Martin Magnus, far left, prays for his son and daughter-in-law, Brian and Lynette, as Brian is installed as the first Canadian bishop. L-r: Martin Magnus, C. Ray Miller, John Pearce, Randy Magnus (a brother), Bishop Paul Hirschy, Gary Dilley.

Bishop Emeritus C. Ray Miller, Canada's bishop for 20 years, says some words on behalf of Brian and Lynette.

A New Bishop in Canada

The annual national conference for the United Brethren Church in Canada was held May 31--June 2 at the Stanley Park UB church in Kitchener, Ont. It was chaired by President Brian Magnus, who pastors the Parkwood Gardens church in Guelph, Ontario. Special guests from the US National Conference included Bishop Emeritus C. Ray Miller (who served as Ontario's bishop for 20 years), Bishop Paul Hirschy, and Global Ministries Director Gary Dilley.

Each national conference determines the title of its highest official. The United States uses "bishop," while most of the other national conferences use "Superintendent" or "General Superintendent." Canada, since becoming the first official national conference in the mid-1990s, has used the term "president." But with the implementation of a truly international structure in June 2001, they chose to begin using the title "Bishop."

Brian Magnus was unanimously elected to be the first Bishop of the United Brethren Church in Canada. An installation service was held on Sunday, June 2. Participating in the installation service were C. Ray Miller, Paul Hirschy, Gary Dilley, and Canadian ministers Martin Magnus, John Pearce and Randy Magnus. Martin is Brian's father, and Randy is a brother.

Other highlights of the conference included:

• The adoption of a new conference statement of purpose.
• The adoption of a constitution and bylaws template for each church to use for incorporation.
• The adoption of the job description for a new Bishop of the United Brethren Church in Canada.
• A Saturday night "unplugged" service at the old Freeport UB church from 1861, which is located at the Doon Pioneer Village. Bishop Emeritus C. Ray Miller spoke on "Jesus, Our Foundation."
• On Sunday, the ordinations of Mike Martinelli, Dan Nickless, and Jim Somerville.
• Also on Sunday, the granting of a National Conference license to Liz Cudney, co-pastor of the Port of Grace Church in Port Colborne, Ontario.

Left: Brian Magnus presents a National Conference ministerial license to Liz Cudney, co-pastor (with husband Neil) of the Port of Grace church in Port Colborne, Ontario. Right: Ontario minister Ruth Snider (left) prays for God's blessing on Liz Cudney.

Mike Martinelli, Jim Somerville, and Dan Nickless were all ordained on Sunday.Clockwise from upper left: Dan and Nancy Nickless (Grace UB, Sherkston), Mike and Nedra Martinelli (Garrison Road UB, Fort Erie), John and Linda Somerville (New Dundee UB) with Bishop Brian Magnus.

These Canadian ministers form a superb worship team. From left: Randy Magnus, Liz Cudney, Neil Cudney, John Pearce, and Brian Magnus. Not see on the drums is Dan Desilest, youth pastor at Garrison Road UB.