|
|
News at a Glance
34,650 Responses Received So Far From Magazine AdsThe first month or so of our most recent space advertising campaign is bringing in thousands of requests for two booklets and a Good News magazine subscription. The two booklets being offered are The Middle East in Bible Prophecy in the April Reader's Digest and Marriage and Family: The Missing Dimension in the April American Baby and May Parents magazines. Here are the totals as of May 1, with many more arriving every day: Reader's Digest ........... 25,059 American Baby .............. 7,975 Parents ............................ 1,616 TOTAL .......................... 34,650 Please pray for the continued success of this campaign. —Peter Eddington [ back to top ] New Florida Region and 10 Transfers AnnouncedMinisterial Services announced a new regional pastor and a new region in the U.S. field ministry. Jim Haeffele will become the regional pastor for a new Florida region. Bruce Gore will continue as the regional pastor for the Southeast (without Florida). A total of 10 ministerial moves were announced for this summer, along with eight circuit changes. Most of the circuit changes are to reduce the load for some pastors who currently serve three congregations. The transfers are: Jim and Lois Haeffele are moving to serve the Miami and Fort Myers, Florida, congregations and serve as the new regional pastor for Florida. Ron and Nancy Kelley will replace the Haeffeles in Greensboro, Hickory and Asheville, North Carolina. Jon and Debbie Pinelli will be moving to serve the Salt Lake City, Utah, and Grand Junction, Colorado, area (replacing Larry and Judy Salyer who are moving to the home office to serve as Media and Communications Services operation manager). David and Denise Dobson are transferring to the new Huntsville, Alabama, and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, circuit. Eric and Jeannie Evans will replace the Dobsons in Kingsport and Knoxville, Tennessee, and London, Kentucky. Paul and Tracy Carter are moving to serve the new Bakersfield, Fresno and Stockton, California, circuit. Roy and Pauline Demarest will move from the Miami and West Palm Beach area to the Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida, area. Bill and Cheryl Jahns will move from South Africa to serve the Columbia and Cumberland, Maryland, and Lewistown, Pennsylvania, area. Arnold and Ann Hampton will transfer from the Columbia and Cumberland area to serve West Palm Beach, Florida, and the Caribbean. Earl and Carol Roemer will transfer from Idaho to Alaska to serve the Anchorage and Soldotna congregations as associate pastor. Dennis Luker will continue as the pastor in addition to his other duties. Pastors with new church circuits are: Roy and Norma Holladay, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Rome, Georgia. Fred and Lucretia Kellers, Nashville, Tennessee, and Bowling Green, Kentucky (also senior pastor for Nigeria). Bruce and Phyllis Gore, Atlanta and Jefferson, Georgia (regional pastor for Southeast region). Bill and Carolyn Winner, Birmingham and Gadsden, Alabama. Larry and Bonnie Greider, Los Angeles, California (regional pastor for Southwest region). Richard Thompson, Ocala and Tallahassee, Florida. Dale and Mona Schurter, return to retirement. Jim and Joan Tuck, Oakland and San Jose, California. —Jim Franks [ back to top ] Pastors in Ghana Given More TrainingMelvin Rhodes (senior pastor for Ghana), Jim Franks (Ministerial Services operation manager) and Tom Kirkpatrick (Church treasurer) conducted classes for the pastors in Ghana April 16 to 25. "It is virtually impossible to obtain visas for them to travel to the United States, so we have brought the training to them," said Mr. Franks. "At the end of the classes we administered a test on the fundamental beliefs of the Church. The group of men we are working with has shown considerable growth since our first encounter back in 1999, and all did well on the test." [ back to top ] Elders OrdainedEddie Johnson was ordained Feb. 24. He will be helping the pastor, John Schroeder, in the Tonbridge, England, area. David Payne was ordained March 3 and will help David Fenney in the Isle of Man and northern United Kingdom. On March 24, Scott Moss was ordained an elder. He and his wife, Peggy, serve in the Fort Wayne, Indiana, congregation. On April 9, Elifazi Salawila was ordained. He and his wife, Selia, serve in the Blantyre congregation in Malawi. [ back to top ] U.S. Holy Day Offerings UpPreliminary U.S. Holy Day offering figures showed increases of 4.8 percent for the first Holy Day of Unleavened Bread and 3.5 percent for the last Holy Day. The figures were $800,476 for the first day and $764,645 for the last day. These figures are expected to reach $815,000 and $775,000 when individually mailed offerings are all processed. On the first day, 13,181 attended, down from 13,248 the previous year (half of a percent decrease). On the last day 12,066 attended, up from 12,026 (0.3 percent increase). —Gerald Seelig [ back to top ] Canadian Tax Rebate EndedThe Canadian GST tax rebate for visitors from outside Canada has been discontinued. There is talk that conventions may be able to continue to get it, but that isn't official as yet. This tax information was incorrect in the Canadian Feast listings in the March/April issue, but was corrected in the Festival Planning Brochure. [ back to top ] St. Lucia ClosedCoordinator Arnold Hampton announced April 17 that the St. Lucia Feast site is closed to further transfers. [ back to top ] Correction: Fundamentals, Not FoundationsIn the Council reports in the last issue we reported that the ABC class Foundations of Faith was being recorded for distribution. Actually, the ABC class to be recorded this year is Fundamentals of Theology, taught by Dr. Don Ward. After recording, it will be posted on our Web site and mailed to congregation libraries. [ back to top ] ABC Continuing Ed Seminars PlannedDue to the positive responses the Ambassador Bible Center Continuing Education Seminars have generated, this year we have budgeted for six weekend seminars in cities around the United States, two Winter Family Weekend seminars and the annual five-day seminar in the ABC lecture hall at the home office. Our first seminar will be the annual five-day seminar in Cincinnati. Classes will begin on Monday morning, Aug. 20, and run through Friday afternoon, Aug. 24, from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. All regular ABC faculty members will teach classes, and several of the adjunct instructors will also give presentations. Cost for the five-day seminar will be $50 a person. If more than two in a family are attending, or if someone is unable to afford the tuition cost, please contact us for special rates. Space is limited to 60 participants, so those who wish to take part need to register as soon as possible. You may register by sending your name, address and tuition to: Ambassador Bible Center Continuing Education, P.O. Box 54992, Cincinnati, OH 45254. Please include an e-mail address if possible and we will forward housing information and schedules. For further information, please contact the continuing education coordinator at david_johnson@ucg.org. Between the end of August and the end of the year we have tentatively scheduled six weekend seminars in local church areas. We will announce the exact locations as soon as the dates and locations are finalized, but we currently plan one seminar in the southern United States, two in the Midwest, two in the West and one in the Northeast. These seminars involve two ABC instructors covering classes on the Sabbath and the following day for a total of 11 instruction hours plus Sabbath services. Instructors cover different material each year, so the material will be new even for those who have attended seminars in the past. Certificates of completion are awarded to those who attend all the sessions. Last year we experimented with including an ABC Continuing Education seminar at the annual Winter Family Weekend in Louisville, Kentucky. The response was so enthusiastic that we are planning to do another two-day seminar in Louisville this year. In addition, we are also adding a two-day seminar for the Winter Family Weekend in Portland, Oregon. —David Johnson [ back to top ] Young Adults' Weekend Set for WisconsinA fantastic young adults weekend of faith, fellowship and fun is planned for Aug. 10-12, 2007, in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The weekend will include Sabbath services, special seminars, a service project and plenty of opportunities for games, fun and fellowship. For more information, send an e-mail to gary_black@ucg.org. —Gary Black [ back to top ] Tampa Bay Plans Family WeekendThe annual Tampa Bay Family Weekend has been set for June 9 and 10. The weekend's activities will start with Sabbath services at 3 p.m. at the Treasure Island Community Center, 1 Park Place, on Treasure Island. Mark Winner, pastor of UCG's Louisville and Henderson, Kentucky, congregations will be the guest speaker. After getting their spiritual fill, everyone will feast on a potluck meal provided by the St. Petersburg and Tampa congregations, then partake in a seminar from Tampa Bay pastor David Treybig. Following sunset will be the "Treasures Under the Sea" themed dance. During the dance, young children will participate in a treasure hunt. Saturday's activities will wrap up at 11 p.m. Artsy types will want to arrive at Fort DeSoto Park early on Sunday to compete in the annual sand sculpture contest. Judging will begin at 11:45 a.m. Other beachgoers can arrive at their leisure. A cookout-style lunch will be served at noon in Pavilion 5. Musical entertainment will begin at 12:30, with family games to follow. The cost of lunch will be $5 per person or up to $20 per family. For more details about the weekend, please visit UCG Tampa Bay's Web site at http://ucg-tampabay.org/. —Kristin Yarbrough [ back to top ] Flint Announces 40th AnniversaryThe Flint, Michigan, congregation will celebrate its 40th anniversary on the Sabbath of July 21. The event will begin with a special Sabbath service with former Flint pastor Melvin Rhodes as the guest speaker. That will be followed by a catered meal, special musical entertainment and other festivities. The celebration will be held at the Flint United Church of God Church Building located at 4043 W. Coldwater Rd., Flint, MI 48505. The Sabbath service will begin at 2 p.m. Additional information, including motel accommodations, will be posted on the local Web site: ucgflint.org. If you plan to attend, please notify Steve Shafer, no later than July 10, by e-mail at steve_shafer@ucg.org or by sending notification to his mailing address: P.O. Box 491, Flushing, MI 48433-0491. —Steve Shafer [ back to top ] Ann Arbor Plans 40th AnniversaryThe United Church of God–Ann Arbor, Michigan, will host a 40th anniversary celebration of the starting of God's Church in the area on July 28, 2007. The festivities will begin with a reception on the Sabbath to welcome friends and family as well as renew acquaintances. We will then have a special afternoon Sabbath service with two previous pastors as guest speakers. That evening the Ann Arbor congregation will host a buffet dinner, including a slide show presentation chronicling the past 40 years of God's work in this area as well as picture/memorabilia displays. Our theme for the event is "Celebrating 40 Years of Growth in God's Family, 1967-2007." The following day a picnic is planned for the enjoyment of all our Ann Arbor Church family and guests. The Sabbath evening buffet dinner will cost $15 per person. Friday, June 29, is the deadline for dinner reservations and payments. Please make checks payable to "UCG–Ann Arbor" and include the number of people attending in your group. If you would like a flyer or further information, please contact Randy D'Alessandro at (586) 202-4590 or e-mail him at randymary080104@comcast.net. —Randy D'Alessandro [ back to top ] Attention Graduating Seniors and Parents!Congratulations! We would like to feature the 2007 high school graduates in a special section of the July United News. Please take a few minutes to answer these questions and send a photograph by June 11, 2007. 1. Graduate's Name 2. Parents' Names 3. Congregation and Pastor's Name 4. High School Accomplishments 5. Church Activities/Hobbies/Interests (tell a little bit about yourself) 6. Plans After Graduation 7. Additional Comments (favorite quote, favorite scripture, motto, advice, etc. Please identify which it is, so we don't think your advice is your motto, etc.) Phone number or e-mail address to confirm spellings, etc. (Will Not Be Printed) Please send with a recent photo (conforming with biblical standards of dress and hair length) of the graduate by June 11. By e-mail to: Mike_Bennett@ucg.org By mail to: United News, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027 We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length; 250-word maximum length. Thanks! [ back to top ] Calendar of EventsMay 8-10: Council of Elders meeting. May 18-20: Spokane, Washington, 10th annual Women's Retreat. Theme: "Fruitful Branches." May 25-28: Young adults' activity, Jacksonville, Florida (see article, March/April, page 24). June 9-10: Tampa Bay, Florida, Family Weekend, http://ucg-tampabay.org/. June 28-July 1: Bluegrass Family Fun Weekend, Sally Buffalo Park near Cadiz, Ohio, www.ucgnet.org/wheeling/bluegrass. July 21-22: Women's Weekend, "The Gift of Godly Friendship," Phoenix East, Arizona, ucgazww@hotmail.com. July 21: Flint, Michigan, 40th Anniversary (see article, this page). July 28: Ann Arbor, Michigan, 40th Anniversary (see article, this page). Aug. 5-8: Council of Elders meeting. Aug. 10-12: Young adults' weekend, Williams Bay, Wisconsin, contact gary_black@ucg.org. Aug. 12: ABC graduation. Aug. 20-24: ABC Continuing Education seminars at the home office. Sept. 2: Houston Music Festival (see article, February, page 16). [ back to top ] What's New on the Web?World News and Prophecy Seminars online. View recent seminars given by writers of World News and Prophecy at www.wnponline.org/video/. 2007 Feast Brochure. Check out the 2007 Festival Planning Brochure containing Feast site and housing information and informative articles on preparing for this year's Feast of Tabernacles. Online at www.ucg.org/feast/. New Booklet Available. You can access the new booklet The New Covenant: Does It Abolish God's Law? online at www.ucg.org/booklets/NC/. UCG Commentary. "Making Sense out of the Virginia Tech Tragedy" "A Price Too High Even for a Celebrity " Featured Link Virtual Christian Magazine, monthly online magazine of inspirational and Christian living topics. vcmagazine.org.
If you have questions or comments, please contact: webmaster@ucg.org |
|
© 1995-2006 United
Church of God, an International Association | Request
Free Literature Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. All correspondence and questions should be sent to info@ucg.org. Send inquiries regarding the operation of this Web site to webmaster@ucg.org. |