Local Church Updates

• Houston Says Farewell to the Franks
• Bay Area Auctions Cakes for Scholarships
• Charlotte Celebrates 10th Anniversary
• Fort Smith Celebrates 40th Anniversary
• Cincinnati East Displays Variety
• Minister Featured in Rotarian Magazine
• Houston Hosts Teen Show
• Houston North Seniors Enjoy Italian Dinner
• Elders Report on Those Affected by Hurricane Katrina
• UCG Member's Proposal Passes State Legislation
• 80-Year-Old Helps Save Lives, Then Leads Songs
• South Florida Young Adults Raise $2,700 for Malawi
• Huntsville Says Good-Bye to the Beams

Houston Says Farewell to the Franks

The Sabbath of Jan. 14 brought smiles and tears to the overflow crowd at the Houston, Texas, North congregation's Broze Hall. It was the last Sabbath of Jim and Sharron Franks' pastorate in the Houston area. The Franks were moving on to the home office in Cincinnati to take on the task of operation manager for Ministerial Services.

The emotional services included two pieces of special music, "Shout to the Lord," performed by the teen choir and directed by Gina Whitley, and "God Be With You 'til We Meet Again," performed by the adult choir and directed by Ivor Mitchell and accompanied by Barbara Haynes on the piano.

Mr. Franks gave the sermon titled "Farewell Addresses" and mentioned his family had received "so many blessings here in Houston." Among the statistics Mr. Franks spoke of were his giving of over 1,000 sermons, conducting about 1,000 Bible studies, performing 52 weddings, 66 funerals and logging over a million miles driving since arriving in Houston in July 1987.

The Houston North congregation has grown to over 400 people compared to 275 in 1995, Mr. Franks said. Mr. Franks spoke of the toughness in the Houston congregations during that "tumultuous" period in the Church. Some of the passages Mr. Franks read were Joshua 23:1-6, Acts 20:17-38, Ezekiel 22:30, Romans 8:22-23 and Nehemiah 13. Mr. Franks said, "There is no second-class citizen in the Church of God."

Mr. Franks also reminisced over humorous, sad and frightening moments shared in his family's tenure in Houston. Mr. Franks ended his remarks by reading from a letter by Herbert Armstrong dated Dec. 12, 1958. He encouraged the congregation to continue to stand firm on our belief in this way of life, giving our full support to the new pastor, Jim Servidio, and to keep striving for God's Kingdom.

Following the sermon Mr. Franks made it a point to say good-bye to each member of the 400-plus-member congregation. Many stayed for the Franks' "Going Away" reception later that evening. We then sent the Franks to Ohio with bellies full of good ol' Texan BBQ and with a memorable rendition of the Soggy Bottom Boys' "Man O' Sorrows" performed by Koehler Powell, Robert Zamora and James Followell Sr.

As the group expressed during the show after dinner, we hope this is not a permanent good-bye but merely a temporary relocation until they "Come Back to Texas."

—Peter M. Gabriel and Liz Ryan

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Bay Area Auctions Cakes for Scholarships

On Jan. 21, 2006, the Oakland, San Jose and Santa Rosa, California, congregations held an Italian potluck dinner and cake auction. Cakes were baked by local brethren. The lively cake auction was organized to contribute to the LifeNets Developing Nations Scholarship Fund. This is the second year a cake auction has been conducted to raise money for a worthy cause.

Auctioneer and San Jose elder Fred Crow led several spirited bidding wars that helped produce a total of $3,762. The money will be used to help young adults in the Church in Latin America and Africa attend college or university.

—Mark Rorem

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Charlotte Celebrates 10th Anniversary

On Jan. 21, 2006, brethren in Charlotte, North Carolina, celebrated the congregation's 10th anniversary. Afternoon services were followed by a potluck supper. The centerpiece of the desserts was a cake with the UCG seal.

An evening of reminiscing was led by our pastor, David Mills, who began the Charlotte congregation as an extension of the Asheboro congregation, which started the previous spring. Members were invited to share their comments about the growth of the congregation. Everyone agreed that friendliness, unity and working together are strengths developed by the Charlotte church over the past 10 years.

Accompanist Helen Meek was presented with a crystal piano-shaped music box as a token of appreciation for her service to the congregation. A slide show and picture albums were also displayed, showing events of the past 10 years. Everyone took lots of pictures to share as we look forward to our next anniversary celebration!

—Marti Springer

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Fort Smith Celebrates 40th Anniversary

On Feb. 12, 1966, 115 from far and near gathered at the Fort Smith, Arkansas, Holiday Inn to establish our Church of God congregation. On Feb. 25, 2006, pastor Roger West conducted combined services of the Western Arkansas congregations of Fort Smith, Bentonville and Mena to celebrate the Fort Smith 40th anniversary, with 88 in attendance.

Of these, six had been present at the first service 40 years ago: Vendor Barrett, Doice Hedge, Sybil Shaw, Mary Satterfield, Marie Wann and Bob Hedge. Those present 40 years ago but unable to attend because of health or other reasons were Albert Barrett, Lizzie McClung, Leola Johnson, William and Imogene Bingaman.

Previous pastors include John Elliott, Chuck Zimmerman and Ozzie Engelbart.

The speakers at the anniversary service had both been present at the first service. Vendor Barrett gave the history of the Fort Smith congregation in a sermonette titled "Why Are You Here?" Bob Hedge gave the sermon, titled "The Seven Faithful Sayings."

Services were followed by a potluck meal with a giant anniversary cake.

—Bob Hedge

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Cincinnati East Displays Variety

Cincinnati East, Ohio, hosted its annual variety show March 18. The evening began with a wonderful potluck, including a dessert table filled with a variety of desserts to sample.

A special activity was added this year. A teen arts and crafts exhibit gave the teens an opportunity to showcase their handiwork. There were 11 teens participating, with a total of 25 entries. After viewing the art display, it was time to sit down and get comfortable for a wonderful variety show.

Ed Smith once again emceed the evening. The show kicked off with a vocal solo done by Dave Evans, "Go There With You." Then "New Orleans Jazz" was played on the piano by Garrett Fenchel. Such skits as "The Silly Walk," "Secret Agent Man" and "It's My Party" kept us in stitches.

There were several dance numbers, more vocals, piano solos, instrumental duets, guitar and banjo music and much more. Dave Evans and his daughter, Briana, performed the full version of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game," which few had heard before.

When the evening was over, we had heard 26 different acts. The congregation presented Ed and Angie Smith with a bouquet of flowers for all their work in putting the show together.

—Janet Treadway

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Minister Featured in Rotarian Magazine

Victor Kubik, pastor of the Lafayette and Terre Haute, Indiana, congregations, and a member of the Council of Elders, was featured in the April 2006 issue of Rotarian magazine. Rotarian goes to 1.3 million Rotarians in 33,000 clubs in more than 100 countries.

The article, "Champion for Chernobyl," highlighted Mr. Kubik's work to help the children affected by the fallout from the nuclear reactor explosion 20 years ago in his native Ukraine. This work led Mr. Kubik to found the LifeNets charity a decade ago.

As the article explains, "With no marketing, Kubik and his growing group of volunteers collected, catalogued and shipped more than 70 tons of medical supplies and equipment worth more than $1 million to the Ukrainian clinic [the Revival Center of Medical Social Rehabilitation of Disabled Children]."

Soon after the article came out, Rotarians began contacting Mr. Kubik. "People from all over the world are contacting me about the story about Chernobyl," he said. The article can be found on Rotary's Web page at www.rotary.org/newsroom/features/0604_tr_chernobyl.html.

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Houston Hosts Teen Show

Feb. 18 marked the third annual Teen Entertainment Night for the Houston area. This highly anticipated Sabbath included not only an evening of entertainment for the congregation, but also allowed teens to serve in the capacities of parking lot duty, door greeting, song leading, special music, ushering and refreshments throughout the day.

The evening began with a catered meal of lasagna, garlic bread, salad and homemade desserts—all of which were organized and prepared by the teens.

This year's teen show took on the theme of "50 Years of Music" to coincide with the congregation's 50th anniversary. The young people performed musical numbers, skits and dances to represent each decade, beginning with the 1950s through the present. Applause and laughter filled the hall for two hours as the show included the Rat Pack, the Beatles, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, Sonny and Cher, ZZ Top and more.

A daring dance team led off with the stroll and followed up with small segments of dances from each decade, including the hand jive, the twist, the "car wash," the hustle and the macarena. The skit team included acts from I Love Lucy, The Gong Show and a spoof of commercial favorite, "Where's the Beef?" Many audience members agreed that this was the best show ever.

It seemed to hold appeal for all audience members, young and old. Including the opening number and the finale (which included all cast members), the entire show encompassed 30 acts. Special recognition goes to Sharon VanSchuyver (coordinator) and David Buchanan.

—Sharon VanSchuyver and Peter M. Gabriel

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Houston North Seniors Enjoy Italian Dinner

The Houston North, Texas, Silver Ambassadors had an Italian dinner on Saturday night, Feb. 25. At least 50 brethren enjoyed an evening full of food, fun and fellowship. The meal included lasagna, salad, bread sticks and an array of desserts. Fred Sodergren, Trish Marshall, Alice Jewell and Lois Peden served the group from the kitchen.

Those who stayed after the dinner enjoyed several rounds of bingo and other games. There was a lot of excitement and plenty of yelling going on. Our newest senior, pastor Jim Servidio, finally won a round before calling it a night. When all the prizes had been won and bingo ended, several more went home, leaving just two tables of game players. One table played taboo and the other played several rounds of hand and foot.

Frank Jewell was the bingo caller for the evening. Wylie and Trish Marshall organized the games and took pictures for the evening.

—Kitra Roe

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Elders Report on Those Affected by Hurricane Katrina

Eight months after Hurricane Katrina cut its devastating path through southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi, United brethren are continuing efforts to rebuild and make repairs. In some areas of the Gulf South, namely certain parts of New Orleans and outlying pockets to the east, rebuilding is slow and, in many neighborhoods, seemingly nonexistent. In other regions, life is getting back to normal.

Vic and Beverly Kubik visited the brethren in the New Orleans, Louisiana, area Feb. 25, and saw firsthand the devastation caused by Katrina last August.

"We were moved by their positive and courageous spirit," Mr. Kubik said. "Several have had damage to homes and some still live in trailers as their homes are being repaired. Their spirit and faith is second to none. While they had gone through suffering themselves, their focus was on others and the work of God."

After receiving generous donations from UCG members (and nonmembers), the UCG Good Works Program as well as the LifeNets charitable organization contributed large amounts of funds to assist God's people here. The amount expended thus far helping 52 brethren (approximately one third of the people in our three congregations) has totaled just over $48,500 ($36,250 from Good Works and $12,250 from LifeNets).

Immediately after Katrina, funds were used to get essential supplies to members, give emergency financial aid and assist with evacuation costs. Subsequently, the money has been used for a variety of purposes, including tree removals and stump grinding; roof, flooring, drywall and structural repairs and/or replacement; appliance, furniture and clothing replacement; relocation costs; and financial assistance due to lost income.

A portion of the LifeNets aid was dedicated for the purpose of enabling our members to, in turn, directly assist others in their respective communities. Brethren used this money to house and feed displaced family members and strangers in their homes, provide bedding supplies to evacuees living in a makeshift tent city in Chalmette, Louisiana, and purchase household items for several families who lost everything when their homes were flooded to the rooftops.

The brethren faced some incredible circumstances. There are too many stories to tell, but here are a few of the highlights.

Chris Rogillio and her 86-year-old father, John Baggett, of the Covington, Louisiana, congregation, along with Chris' two daughters and their children, spent over a day trapped in the attic of their home in Slidell waiting for the floodwaters to recede.

Dorothy Lewis, a member in the New Orleans congregation, was evacuated from New Orleans by helicopter after being stranded on a rooftop for several hours.

Donna Jones returned to her home in Holly Beach, western Louisiana, to find only her lawn mower and bathtub. Everything else, including her house, had been swept out to sea. With FEMA and Good Works funds, she was able to purchase and furnish a small, modest home farther inland.

A fourth lady, Linda Bergeron (age 83), had her home flooded in Chalmette. Even though she had been provided with a FEMA trailer at her home, she insisted on continuing to reside in a tent city so she could assist people in need.

Many brethren "rode it out" in their homes, because they were far enough inland to be unaffected by floodwaters. They watched and prayed while trees crashed on and through their homes. Nathan and Violet Sanders lost 40 trees in their one-acre yard, pulling several off their roof.

Tom and Sandy Letellier watched as 170-mile-an-hour winds drove horizontal rain through the walls of their log cabin home.

Thankfully, as has been stated in previous updates, all of the brethren survived. It has been inspiring to witness God's people as they keep the perspective of the bigger picture through this ongoing hardship. They realize that tougher times are ahead for mankind prior to Jesus Christ's return, but regardless of their physical circumstances, God will see them through.

The financial needs of several of the brethren in the area are ongoing as they rebuild. Ten members' homes experienced flood damage—five of them are still living in FEMA trailers or other temporary housing until either their homes are repaired or until they purchase/rent other housing.

However, as a result of the abundant outpouring of financial support from God's people around the world, the needs of God's people here continue to be met. I am reminded of Paul's praise for the churches in Macedonia for a similar deed (2 Corinthians 8:1-7). The Gulf South congregations thank you.

—Andy Burnett, pastor of the Covington and New Orleans, Louisiana, and Laurel, Mississippi, congregations

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UCG Member's Proposal Passes State Legislation

Charles Johnson, a UCG member in the Kansas City, Kansas, congregation, learned recently that the development plan he and his committee proposed to the Kansas legislature passed both houses with only one dissenting vote. Mr. Johnson, a member of the Miami County Economic Development Board in Osawatomie, Kansas, brainstormed and spearheaded the project.

The Osawatomie Graphic newspaper reported that the work on the proposal began in earnest a year ago. A task force worked with engineers to come up with a comprehensive proposal outlining how the community could develop businesses and housing in the area, which includes 4,500 acres.

The proposal is based on developing "mini-enterprise zones," which the plan says would include "anywhere from several hundred to several thousand acres" established by "clusters of economically progressive communities." The zones would be close to other enterprise areas and could be served by a community's infrastructure. A percentage of 386 acres surplus land within the city limits would be reserved to develop industry, ranging from bioscience research to public-service facilities.

Mr. Johnson, Osawatomie Economic Development Committee member Lois Young and Miami County Economic Development Director Sandy Allison make up the Eastern Kansas Economic Initiative committee, which developed the proposal.

Charles Johnson has been a member of God's Church for over 30 years, working for the Church in the 1960s and later developing businesses in Phoenix, Arizona. He moved to the Kansas City area eight years ago. Along with his work with his local community, he states he is a "stay-at-home mom" taking care of his daughter. Charles, along with his son, Ryan, and daughter, Kelsey, attend in Kansas City. Church members were surprised to hear about his project, as he never boasts about his successes.

—Gregory Sargent

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80-Year-Old Helps Save Lives, Then Leads Songs

Jan. 21 was a most unusual Sabbath for elder Joseph Moulton of Ottawa, Ontario. The morning started with a sudden snowstorm (not so unusual) but as he and his wife, Mary, traveled on the freeway, they came upon a stopped car and people flagging them to stop. Off the road, almost out of view, was a vehicle upside down in the Nation River.

Two people were inside the car, windows down, the front doors jammed from the crushed roof. The two inside were just keeping their heads above the freezing water. One rescuer was in water to his waist while Mr. Moulton assisted in water to his knees.

They pulled the 60-year-old man out through the back door. However, the lady driver was in a more difficult position. They had to ask her to take a deep breath and go under the water in order to be pulled out.

Both escaped safely. Mr. and Mrs. Moulton then continued on to church where he was to lead songs that Sabbath. So an 80-year-old helped rescue two "young" 60-year-olds and then led hymns in trousers wet to his knees!

—From United News Canada

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South Florida Young Adults Raise $2,700 for Malawi

On the evening of March 25, the young adults' club of the West Palm Beach and Miami, Florida, congregations conducted an auction to raise funds for the LifeNets Malawi Chizeni Clinic.

Members from West Palm Beach and Miami donated items to be sold in the auction. Many of the items were made by the members and illustrated some of their unique talents. Baby quilts, wine and cheese baskets, drawings and floral arrangements were just a few of the items made by the members.

Mike Moore proved to be an excellent auctioneer as he was able to sell every item that was donated. When it was all over, more than $2,700 had been raised.

This was the first project to be sponsored by our newly formed young adults' club, and it proved to be a great success. Special thanks go to Justin Rivers and Kim Carreiro for coordinating the event.

—Roy Demarest

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Huntsville Says Good-Bye to the Beams

The Huntsville, Alabama, congregation said a tearful good-bye to Rick and Angela Beam on Dec. 31. Mr. Beam had pastored the Huntsville congregation since 1993, and jointly pastored Cleveland, Tennessee, and Huntsville since 1995. He also pastored the Florence, Gadsden and Birmingham, Alabama, congregations for short periods of time while also pastoring Huntsville.

The Beams' faithfulness to God and His truth was a great stabilizing factor to the congregation at a time when there was great uncertainty. Mr. Beam's wisdom combined with his shining example of humility, patience and great "people skills" were also a tremendous benefit, and these qualities were only surpassed by his complete devotion to God and God's people.

The Beams have moved on to Paducah, Kentucky, and are now serving Paducah and the Poplar Bluff and Cape Girardeau, Missouri, congregations.

The Beams were presented with gifts and many personal notes of thanks. Catherine Cole organized a formal going away "tea," and Faye Boston also made a beautiful cake for the occasion.

—Nancy Morgan

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