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05 Jan

January 5, 2009 |

BigMac2009_250.jpgThe annual Big MAC Ski Attack brings about 500 youth to a retreat center near Pittsburgh, Pa. This event has been happening for about 20 years (originating from the former Mid-Atlantic Conference). UB teens have come not only from the Mid-Atlantic region (Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia), but from Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio as well.

With a top-notch guest speaker, great music, and fun activities, good things happen in the lives of teens. Read all about it, and bring some youth from your church.

05 Jan

January 5, 2009 |

sites_annetteAnnette Sites sent this report about Christmas activities at Jerusalem Chapel (Churchville, Va.). Her husband, Denny, is the pastor.

After months of practices and hard work, the children and youth shared a wonderful musical entitled “The Christmas Carol.” The musical was loosely based on the traditional “Scrooge” story, but this one spoke of making the most of what we have and sharing the ultimate gift of Jesus Christ with others.

As a part of the process of teaching those children who were a part of the musical, Velma “Beanie” Griffin, encouraged the children to find out what true giving was really all about. How? Well, one of the props that was needed for the musical was a bicycle (which was also a topic of discussion in the musical).

Rather than just have the church buy a new bike for a prop, this creative director had the children participate in a bake sale to raise funds for the bicycle. Then, after the presentation, the bicycle would be donated to a needy child.
The children raised enough money to buy two bikes. A third bike was donated by one of the children. And, by God’s grace, a needy family was presented to Mrs. Griffin and guess what they wanted? The family had three children, and each had asked for just one thing for Christmas: a bicycle!

What a blessing for these children to receive an answer to their Christmas wish, but also for our children to see how God can work through us as we seek to serve Him. We are blessed to have some very generous and loving children as a part of our church family–and adults and parents who are willing to help them grow up in their faith!

05 Jan

January 5, 2009 |

Elmer Long mentioned some holiday-related activities at Hillsdale UB (St. Mary’s, Ohio):

  • The Saturday after Thanksgiving we had a church decorating party. Everyone brought their favorite chili and we put it all together. 
  • We offer free babysitting to the community for Christmas twice. We offer this to parents who have shopping or other things to do without the children. 
  • We held a Christmas Eve candlelight service. 
  • Our youth had a bake sale to help raise money for them to go to camp this summer.

05 Jan

January 5, 2009 |

Gary Reiber, pastor of Union Chapel (Fort Wayne, Ind.), was hospitalized just before New  Year’s with what’s been diagnosed as Toxic Shock Syndrome. After a scrape in a basketball game, his leg swelled up bright red. His body began shutting down, and he ended up in Intensive Care. For a while, there was concern about whether or not he would survive, and the family was called in. That serious.

Gary is now at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne. His protein and oxygen levels are still low, but he’s progressing, and is back to eating solid food. He’s expected to remain in the hospital another week or so, and be out of commission for several weeks after that. We’ll keep you informed about his progress.

On another health-related note: Sandie Birdsall came home from the hospital on January 3.

03 Jan

January 3, 2009 |

Sharon Cherry, wife of Pastor Kevin Cherry of Heart O the Lakes UB (Brooklyn, Mich.), has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday, January 7.

Kevin writes:

The doctors are not greatly concerned, but cancer is cancer.  Hers, fortunately, is one of the four better kinds and is highly treatable. She will begin radiation after surgery.

However, she also is to have an MRI [probably Monday or Tuesday] to check out the other spots that are deeper in her chest.  If they are found suspicious, a more radical surgery will likely take place on January 7.  If more is discovered, then she will receive chemo as well.

We are both very much at peace with this, knowing our God is able to heal,  and able to see us through whatever comes. His strength is ours.  We are His. We are not losing sleep,  we are not anxious (I keep asking her and don’t sense it in her),  but there are moments of emotion.  This is your invitation to join us in prayer!

Please do join in prayer for Sharon. Sharon is the daughter of Russ and Nellie Birdsall, who spent their lives in service to the United Brethren church as missionaries in Sierra Leone, at Huntington University, in the pastorate, and as short-term missionaries in Macau and Jamaica.

01 Jan

January 1, 2009 |

We trust you’ve all have a wonderful News Year’s Day, regardless of whether or not your team won (sorry about that, to all of our constituents in Pennsylvania). 

The Healthy Ministry Resources office is closed until Monday.

May this be a great year for the United Brethren in Christ!

31 Dec

December 31, 2008 |

The National Conference nominating committee always has an important job, especially when a new bishop will be elected. That’s the case right now.

Upon the recommendation of Bishop Ron Ramsey, Executive Leadership Team approved a nominating committee of three ministers:

  • J. Michael Caley (Banner of Christ, Byron Center, Mich.). He’s the chairman.
  • Greg Reed (Morning Star, Kokomo, Ind.).
  • Todd Fetters (Devonshire UB, Harrisburg, Pa.).
  • Greg Voight (Lancaster UB, Lancaster, Ohio).

They, in turn, selected several laypersons to serve on the committee. 

The nominating committee will put together a ballot for:

  • Bishop.
  • 8 members of the Executive Leadership Team (1 layperson and 1 minister from each of the four US districts). 

Keeps these folks in your prayers as they go about discussing candidates and contacting people. They already held one meeting. 

30 Dec

December 30, 2008 |

Brad Kittle, pastor of The Rock (Findlay, Ohio), reports: “The Rock and First UB of Findlay held a combined Christmas Eve service this year. It was an awsome experience for both churches. About 200 people attended, and that didn’t even represent all of the people from both churches!

“Darwin Dunten, pastor of First UB, I were very pleased with the experience and the turnout. We also believe that this service was the beginning of a closer partnership between the two churches, which has been needed for many years. I praise God that I could be a part of such a rich and fulfilling experience!”

29 Dec

December 29, 2008 |

Ron Ramsey, Bishop
United Brethren churches do a lot of neat things over the Christmas holidays. 

  • Helping needy families
  • Participating in programs like Operation Christmas Child.
  • Putting on special Christmas programs.
  • Special gifts and recognition for the pastor and staff.

What did your church do this year? Let me know, so we can share it with others.