Local Church Updates

• Charlotte Ladies Share a Tea
• Miami Has Second Sabbath School Graduation
• Young Adults' Day Held in Miami
• 110 Teens and Young Adults Enjoy Southern California Weekend
• Fairview Heights Camps Out
• Teen Named Student of the Year
• New England Member: Less Than Two to Go
• Portsmouth Couples Celebrate 123 Years

Charlotte Ladies Share a Tea

"Women Sharing and Fulfilling Titus 2:3-5" was the theme for the first UCG Charlotte, North Carolina, ladies' tea Aug. 26. The theme was taken from the General Conference of Elders 2006 women's sessions.

The tables were beautifully decorated, covered with lace tablecloths, trimmed with fresh ivy, and adorned with creative pink and white balloon topiaries and flower centerpieces. Several of the ladies contributed their beautiful china sets. Each of the ladies was presented with a gorgeous handmade corsage, giving the final touch.

The approximately 40 ladies in attendance were treated to a magnificent array of dainty finger sandwiches, tea cookies and cakes. Several of the young adults took on the responsibility of serving, exemplifying the theme of the tea. They followed the examples of the older women and set the example for the younger girls.

Audio presentations were played from two of the women's sessions at the GCE 2006. During Dyanne Dick's presentation, "I'll Love You Forever," more than a few ladies grew misty-eyed as we heard Mrs. Dick speak of an enduring love between a parent and a child.

Equally as interesting and thought-provoking was Jane Suckling's "How We Process Our Emotions," pointing out that the part of our brain that controls our wide range of emotions is only about the size of an almond!

After the presentations, the ladies enjoyed fellowship and discussion of the meaning of Titus 2:3-5.

—Amber Pettigrew

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Miami Has Second Sabbath School Graduation

The Miami, Florida, congregation held its second Sabbath school graduation on Aug. 19. The graduating class included Jorge Elias Cardenas Gomez, Matthew Johnson and Emory Douglas Mongbeh. Teachers Carol Volkers, Faye Mongbeh and Nancy Seay presented each graduate with a certificate of completion and a Bible.

Also on Aug. 19 Miami had its first teen Bible study. The guest speaker, elder Howard Wills, spoke to the teens about "Making Right Decisions."

Along with Jorge, Matthew and Emory, attendees included Natalie Amore, Seth Alexander Mongbeh and Zachary Seay, the first graduates of Miami's Sabbath school.

—Faye Mongbeh

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Young Adults' Day Held in Miami

For the first time ever, Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida, young adults combined to serve at the Miami congregation's Young Adults' Day. The young adults served by ushering, taking attendance, songleading, giving opening and closing prayers and performing a guitar duet for special music.

The sermonette was also given by a Miami young adult about the Eighth Commandment, stealing. Illegal Internet downloading was mentioned as an offense to the commandment that many people may overlook.

The sermon was given by our pastor, Roy Demarest, with a theme of planning and caring for your future without sacrificing your youth. The day concluded with warm fellowship and fun with a group lunch at Romano's Macaroni Grill.

—Kim Rivers

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110 Teens and Young Adults Enjoy Southern California Weekend

On the weekend of July 13 to 16, approximately 110 teens and young adults gathered for the second Southern California Teen/Young Adult Weekend. The activities began on Thursday night with a pool party at the home of John and Carolyn Anderson (members of the Los Angeles congregation).

Friday activities began with a little basketball (for the boys) and shopping in downtown Huntington Beach (for the girls). Later that afternoon everyone met at the beach to play volleyball and fellowship during a meal of hamburgers and hotdogs. The Sabbath was welcomed in with s'mores and plenty of fellowship by several bonfires, with a beautiful sunset background.

Sabbath morning everyone met for a brunch at the home of Perry and DeAnn Weis (Garden Grove congregation), followed by an interactive Bible study given by Mario Seiglie (pastor of Garden Grove) and four young adults.

Regular Sabbath services were held in Garden Grove with guest speaker Clyde Kilough giving the sermon. After sundown the teens and young adults enjoyed a pizza party and open gym night.

On Sunday the youths joined another 300 brethren at Doheny State Beach, for Garden Grove's annual beach party. The weather was perfect and the kids had a chance to surf, play volleyball, swim or sunbathe. The weekend came to a close with a farewell dance.

Special thanks go to the Garden Grove congregation for their generosity at the bake sale/auction in March, which raised $2,300 and made this weekend possible.

—DeAnn Weis

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Fairview Heights Camps Out

Brethren from the Fairview Heights, Illinois, congregation gathered at Carlyle Lake June 9 to 11 for a weekend of camping and fellowship. For many of the small children, it was their first camping trip.

Everyone helped in some way: pitching tents, watching the children or barbecuing dinner. Friday evening we gathered under the pavilion for a tasty dinner of buffalo, steak and other treats.

The Sabbath was restful and relaxed. The men cooked a breakfast of scrambled eggs and fried potatoes. Afterwards, 57 brethren attended services, which were held outside under the pavilion and in lawn chairs in the shade nearby. Doyle Heim accompanied hymns with his accordion.

After services and lunch, many brethren walked down to the lake to enjoy a bit of God's beautiful creation. That night, after a successful hot dog and s'mores campfire roast, some were scared away by impending storms and went home. Others stayed and took shelter in campers as the rain pelted down with heavy winds. God protected His people, and all brethren returned home safely after an enjoyable weekend.

—Angela Barbeau

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Teen Named Student of the Year

Daniel Martinez of the San Luis Potosi, Mexico, congregation was named Student of the Year in June 2006. He, along with about 70 other students so honored in the state of San Luis Potosi, were awarded a trip to Oaxaca.

Daniel also received the honor in 2003 and on that occasion had the opportunity to meet President Vicente Fox in Mexico City.

Daniel is 15 years old and attends services with his family. He assists with the sound system at church. Daniel is very grateful to God for all the blessings he has received, and his desire is to serve God all his life.

—Reba Walker

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New England Member: Less Than Two to Go

Sara Speed has passed her 98th birthday and is doing well. She is lucid, but hard of hearing. In two years the brethren in New England are hoping to hold a celebration of her reaching 100! Her mother reached 101! She has children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren—so it should be quite a party.

Although a little frail, she manages quite well. She enjoys reading and watches almost no TV. She was born in Massachusetts June 27, 1908, and has lived in New England all her life.

—Paul Suckling

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Portsmouth Couples Celebrate 123 Years

Two Portsmouth, Ohio, couples, Red and Naomi Ruggles and Ralph and Mildred Smith, have been married 60 years or more. On the Sabbath of Sept. 2, the congregation honored them for their years of marriage together.

Red and Naomi met as a result of Red's brother setting up a date for them. They were married in Annapolis, Maryland, on Nov. 28, 1943. They had been married for one month when Red was sent to Europe during World War II.

Upon his return from the war, Red began playing music, going to college to learn accounting and working at the steel mill in Portsmouth. Red continued to work at the mill for 30 years until retirement, and Naomi became a housewife.

Red and Naomi had two sons and, with Red working at the steel mill during the day and playing music seven nights a week, life was difficult at home.

In 1973, Red and Naomi learned of the Church and things began to change for the better. God's truth helped them learn to work together and work things out in their marriage so that it has lasted 63 years.

Besides their two sons, Red and Naomi have five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Red was eventually ordained as a deacon and has served in songleading, in giving sermonettes and in helping coordinate the local church area. Through the years, Red and Naomi have faithfully served the congregation.

Ralph and Mildred Smith were married in Greenup, Kentucky, on Aug. 9, 1946. Their relationship blossomed as a result of an introduction by friends. This year they reached their 60th anniversary.

They came into the Church in November 1969 and have been faithful members since. Ralph and Mildred now serve as deacon and deaconess.

Ralph and Mildred have two children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Ralph has served the congregation in giving sermonettes and is known for his love of God's truth and enthusiasm for teaching it. Mildred has faithfully helped year after year in food and social setup and in many other ways.

Red and Naomi and Ralph and Mildred are loved by the congregation and many more years of marriage and service are anticipated.

—Gary Smith

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