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10 Sep

September 10, 2004 |
  • Dr. Dave Rahn, professor of ministry and missions, had an article published in the September 2004 edition of Decision magazine. It is called “Church for the ‘Unchurched’ Kids: Tackling the cultural gap between church and unchurched kids.”
  • The Wall Street Journal ran a front-page feature on Jim and Lizzie O’Donnell, with mention about Jim’s book, Letters for Lizzie.
  • Huntington College has been formally approved to offer Master’s programs in Education and Counseling, and has been authorized to offer academic programs at off-campus sites within an expanded 100-mile radius.
  • The Huntington College campus radio station, 105.5 FM WQHC, has been accessed by online listeners in well over 100 regions and countries during the past six months. That includes the Americans (North, Central, and South), Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa.

10 Sep

September 10, 2004 |
  • Ron Gonzales will begin as senior pastor of Faith Community UB in Findlay, Ohio, on September 19. He previously pastored the Open Bible Fellowship UB church in Safford, Ariz. Open Bible Fellowship is currently searching for a new pastor.
  • Dan Young, who started Faith Community Church in the early 1990s, is now serving as interim pastor of Crestview UB church in Lafayette, Ind.
  • Dick Case, formerly pastor of Crestview UB, is serving as interim pastor of Dillman UB in Warren, Ind.
  • Bishop Emeritus Ray Seilhamer has been named senior pastor of New Hope UB in Huntington, Ind. He continues serving as associate dean of the Huntington College Graduate School of Christian Ministries.
  • Lynn Mefferd, who retired as pastor of Dillman UB (Warren, Ind.), is serving on a part-time basis in an associate role at New Hope UB in Huntington, Ind.
  • Toby Lazo is no longer pastor of Victory Celebration Center in Burbank, Calif. A layperson is currently overseeing the church.
  • Decatur UB (Decatur, Ind.) has changed its name to Cornerstone Community Church.
  • Murray Stevens is the new pastor of Saint James UB (Chambersburg, Pa.).
  • Harvest Community UB (Toledo, Ohio) changed its named to North Point UB church. The pastor is Brad Wotring.
  • DeWitt UB church (DeWitt, Mich.) has closed.
  • Valerie Reynolds is the new senior pastor of Mount Hope UB in Carson City, Mich.
  • Roger Burk has assumed the role of fulltime superintendent in Michigan Conference (a position to which he was elected last spring). The former superintendent, David Burkett, is now pastor of Mount Morris UB in Mt. Morris, Mich.
  • Stephen Clulow is a new superintendent in Sandusky Conference. He replaces Roger Overmyer.
  • Covenant Fellowship UB Church at Steubenville, Ohio, has been closed.
  • Red Mountain UB in Birmingham, Ala., has closed. The pastor, Fred Johns, is now pastoring a Wesleyan church in Birmingham.

09 Sep

September 9, 2004 |

Throughout the month of October, voting will occur in the US National Conference churches. Adult members will select laypersons and ministers to represent their conference at the 2005 US National Conference, and will also cast votes concerning three referendum items. Each church needs to appoint a board of tellers to oversee the voting. The conference will provide enough ballots for each member in your church, as well as other information. A number of resources concerning the voting are available online, though most will be sent to your church from the conference.

09 Sep

September 9, 2004 |

Various items regarding the initiative to join with the Missionary Church have been sent to all UB local churches in the United States, or will soon be sent. Other information is available on the UB website.

  • Information Sheets. Four information sheets were sent to all churches at the beginning of August. They are designed to be duplicated and inserted in church bulletins, if appropriate, but can also be used in other ways. All four can be downloaded.
  • “Joining Forces” Video. A 14-minute video has been sent to each church. It includes a short introduction by Bishop Paul Hirschy, and then statements from three Missionary Church officials regarding the vision and ministry of the Missionary Church. All churches are encouraged to show this to their congregation prior to the October elections, preferably as part of a church service or congregational meeting.
  • Online Statements. A number of UB people have submitted statements regarding the possibility of joining the Missionary Church–both in favor, and not in favor. You can find them here.
  • Missionary Church Materials. The Missionary Church headquarters provided a variety of printed materials which were sent in a packet to each UB church in the United States. The packet includes a brief snapshot of the Missionary Church district your church would most likely become part of, if the joining takes place. Pastors are encouraged to make this material available to their congregations.
  • Informational Meetings. Several informational meetings have been scheduled, including five within Central Conference. Meetings have also been scheduled in several local churches, at the request of pastors.

08 Sep

September 8, 2004 |

Luanne Brooks will return to the States from Haiti sooner than previously reported–either the second or third week of September. The doors have opened for her to return to the nursing job she held before going to Haiti, and she will also be continuing her education to prepare for fulltime ministry in another field. Luanne had previously announced her decision to conclude her work with OMS International at the end of November.

08 Sep

September 8, 2004 |

Hurricane Francis caused damage at two of our churches in Florida, both in the Daytona area on the east side of the state.

A large part of Faith UB church in Port Orange was destroyed. The building was condemned by the city and must be torn down.

The Daytona UB church, located in Holly Hill, needs a new roof. So does the parsonage.

A Florida Hurricane Relief Fund has been established to help.

07 Sep

September 7, 2004 |

Bishop Paul Hirschy reports that he has been feeling great. His chemotherapy treatments were concluded some weeks ago, and his hair is growing back. Throughout the treatments, he was able to maintain his regular schedule, and never got sick. That is an answer to many people’s prayers, and he is very grateful.

07 Sep

September 7, 2004 |

When the recent hurricane struck Haiti, it wiped out a village where one of our churches is located. People were killed. The government has ordered that the village not be rebuilt in the same location.

28 Jul

July 28, 2004 |

The United Brethren Headquarters is undergoing a transition in the position of Finance Director. Janet Bilyew, our present Finance Director, will leave us at the end of July. Janet has worked at the UB Heaquarters since the early 1970s, longer than anyone else. She has accepted a position in Fort Wayne, just a few miles from her home. She will be greatly missed.

Janet’s replacement has been found in the person of Jane Jordan. She is moving to the Huntington area, and started with us on July 19. Her husband is in the Navy and is being transferred from Seattle; he is about reach to begin a six-month submarine tour. Jane will be in the Huntington area for an extended period before her husband is then transferred to Virginia Beach.