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17 Oct

October 17, 2006 |

We’re in the midst of another national election. From what I’ve observed, United Brethren churches keep a good balance when it comes to political activity, and most prefer to avoid partisan politics. Which is proper, according to the IRS publication, Tax Guide for Churches and Religious Organizations. Consider this excerpt from the section “Political Campaign Activity”:

“Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made by or on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violation of this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status….When it participates in political campaign activity, a church or religious organization jeopardizes both its tax-exempt status under IRC section 501(c)(3) and its eligibility to receive tax-deductible contributions.”

Most UB churches owe their tax-exempt status to the denomination, which provides an umbrella 501(c)(3) exemption. One politically vocal UB church could, conceivably, jeopardize the charitable status of all UB churches, and cause tithes and offerings to no longer qualify as charitable contributions. So it’s a serious thing.
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16 Oct

October 16, 2006 |
  • Troy L. Green is the new senior pastor at Monroe UB church (Monroe, Ind.) effective September 1, 2006.
  • Ray Dutcher is no longer employed at either Pleasant Hill UB Church or Living Hope UB in Greencastle, Pa. His last day was September 17, 2006. He has accepted a position with a non-UB church.

16 Oct

October 16, 2006 |

ReeckRoger and Marilyn Reeck, UB endorsed missionaries with Wycliffe, have been spending a lot of time working with Bible translation in Africa. They recently spent two months in Guinea-Bissau, and filed this report after returning to their home in La Ceiba, Honduras.

“During the first part of our time in Africa, we helped train national consultants as the newly built Lendem Translation Center in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Twenty-two pastors and leaders took the three-week training in linguistics, which included a course in phonetics, which Roger taught. At the end of the course, six of the best participants were chosen to receive further training. We are eager to see this group develop into translation consultants. It was thrilling to see them talk over what they learned as they crafted verses in the Balanta-Naga language.
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09 Oct

October 9, 2006 |

The October 1 Golf Outing, designed to raise support for endorsed missionary Anna Geivett, was a big success. Altogether, 45 people participated, and there wer 19 hole sponsors. The event raised $1988 toward Anna’s sending costs. Additionally, Anna made a few contacts that may end up producing additional long-term support.

The money raised from the outing has basically finished her sending costs, and now Anna only has 18% of her regular monthly support to raise before heading to Peru in November.
The Golf Outing was sponsored by the six churches of the Northeast Indiana cluster, which includes the Good Shepherd, Emmanuel, Anchor, Eagle’s Quest, and South Scipio churches in Indiana, and New Horizons UB in Rockford, Ohio. Anna attends Emmanuel.

09 Oct

October 9, 2006 |

During this year’s Homecoming festivities at Huntington University, Mrs. Ruth Evelyn Baker received the Distinguished Alumni Citation, an award annually to recognize outstanding service over an extended period of time.

Evelyn Baker
Mrs. Ruth Evelyn Baker accepts the Distinguished Alumni Citation from (l-r) Margaret Roush, Alumni Board chairman Greg Will, and Dr. G. Blair Dowden, HU President.

Evelyn earned a teaching certificate from Huntington in 1939, and went on to teach in Ohio and Maryland. After World War II, she and her husband, Dewitt, traveled to Sierra Leone, West Africa, where they spent 16 years as United Brethren missionaries. During that time they opened 20 schools, including the high schools at Bumpe and Mattru.
In 1965, Dr. Baker was chosen as President of Huntington College, and so Evelyn and Dewitt moved back to the States. Evelyn served as Huntington’s “First Lady” for 16 years. Though retired, Mrs. Baker remains active in the university community and at College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind.

09 Oct

October 9, 2006 |

Junior high and senior high students from UB churches are invited to attend the Big M.A.C. Ski Attack, a winter retreat in the mountains of western Pennsylvania February 2-4, 2007. This year’s speaker will be Tim Atkins. “Hot Sundae,” a band from Indiana, will provide music for the weekend. The cost for the retreat is $80, plus the cost of a Saturday activity of your choice, including skiing or snowboarding, tubing, skating, bowling, or nothing at all.

This annual retreat has existed for the past 20 years (the M. A. C. stands for Mid-Atlantic Conference). For more information about this weekend, email Bobby Culler or call him at (717) 264-8414. This retreat is sponsored in part by Huntington University. It would be great to have you and the students of your Youth Ministry participate.

09 Oct

October 9, 2006 |
  • Steve Fish has been named senior pastor of Oak Harbor UB church (Oak Harbor, Ohio) effective November 1.
  • Kelly Burnside has been named senior pastor of Gaines UB church (Caledonia, Mich.) effective November 5.

09 Oct

October 9, 2006 |

Huntington University‘s EXCEL program for adults is offering two new bachelor’s degree programs this fall. The previous Organizational Management major–the first and only EXCEL program–was replaced this fall with the Organizational Leadership major. In addition, this fall EXCEL added a major in Business Administration.

Two additional majors will begin next year.

  • The Accounting major will begin in the fall of 2007. Many of the professors will be working certified public accounts, thus giving students the chance to interact with successful accountants.
  • The Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management will start in January 2007.

The EXCEL program has grown from an initial enrollment of 15 students in 1993 to a current enrollment of 145. EXCEL offers classes and degrees geared specifically toward working adults, and conducts classes on the main campus in Huntington, Ind., and at the new Huntington University Adult Education Center in Columbia City, Ind. Go here to learn more about the Excel program.

04 Oct

October 4, 2006 |

Olinda Barnes, director of Camp Living Waters near Luther, Mich., writes about a fundraiser held for the camp: “John Reynolds of Mt Hope UB church (Carson City, Mich.) holed a 50-foot putt at the Rose Golf Course, LeRoy Michigan to in Leron, Mich., to win $2,500.

The long putt was made on No. 9 during a fundraising event held for Camp Living Waters. No practice putts were allowed and this was his only attempt allowed.

Over $20,000 was raised by 16 golfers to go for capital improvements at Camp Living Waters.