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17 Jun

June 17, 2015 |

Middle East expert Dr. Mark Fairchild, Professor of Bible at Huntington University, will lead this unique trip through Israel and Turkey. He will be accompanied by HU President Sherilyn Emberton and Vince Haupert, vice president for advancement.

Date: October 27 – November 7, 2015.

Registrations are needed by July 1, and space is limited. If you’re interested in taking part in this tour, reserve your spot now.

“I have had the pleasure of being in Israel in the last few years and loved my time there,” Emberton said. “I look forward to traveling with such a wonderful leader and teacher as Dr. Fairchild.”

The tour will take place from October 27 to November 7. During that time, participants will visit multiple sites throughout the Holy Land, including Ephesus, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, and Jerusalem.

Fairchild, who discovered the oldest known synagogue, has explored many sites in Turkey and will serve as the trip guide.

“When people visit the Holy Lands (Israel and Turkey), we begin to understand how life was really lived back then,” says Fairchild. “There are hundreds of insights that people gain from a trip to the Holy Lands with the result that we deepen our appreciation for the forefathers of our faith and we deepen our commitment to our Lord. I almost never see students or adults return from a trip like this without experiencing a profound change in their lives.”

The trip is $3,990 per person, including international airfare (leaving from Chicago) and hotel stay.

08 Jun

June 8, 2015 |

We appreciate the work of our cluster leaders. In addition to leading the regular cluster meetings with their group of pastors, they are also called upon to interact with the churches in their clusters in various ways.

We recently had four changes of cluster leaders:

  • Dan Van Arsdalen, senior pastor of Alvordton UB church (Alvordton, Ohio), is now leading the cluster around Camden, Mich. Todd Fetters, director of National Ministries, had been leading this cluster.
  • Greg Voight, pastor of Lancaster UB church (Lancaster, Ohio), is the new leader of the Columbus (Ohio) cluster. Mike Brown, senior pastor of Franklin UB church (New Albany, Ohio), had been leading that cluster.
  • Steve Henry, senior pastor of Victory Heights UB church (Franklin, Pa.), is the new leader of the Franklin cluster. The previous leader was Steve Clulow, senior pastor of Cochranton UB church (Cochranton, Pa.).
  • Darrel Bosworth is now leading the Grand Rapids (Michigan) cluster. He is pastor of Kilpatrick UB church (Woodland, Mich.). He replaces Randy Carpenter, senior pastor of Sunfield UB church (Sunfield, Mich.).

In addition, nobody is currently leading the Midwest cluster (Kansas and Missouri). Micheal Dean, the previous leader, is no longer pastoring the Sabetha, Kansas, church.

The UB website has a list of all clusters and their leaders.

03 Jun

June 3, 2015 |

Mission Team Training
Date: October 16-17, 2015
Time: 6:30pm on Friday, 9am – 3:30pm Saturday
Location: Ebenezer UB church, Greencastle, Pa.

Global Ministries conducts these two-day seminars for persons interested in leading or participating in a short-term cross-cultural ministry. It’s a very informative, interactive, and fun seminar. These seminars are held periodically in regional settings. Dozens of United Brethren people have now taken this training.

We need more people who are trained to lead mission teams. If you have ever led a team, you know how complex a responsibility it is. This seminar provides the tools and insights necessary to prepare travelers’ hands, heads, and hearts before they go.

So who should attend?

  • Mission committee members.
  • Mission pastors.
  • Youth pastors.
  • Team leaders.
  • Anyone who might like to become a team leader.

Cost:

  • $45 per person.
  • $35 for groups of 5 or more.

The cost includes training materials, two lunches, and coffee breaks. Lodging is available at local motels.

Active pastors can come free IF they bring at least one other person from their congregation. In addition, active pastors will receive 1 CEU for participating.

For More Information

  • Check out the Global Ministries exhibit at National Conference in July.
  • Call Donna Hollopeter, associate director of Global Ministries, toll-free at 888-622-3019, ext. 306.

03 Jun

June 3, 2015 |

Global Ministries is sponsoring a ministry/vision trip to Macau on November 11-21. Participants will observe the various ways God is opening doors for ministry in that part of the world. More information will be available at the Global Ministries exhibit during National Conference.

Cost: $2,500 per person. That includes airfare, lodging, food, in-country travel, and cost of visa for a visit to Mainland China.

Participants will:

  • Meet our mission staff in Macau.
  • Visit the UB churches in Macau.
  • Learn more about ministry in Macau.
  • Have an opportunity to do prayer walks on behalf of the churches and staff.
  • Take a one-day visit into Mainland China to interact with UB staff serving in the area and learn more about life and opportunities on that side of the border.

A Global Ministries staffperson will lead the trip. There are a few more openings for this team. We encourage you to prayerfully consider joining this team.

29 May

May 29, 2015 |

The Bishop’s Office is sponsoring a luncheon at noon on Friday for retired ministers and missionaries, and their spouses. Thus far, 25 people have signed up.

The speaker will be Dr. Michael Wanous, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty at Huntington University. As Dean, Dr. Wanous supervises faculty, plans and operates academic programs, and oversees the library, student registration, and academic facilities. He is responsible for creating, updating, and overseeing the academic strategic plan for HU as well as providing leadership for assessment, accreditation, curriculum development, faculty development, faith-learning integration, and the use of educational technology.

Dr. Wanous holds a Ph.D. in genetics from the University of Missouri, a Master of Science degree in plant breeding from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy and international agriculture from the University of Minnesota.

Prior to his work at Huntington, he served at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He chaired the natural science division and biology department, in addition to teaching biology and genetics classes. He then became associate academic dean at Augustana, the position he held before coming to HU.

His research efforts have focused on plant molecular cytogenetics and gene expression. Dr. Wanous spent a sabbatical in Norwich, United Kingdom, working at the John Innes Centre, an independent, international center focusing on plant science and microbiology. He also served as President of the South Dakota Academy of Science.

22 May

May 22, 2015 |

fred-scroggsFred P. Scroggs, 95, of Columbia City, Ind., died Wednesday, May 20, 2015. He was the father of Tim Scroggs, senior pastor of Eagle Quest UB church in Columbia City.

Visitation: Noon – 3pm Saturday, May 23, 2015.
Funeral: 3pm Saturday, May 23.
Visitation and funeral location: Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, Ind. 46725. The burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, in Huntertown, Ind.

Condolences can be sent to Pastor Tim Scroggs at:

Timothy E. Scroggs
1120 N SR 109
Columbia City, IN 46725

21 May

May 21, 2015 |

Steve Dennie, Communications Director

United Brethren churches need to know about Clear Elevation, a high quality design firm co-owned by Huntington University. They set up a page just for UB churches.

Need a new website? A professional logo? A nice brochure or bulletin? A church video? A Facebook page? Consider Clear Elevation. They are good–very good. They operate from a Christ-centered philosophy. And a cut of the profits goes to support Huntington University, our denomination’s college.

clearelevation600Clear Elevation began in 2013 as the first HU Venture, a for-profit subsidiary of Huntington University. The managing partners are Nate and Julie Reusser, both of whom attended Huntington University. They also head Reusser Design, a web development agency which has seen dramatic growth during its 10+ years in the industry.

With Clear Elevation, the Reussers are excited to help small business owners and nonprofits with their various creative needs–websites, social media, graphic design, illustration, etc. Clear Elevation strives to generate high-quality, quick-turnaround projects for lower costs.

You can see examples of their work on their website. Contact them for a quote. It may or may not fit your budget, but at least get them on your radar. Account exec Amy Mattox will be happy to talk to you about what they can do.

21 May

May 21, 2015 |

NoReena Elizabeth Eagle, 69, passed away on May 17, 2015, in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. She was the wife of Rev. George Eagle, senior pastor of the Harrison UB church in Harrison, Mich.

Viewing time: 1:30 – 4:30 pm Sunday, May 31, 2015.
Funeral time: 1:30 Sunday, May 31, 2015.
Funeral and viewing location: Eagle Church of God, 7087 East Dover Road, Clare, MI 48617.

21 May

May 21, 2015 |

Did you know there are more people learning English as a new language than there are people who speak English as their first language?

For many churches, teaching English to internationals is an exploding ministry opportunity. Many Christians want training to provide this English teaching, but don’t know where to turn.

Huntington University’s Institute for TESOL Studies is a place to turn. Specifically, July 20 – August 7, 2015.

You can earn certification to teach English as a foreign language in just three weeks, beginning on July 20. Join HU for this affordable and convenient intensive course on TESOL methodology, training, and practice.

For more details, contact Shoshannah McKinney by email or by calling 260-359-4296.

20 May

May 20, 2015 |
Bishop Phil Whipple speaking to the group in Sunfield, Mich.

Bishop Phil Whipple speaking to the group in Sunfield, Mich.

In Sunfield, Mich.

In Sunfield, Mich.

Bishop Phil Whipple presenting the proposals in Willshire, Ohio.

Bishop Phil Whipple presenting the proposals in Willshire, Ohio.

On May 18 and 19, regional meetings were held in Michigan and Ohio as a prelude to national conference. Pastors and others interacted over several proposals which will come before the US National Conference, which meets July 15-18 in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Bishop Phil Whipple presented a new statement on Cohabitation, which was developed by the Pastoral Ministry Leadership Team.

Cohabitation is an unmarried, unrelated couple living together. Cohabitation circumvents God’s plan for family life by simulating the marriage relationship without the covenantal commitments associated with marriage (Genesis 2:18). Even when celibacy is intended, cohabitation increases the temptation for sexual sin and fails to avoid the appearance of evil (1 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:22). Members must avoid cohabitation prior to marriage. We urge our leaders to teach and counsel about the hazards of cohabitation. We also recognize that there may be situations in which a platonic, cohabitating relationship may be necessary, such as a caregiver-patient relationship.

Another proposal from the PMLT would create a centralized UB Ministerial Association, which satisfies a variety of practical problems concerning retired and inactive ministers.

A third proposal, from the Executive Leadership Team, would increase term-length from two years to four years, and would institute staggered terms (so that only half of the elected members would be chosen every two years).

A fourth proposal would eliminate the provision in the Discipline for nominating candidates for bishop from the floor of the National Conference.

On Monday, May 18, about 25 people met at the Sunfield UB church in Sunfield, Mich. Bishop Whipple presented the above proposals and led a discussion time about them. Then Jeff Reser, senior pastor of the East Washington UB church (Ashley, Mich.), presented a new proposal dealing with same-sex marriage. It emphasized providing legal protections to pastors. There was considerable discussion about his proposal.

The next day, about 25 people met at Praise Point UB church in Willshire, Ohio. All of the proposals, including the new one from Jeff Reser, were presented to the group. The same-sex marriage proposal didn’t receive as much discussion, but a new issue arose: removing the requirement that ministers totally abstain from consuming alcohol. In 2005, we removed the requirement that laypersons abstain from drinking alcohol, and there has been some desire to do the same for ministers. However, this idea has not been put forward as an actual proposal.

When the proposals are in final form, they will be published on the USNationalConference.com website.

One more regional meeting remains: 7-9pm on Monday, June 8, at the UB church in Lancaster, Ohio.