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February 2001 News Archive

2/27/2001

Death of Lucyle Wilson. Lucyle Wilson, who served as a UB missionary in Sierra Leone from 1961-1964, passed away February 25. She ws 93. Lucyle retired from the food department at Huntington College in 1986 after 28 years.

2/22/2001

Charlie and Ruth Snider. On November 5, the United Brethren Church in Canada's Fall Convention honored Charlie and Ruth Snider (left) on their retirement. Ruth received an Annual Conference license in 1965 and was ordained in 1968. For 28 years she pastored various churches in the conference, and also served terms as President of Women's Missionary Fellowship. She was also an executive and representative with Hope International Development Agency. After leaving the Ontario Water Resources Commission, Charlie began serving with Maintenance for Missions in 1974 and has traveled the world on various projects (with son Stan accompanying him occasionally). He led numerous work tours to Sierra Leone, Honduras, and other places for both Canadian and US United Brethren church groups.

Mt. Solon, Va. Fonda Cassidy of Mt. Olivet UB writes, "In January our own missionary, Kevin Lam, was in Honduras to work at the newly-purchased camp outside of La Ceiba....Our church is growing in numbers, and with the excitment of this, we are working on a weekly detail to finish the new Sunday School rooms in the church basement.

"February activities included a big Family Night turnout in our fellowship hall with a wonderful meal together and afterward a slide presentation by Kevin Lam of his recent trip into Honduras, and singing as we learned to sing a song in Spanish. February 10 was a combined class Valentine banquet at the Thomas House resturant in Dayton, Va.

"In March, our pastor, Dr. J. Paul Rowe, along with the admistrative board and different commissions, will attend an overnight work retreat and planning for the upcoming year in Monteray, Va., at the Highland Inn. This will be exciting, as we get away from the such distrations as phones, beepers etc.

Youth Activities Week (YAW), held January 14-16 at Mt. Olivet, included a supper, film, encounter groups, recreation, and worship. The first night's theme was "Called to be the Body of Christ," the second nigh's theme was "Called to be Servants," and the third night's theme was "Called to be Obedient." One activity was making human banana splits. The youth also held a Super Bowl party in January. The Youth meet the third Sunday eveving of each month.

From the Bells in Brazil. On February 23, Wes and Jean Bell, partial-support missionaries serving in Brazil with Wycliffe, reported, "Last night in our condominium, just one block away, two thieves emptied their revolvers at our guard, who by the way carries no gun, but didn't wound him. We praise the Lord for His protection.

Three nights prior to this incident, four thieves tied up our other guard and ransacked the home of Phyllis Rowan, a widow of 67. They took her computer, all diskettes, CD player, VCR, etc.--anything of value. The computer and diskettes held data on the Parecis language which no one else has or is able to reproduce. But neither Phyllis nor the guard were harmed physically, for which we are grateful. What's next?

"Tonight begins the Carnaval festivities, the big bashes until Ash Wednesday and the Lent Season of "self-deprivation." However, for these festivities, everyone wants more money for costumes, party clothes, alcohol, etc. Being the target of theft is unnerving because of our precarious situation now, and also because of memories of being robbed in the past. Do pray for our safety and the safety of our missionary colleagues and Christian Brazilian brothers and sisters. It's not an easy time."

Waynesboro, Pa. Blue Rock UB honored Chester "Barney" Rotz (right) for his 34 years on the administrative board. Barney joined the board in the mid 1960s, and has held a variety of position--trustee, finance committee, lay leader, and board chairman. Last fall, Barney decided to limit some of his activities for health reasons, and chose to end his service on the board. He continues teaching Sunday school and occasionally leads the midweek prayer service.

2/21/2001

Franklin, Pa. Many churches offer snacks on Sunday morning. Atlantic Avenue UB does a full breakfast between the first and second services, something many families with children greatly appreciate. Two persons coordinate the breakfast, and many volunteers pitch in.

Jackie Schiffer describes what goes on. "To feed everyone, each Sunday we need 2-3 gallons of chocolate milk, five bags of the favorite sugar donuts, six pitchers of juice, five loaves of various breads, four bags of bagels, 16-20 bananas, and six types of assorted jellies. Also, the coordinators may make muffins, scrambled eggs, pancakes, quiche, french toast, and fried potatoes--it all depends on the menu for that week." Donations fund the breakfast, and people bring in such supplies as plates, cups, coffee, utensils, etc. "This seems to be a plus for families when they are looking for a church to become a part of," Jackie says. "It gives everybody that time of fellowship that is so needed on Sunday mornings."

Holly Hill, Fla. Over 400 people attended a concert by Christian punk rock band "Philmore." It was sponsored by The Well, Daytona UB's Friday night youth club. The band came from Oklahoma to present the concert and give their testimonies, as kids and young adults packed the sanctuary and lobby. The church's own youth church band, "Sleepwalkerz," opened the evening. Three police officers and one volunteer retired officer were on duty, but the crowd remained respectful throughout the concert. "It was a complete success that will probably be repeated," says Vicki McKeown.

Elmore, Ohio. Donald Barrett became pastor of Bethel UB (Elmore, Ohio) on December 17. He had served as interim pastor since last July. He and his wife, Sharma, have three children (Cory, Jamie, and Eric).

Jamaica Work Trip. A work team from Bethel UB (Elmore, Ohio) returned to Jamaica January 14-21. Only one member of the team was a rookie; the other nine, representing two UB and Lutheran churches, had been to Jamaica before. The men worked alongside Jamaicans to finish the tin roof on the Allside church. Meanwhile, the women conducted a Bible school at the Craighead church, visited and made banners with Jamaican women, and gave the church over 200 Bibles for future outreach events. In addition to teaching about the fruit of the Spirit, they used puppets to teach about hygiene, and distributed soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes, and other articles to kids and adults.

The Bethel missions group is starting a support group for the lunch program at the Craighead church school. The money raised will provide a hot lunch and beverage each day, and provide fuel for the stove and a small salary for the cooks.

New Ethnic Outreaches in Florida. In Florida, two new Haitian congregations are meeting in the Orlando area. About 25 people attend the church in the city of Apopka, and 30 attend the meeting in Kissimee. The new Jamaican congregation in Ft. Lauderdale, under the pastoral leadership of Jasper Green (one of our pastors from Jamaica Conference), is averaging 15 on Sunday mornings. The Daytona church is also working with Denis Casco in providing some funds for two new Hispanic churches in the Miami area.

2/21/2001

Headed to El Salvador, with Help. Francisco Raudales, superintendent of Honduras Conference, left for El Salvador on Thursday, Feb. 21, to administer distribution of $10,000 in relief funds for United Brethren victims of the recent earthquakes. Read more.

Headed to Haiti. Missions Director Kyle McQuillen left for Haiti on Thursday, Feb. 21, to meet with leaders of churches which have decided to affiliate with the United Brethren church. This will officially launch our extension into Haiti. Brent Custer, from Huntington College, went along to videotape services and other events.

Among Ministers

  • Rev. Dave Burkett was re-elected as fulltime superintendent of Michigan Conference during the recent mid-year session. This is his second three-year term.
  • Stephen Clymer will become senior pastor of Victory Chapel UB (Liberty Center, Ohio) effective April 1.

On the Verge of Closing, and Then.... Carlisle, Pa. With attendance and morale declining, Immanuel UB decided that they would close their doors at the end of November. However, after making that decision, they were contacted by another church in town about the possibility of a merger. That church, Bethany Evangelical Christian Church, was only two years old, growing, and in need of a permanent worship center.

Paul Dunbar, pastor of Immanuel, says, "Dr. Lawrence Reinertsen, the pastor of Bethany Evangelical Christian Church in Carlisle, approached me in October, when he heard we were closing Immanuel, and suggested that we look into merging our two congregations. His congregation was running 35-50 people, but they were in a rented facility and needed a base of operations. At the time, Immanuel was running 25-30 people."

Both congregations liked the idea. They began worshiping together at the beginning of November, averaging about 75 people. And on December 31, the merger became official.

The new church is called Bethany Evangelical Church of the United Brethren in Christ. The new senior pastor is Dr. Larry Reinertsen (formerly pastor of Bethany), and his associate pastor is Rev. Paul Dunbar (formerly pastor of Immanuel). Immanuel had already sold their parsonage, so they're using that money to remodel the building and to help with salaries.

The new congregation was officially organized on December 31, with Mid-Atlantic Conference Superintendent Anthony Blair preaching.

"Things are going great!" reported Paul Dunbar in February. "One Sunday we had 96 in attendance. The two congregations are bonding beautifully, and there is a wonderful spirit of joy in the worship services." He says they anticipate opening a counseling center as a ministry to the congregation and community.

Clarksburg, W. Va. Living Water UB, a Mid-Atlantic Conference church plant which began last summer, began holding weekly services on January 7. Attendance has been around 50-55. They began meeting as a small group last July, and during the fall held "preview" services.

The church held its first membership class January 26-27, with 23 people attending. They called it Living Water 101. It was held at a local restaurant, where they held dinner Friday night and breakfast on Saturday morning, each followed by two hours of class.

Pastor Chris Mullet reports, "Most of these people are now in an eight-week course, LW201, which is being taught during our education hour on Sunday morning after worship. Jimmy Gifford, one of our leadership team members, is teaching this course, mostly based on the scriptural foundation for our church's six core values."

Mullet continues, "We have become a satellite downlink site for Church Communication Network (ccnonline.net). Each month we have leadership training events with people like John Maxwell, C. Peter Wagner, George Barna, Robert Webber, etc. These events are shown through our video projector onto a large screen. Our next leadership training is a March 1 session on mentoring with Tim Elmore."

They're expecting over 100 teens for a live-via-satellite youth event on February 23. From 9:00 until midnight, the teens will hear concerts by Audio Adrenaline and the Newsboys. Between bands, Miles McPherson will preach an evangelistic message. On March 10, they will host the "Becoming a Contagious Christian" evangelism course with Mark Middleburg and Lee Strobel; this will serve as their LW401 membership course. Then, on April 6-7, they will host a live-by-satellite Couple's Conference 2001, with such speakers as Chuck Swindoll, Kevin Lehman, and Gary Smalley.

"God has blessed us with technology that we're trying to harness for the communication of the gospel and the equipping of saints," says Pastor Mullet.

Wayne, Ohio. Mt. Zion UB held a Junior High Lock-in on the evening of January 21. Forty Junior High students and twelve adult and high school student leaders filled the Family Life Center for a sleepless night, which featured volleyball, games, a student praise and worship band, devotions, and a Christian movie.

Presidents' Day presented the opportunity for 14 high school students and four adult leaders to get away to Huntington College for a High School Winter Retreat centered around the theme of discovering God's will. Hilarious impromptu skits presented some of the dilemmas students face in finding and following God's direction in the choice of a mate, a mission, and a Master for life. Video clips from Focus on the Family's "Life on the Edge" and key Bible texts were enhanced by personal testimonies of the teens. The students stayed in the residence halls, ate in the dining commons, visited classes, and took a campus tour.

Hillsdale, Mich. On December 31, Hillsdale UB held "Yearend Blessing Celebration" Services. Instead of the usual morning schedule of worship at 9:00 and 11:00, with Sunday school in between, there was a Children's Christmas program (postponed by snow on December 17) at 10:00 and a combined worship service at 11:00. The services emphasized all the blessings God sent to the 97-year-old church over the past year. These included new records for the congregation in average worship attendance, as well as contributions to the general fund and to missions (over $30,000). Most importantly, the church experienced nearly a convert a week (51) in 2000. The two services had a total attendance of over 550.

Dimondale, Mich. On April 8-11, Rev. Gayle Ruble will preach nightly revival meetings at West Windsor UB in Dimondale.

2/19/2001

Among Ministers and Churches

  • Michael Longfellow is the new pastor of Highland Avenue UB in Chanute, KS, effective January 14. He is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (independent). Michael and his wife, Lori, have two young children.
  • Willshire UB and Zion UB (located near Willshire, Ohio) entered into a yoke agreement. M. E. Burkett is interim pastor at both churches.
  • Larry Schimmel resigned as pastor of Innisdale UB in Alexandria, Ind., effective December 31.
  • Tom Brodbeck Sr., a former UB minister, underwent triple bypass surgery February 16 in Fort Wayne, Ind. He was planning to leave the hospital on February 21.
  • Gary Graham, formerly pastor of East Ovid UB in Coldwater, Mich., is now Director of Advanced Planning with the Kurtz Funeral Home of Hillsdale, Mich

2/16/2001

Help for El Salvador. The Missions Department sent $10,000 to help earthquake victims in El Salvador, where we opened church work during the past two years. There are UB people currently sleeping on plastic, their homes destroyed. This page has more info plus photos.

News from Macau. Macau Mission Director Jana Hoobler, Macau Mission Director, sent this praise on February 15: "The Education Department has approved the center on Taipa! I'm so excited! We should have our license within a week. We're planning to begin classes on Taipa on March 6. This only leaves us a few weeks for advertising. Pray that God will bring everything together during the next week.

"We had a wonderful dedication service on Taipa last Saturday. Many church members from both churches came, along with our Hong Kong leadership and missionaries from other organizations. We had a wonderful time of praising God together!

"ELP classes began this week at Living Word church. We have a very good enrollment. Pray that students will be deeply impacted by chapel presentations this term at Living Word Church. We're trying a new format with our chapel program this term to help us present the gospel more clearly."

35 Years with TransWorld Radio. On February 28, Joe Miller will mark 35 years with Trans World Radio. As an engineer, he has kept the transmitters fired up to broadcast the Gospel worldwide. A TWR staff update noted, "And, praise the Lord for an almost-93-year-old mother back in the States who, until this day, has faithfully prayed for her son." Edna Miller has spent 30 years with TWR. They are currently serving in Swaziland.

A 7.9 magnitude earthquake jolted western India and eastern Pakistan on January 26. TransWorld Radio airs a Thru the Bible program in that area. The day of the earthquake, the program--recorded six months earlier--was based on Mark 33, which mentions that earthquakes will occur prior to Christ's second coming. One local man said, "Just this morning I heard your radio program that there will be earthquakes before the second coming of our Lord, and it came within one hour!"

Shippensburg, Pa. On February 10, the Life Sunday School class of Prince Street UB sponsored an Evening in Paris banquet. Sites like the Eiffel Tower, the Louve, and Notre Dame Cathedral were constructed and placed along the Seine River. A French candlelight dinner was prepared and paid for by the class. This is an annual event with a different theme each year. All proceeds from this fundraiser are used to help people in need.

Due to a fire over a year ago, we were left without a youth building. But thanks to some committed workers of our congregation, we now have a new Youth and Family Center which is open to minister to our neighborhood as well as to our congregation.

Columbus, Ohio. "The toddler is walking and about diaper free," says Pastor Dan Kopp of NorthPointe church, which began a year ago on the northwest side of Columbus.

"We continue to steadily grow. Brand new ministries for Young Adults, and Divorce Care are beginning. An original music drama is being planned for Easter season. We have been able to hire Lee Houtz for one year fulltime, and are praying that growth will sustain us beyond that. Our third set of baptisms since launch is right around the corner, and we rejoice in the fruit being seen in transformed lives!

"We are designing for new outreach this spring and fall. Leadership development is going very well. We are working toward reproducing ourselves by committing $10,000 to a new, hoped-for Hispanic work. Pray with us and contemplate joining in the blessing, as we're needing to raise 50K.

"We're facing some minor transition, with a few folks moving away, etc. This is to be expected, and is due in part to not being able to add the Sunday morning service as had been planned. We continue to reevaluate that need." (The church holds services on Saturday night.)

"The conference subsidy is done, so in that sense we are 'weaned.' Overall, the baby seems to be doing just fine. We're looking forward to preschool."

On the Mend. Rev. Dave Burkett, superintendent of Michigan Conference, underwent gall bladder surgery on January 29. The surgery was on Monday, and Dave went home on Tuesday morning. He reports he had a lot of pain on Tuesday, but by Wednesday was on the mend. "I did have to spend two nights in a recliner, but I am back in the bed. I have little pain now and I am back to my office work and a limited schedule." The surgeon, he notes, was a former missionary doctor in Africa.

Dimondale, Mich. The WMF and congregation of West Windsor UB held a bake sale on Saturday, January 20. All money went to Darlene Thorp, wife of Pastor Dick Thorp. Darlene traveled to Honduras on February 1 with a group from Northland UB in Traverse City, Mich., on a 16-day work trip. The bake sale raised $357, and was handed to Darlene during the January 28 morning service.

Chambersburg, Pa. In November, the St. James UB Fellowship Committee held a "Harvest Meal"--a turkey dinner with all the trimmings--at the church.

At the church's Christmas Eve candlelight service, Pastor Mike read the beautiful story "Jacob's Gift," written by Max Lucado. The many visitors attending that night said it reminded them of an old-fashioned Christmas.

Death of Betty Weaver. Mrs. Betty Weaver, wife of Bishop Emeritus George Weaver, passed away at 6:30 a.m. Monday, January 29. She had been diagnosed with cancer just a few months ago. The memorial service was held Friday, February 2, at the White Oak Christian Church of Mt. Healthy, Ohio. Mt. Healthy is on the north side of Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. George Weaver: 3228 Heritage Square Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45251.

Death of Bernadine Hoffman. Bernadine Hoffman, who served as a UB missionary for 39 years in Sierra Leone, passed away Thursday night, February 1. She had suffered a major stroke on Saturday, January 26.

The funeral was held Monday, February 5, at Crossroads UB in Charlotte, Mich. (813 East Shepherd Street). Rev. Harold Cherry, a longtime pastor at Charlotte, conducted the funeral.

Bernadine retired from missionary service in May 1983, after her 12th term. She originally went to Africa in 1944. Over the years, she taught school, served as matron in boarding homes, and headed up the Christian Education office. She also raised several African children (one being Rev. Joe Abu, one of our pastors in Mid-Atlantic Conference).

Bernadine's 39 years is the longest any UB missionary has served under the Missions Commission (followed closely by Archie Cameron in Honduras). After retiring, Bernadine settled in Charlotte, Mich., where she attended the Crossroads UB church.

Death of Jean Berkey. Jean Berkey, wife of UB minister Edmund Burkey, died February 8, 2001, in Adrian, Mich. She was 79. The funeral was held February 12 in Adrian, with Rev. Russell Birdsall and Dr. Howard Cherry officiating.

Paul Hirschy Diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Paul Hirschy, the Director of Church Services, was diagnosed with a form of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. However, it is treatable, and the prognosis is quite good. Paul feels great, is very upbeat, and maintains a busy schedule.

On January 12, Paul underwent surgery to remove a lymph note from the left side of his neck, following which came the diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. In early February, he had his first chemotherapy treatment.

Dave Thrush Suffers Heart Attack. Dave Thrush, director of Rhodes Grove Camp in Chambersburg, Pa., suffered a heart attack on Monday, January 22. He underwent quadruple bypass surgery on Friday, January 26. He was preparing to leave the position of camp director. An Appreciation Open House scheduled for February 3 had to be postponed.

Earthquake in India. People have inquired about the earthquake which hit India and Pakistan, and whether or not our missionaries were affected. They were not. The earthquake occurred in the western part of the country, near Pakistan. They live in the southeast, near Madras, and all of the UB church planting work is in that part of the country.

Birmingham, Ala. Red Mountain UB participated in an event called Praisin' in the Park at a local city part on Saturday, September 9. Six churches in the Irondale suburb of Birmingham sponsored the event, which is designed to demonstrate a visible unity among the churches. The churches represented were Baptist, Church of God (Pentecostal), independent charismatic, United Methodist (African-American), Wesleyan, and United Brethren.

The worship team from each congregation presented a half-hour musical package. Red Mountain UB kicked off the event by sponsoring an instrumental jazz quartet from a Baptist church that played familiar hymn s and choruses to a jazz rhythm. Each church also set up a booth displaying literature to introduce interested individuals to the church. The booths were staffed by members who could answer any questions. Over 700 hotdogs an drinks were provided by the churches and distributed free to those attending. Since this was the first Praisin' in the Park as a cooperative effort, it was a learning experience. Future events will place greater emphasis on identifying, ministering to, and following up those who are seeking Christ or affiliation with a local church.