected food and bought gifts for families in need in their community.
  • The Parma MC collected toys for 10 different families (approximately $500) who would not be able to celebrate Christmas.
  • The Teen MC had a dinner and raised over $400 to buy gifts for kids in need in Parma.
  • A group of people raised $3500 for victims of Hurricane Sandy in Staten Island so that 17 different families were able to celebrate Christmas. This money was raised through donations, benefit concerts, and selling over 700 cake-pops.

We shared the video above on Christmas Eve update people on all of these projects.

03 Jan

January 3, 2013 |
Lee Rhodes (right) with Jerry and Margie Drummond.

Lee Rhodes (right) with Jerry and Margie Drummond.

Jerry Drummond, senior pastor of East Washington UB church (Ashley, Mich.), was presented a retirement pin on December 16 from Lee Rhodes, the church’s cluster leader. Jerry and Margie Drummond, a schoolteacher, have served at East Washington since 1993.

Drummond’s successor is Jeff Reser, who served as associate pastor at East Washington throughout 2012.

02 Jan

January 2, 2013 |
The Mount Zion sanctuary on Christmas Eve.

The Mount Zion sanctuary on Christmas Eve.

The concluding candle-lighting service.

The concluding candle-lighting service.

Gayle Thorn, Mt. Zion UB (Wayne, Ohio)

On Christmas Eve 2012, we held our first Christmas Eve worship service in our new worship center. Our sanctuary was adorned with beautiful Christmas decorations.

Advent candles

Advent candles

Pastor Mark Ralph led us in singing a number of Christmas carols, and also shared some meditative thoughts on Christmas. We were also treated to a variety of songs and readings from members of the congregation.

The sanctuary was bathed in candlelight, starting with our Advent candles and ending in a candle-lighting ceremony symbolizing our desire that our lives be a light that leads our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and community to faith in Jesus Christ. The flame was passed from person to person, candle to candle, as one small flame grew and grew until our sanctuary was ringed in candlelight!

It was a gorgeous ending to an awesome evening spent reflecting on our Savior’s birth and worshipping his majesty! The evening was captured photographically by our resident photographer, Stormie Thorn.

02 Jan

January 2, 2013 |
Children performing in the Christmas Bash.

Children performing in the Christmas Bash.

Josh Greenfield with a young participant in the Christmas Bash.

Josh Greenfield with a young participant in the Christmas Bash.

Josh Greenfield, Communications/Creative Arts Director, Gaines UB Church (Caledonia, Mich.)

The Gaines Church Christmas Bash originally began as a “Staff Open House” to wish our congregants a “Merry Christmas.” The staff provided delicious appetizers and a Christmas environment in a warmly lit space. Over the years, the event has grown, and merged with other events to form the “Gaines Church Christmas Bash.”

The event now consists of carol singing (100% by request from the audience), children’s mini-play, a few talent show-type performances,” young adult skits, and memories of the previous year. Three chocolate fountains provide dessert which delight nearly every attendee and guest. Lemon-spiked water, coffee, hot tea, and iced tea wash down the desserts and veggies everyone gorges on.

For years, events were ministry-specific and scattered about. Now, the Gaines Church Christmas Bash draws a crowd 25% larger than our total weekend service attendance, most of which are family and friends thanks to the kid/family emphasis. The event has grown exponentially, and with over 280 people this year, it is sure to continue as one of those events that “work” at drawing a crowd.

From the variety acts, to the massive declarative singing of “O Holy Night,” to the concluding singing (or slaughtering) of “The Hallelujah Chorus,” truth is present and celebrated in this Christmas event.