Dillman UB church is presenting its cantata "Liberty" on Sunday, July 8, at 6 p.m. The performance will be held at College Park UB church in Huntington, Ind.

Dillman originally did this cantata on the opening night of Central Conference several years ago. They later added some characters and performed it at the Life Center in Bluffton, Ind., for a few years. Now, after taking a few years off, they have revived it. They needed a larger venue than Dillman's church, and College Park offered their facility.

There is no admission fee, but a free will offering will be taken.

Mrs. Margaretta Manchey passed away on June 2 at age 95. She was recognized by the Guinness book of World Records for having played the organ at her home church for 77 years. Her home church is Otterbein Church in Waynesboro, Pa. (a United Brethren congregation until withdrawing in 2005).

She also played the organ for campmeetings in the old tabernacle at Rhodes Grove Camp for decades.  The funeral was held June 8 at Five Forks Brethren in Christ Church in Waynesboro.

The US National Conference approved two changes to the National Church Covenant, which United Brethren churches must sign every two years (2007 was the first year for that). The covenant consists of eight points. By action of the 2007 US National Conference, points 5 and 8 have been removed.

Point 5 says, "They are intererested in partnering with other like-minded churches." It was explained that this point is vague and nobody is sure exactly what it means (nor how to force churches to comply with this).

Point 8 says, "They support the work of the camps, university, and other ministries of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA." This line was added from the floor of the 2005 National Conference. Pat Jones, Director of Healthy Church Ministries, explained that this is the only part of the covenant which is programatic in nature, in that it requires supporting two "programs" of the church--the camps and university.

He pointed out that most of the camps are now separate entities from the denomination, organized with their own board of directors; so that part was already obsolete. He stressed that there is no intention of weakening the relationship with Huntington University.

This issue received a good deal of discussion at the spring 2007 Executive Leadership Team, and the ELT passed on the recommendation that item 8 be removed. The original desire with the covenant was to keep program issues out and stick mainly to matters of philosophy and relationship. If we include the camps and college, why not also specifically name Global Ministries and church multiplication, which are arguably more central to the work of local churches? Other potential additions might include Women's Ministries, Bible quizzing, and the Youthworkers Summit.

There was some discussion, but not much. Both points 5 and 8 were removed. So when local churches are asked to once again sign the covenant in early 2009, it will look like the following, but without the two points in bold:

Every congregation shall...reaffirm their support of and membership in the US National Conference by signing a covenant which includes affirmation of these points:

1. They are committed to the Confession of Faith.
2. They agree with the core values of the United Brethren in Christ, International.
3. They agree to abide by the Constitution and Discipline of the US National Conference.
4. They are passionate about fulfilling the Great Commission through their local church.
5. They are interested in partnering with other like-minded churches.
6. They support the ministry and mission of the United Brethren Church, USA, through the annual partnership fee.
7. They will participate in a cluster.
8. They support the work of the camps, university, and other ministries of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA.

Ron Ramsey was re-elected as bishop of the US National Conference during the business session on Friday morning, June 1. He was the only nominee placed before the conference.

When Bishop Ramsey was elected in 2005, the understanding was that he would serve a four-year term. However, the Constitution required that each National Conference elect a bishop, and since national conferences now meet every two years instead of every four years, it presented a temporary problem.

That particular item in the Constitution was removed through one of the five referenda this year, but since changes won't take effect until August, it was still necessary to elect a bishop. And so, a ballot with just one name was presented, and Bishop Ramsey was chosen unanimously.

The delegates also approved a statement in the Discipline saying that the National Conference will elect a bishop to a four-year term. We will elect a bishop again in 2009, but after that, the next election will be in 2013.

Jana Hoobler, with the English Language Program in Macau, sent this update on May 30:

• Some of the women at Living Stone Church started a women's prayer meeting on Wednesday nights. This group of about ten women is becoming a special support group and circle of friendship for me. I'm thankful for the ways the church is maturing. Last Sunday morning I was touched as I sat and worshiped while a young couple in the church led worship and played the piano, a teenager played the guitar, and Ally played the violin. It's not just staff leading everything anymore, and that's great. (Remember: our job is to work ourselves out of a job.)
• We're currently registering students for our summer classes for both children and adults. Although our staff is limited this summer, I've tried to offer classes that will allow students from last summer to come back this summer. It's been good to see many of the parents I know coming to register their children. Pray that God will bring just the right children this summer, and for His guidance in the best ways to help them spiritually. Each summer is the key for establishing a group of children to follow up with throughout the school year.
• This Sunday we're having an English Language Program Sunday at Living Stone Church. We've invited all of our adult English students to attend the worship service. Most of them are not Christians. Pray that many of them will come and that they'll be touched by the warm fellowship and the message that morning.
• Pray for Winnie and Fanny, two ELP students who've been coming to a Bible study I lead each week for non-believers. Neither of them know much of anything about God or the Bible. Pray that God will give them understanding and that their hearts will be open to Him.