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04 Nov

November 4, 2011 |

Huntington University’s EXCEL Adult Degree Programs has launched an Online Writing and Learning (OWL) lab to assist students with their writing assignments.

EXCEL students can now email their work to the OWL to receive suggestions and feedback. The submissions are reviewed by EXCEL instructors with English/writing teaching backgrounds.

“Students have the opportunity to acquire feedback tailored to their specific needs before their paper is turned in and graded,” said Nilah Horner (right), an EXCEL instructor and facilitator of the OWL program. “Content-area instructors can then focus their time on instructing their subject matter rather than on writing improvement.”

02 Nov

November 2, 2011 |
"Refresh"

"Refresh"

Huntington University animation students are taking the festival circuit by storm. The Toronto International Student Animation Festival has announced their decision to feature “Refresh,” an animated film created by Huntington University seniors Sean Cruse of Melville, N.Y., Benjamin Kroll of Mount Lake Park, Md., and Matthew Weener of Hudsonville, Mich. This recognition marks the film’s fifth festival approval.

“Refresh” deals with the disparity between people who are privileged and those who live without. Without delving into politics in any way, the film simply asks audiences to take a hard look at how people use limited resources and if there is any way to help those with less.

“I came up with the idea after feeling a need in my heart to help those without clean water,” Cruse said. “Water is essential for life, and I believe in Jesus’ teachings to help those in need.”

The following festivals selected to feature “Refresh”:

  • 2011 Stop Motion Magazine Film Festival in Los Angeles, Calif.
  • 2011 Philadelphia Film & Animation Festival in Philadelphia, Pa.
  • 2011 Toronto International Student Animation Festival in Toronto, Canada.
  • 2011 Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita, Kan.
  • 2011 Columbus International Film & Video Festival in Columbus, Ohio.

“Making festival pieces was one of the goals we set for ourselves when building the digital media arts program,” said Steve Leeper (right), associate professor of Digital Media Arts. “It has taken a few years, but we’re finally starting to see films like ‘Refresh’ reach a wider audience. This is a significant milestone for us. We tell our students from the beginning that being an artist and finding an audience is what we do now, not just something to think about off in the future. Sean, Ben, and Matt are making that statement true. We’re very proud of them.”

01 Nov

November 1, 2011 |

Rocky Spear (right), Senior Pastor, Mongul UB Church (Shippensburg, Pa.)

On September 11, 2011, Mongul Church began 40 Days of Community. During the next 40 days, 10 home groups met, along with two Sunday school classes and one Wednesday night small group. Over 110 individuals participated in small groups, with each group making plans to serve their community in a meaningful way.

Celebration Sunday was held October 23. Our volunteers prepared a breakfast held between the two morning services. The total morning attendance was 242, with 20 first-time guests.

Excitement is building for reaching into our community. God is working in Shippensburg, Pa.

31 Oct

October 31, 2011 |

On Sunday, October 30, Morocco Church (Temperance, Mich.) surprised Pastor Todd Greenman (right) and his wife Eva by honoring them for Pastor Appreciation Month. There was a reading in their honor, and a fun skit was performed by several church members.

The church presented Eva with flowers and a gift card to both of them. After the service a special cake was served to all who stayed for fellowship. Morocco prays for God’s blessing on Eva and Pastor Todd!

31 Oct

October 31, 2011 |

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

I just recently found this great prayer resource from Operation World. Biblica sends out a daily prayer reminder based on the Operation World Prayer Calendar so that you can pray for a different country or need somewhere in the world every day. If you happen to have the book edition, it’s a great help; but for those on the go (like me), it’s nice to have it in electronic form.

If you want to give it a try, there’s even a 60-day Prayer Challenge. You can sign up for it here.

In addition to giving you the opportunity to pray for every nation of the world at least once per year, it also devotes multiple days of prayer to the larger countries and regions. Some countries even offer “Prayercast” videos.

30 Oct

October 30, 2011 |

Steve Dennie, Communications Director

One simple joy of vacations is attending other churches. Pam and I have visited some good ones over the years. Last year, in Texas, we visited Chuck Swindoll’s church, upon discovering that his church stood just a mile from our hotel.

When you pop in for a Sunday service, all you get is a snapshot. There is so much you never see–small group ministries, needy ministries, youth outreach, pastoral care, missions, evangelism and discipleship, etc. In no way can you judge a church (if that’s what you’re inclined to do) on the basis of a one-time, or two-time, visit. Though I’ve heard many people try.

However, I do take close note of how churches treat guests. And whether it’s a large church or small church, we usually get the same treatment: we are ignored. You’ve experienced the same thing, haven’t you? I say this not with some kind of indignation, but with high amusement, because it’s so common. It’s as if church people are afraid of visitors. As people walk by, avoiding eye contact, it tickles me. I want to reach out my hand and say, “Hey, I won’t bite.”
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29 Oct

October 29, 2011 |

Passing out Bibles.

Sitting in car trunk.

Over 400 visitors came to the annual “Trunk and Treat” outreach at Findlay First UB (Findlay, Ohio). The church passed out 300 Bibles.

Six years earlier, it was noticed that the community was using the parking lot of Findlay First UB as a parking area for the trick or treat night. The church decided to provide coffee, a restroom break, and entertainment for the visitors.

Every year it has grown to one of the major outreach events for the community. This year, 13 trunks passed out candy, tracts, and Bibles to the participants.

28 Oct

October 28, 2011 |

Jennifer Blandin, UB staff in Macau, has been on extended educational leave for most of this year. This summer, she received her Master’s degree from Winebrenner Theological Seminary in Findlay, Ohio. In November, she will return to Macau. Here is an excerpt from her most recent newsletter.

Jennifer Blandin

September was a month of rest. After a year of studying, speaking, and working, I was able to take some time to slow down and recover from always being on the go.

I must admit that slowing down took some time to adjust to. The best way I can describe the feeling is like detoxing from something that we are addicted to. I was addicted to busyness. Thankfully, I was given a chance to detox from it and settle into a period of time to rest.

To help with detox, I was able to enjoy time with my nieces and nephews, take a couple of relaxing trips to visit family who live in other cities, sleep in later than 6 am, have leisurely lunches with family and friends, read the newspaper, and take walks where I could enjoy time with God in His creation and not have to worry about what needed to be done that day. September was just the kind of month I needed!

In a few weeks I will return to Macau. I am really excited about being able to return to Macau and walk the path God is laying out for me! It will be fun to reunite with friends as well as meet new people. But in order to do so, it means saying goodbye to family and friends here in the States. I would really appreciate your prayers concerning the transition period that is underway. Not just with goodbyes and hellos, but also with finding a place to live in Macau, settling into life there, and getting involved at Living Water Church and other ministries. I am excited to see what God has planned!

27 Oct

October 27, 2011 |

A United Brethren work group from Canada traveled to Haiti on October 17 to conduct medical clinics in our churches. Joan Sider is sending daily reports for the team. She previously wrote about Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday. Here is her report for Monday, October 24.

Joan Sider

We’re so grateful to God for our safe arrival home from our mission in Haiti. Each of the team members are thrilled about the trip we have had and what was accomplished in a relatively short period of time. Again, I want to stress that it is a two way street–we give, but they give so much also. That is why many of us return trip after trip.

Our last morning together at the guest house was a leisurely one–packing, taking pictures, having a new experience–drinking coconut water–chatting with Pastor Richard and other staff, and hardest of all, saying good-bye.

Audrey did her usual great job of writing a team song. We sang it together at our last meal. Thanks Audrey for keeping up the tradition.

26 Oct

October 26, 2011 |

We received this word from Cluster Leader Greg Helman today:

“Pastor Gayle Ruble has returned to his home as of Tuesday, October 25th and will be recuperating for about 6 weeks.  He is praising the Lord that he is in no pain and has been blessed greatly.  Please continue to keep him, his family and the Macedonia UB Church in your prayers.”