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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.

02 Oct

October 2, 2006 |

Ron Ramsey, Bishop
SchallerI have been meaning to post this for sometime. When I remember, I’m traveling and away from my computer, and when I am close, I forget. But anyhow, I read a book recently that I thought would be good to recommend to you. It is The Very Large Church, by Lyle E. Schaller. Now, when some of you come back down to earth, let me tell you why I recommend the book. It has nothing to do with large churches or small churches. Rather, it is one of the more excellent books I’ve read describing the culture we live in. The chapter “The Consequences of Consumerism” should be required reading for every pastor, staff, board chairman, commission chairman…in other words, anyone in leadership in your church.

Mr. Schaller has a very perceptive mind as it relates to understanding our culture and the church. I dare say that this book will answer some of the questions you’ve been asking for some time, regardless of the size of your church.

Anyway, this is one of those “for what its worth” entries. Let me know what you think when you read it. Oh yes, if you don’t want to purchase a copy, check it out of your local library. If they don’t have it on the shelf, I am sure they could get it for you. It will be worth your trouble.

30 Sep

September 30, 2006 |

I’ve been a little tardy in posting to the blog. No excuse really, just busy. But we all could say that, couldn’t we? Well, I was thinking about writing this post this morning while I was mowing my lawn–or more precisely, while I was on my lawn tractor. Yes, I have a riding lawn mower. I really don’t need it with my present lawn, but I purchased it while I was in Ohio and had a bigger lawn to mow, and I kept it. You see, I was raised on a farm and somehow riding that lawn tractor around my lawn takes me back to many enjoyable hours riding the old Allis Chalmers W-D across our fields plowing, discing ground, planting, etc.

Anyway, this morning as I mowed I realized that I was using a skill taught to me long ago. It was how to drive a tractor across a field in a straight line. Today’s tractors have GPS, but back then, to drive in a straight line you would pick out a distant object in line with where you wanted to go–a tree, telephone post, building, etc.–and then drive while keeping your eye fixed on that object. It was amazing how well it worked. When you got to the end of the field and looked back, you would see that you had driven in a pretty straight line.
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29 Sep

September 29, 2006 |

I have been in a number of serious conversations over the past months. But last week I was told a joke that struck me at the right time in the right way and I had to laugh. And I laughed, and laughed and laughed. It felt so good. It was one of those deep belly laughs. You know the kind. You shake, get control, then think about it again and start the process all over. Other people nearby wondered what in the world had taken hold of me. It felt like the sun shining on a cloudy day, bringing light and warmth.

Scripture speaks about laughter. Sometimes it is associated with the drunken laughter of fools. But more importantly laughter is portrayed as the natural result of the joy of seeing the Lord work in powerful ways. He brought the captives back to Israel, and they were filled with laughter. He brought Job out of his troubles and he laughed. He made outlandish promises to Abraham and Sarah laughed thinking about it. God is not puritanical. He is the God who created and celebrates laughter.

Be clear: There is a time to laugh and a time to mourn. (Ecc. 3) So laughter must be appropriate. But we are made to laugh. When was the last time you laughed? Did you know that we who are a part of a congregation are to so obey and follow our church leaders that their work is a joy, bringing laughter? (Hebrews 13:17)

If you’ve been too serious lately, find something to laugh about. Something simple, pure and joyful. You will be amazed the effect it will have on you. It will make those around you wonder what got ahold of you.

28 Sep

September 28, 2006 |

From the 150th anniversary celebration of the United Brethren church in Canada. (larger)

The United Brethren Church in Canada  celebrated its 150th Anniversary this year. Bishop Brian Magnus sent this report about their celebration:

“In June we had a huge outdoor event and invited people from every church to attend. It was partly a picnic and partly a giant revival service. The day began with a bus tour of historic sites. This included visiting the very first UB church in Canada, and also visiting a UB church building from 1861, which is still preserved in that old style today.

“In Canada, the picnic part of our 150th anniversary included lots of games for the whole family, contests, pony rides, picture-taking in old fashioned costumes, and displays of historical pictures from each of our churches. Youth bands played Christian music in the big tent while all this was going on, and there was a tea room for those who just wanted to sit quietly and chat with others.

Students from Huntington University performing the play “Godspell.” (larger)

“After a large meal, a revival service was held in the big tent. Praise and worship singing was led by the worship team of our newest church plant from Cambridge, Ontario. Some songs from the musical Godspell were sung by a group from Huntington University. A sermon on revival from the book of Nehemiah was preached by Rev. Dennis Bells, and the celebration concluded with communion.

The statistics say that we have an average attendance of 875 in our churches on a Sunday morning, and we had 600 of them gather together for this 150th Anniversary celebration of revival and inspiration!

Follow the link below for more photos.
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28 Sep

September 28, 2006 |

Our missionary family has a new addition. Macau missionaries David and Melissa Kline are the parents of a baby girl (right). Mia Jean Kline was born at 10:52 a.m. September 26 at the Saan Deng Hospital in Macau, China. She weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and was just under 20 inches long.