ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Births
• Engagements
• Weddings
• Anniversaries

Births

Philip and Jenni (Burky) Dick, of the Dallas, Texas, congregation, are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Connor Ray Dick. Connor was born on Jan. 24, 2007, weighing in at 7 pounds 12 ounces and measuring 19¾ inches in length. Big sister Emily welcomed him with open arms. Proud grandparents are Robert and Dyanne Dick and Richard and Carol Burky. Connor also has three great-grandmothers, Norma Dick, Betty Hoffman and Louise Moore.

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Darren and Nadine Messerly of the Portland, Oregon, congregation would like to proudly announce the birth of their fourth son and ninth child, Gideon Perry Messerly. Gideon joined the family Oct. 29, 2006. He weighed 8 pounds and 14 ounces and measured 22 inches long. He was welcomed with much anticipation and love by all of his siblings. They include Joshua, 17; Danielle, 15; Kaitlin, 14; Emily, 12; Olivia, 11; Jacob, 8; Janae, 4; and Caleb, 2. Gideon is a joy and blessing to all of us. Gideon is the 12th grandchild for Perry and Ada Cardott (deceased) and the 14th grandchild for Robert and Brenda Messerly. All of the family attends the Portland congregation.

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Rich and Rachel Averett of the Dallas, Texas, congregation are elated to announce the birth of their daughter, Faith Naomi. Faith was born on Dec. 20, 2006, weighing in at 7 pounds 12 ounces and measuring 18¾ inches long. Faith has three big brothers, Ethan (6), Micah (4) and Caleb (3), who absolutely adore her! They can't seem to kiss and hug her enough!

Her parents write, "After losing our first daughter, Hallie, three years ago, we are very humbled by God's mercy in blessing us with another beautiful daughter; we very much look forward to Faith meeting her big sister in God's Kingdom. What a joyous day that will be! Both of our families are just thrilled to have Faith for all of us to love and enjoy."

Faith is the 10th grandchild for Jim and Jannette Averett of Greensboro, North Carolina, and the fifth for Richard and Nancy Velting of Dallas.

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Chris and Renee (Chuprinko) Robertson would like to announce the birth of their son, Carson Christopher, on Feb. 7, 2007. He weighed in at 6 pounds 15 ounces and was 19¾ inches long. Carson is a growing, happy and playful little boy. Dad and Mom are doing and adjusting well. Grandpa and Grandma Chuprinko and his two aunts, Carolyn and Cheryl, couldn't be happier, as this is the first grandchild for the Chuprinkos. Both the Robertsons and Chuprinkos attend the Portland, Oregon, congregation.

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Chris and Rebekah Leyden of the Charlotte, North Carolina, congregation, are happy to announce the birth of their son, Isaac Dearden, who arrived after a 24-hour labor on Sept. 16, 2006. He weighed 5 pounds 8½ ounces and was 18½ inches long. He is the fourth grandson of James and Roseann Cannon of the West Palm Beach, Florida, congregation (formerly from Youngstown, Ohio) and the second grandchild of Bill and Barbara Leyden of Greeneville, Tennessee.

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Engagements

Timothy Kamiyala and Gloria Metani, who attend the United Church of God congregation in Blantyre, Malawi, were engaged on May 6, 2007, in a traditional ceremony. A future wedding is being planned.

Timothy is a journalist and graphic designer while Gloria is studying tourism and hospitality management.

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Keith Boise and Chris Singleton and Lorenzo and Celina Calderon would like to announce the engagement of their children Jason Daniel Boise of Salem, Oregon, and Doia Griselda Calderon of Navojoa, Mexico. The couple are planning a wedding in Mexico later this summer. They met at the Feast last fall in Mexico.

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Weddings

It is with great joy that Jack and Vicki Willoughby of Bella Vista, Arkansas, announce the marriage of their daughter Janette Ruth to Nathan Andrew Froedge, son of Ron and Carol Froedge of Paducah, Kentucky.

The wedding took place in Bella Vista at the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel on a gorgeous spring day, March 18, 2007. Roger West, pastor of the Bentonville, Arkansas, congregation, performed the ceremony.

Janette's sister Zandra was the maid of honor. Bridesmaids were sister Elizabeth Brown of Denver, Colorado, and sister-in-law Amanda Willoughby of Bella Vista. Hailey Willoughby, niece of the bride, was a junior bridesmaid.

Standing with Nathan was his brother and best man, Caleb Froedge of Paducah. Groomsmen included his friend Brandon Zollner and new brother-in-law Nathan Willoughby.

Madison O'Brien, niece of the groom, and Hannah Willoughby, niece of the bride, were the flower girls. Alexander Brown, nephew of the bride, was the ring bearer.

The groom's sister, Julie O'Brien of Cincinnati, performed a vocal solo, "When You Say You Love Me," and the sisters of the bride and groom, Zandra and Julie, sang a vocal duet, "The Prayer."

Nathan has completed a degree at West Kentucky College and will be transferring to the University of Arkansas in the fall to complete a degree in horticulture. He is currently working for WBI.

Janette received a degree from Northwestern Arkansas Community College and is currently finishing her degree in elementary education at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

The couple reside in Bentonville and are members of the Bentonville congregation.

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On May 6, 2007, the wedding took place of Debi Crook, daughter of Brian and Meta Crook, and Jon Richardson, son of Brian and Pauline Richardson.

The wedding ceremony, conducted by Gerhard Marx, took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Reading, England, with the reception at the nearby Island Restaurant, located on an island in the river Thames.

Bridesmaids were Jayne Crook (sister of the bride), Julie De Jong (sister of the groom) and Melissa Down (longtime friend). The best man was Stephen Lloyd.

Guests came from many parts of the British Isles and also traveled from Holland, Belgium, France, the United States and Thailand. Amid sunny spring weather, the many guests were able to catch up on old friendships and acquaintances. As part of the evening reception, guests were also able to enjoy a firework display. The couple spent two weeks in Antigua, and will initially be living in Bracknell, England.

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Anniversaries

Roger and Sally Schreiber were surprised with a luncheon celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary following Sabbath services on April 28.

Roger and Sally were married in Clintonville, Wisconsin, on May 4, 1957. They have three children, Randy, Terry Lofing and Tammy Olsen; and one granddaughter, Hannah.

Roger is retired from S.C. Shannon Company and Sally from the Aid Association for Lutherans. Roger spends his spare time gardening and bike riding, while Sally loves to country line dance. Both love to travel.

They attend the Oshkosh, Wisconsin, congregation.

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Roy and Pauline Demarest celebrated their 40th anniversary on June 5, 2007. They have been blessed with three sons and three daughters-in-law: Cliff and Susan of Dallas, Texas; Chad and Laetitia of Baltimore, Maryland; and Dan and Jennifer of Orlando, Florida. They have four grandchildren: Hannah, Derek, David and Kaley. They are so grateful that all of their children and grandchildren attend United along with them.

Roy and Pauline's original church was New York City. Pauline attended the very first service in 1959, and Roy began to attend in 1961. They met at Ambassador College in Pasadena, California, in 1963 and were married after Roy's graduation from Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas.

They presently serve the brethren in the West Palm Beach and Miami, Florida, congregations, and will be moving soon to assume the responsibility of pastoring in Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida.

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Announcements: Members are welcome to submit announcements of the births, engagements, weddings, significant anniversaries (25, 40, 50, 60, etc.) and obituaries in their families. Please include a self-addressed envelope if you would like photos returned. Most items are 50 to 100 words and should not exceed 250 words. Please e-mail (preferred) or give them to your local pastor to forward to United News.