October 27, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

We created a whole new site for United Brethren-related news and commentary. It's called UBCentral. UBCentral consolidates several existing sites into a single location:

• The UB News page.
• The Bishopblog.
• The Staff Openings page.
• The United Brethren Twitter feed
• The Huntington University Twitter news feed.

From UB Central, you can:

• Submit news from your church.
• Join the UB and HU email lists.
• Send feedback to the Bishop.
• Connect to the United Brethren and Huntington University Facebook pages.

Although we have a large internet presence, it's been scattered. This should make it much easier for you to learn what's happening in the United Brethren church.

October 23, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Next week. That's when it'll be available.

A new site which combines the Bishopblog, the UB News page, the Staff Openings page, and our Twitter feed. All in one handy place.

Next week.

October 21, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

James Blaine has resigned as senior pastor of Good Shepherd UB church in Greenfield, Ohio.

October 21, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

G. Blair Dowden, President of Huntington University
I grew up in Livingston, New Jersey, a community populated by a majority of people of the Jewish faith. Being a Gentile obviously made me a minority in that community.

• The food I ate was often different than that of my friends.
• My traditions were different. I didn't celebrate the Jewish holidays such as Passover and Chanukah, but celebrated Christmas and Easter.
• My lifestyle was different. My family was of modest means rather than of a wealthy lifestyle.
• My experiences were different. I didn't go through a bar mitzvah ceremony, nor did I attend religious services on Friday evenings or Saturday.

Being a minority in this culture sometimes resulted in feelings of:

• Loneliness, not experiencing the same things they were experiencing or being involved in their religion. Conversations often revolved around Jewish traditions and events, things I wasn't part of.
• I often felt like a second-class citizen because I was not from a wealthy home like they were, nor did my father have a prestigious job like many of their parents.
• Because many of my friends were not Christian, my faith and my Gentile culture were not reinforced.

I imagine that some Huntington University students who are from a racial, ethnic, or cultural background different from the majority white student population experience some of the same things. They may sense that they are viewed differently, treated differently, that their cultural background and traditions aren't understood by other students.

We want to do better, and to understand better. That's why we are spending this entire school year exploring the subject of racial and ethnic reconciliation. 

October 20, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Robert Gibbs passed away Sunday night, October 18, 2009, at the age of 87. During World War 2, he served in China with the Signal Corp. He went on to become a United Brethren pastor, and was ordained in 1954. He served UB churches in Michigan, and also worked as an electrical engineer. After retiring, Bob and his wife, Pauline, volunteered as United Brethren missionaries in Macau.

Arrangements:

• Visitation: Wednesday, October 21, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Palmer Bush & Jensen Family Funeral Home, 6020 W. Saginaw Hwy, Lansing, Mich. 48917. Phone: 517-323-7890.
• Funeral: 11 am. Thursday, October 22.
• Funeral Location: First United Brethren Church, 1330 E. Grand River, Lansing, Mich. Pastor Scott Hergert will officiate.
• Burial: Interment with military honors will be held at 3 p.m. October 22 at Holy Corners Cemetery, Caledonia, Mich.

Memorials can be made to the First United Brethren Church of Lansing or to Global Ministries of the United Brethren Church.

October 19, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Robert Gibbs, a longtime UB minister in Michigan, passed away Sunday evening, October 18, at his home in Lansing, Mich. He had been an ordained United Brethren minister since 1954. We don't yet have information about funeral arrangements.

October 19, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mattru Hospital in Sierra Leone is undergoing a renovation, which is expected to be completed in October. Funds are being provided by the United Nations Population Fund, through the office of the First Lady of Siera Leone, Mrs. Sia Nyama Koroma.

On a visit to the hospital, Mrs. Koroma lamented the poor conditions, and included Mattru Hospital in her vision to establish hospitals of excellence.

In a special service on October 3, the4 hospital was handed over to the contractor to be refurbished. Bishop Billy Simbo, who also chairs the hospital board, thanked the First Lady, and admoinished the people of Mattru Jong to monitor the progress of the project and not engage in stealing building materials.

October 15, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Richard Thorp, a retired UB minister, was named interim pastor of Maranatha UB in Perrington, Mich.

October 15, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jonathan Herron has been named senior pastor of Colwood UB Church (Caro, Mich.) effective September 27, 2009. He takes the place of Phil Whipple, who was elected bishop in June.

On his first Sunday preaching at Colwood, ten persons came to Christ.

Jonathan holds a degree in Theater from Columbia College, and a Masters in Evangelism/Missions from Ashland Theological Seminary (2002). He also studied improv comedy for two years under Tina Fey at the Second City Training Center.

Jonathan's ministry experience includes being a youth pastor at three churches (including NewSpring Church in Anderson, SC, one of the fastest-growing churches in the country), and speaking at youth conferences since 2002. Most recently, he was founding pastor of Catalyst Church in Kent, Ohio. He writes a blog at: http://www.jonathanherron.typepad.com

Jon and Amber Herron have been married for ten years. Amber holds a Masters in Clinical Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary (2002). They have a two-year-old son, Josiah.

October 15, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Rick Pride, pastor of Eagle Quest UB church (Columbia City, Ind.) is mourning the death of his father. Richard C. Pride, 84, died Monday, October 12, at his home in South Bend, Ind. He was a World War 2 vet who served in the European theatre. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Maymie, and their three children.

The funeral is today, October 15, in South Bend.

October 14, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bring your youth group!

Huntington University is co-sponsoring with Star88.3 a Newsboys concert this Sunday, October 18, in Fort Wayne, Ind. The concert will be held at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, starting at 6 pm. Seventh Day Slumber, Meinmotion, Bread of Stone, and In Honor of Him will also perform.

The concert is part of an event called "Reach," which includes a Gospel presentation followed by a call for new believers to connect with a local church.

No tickets are needed. A suggested donation of $10 will be taken at the door, but no one will be turned away for the inability to give.

Organizers also will collect nonperishable food items for the Associated Churches Food Bank.

October 14, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Huntington University Women's Auxiliary sends thanks to each
Women's Missionary Fellowship or Women's Ministry group that has so
generously contributed to the 2009-10 Baker Roush Hall Prayer Room
project. Appreciation for the furniture and accents afforded so far has
been expressed by Erica Harris, Roush Hall resident: "Thank you
very much for all the Women's Auxiliary has done to bring about the
prayer room. It's looking very nice already, and I can assure you that
many students are using it."

The HU Women's Auxiliary Executive Committee

Barbara E. Fetters and Jean Walmsley, co-presidents
Chris Dowden, vice-president
Ruth Weber, secretary
Deb Cherry, treasurer
Sue Cherry, corresponding secretary
Judy Campbell, publicity secretary

October 12, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

G. Blair Dowden, President of Huntington University
Throughout this school year, Huntington University is exploring what it means to be a campus of diverse individuals from a variety of ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. We want to better understand issues of ethnic and racial reconciliation, and study what the Bible them. We'll do this through lectures, theatre productions, chapel services, diversity and inclusion training, and various student activities. It should be an exciting and stretching year for us.

Our verse of the year is Galatians 3:27-28: "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

I believe that God is creating a new university culture at Huntington University--one that is not white, not black, not Hispanic, not Native American, not Jamaican, not Korean, not Nicaraguan, not Asian, but a new culture of Christ followers. My hope is that we will change this year, both institutionally and as individuals.

I kicked-off this year-long emphasis with a chapel service message in early September. Just as I shared some thoughts and tips with students, I want to share some of those same thoughts with the United Brethren constituency through this blog. These are principles that apply not just to college students, but to all Christians, whether in church, family, workplace, or community settings.

October 9, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Steve Dennie, Communications Director
I'm still unable to make any changes to the UB News site, which runs on blog software. Likewise for the Staff Openings page. You can see them, but I can't make any changes to them. Still hoping the company that hosts those pages can get it fixed...but increasingly fearing the worst. In the meantime, we'll continue publishing news here.

October 9, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries
Here's a photo of the flooding in the Philippines from October 1. I think I would have felt safer in the water. Word from our churches in the Greater Manila area is that our churches and families have been spared their lives and have suffered only limited property damage. We have received some encouraging responses to our invitation to donate through Samaritan's Purse.

October 8, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries
Donna and I met over lunch today with United Brethren international students attending Huntington University.  Present were (l-r): Jeff Berggren (Vice President of Enrollment Management & Marketing), Katie and Bryce Razor (MK - Honduras), Minkailu Mambu (Sierra Leone), Donna Hollopeter (Global Ministries), Josue Rivera (Honduras), Alejandra Gomez (Honduras), Tena-Shay Stewart ((Jamaica), Chevonne Shaw (Jamaica), Raquel Hernandez (Honduras), Jeff Bleijerveld (Global Ministries), Mitsuzi Stone (Jamaica), Rachel Weber (MK - Ecuador),  Absent: Gaynel Mullings (Jamaica), Jason Bleijerveld (MK - Spain), Gloria Bonilla (Honduras).

October 7, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Annette Sites, Jerusalem Chapel, Churchville, Va.
There is a curve in a road in the middle of nowhere going toward Paradise--Oregon, that is. That curve and 100 other curves on a winding highway is known to the locals as Rattlesnake Grade. What makes this grade one of memory for me is two-fold.

1. First, there are no guard rails. If your car veers a bit too far to the right, you'll just plummet into the valley below.
2. Secondly, this winding mountain road saved our marriage. Well, actually, my husband was wise enough to use this rattlesnake to get my attention!

Driving toward Paradise early in our married years, we knew we were nearing a place of peace and solace for a day away from the pressures of life and ministry. My husband would be looking forward to some time with the elk, deer, or bear who roamed the nearby mountains, and I was thrilled to have some time with my husband. As a busy pastor, he was often gone long hours while I stayed hom caring for our two daughters, both under the age of two. A day off together brought the promise of family time, connectedness, and adventure!

I'm not quite sure which particular curve on Rattlesnake Grade was the special spot, but one day as I was enjoying sharing my joys and woes, my husband sweetly turned to me and said, "I don't mean this bad, but that's all for church talk. I need to clear my mind so I can relax."

I'd like to tell you that I just as sweetly replied, "Yes, dear!" But, no. I got my feelings hurt and maybe let a single tear escape. While trying to be strong and understand, I buttoned my lip, but soon found myself trying to find something else to talk about. The problem: much of my life revolved around things related to the church. My social life was at the church, my friends were at the church, even some of my co-workers went to the church. It soon became clear to us both that other than our kids, I had a hard time coming up with things to talk about with my husband that weren't somehow interwoven with ministry.

With my husband's gracious patience, I have learned when to shut off the "chatter valve" and when to just sit quietly and enjoy his company. It continues to be a challenge, however. For the past 19 years, I've been employed in the church office and also serve within the church leadership. Our friends, our church family, ministry issues, and church office items mix and mingle daily.

While not every couple has quite these same dynamics, there are similarities for any couple who work beside each other in ministry. When you live with the one who oversees you--whether in a volunteer position or as an employee--healthy boundaries set together will help to prevent ministry overload. Honest--and kind--dialogue is essential.

The perk to working and living with your boss is the flexibility. Today, my husband and I are traveling up I-81 to visit family for two birthday celebrations. While secluded with each other for hours of travel time, we made prior arrangements to bring along some work. Our car will become the church office, and my husband will become my boss. Decisions will be made and controversies brought to a conclusion.

Even though we'll not be winding our way down a curvy mountain road, I have no doubt that at some point in our travels I will hear the words, "Okay, I'm done with business now. Alright?" With that, I'll put my files away, take a deep breath, and by God's grace switch gears from being an employee and co-laborer in ministry to a wife, mom, and daughter-in-law. What a great day for a birthday celebration and a little "peace of paradise!"

October 6, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries
Although there is tremendous uncertainty regarding the political situation in Honduras, one thing is clear: people need the Lord. On September 19, Honduras Conference gathered 67 pastors and 15 lay leaders for an evangelism training event. The training focused specifically on using the Bible in an evangelistic presentation, whether formal or informal. The materials were enthusiastically received and carried back to their local churches so others can be trained.

October 5, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gordon Kettel has resigned as pastor of Imagine This LLL, the church in Grand Ledge, Mich., which he started several years ago. Roy Atherton is serving as interim pastor.

Mark Ralph has resigned as senior pastor of Sunfield UB church (Sunfield, Mich.). September 20 was his last Sunday. George Speas, a retired UB minister, is serving as interim pastor.

October 5, 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0)

The UB News site is back online, but we're unable to access the control panel (it uses a blog platform). That means we can't add any news, or edit what's already there. Which is a bit scary, since the site contains five years of news. Don't want to lose it. It's a result of the hosting company migrating our site to an upgraded server. Hopefully, they can restore our ability to access the control panel. It's all very complicated.

In the meantime, we'll post some news here.