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Wes and Jean Bell are endorsed UB missionaries serving in Brazil with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Jean has a very serious blood disorder that has resulted in her kidneys shutting down and necessitating dialysis. It’s a very serious situation. Please pray for Jean’s health.
In early October, an urgent call to prayer was sent to the denominational email list for Cheryl Leighton, wife of Joe Leighton, pastor of Salem Chapel UB in Junction City, Ohio. On September 4 she went into the hospital, experiencing some problems, and cancer was discovered. Her condition was extremely critical. Reports were published here on October 9 and November 2.
On December 4, Joe Leighton sent the following report about Cheryl.
“After weeks and now months of setbacks and discouraging news, I am glad to be able to share some glad tidings. They were able to successfully tap Cheryl’s lung today and removed 1200 cc of fluid. This will dramatically improve her breathing and will help her gain the strength that she needs in order to take full advantage of her physical therapy. This was a last ditch effort because of the risk of her lung collapsing for a second time. She sailed right through it without incident, and she was resting easily when I left the hospital today. In addition, her level of nutrition is improving. They changed the formula and removed iron from her diet, and she is no longer getting sick, but is processing all of it through her digestive system; and they have raised the feeding input from 30 cc/hr to 55 cc/hr (the target is 70 cc/hr).
“It appears that dialysis is becoming permanent, but it is down to three days per week for 3.5 hours at a time. Her filtering system is still impaired. While less than ideal, it is certainly something to which she can adapt and have a good quality of life.
“Cheryl completed her fourth round of chemotherapy on November 30. Her final two sessions are scheduled for December 21 and January 11. On November 23 they did a specialized CT scan and our daughter called with the results about an hour ago. There is no evidence of the cancer in her chest and under her arms. It is gone! We praise and thank God for that! We won’t know about the pelvis or the bone marrow until after her January treatment, when they will perform another type of diagnostic exam. But for now the chemotherapy is having the desired effect. If the exam in January is clear, then Cheryl has the option of using her own marrow for a transplant, and remission should be achieved at that point. At best, Cheryl only had a 60% chance for remission, and her impaired health further reduced those odds. But it appears that she is on her way toward achieving that very thing and we are grateful for these reports and for what has been accomplished thus far! There are still the matters for the need for oxygen, the trache, and the dropfoot, but these are a lot easier to face with the momentum that is now being realized in these other areas.
“Thank you for the cards, prayers, and encouraging words–those things along with God’s grace have sustained us and enabled us to get to this point. It is good to see that the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t an oncoming freight train after all.”
J. Michael Derk has been named supply pastor of Strinestown UB church, Strinestown, Pa.
Huntington University honored the 178 Merillat Scholars at a dinner on November 6. The founders of the scholarship were represented by Dr. Ruth Merillat of Adrian, Mich. (right) and her son Dr. Richard Merillat of Naples, Fla.
The Merillat Scholar award is a scholarship primarily for students in these categories:
Since the Merillat Scholar award began in the fall of 1994, almost $10 million has been given to more than 1000 students. The first Merillat class consisted of 29 recipients.
A $2500 scholarship is awarded to students who have a 2.7 high school cumulative grade point average and a minimum 900 SAT or 19 ACT. An additional $1500 scholarship is awarded to students who have a 3.2 cumulative GPA and a minimum 1000 SAT or 21 ACT, for a total scholarship of $4000.
The Merillat Scholar program is also in the second year of stacking award categories. So, for example, a student who is a member of the United Brethren in Christ Church and also a child of an alumni would receive an extra $1000. If they also happen to be a Youth for Christ student leader, they would receive an extra $500 on top of that for a total of $1500 in additional aid. The Merillat Scholar award is not based on financial need.
Roger Sherman of Mainstreet Church (Walbridge, Ohio) passed away at 11:30 on November 26. He was a longtime leader at Mainstreet and second father to Senior Pastor Marty Pennington. He had suffered a massive heart attack on November 9.
The funeral is 11:30 Friday, November 30, at Mainstreet Church. Bishop Ron Ramsey will speak.
Donald Palmer, a former pastor in Michigan, is no longer licensed with the United Brethren church.
Gary Dilley, the Director of Global Ministries since 2001, is stepping down to take on a new position. In January, he will become senior pastor of College Park United Brethren Church in Huntington, Ind. He has been serving as interim pastor at College Park since July.
Gary’s original calling was to pastoral ministry, and that role remains close to his heart. While he felt God’s leading in leaving the pastorate to become Global Ministries director, he always knew he would eventually return to the pastorate.
Gary was elected to the Global Ministries position in 2001. However, in 2005, it became an appointed position. Bishop Ron Ramsey will work with the Global Ministries Leadership Team in deciding how to fill the position.
Cathy Reich is the new Administrative Assistant to Bishop Ron Ramsey, Pat Jones, and Steve Dennie. She started in that position on November 19.
Cathy is a graduate of Huntington University, and beginning in 1975 spent nearly nine years working at the United Brethren Headquarters. She initially worked in the printshop, and in 1982 became executive secretary to Paul Hirschy, then the Director of Church Services. She left that position in 1984 when she and her husband, Jon, began having children.
Cathy and her family are very active members of Good Shepherd UB church in Huntington, Ind. In recent years, Cathy has served on the Good Shepherd staff part-time as Director of Children’s Ministries.
Cathy was elected to the Executive Leadership Team at the 2007 US National Conference. With her new role, she has stepped down from that position.
Three United Brethren churches have seriously updated their websites. Take a look.
Frank Strine, a longtime UB pastor (now retired), underwent quadruple heart bypass surgery today. Everything went well and there were no problems. As always, the next 24 hours are critical. Frank and Phyllis Strine can be contacted at PO Box 613, Markle, IN 46770.
