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Kelly Burnside, senior pastor of Gaines UB, baptizing people on Easter Sunday.
Gaines Church (Caledonia, Mich.) celebrated Easter Sunday with 16 baptisms–2 in the first service and 14 in the second service. Keith Elliott, the Personal Growth Director at Gaines, writes, “We’ve made baptisms a part of our Christmas and Easter services, and they are one of the highlights of the year.”
Persons from Fowlerville UB Church doing landscaping at the public library....
...and washing windows at a local business.
Mark Wilson (right), senior pastor, Fowlerville UB church
Here at Fowlerville UB church (Fowlerville, Mich.), we have been seeking tangible ways to reach our community, show the love of Christ, and open opportunities for spiritual conversations.
On Saturday, April 16, 252 people from our church went into the community to serve. A group of 10 people from two other local churches joined us for the day. It was a God-sized day!
It had been raining all night long, and the weather report called for rain all day, but we believed that God wanted us to bless our community. After we held a brief time of worship and commissioning, the rain stopped and many of us left the parking lot as the sun peeked out through the clouds. The rains held off until we completed all of our outdoor projects.
We completed over 30 projects in the community–yard work, washing all the windows in our local downtown area, cleaning our local parks, and serving many local businesses. It was evident to all that God had moved in a mighty way.
Sunfield UB church has hired a new worship coordinator: Caleb Hugo from Dewitt, Mich. He and his wife, Liz, will begin serving in May 2011. Caleb is a graduate of Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Mich., and a recent graduate of Michigan State University with a Masters in Music Composition.
Bill Fetrow, 58, died Thursday, April 21, 2011, at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home in Fort Wayne, Ind., after being diagnosed in early March with cancer. He was a former United Brethren endorsed missionary, serving 1979-1996 with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Papua, New Guinea.
Bill graduated from Huntington University in 1974 with a degree in music, and earned a master’s in music education from Ball State University in 1978. In 1992, he completed a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Huntington University.
Bill had worked for Indiana non-profits since 1998:
Bill was a member of College Park UB church in Huntington, where he was active in the adult choir, missions committee, soaching Upwards Sports, and teaching preschool Sunday school.
He is survived by his wife Anne, to whom he had been married since 1973, and two children, Benji and Kristi.
Funeral details:
Visitation: 4-8 pm Monday, April 25, 2011.
Visitation location: Myers Funeral Home Huntington Chapel, 2901 Guilford St., Huntington, Ind. 46750.
Funeral: 11 am Tuesday, April 26, with vistation one hour beforehand.
Funeral location: College Park United Brethren Church, 1945 College Ave., Huntington. Rev. Gary Dilley will officiate.
Memorials can be made to Love In The Name of Christ, in care of Myers Funeral Home, 2901 Guilford St., Huntington, IN 46750.
Steven Parish, 54, a former United Brethren pastor in Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on April 18, 2011. A memorial service was held April 21 at Nashville Baptist Church in Nashville, Mich. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and three daughters.
We learned that Donelle Raab (right), wife of former UB minister Dick Raab, is not doing well. In January 2008, she was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on her spinal column. She underwent surgery and radiation treatments. But on Thursday, April 21, tests showed fluid accumulating in pockets throughout her body, rather than going to her vital organs.
Her son David wrote on Facebook, “Her liver has decided not to do its job. It looks like the fight is coming to a close. Doc doesn’t see hope for her to kick the troubles she is experiencing right now.”
The doctor said he could put her in the hospital and run more tests, but they might never learn what is discovering the problem.
Donelle said she wanted no more tests or treatments, and that she is ready to meet her Lord. The doctor suggested they get set up with hospice, which they did on Friday, April 22.
Donnelle has no strength, and needs 24-hour care. Please pray for the family during these difficult days.
Dick and Donnelle served 42 years in the pastoral ministry, retiring in January 2007 from their last pastorate, Richfield Road UB church in Flint, Mich. Dick passed away January 1, 2010, after his own battle with cancer. Donelle holds a Specialized Ministries license, and until the end of 2007 was a member of the denominational Women’s Ministry Team.
Donelle’s son David is giving updates on his mother on her Facebook page. Donelle is too weak to talk on the phone. However, cards are appreciated. Her address is 1914 Jackpine Ct., Dorr, MI 49316.
Alice Clay, 89, passed away on April 19, 2011, in Wakarusa, Ind. She was the wife of Rev. Burley Clay, a pastor in the United Brethren church and Missionary church for 58 years. He and Alice served six churches in Arizona, California, Ohio, and Michigan.
Alice grew up in Phoenix, Ariz., and graduated in 1944 from Fort Wayne Bible Institute with a music degree. She and Burley met at college and were married in 1944. Burley died in September 2010. The Clays had six children, all of whom survive. One daughter is Polly Dunten, whose husband, Darwin Dunten, is senior pastor of First UB church in Findley, Ohio. Darwin will officiate at the funeral.
Visitation: Friday, April 22, 4-6 pm and 6-8 pm.
Visitation Location: Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo, Ohio.
Funeral: 11 am Saturday, April 23.
Funeral Location: Redeemer Community Church, 5321 Springdale Ave., Toledo, Ohio.
This video features a number of volunteer opportunities for Honduras, Nicaragua and Poland in 2011. The Honduras medical trip is filled, but opportunities for Nicaragua and Poland remain. This video, which runs 4:46, was part of the quarterly Mission Moments DVD sent to all UB churches earlier in the year. Each Mission Moments DVD includes four short videos for use in UB churches. All of the Missions Moments videos can be viewed on the Global Ministries site.
Bill Fetrow, a former United Brethren endorsed missionary, passed away during the night of April 20 at a hospice home in Huntington, Ind. He had been diagnosed in early March with bladder cancer. Bill and his wife, Ann, served in Papua New Guinea with Wycliffe Bible Translators. They have been living in Huntington, Ind., and attending College Park UB church.
On Palm Sunday, April 17, the children’s and youth ministry teams from Lancaster UB church (Lancaster, Ohio) portrayed the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem using a live “mini” donkey during the morning service. The narration was from the donkey’s perspective: how the lowest of beasts was chosen to carry the King of Kings! Pictured are Samantha Ashton, Children’s Ministry Director Ryan Voight, and Hunter Bashore….oh, and Bunny, the donkey!
