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13 Jun

June 13, 2008 |

The neighborhood surrounding Parkwood Gardens UB church in Guelph, Ontario, looks like the United Nations, with people from all over the world. Guelph is becoming a bedroom community of Toronto, which is exploding with its international presence. This is reflected in the congregation.

Last Sunday, when I spoke at Parkwood Gardens, I told about my trip to the Philippines in May. I commented on how Filipinos are some of the friendliest people in the world and that I enjoyed getting to know them.

I noticed big smiles on the faces of people among the Asian contingent. “Are you from the Philippines?” I asked. “Oh yes yes,” they said. Probably 25-30 Filipinos attended the two services that morning.

I challenged the congregation to keep their eyes and ears open to the immigrant populations around them. Sometimes mission fields are not developed by parachuting a missionary into a foreign country, but by starting something locally among immigrants. This can open doors for missionaries and, in some cases, the immigrants themselves may return to their homeland.

13 Jun

June 13, 2008 |

This is the last Friday, for a while, that the Healthy Ministry Resources office will be open. For the rest of the summer, we’re going to a four-day schedule, with ten-hour days. 

Hours: 7 a.m. — 5:30 p.m., Monday – Thursday
Dates: June 16 — August 29

We traditionally leave at 1 p.m. on Fridays during the summer, tacking an extra half-hour onto each other day. But with gas prices so high, it didn’t make sense asking half of our workers, who drive 20-40 miles one-way, to come to the office for a half-day of work. So we’ll see if we can put up with each other for ten hours at a shot. 

12 Jun

June 12, 2008 |

NCPlanning_500.jpg

The planning committee (l-r): Nate Perry, Steve Dennie, Josh Greenfield, Heather Umbaugh, Chris Kuntz, Amy Pennington, Ron Ramsey, E. J. Ramsey, Donna Hollopeter, Opal Sherman, Marci Hammel, Cathy Reich.

The 2009 National Conference will return to Saw Mill Creek Resort (Huron, Ohio), scene of the 2007 US National Conference. Last weekend, an extended version of the planning team (above) met at Saw Mill Creek to continue the planning they’ve been doing for the past nine months.

The date: June 4-7, 2009. That’s Thursday through Sunday morning. We’ll follow pretty much the same schedule we did in 2007.

The location: People liked the general location, northern Ohio, according to the evaluations. It made a good mid-point for the bulk of our people (Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, the Virginias). We looked at various venues large enough to accommodate 900-plus people, and Saw Mill Creek floated to the top of the list.

Two things to know:

  • Saturday will feature a “missionary homecoming.” Many currently-serving UB missionaries will be brought back for what promises to be an amazing day.
  • We intentionally minimized conference business in 2007. But next year, we’ll need to spend more time in this way, and will devote all of Friday to conference business. It will include election of a new bishop.

We’ll get you more information as plans come together. But for now, get June 4-7 on your calendar and begin talking to people in your church about attending. By year’s end, you’ll need to identify persons to represent your church as lay delegate(s).

12 Jun

June 12, 2008 |

The Healthy Ministry Resources office will be closed on Fridays for the rest of the summer.

New hours: 7 a.m. — 5:30 p.m.
Dates: June 16 — August 29.

For many years during the summer, everyone worked an extra half hour Monday-Thursday and then left at 1 p.m. on Friday. But with the high cost of gas, and some of the staffers driving 20-40 miles to reach the office, it didn’t make sense to have people come for a half-day.

So Bishop Ramsey approved trying something different: a four-day work week, with ten-hour days. If you need anything from Healthy Ministry Resources, be sure to call between Monday and Thursday.

12 Jun

June 12, 2008 |

PlanningTeamSawmill_500.jpg

L-r: Nate Perry, Steve Dennie, Josh Greenfield, Heather Umbaugh, Chris Kuntz, Amy Pennington, Ron Ramsey, E. J. Ramsey, Donna Hollopeter, Opal Sherman, Marci Hammel, and Cathy Reich.

The 2009 National Conference will return to Saw Mill Creek Resort, scene of the 2007 US National Conference. The planning committee has met several times during the last nine months. Last weekend, the planning team, plus several other persons who are playing an important role in making it happen, met at Saw Mill Creek to continue planning.

Date: June 4-7, 2009
Location: Huron, Ohio

We’ll follow the same basic schedule as in 2007:

  • Start Thursday night, end Sunday morning.
  • Registration starting at noon on Thursday.
  • Opening service at 7 p.m. on Thursday.
  • Business session all day Friday (last year, it was only Friday morning). This will include election of a new bishop.
  • Workshops on Saturday morning.
  • An exciting missions emphasis on Saturday night (more later).

11 Jun

June 11, 2008 |

A call came today regarding non-profit licensing of Microsoft products. The Healthy Ministry Resources office took advantage of this several years ago, buying multiple copies of Microsoft Office for the Mac for about $30 apiece (a huge, huge savings). Learned about it through Chris Moore at Emmanuel Community Church.

But in checking for the Office 2008 version, I learned that Microsoft changed the requirements to, basically, eliminate churches. Their new policy reads:

Religious organizations with a secular community designation may participate in the Microsoft and I CAN software donation programs. A secular designation is defined as an organization separate from the church or religious organization that provides services to people regardless of their religious beliefs and does not propagate a belief in a specific faith. Example: A food bank with nonprofit or charity status that is run by a church, but is a separate and unique organization that provides food and meals to anyone who qualifies for services, regardless of religious beliefs.

The pastor who called today had been told, through CDW, that they do qualify, and he should submit an application (which, ultimately, would need to be approved by Microsoft). I’m skeptical he’ll get approved, but told him to go for it and keep me informed. (I also read on a discussion board somewhere about a church that got non-profit Microsoft licensing through Dell. Whether or not they represented themselves truthfully….)

What’s been your experience? Can you clarify anything here?

11 Jun

June 11, 2008 |

The UB church in Chanute, Kansas, recently changed their name from Highland Avenue to New Life. This church, under the leadership of Michael Longfellow (below), is about to take a major step. Michael Longfellow and school signThey bought an elementary school for $25,000, though it’s valued at several million dollars. They’re trying to sell their present church, but already have the money needed to buy the school, which is less than two miles away.

The school is in the process of moving out, but will leave behind a sound system and a lot of other equipment. It’s a good deal for them. They’ll need to do some refurbishing, but hope to begin holding services there by September.

The New Life Church has grown to two services reaching over 135 people. Their current sanctuary is small and parking is very limited. Their new facility will help them more effectively reach their community. Their goal is to see over 40 people come to Christ this year.

During a recent trip I made to Chanute, Michael and some of the lay people ministered to a young lady who was struggling with drugs and walked into the building seeking help. They led her to the Lord in the kitchen while I was preaching in the sanctuary. It is a great place of faith.

10 Jun

June 10, 2008 |

The annual meeting of the Michigan United Brethren churches (a hold-over from the previous Michigan Conference) will take place:

  • Date: Saturday, July 19
  • Location: Carson City Christian Camping Center, 5940 S Mt Hope Rd. Carson City, Michigan 48811
  • Time: 9 a.m. to noon, followed by a noon meal.

The event will include:

  • Worship in music
  • A message from Pat Jones, Director of Healthy Church Ministries.
  • A business session, with various reports and elections.
  • Each cluster leader introducing the pastors in their cluster.
  • A chicken barbeque meal at noon ($1.50 per quarter).

Persons interested in the meal should contact Jim Kendall to order the number of quarters of chicken they and their family will need. Contact him by June 30 at (989) 236-5070.
 
Camp sites are available for $10 per night. They include water and electricity ($12 if you have air conditioning). Call Lee Palmer to reserve a spot at (989) 235-6525

10 Jun

June 10, 2008 |

Carlson and Naomi Becker

L-r: Naomi Becker, Global Ministries Director Jeff Bleijerveld, Associate Director Donna Hollopeter, and Carlson Becker.

Carlson and Naomi Becker stopped by the Healthy Ministry Resources office today to spend some time with Jeff Bleijerveld and Donna Hollopeter. On May 30, they returned to the States, having completed a three-year term of service in Macau. It’s great to see people, in their retirement years, who can’t sit still when it comes to doing the Lord’s work. 

The Beckers have no immediate plans, except to hang around their home in northern Michigan,  take care of various projects, and spend time with kids and grandkids. They look great, energetic as always.

09 Jun

June 9, 2008 |

It’s always thrilling to hear encouraging reports from our churches. I recently received this email from Chris Little (right, below), senior pastor of Mount Pleasant UB church in Chambersburg, Pa. That is one of the churches we’ve been working with in the year-long consultation process, which we’ll wrap up with a service on June 22. Here is what Chris wrote:

“Just wanted to pass on a God moment from Sunday. The scripture was the stoning of Stephen. I used it as a time of forgiving and being forgiven. Ron Cook, months ago, gave me the idea of using a paper shredder with the congregation and it seemed appropriate, so out on a limb I went.

“When the sermon ran to its conclusion I told everyone they had a choice to make. Either hold on to your rocks and be in bondage to bitterness, or throw away your rocks and find the freedom of forgiveness. I placed an insert in the bulletin and had them write either names of individuals they needed to forgive, their own name if they were struggling with forgiving themselves, or even particular sins of which they are guilty. I invited people to come forward and find forgiveness by shredding the “stones” and throwing them away.

“Then I went to find a seat and pray, wondering if anyone was getting it.  I was overwhelmed by the response. During our traditional service we shredded stones for the entire duration of “Amazing Grace,” plus.  When I finally got up the courage to take a peak at what was happening, there was a line down the center of the church waiting for a chance to get to the shredder.

“During the second service (our smallest), it did not take nearly as long but the participation was wonderful. One woman was completely broken before God, sobbing at the altar in that middle service.

“Third service was abundantly beautiful. Young and old participated. Who knew the kids were even listening? Lines down both sides of the church as well as the center isle. Jesus was so clearly dealing with men and women, boys and girls, helping them not only to experience forgiveness but freedom.

“Jesus was so clearly working in the lives of the people in church this Sunday. When I stood up to address the congregation with words of assurance of Christ’s forgiveness, I saw the brokenness of the people.  The tears in people’s eyes nearly took me to tears. I am once again reminded that God is ever faithful. He is engaged in our lives in ways that we can see and sense, and ways that are beyond our normal realm of thinking. What a blessing to see the Spirit of God make such a tremendous difference in people’s lives.”