Local Church Updates

• Albuquerque Brethren Camp, Visit Remote Member
• Raleigh Ladies Enjoy Tea
• Charlotte Holds Kite-Flying Event
• East Texas Member Awarded
• Member Receives Master's

Albuquerque Brethren Camp, Visit Remote Member

On June 1, 15 of the Albuquerque, New Mexico, brethren gathered in Reserve, New Mexico, for a weekend of camping fun.

The site was chosen for its proximity to the home of longtime member Mattie Hobbs. At 94, Mattie is rarely able to enjoy fellowship with Church members, mostly because of her remote location. Many of the younger members of the Albuquerque congregation had never met Mattie, so it was a very special treat.

Services were held at the nearby community center, where a potluck was organized for Mattie and two selections of special music were also sung.

At the campsite, where we were able to enjoy Mattie for a few hours Saturday night, members roasted marshmallows, cooked hamburgers and sang hymns around the campfire. The weekend was a great success and a wonderful time for all who attended!

—Nicole Gard

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Raleigh Ladies Enjoy Tea

On May 12, 15 ladies from the Raleigh, North Carolina, congregation gathered at the home of Mrs. Nathan Williams for a ladies' tea. The tea was kicked off with a delightful spread of sandwiches, macaroni salad, fruit and various desserts.

Then the ladies took part in a personality strengths and limitations survey. Each lady filled out her survey and was given a temperament profile and overview based on the results. In spite of much laughter and good-natured ribbing, everyone learned more about herself and others. Bible verses were included with the results to remind us that God knows each of us inside and out, and He places us where He pleases.

After some final sharing of personal stories, everyone parted ways feeling a little closer to her spiritual sisters.

—Jackie Peterson

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Charlotte Holds Kite-Flying Event

More than 20 people, including five families with young children, met at Frank Liske Park in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, on Sunday, March 18, to enjoy kite flying and fellowship. The morning started out chilly but quickly warmed up, with a nice breeze by midafternoon. This allowed almost everyone to get a kite soaring up in the air.

Following the kite flying, all the children enjoyed the playground equipment nearby.

Ailsa Braun

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East Texas Member Awarded

Ardith Weiss, a Church member from the East Texas congregation, was honored with a William R. Powell Achievement Award at the Texas Association of Developing Colleges conference held May 17 in Dallas, Texas. This award is in recognition of exemplary service rendered in career planning and placement. She is director of Counseling and Career Services at Texas College in Tyler, Texas.

In addition, Ardith Weiss is coauthor, along with James Dube, of a recently published book, Secrets to Building a Successful Sales Career.

— Sarah Baker

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Member Receives Master's

Judy Stafford graduated from George Fox University in Portland, Oregon, on April 27 with a master's degree in family and marriage therapy. She achieved a 4.0 grade point. She earned a second undergraduate degree in social and behavioral studies from George Fox in 2004 and bachelor of arts from Ambassador College in 1969. She also has a certification as a professional accountant from Trend colleges.

She attends both the Portland East and the Salem, Oregon, congregations. Her son, Lance, and his family attend the Spokane, Washington/ Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, congregation, and her daughter, Erica, lives in the St. Helens area.

For her counseling internship, Judy Stafford worked with Washington County Corrections. She is now employed by the Center for Victim Services in Washington County, serving families, couples, children and self-referrals, as well as mandated offenders. She plans to open a private practice, volunteer in the prison system and possibly open a retreat for various modes of therapy.

She said her decision to pursue a higher degree could be summarized by George Eliot's comment: "It is never too late to be what you might have been."

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