Local Church Updates

• Silver Ambassadors Honored in Dallas May 5
• Mansfield Travels to Malabar Park
• Milwaukee Holds Focused Education Weekend
• Santiago Is Growing!
• Asheboro Ladies Club Active in Service
• Brethren Visit Old World Wisconsin
• Phoenix East Camps in White Mountains
• North Carolina Congregations Enjoy Weekend Campout
• Hawaiian Brethren Feast Together

Silver Ambassadors Honored in Dallas May 5

The annual Dallas, Texas, seniors' banquet was held on Sabbath, May 5. The "Garden Party" theme this year included relaxing instrumental music, a CD of which was given to each honored guest by our hostesses. The teens from the Dallas congregation joined with the older members to enjoy a fine home-cooked meal prepared by members of the congregation.

Elder John Lusk welcomed the guests and provided introductory remarks expressing deep appreciation for the Silver Ambassadors. The attendees were reminded of the positive influence our seniors give to the congregation, and of our responsibilities toward the elderly in our care.

After a prayer of blessing on the meal, the teens served the seniors, and Amber Benedict later performed a beautiful vocal solo.

Dallas deacon Rick Bennis then facilitated a survey panel including five of the senior members (Helen MacKeller, Myrtie Schaeffer, Jean Talbott, Charles Oren and Ralph Metz) who provided attendees with a great opportunity to get know them better by sharing a little bit about themselves.

A booklet compiling short histories with encouraging remarks of each of the Silver Ambassadors was given to the teens so that they could get to know all of their "adoptive grandparents." In addition, senior member Dick Knapp brought in one of his beautiful oil paintings, which was presented to a selected honored guest, Pablo Romo.

— Diane Bennis

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Mansfield Travels to Malabar Park

On April 21 the Mansfield, Ohio, congregation pastored by Chris and Angela Moen celebrated an inspiring Sabbath in the Woods at Malabar State Park, Lucas, Ohio. After Sabbath services and a Bible study, which were conducted inside the Pugh cabin, the congregation enjoyed a potluck evening meal and fellowship time together.

Prior to Sabbath services, many children (and adults) strolled through the peaceful trails surrounding the cabin, enjoying the beauty of God's creation.

— Regina Wilson

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Milwaukee Holds Focused Education Weekend

On Sabbath, June 30, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, congregation hosted a focused education weekend. Six presenters came from as far as Seattle, Washington, to give their presentations to the congregation and guests who came from afar.

Services on the Sabbath started early (9:30 a.m.) so that there would be ample time to have the presentations afterward. Guest speakers gave the split sermons. Melvin Rhodes gave a sermon titled "Equipping the Saints for the Work of the Ministry," followed by Dennis Luker's sermon, "Overcoming for the Kingdom of God."

Then Sabbath afternoon and Sunday the six presenters gave various informative lectures on a number of social ills that plague even those in God's Church, such as substance abuse, sexual abuse, homosexuality, dysfunctional behaviors and other related marriage and family issues.

Rick Klimek, a licensed professional counselor, spoke on the topic of "The Impact of Trauma." Mr. Rhodes, a senior writer for The Good News magazine, talked on "Understanding Same-Sex Attraction." Mr. Luker, a minister in God's Church for 44 years, spoke on alcoholism and how to be an overcomer.

Rachel Quast, an author, public speaker, group leader and counselor, spoke on "Eating Disorders—Exposing the Storm Within." Helen Richards, a counselor with a master's degree, spoke on "All the Crazy People—Where Do They All Come From?" as well as "Move on, Get Over It—How Do I Do THAT?" Merna Leisure-Eppick spoke on "Anger—The Misunderstood Gift" and about alcoholism. Mr. Rhodes also covered another aspect of alcoholism Sunday morning.

— Leone Burns

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Santiago Is Growing!

We feel very blessed in the United Church of God in the southern part of South America and specifically in Santiago, Chile, for having a nice-sized congregation composed of good-sized groups of different ages.

Beginning in 1995, around 90 percent of the Santiago congregation stayed with the truth of God under the direction of Mario Seiglie. Since then the congregation has been growing slowly but steadily. At this moment we have an average attendance of 330.

The congregation is composed of all different age groups. We have the maturity and stability of several elderly brethren and older married couples. We also have the energy and enthusiasm of many young married couples. Many youngsters of camp age help with the joyfulness of the congregation. We also have many children of different ages.

The photo shows some of the babies who have been born in the last few months in the Santiago congregation!

— Saul Langarica

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Asheboro Ladies Club Active in Service

The Ladies Club of the Asheboro, North Carolina, congregation began earlier this year, and already the enthusiasm of the members (teens to seniors) has resulted in several projects being undertaken.

The club offers support for a local women and children's shelter with paper product donations quarterly. Photo albums filled with Feast pictures were made for those of the congregation not able to attend. A care package was sent out of state to a family in the Church that is undergoing a severe trial.

All the ladies have shown a desire to serve in various capacities in the congregation. Volunteers oversee the snack table, make coffee, empty trash, clean restrooms, provide water for speakers, greet attendees at the door and make get-well or sympathy cards weekly. Not so surprisingly, the ladies not only do their own assignments but also help everyone else!

At every meeting a topic (one of many submitted by the ladies) is chosen for discussion at the next meeting. Getting to know each other better through one-on-one interviews and speaking about a favorite woman in the Bible has generated exciting and loving conversations among members of the group.

Sadie Parks is facilitator for the club, and David Mills is pastor.

—Nancy L. Holloway

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Brethren Visit Old World Wisconsin

On Sunday, July 15, 21 members of the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, congregation gathered at Old World Wisconsin, located just west of Eagle, Wisconsin.

Imagine living in the 1800s without any modern conveniences. Now imagine coming to Wisconsin from thousands of miles away with your family with only the possessions you could carry. This was the scenario in early Wisconsin soon after it became a state in 1848. European immigrants began arriving in droves in search of religious and economic freedoms.

Old World Wisconsin demonstrates that life in Wisconsin back then was very hard—they had to clear the land and learn to survive and create a new life here. Along with original pioneer homes, Old World Wisconsin includes many prairie lands, ponds, farms, walking trails, wagon shops, shoemakers and many other areas of interest.

Volunteers dressed in period clothing come every day to explain to the visitors what life was like back then. At the blacksmith shop brethren saw a fellow making iron doorstops in the open fire. Over at the shoe workshop, the lady explained how shoes were made by hand and even how they repaired shoes that had worn out.

It was a wonderful outing for the whole family.

— Leone Burns

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Phoenix East Camps in White Mountains

The Phoenix East, Arizona, congregation enjoyed a campout in the White Mountains on the weekend of June 9. A total of 49 brethren traveled above 7,000-foot elevation to the rim country located east of Payson, Arizona. Campsites were set up across a large area of the primitive Colcord Ridge campground. Brethren camped in everything from small tents to full-sized motor homes with generators.

The weather was quite refreshing in comparison with the 100-degree-plus temperatures of the desert floor in Phoenix, with daytime sunny, breezy days in the mid-70s and nights falling to the high 40s. Activities included a visit to a local fish hatchery and a tour of an old ranch and cabin that Clark Gable often enjoyed.

Morning Sabbath services were held in the shade of tall ponderosa pines with a panoramic view of valleys and mountains to the southwest. The interactive Bible study format involved six presenters who each explored a principle of Psalm 15. The service began with a welcome from the pastor, John Elliott, and a hymn led by Steve Kennedy. Ed Dowd moderated the Bible study whose speakers were Kent Stoner, John Anderson, Rheo Knudson, Ray Wolfe, Robert Nettles and Shaun Tuck.

The Sabbath concluded with a sumptuous group meal consisting of barbecued meats and a plethora of side dishes contributed by the campers. After dark Mr. Elliott led a group on a daring "Midnight Hike" through the woods without flashlights. Young and old alike took turns leading the group on what turned out to be a very enjoyable trek through the inky shadows. Meanwhile others back in camp played card games with the help of bright lanterns.

— Lorelei Nettles

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North Carolina Congregations Enjoy Weekend Campout

Raleigh, Asheboro, Charlotte and Kinston, North Carolina, congregations joined together for a group campout at Lake Jordan on the weekend of April 27 to 29. Many came on Friday and pitched their tents and enjoyed the beautiful weather, surroundings and evening chats around the campfire. Many more brethren began showing up on the Sabbath as we enjoyed a morning Bible study and afternoon services at one of the central campsites.

After Sabbath services we were treated to a meal provided by Mark McLeod. Saturday evening included a sing-along around the campfire and Sunday morning brought joy to the very young in the form of a craft activity headed up by Laura Scott.

It was a fun-filled weekend with lots of good fellowship, good food and absolutely gorgeous weather provided by our Creator!

— Jeanette Rich

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Hawaiian Brethren Feast Together

The scattered brethren in Hawaii make the most of the Holy Days to get together for food and fellowship.

Vera Gordon and Sherry Ellis pooled their culinary talents to prepare a succulent and festive meal for the Night to Be Much Observed. Mr. Ellis was recovering in California from his kidney transplant.

Visiting minister Stuart Segall and his wife, Jan, after two Sabbaths and Passover on the island of Maui, met with all the Big Island of Hawaii brethren for the meal. An unexpected power outage brought an intimate, first-century touch to the meal, with candles in abundance.

The following afternoon, all nine in attendance tasted the spiritual food of the sermon for the First Day of Unleavened Bread. After another meal, the Segalls, to our dismay, had to leave for their drive to the airport.

The local brethren, although very few in number, have Sabbath services by telephone hookup and cybercast from their pastor's, Mario Seiglie's, home congregation in Garden Grove, California. The Beyond Today program is also available on a public-access cable TV station on the Big Island.

Mr. and Mrs. Seiglie were on the Big Island for Pentecost. Other neighboring islanders who arrived were Mr. and Mrs. James Lum, deacon and deaconess from Honolulu, and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Coughlin from Maui. Altogether 15 adults attended services for Pentecost weekend. Those who delivered the spiritual messages both days reminded us of the anniversary of the New Testament Church, and especially what needs to be accomplished in our lives through the Holy Spirit.

Everyone's palate delighted to two evening barbecues. Another dinner was shared by the 12 who remained and went to an Italian restaurant in downtown Hilo.

— Johnny Kretz

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