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August 1999 News Archive

8/24/99

Youth Get Their Hands Dirty for Others. Thirteen junior high students and three adults from Emmanuel UB went to inner city Cincinnati June 21-25 to do some work with Common Ground Ministries. They cleaned out two allies filled with construction materials from the remodeling of two new buildings that will serve as apartments. Among Common Ground's ministries is providing low-income housing to help homeless people get back on their feet.

On July 17-25, thirty-three students and adults traveled to Juarez, Mexico, to build 11-by-22 foot houses for two Mexican families that were living in shacks made of cardboard and pallets. They also spent two days relaxing in New Mexico.

Chambersburg, Pa. On July 6, students and adults from Mt. Pleasant UB traveled to Laurel Mission in Big Laurel, Kent. Youth director Bobby Culler writes, "We wanted to be a witness for Christ to the people of Kentucky through the things that we said and the things that we did. Our time included various work projects around the community, ministry at the Little Laurel church, and a party for the community young people. It was neat to worship and serve God with these wonderful people. We also became more aware of the fact that all of our words and all of our deeds need to be in line with how God wants us to live."

Carson City, Mich. In June, the youth of Mt. Hope UB sponsored a Mud Volleyball tournament for the community. Twelve teams from various churches got good and dirtyÉOn August 14, Pastor Larry Clark's message gave the story of how he committed his life to the ministry 42 years before at the Carson City Campgrounds. Several persons came to the altar to commit their lives to Christ or make recommitments. Afterwards, several persons were baptized in parishioner Bob Bollinger's pond, including four of Bob's own children.

Detroit, Mich. Warrendale UB had 80 enrolled in Vacation Bible School in early August, with an average of 56.

New Meeting Place in Grand Rapids, Mich. On July 1, Fresh Breeze UB began meeting in a new worship location--a building formerly occupied by a Nazarene congregation. Says Pastor Dan Maas, "Now there will be two church plants of completely different styles in the same facility. The other congregation is Haitian, and will meet in the morning. Fresh Breeze will worship in the early evening, with a complete Sunday school schedule." The new address is 1313 Bristol Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.

Chambersburg, Pa. Rhodes Grove Camp had a record enrollment of 665 this summer. There were 121 first-time and rededication decisions for Christ (one out of every five kids), and $2344 was raised for missions through weekly youth camp offerings.

Fulks Run, Va. On June 6, on its 30th anniversary, Mt. Carmel UB took in 27 adult members and 6 youth members. In addition, Pastor Richard Reed baptized 19 people in a parishoner's pool during August. One conversion occurred through a new group based on the twelve steps of spiritual growth.

Pixley, Calif. On June 13, the children's choir of Pixley UB (above) presented the light-hearted musical "This Little Light of Mine," in which Matthew, a young boy, overcomes his fear of the dark with the help of singing fireflies. Mrs. Sandra Clark directed the musical. The cast included David Meeks as Matthew, Jayleen Clubb as Gladly Glow, Sarah Bittick as Mom and Surely Shine, Elizabeth Merritt as Brightly Beam, and Elijah Merritt as a Lightning Bug. Afterwards, the audience and cast enjoyed refreshments and a "This Little Light of Mine" cake.

Do students connected with your church attend Purdue University? If so, Crestview UB, located in Lafayette, Ind., would like to minister to them. Pastor Dick Case says he'll make contact with the student and provide transportation to Crestview church. Contact him at: Crestview UB, 1400 Ortman Lane, Lafayette, IN 47909. Phone: (765) 474-2445. Email: caseclan@wcic.org

A 100th Anniversary Quilt. During the early 1950s, the Willing Workers Ladies Sunday school class at Pleasant Hill UB made a quilt embroidered with names of people in the church at that time. With the church's 100th anniversary approaching in October 1999, Donna Martin got the idea of making another quilt. Persons were invited to participate by donating one dollar so they could have their name put on the quilt. Work was begun in September 1998 and completed on February 5, 1999. The next Sunday, it was hanging in the church sanctuary.

Pennies for Missions. The youth group at Faith UB in Phoenix, Ariz., decided to bring pennies for missions to each Thursday night meeting. In a period of three months, they brought 13,252 pennies (which translates into $132). The group consists of 20 youth from ages 6-14.

Doug Sarver is the new pastor of Warrendale UB, as of August 22. He and Carol will commute from Ohio until his new home is availableÉ.The church had 80 enrolled in Vacation Bible School in early August, with an average of 56.

A lot of construction has been occurring at Huntington College this summer. One major project is completing a perimeter road which completely circles the college. The stretch of College Avenue between Campus Street (in front of where the old Wright Hall stood) and the Administration building has been closed off. College Avenue has been rerouted to run behind the Brenn Hall of Science and the Loew Center, between the Administration Building and the Forest Glen baseball park, to an improved intersection with Ray Street, which runs on the north side of Lake Sno-Tip. This completes the perimeter road, which will reduce traffic through the center of campus and improve pedestrian safety.

A parking lot is being built between the Administration Building and the RichLyn Library.

Lake Sno-Tip was drained so they could install a new spillway and make the dam nearly twice as wide. A new sidewalk will be installed along the lake side of the perimeter road between the campus and the president's house. A block wall now stands along the south side of Lake Sno-Tip, and there is a new deck near the Habecker Dining Commons.

The larger plan, still being developed, calls for the addition of sidewalks, landscaping, benches, and lighting between the library and the dining commons. However, funding for these improvements won't be available until next summer.

Two new residence halls are nearly ready for students, and a new parking lot will be added just west of the Habecker Dining Commons off of Lake Street. The parking lot behind the Loew Building and the Brenn Hall of Science will be expended later this fall.

At Homecoming October 1-4, the two new residence halls will be named after retired UB bishops: Bishop Emeritus Clyde W. Meadows, and Bishop Emeritus C. Ray Miller.

Scottsdale, Ariz. NorthPointe UB is starting some new ministries this fall:

  • DivorceCare. A13-week recovery and support group begins September 22. They'll meet on Wednesday at a Fairfield Inn in Scottsdale. The cost is $25.
  • Alpha. A 10-week practical introduction to the Christian Faith will start September 28. The Tuesday night meetings will be held at an elementary school. a 10 week seminar, will begin on Tuesday evenings on September 28. It's free, and will include dessert.
  • Discovery 101. A class for new believers will be held at 8:50 a.m., before worship, starting September 26.
  • NorthPointe Dinner Club. This quarterly outreach tool involves a banquet-style dinner at a local resort with an excellent meal, good contemporary Christian music, and an inspiring speaker. They'll hold their second one on Saturday, September 18. The speaker will be Keith Brown, chaplain of the Arizona Cardinals and Phoenix Suns. Cost: $12.50 per ticket.

Bradenton, Fla. Eugenia and Patricia Kokko were baptized on Anna Marie Island off of Bradenton, Fla., in the Gulf of Mexico. "When planning the ceremony, I thought it would be nice to baptize the girls outside, where the public could witness the ceremony," says Pastor Gary Brooks of Bradenton UB. "I suggested the Manatee River, about two miles north of the Bradenton church, but the girls were reluctant because alligators inhabit the shoreline. Even though alligators very seldom are seen where the baptism would have taken place, I decided not to force the issue and sought another public place. Eventually, we decided on the beach at Anna Marie Island. Of course, I was sure to avoid mentioning that there are hundreds of sharks living in the mouth of Tampa Bay. The girls both survived the baptism. They didn't see any alligators, nor were they eaten by sharks. They didn't even step on any stingrays!"

Holly Hill, Fla. Vicki McKeown of Daytona UB writes: "As part of our continuing Conspiracy of Kindness, our church family held its third annual Back to School Clothing Give Away. We collected good, used clothing and shoes, and a few families purchased some new clothes and shoes, too. We advertised that all families in our city were invited to show proof of residency and bring their children to choose a bag of clothing (for each child) and take a pair of shoes for free.

"We had almost 3000 articles of clothing donated and nearly 250 pairs of shoes. With so many items, we were able to offer each child two paper grocery sacks filled with clothes and at least one pair of shoes. Every item went out the door.

"We registered 116 children from the community (obtaining their names and addresses for follow-up), and each of them left with two bags of clothes for school. In addition, we opened the doors early to our single moms and dads who are part of our church family, so we probably helped clothe about 130 kids. Any items left after the two hour 'shopping spree' were given to a lady who ministers to mentally challenged adolescents and adults.

"A ministry like this wouldn't be needed or appreciated in many neighborhoods like it is here in Holly Hill, but here it really serves to show God's love in a very practical way."

8/13/99

Two years ago, fire destroyed the Maple Hill UB church of Grandville, Mich. On July 25, they broke ground for a new facility.

Bobby Culler, youth pastor of Mt. Pleasant UB in Chambersburg, Pa., sent this report: "On July 6, 1999 a group of students and adults from the Mt. Pleasant Youth Ministries traveled to Laurel Mission in Big Laurel, Kentucky. We called this trip the W.A.D. Expedition. Colossians 3: 17 says that 'whatever you do, whether in WORD or DEED, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.' We wanted to be a witness for Christ to the people of Kentucky through the things that we said and the things that we did.

"Our time there included various work projects around the community, ministry at the Little Laurel UB church, and a party for the community young people. One of the coolest things that we came to understand is that whether we are in Pennsylvania or Kentucky or anywhere in between, we are all part of the family of God, and it was neat to worship and serve God with these wonderful people. We also became more aware of the fact that all of our words and all of our deeds need to be in line with how God wants us to live."

Tim Moran, pastor of Pleasant Hill UB in Muncie, Ind., writes: "Polls indicate that nearly 75% of all Christians accepted Christ between the ages of 7 and 11. In light of this fact, Pleasant Hill UB dedicated its VBS to 'Sharing the Light of Jesus' with young people from kindergarten to high school. We had a great VBS in two respects. First of all, we had our highest attendance in several years (including a large teen class). Secondly, we had 17 children accept Christ as their Savior."

8/4/99

Rev. Earl Lund died about noon on August 2 in a nursing home in Northport, MI. He was a member of Northland Church and lived near Maple City, MI, for many years. He was 100 years old plus six months. He was born in 1899. Rev. Carlson Becker, pastor of Northland, wrote, "After his birthday, I asked him about the possibility of living in three centuries. He told me he had had enough." Carlson continues, "He was an evangelist throughout the UB Church as well as in many other denominations. He was an excellent artist and often illustrated his messages. He also did some slight of hand demonstrations mostly for the children. He built and painted life-size figures of the Bible and created a walk through the woods near his home that many came from many miles to view."

The funeral will be held August 6 at 11 a.m. at the Martinson Funeral Home in Suttons Bay. Visitation will be from 2-9 pm on Thursday. The pastor of the Methodist Church in Maple City and I will share in the service.