News at a Glance

• Ministerial Transfer Announced
• Treasurer's Report
• Elder Ordained
• Richard Rand Retires
• Home Office Relocation Update
• Ski Weekend Set for Jan. 19 to 21
• Dallas to Host Young Adults' Presidents' Day Regional Weekend
• Dec. 15 Deadline for ABC 2008 Applications
• Caribbean Cruise Planned
• Calendar of Events
• What's New on the Web?

Note: For charts and graphs mentioned, see the PDF or printed versions.

Ministerial Transfer Announced

Tim and Valerie Waddle (currently in West Virginia) have been assigned to replace Arnold and Ann Hampton in Maryland. It was previously announced that Mr. Hampton will be replacing Roy Demarest as the pastor of the congregation in West Palm Beach, Florida. Mr. Waddle is currently the pastor of Athens and Marietta, Ohio, and Morgantown, West Virginia.

The actual move will not take place until sometime after the first of next year (2008). Mr. Waddle's circuit will consist of Columbia and Cumberland, Maryland, and Lewistown, Pennsylvania.

Lyle Welty, regional pastor for the Great Lakes Region, will serve as the interim pastor for Athens, Marietta and Morgantown. A new pastor will be assigned sometime during the spring.

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Treasurer's Report

The United Church of God continues to receive God's blessings in the financial realm, making possible the carrying out of the Church's mission. We thank God for His continuing provision.

We budget and report on income for the Church in three categories. Category One includes regular tithes and offerings. Category Two includes Holy Day offerings. Category Three represents miscellaneous items that tend to be seasonal in nature, such as donations to the Church's youth camps, ABC student tuition, donations to the Festival Fund and interest.

For the portion of the current fiscal year that began July 1 and ended Oct. 24, Category One and Category Three have grown by 2.4 percent and 4.0 percent, respectively, compared to the similar portion of the previous fiscal year. The year-to-date change for Category Two (which includes the four fall Holy Days) is a 3 percent decrease. It is helpful to analyze that number. The first two Holy Day offerings (Trumpets and Atonement) actually increased over last year, by a combined 1.6 percent. The last two fall Holy Day offerings decreased by a combined 7.6 percent. Based on reports we have received from various Feast sites around the world, we have noted that there was an increase over last year in offerings from U.S. members on Tabernacles and the Last Great Day in various international sites of almost the same amount as this decrease collected in the U.S. Feast sites. More U.S. members transferred to international sites, and more of their Holy Day offerings were collected in those sites.

So, overall, the income of the Church is growing this fiscal year at a rate, more in line with the historical growth rates of the last 10 years (between 2 percent and 4 percent). We pray that if it is God's will, the income will pick up in the coming months to closer to the 7 percent growth rate of the last two fiscal years. The needs are always great, and we know that it is in God's power to provide more than we even ask. But we must ask, for we are told that "ye have not, because ye ask not." The prayers of the members along these same lines are much appreciated and needed.

—Tom Kirkpatrick, treasurer

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Elder Ordained

On the Feast of Trumpets, Sept. 13, Grant Chick was ordained an elder. He and his wife, Kim, serve in the Durban, South Africa, congregation.

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Richard Rand Retires

A special presentation was made during Sabbath services on Oct. 13 in West Palm Beach, Florida, to Richard Rand, who is retiring from the full-time ministry after more than 38 years of service to God's Church. Jim Franks, Ministerial Services operation manager, presented Richard and Judy with a beautiful clear crystal plaque to honor their many years of faithful service to God's people.

Mr. Rand thanked everyone for the kindness and consideration shown in this special recognition. He added that he was retiring, but not going into seclusion. He will remain in the area and offered to help in whatever way he could to continue to serve the Church. He stated that it has been an honor to be involved in God's ministry for the past 38 years.

The Rands' warmth and friendliness have been much appreciated by the members of the West Palm Beach, Miami and Fort Myers congregations. We wish them well in this new phase of their lives and thank them for their fine examples of Christian living.

—Roy Demarest

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Home Office Relocation Update

President Clyde Kilough wrote in the Oct. 25 Ministerial Services Newsletter and Journal: "We are currently in the midst of a feasibility and due diligence study on a property for possible purchase in the north Denton, Texas, area. As with all such studies, it involves collecting a large amount of information, ranging from environmental to engineering reports, and working with city and county planners. Once completed, we will be able to give the Council of Elders a thorough report in mid-November so a decision can be made about going ahead with the purchase. We will keep you updated as to the progress."

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Ski Weekend Set for Jan. 19 to 21

Once again, the Salt Lake City, Utah, congregation will host its annual Winter Ski Weekend over the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, Jan. 19-21, 2008.

Come and enjoy warm, family-oriented fellowship, a beautiful bracing environment and experience some of the greatest snow on earth at historic Park City, Utah.

The weekend begins Sabbath morning with two seminars from 10 a.m. to noon. Light refreshments will be served between sessions. Attendees are responsible for their own lunch, and many local restaurants are within 2 to 3 miles. Sabbath services will begin at 2:30 p.m., to be followed by a potluck meal provided by the congregation. After skiing, another potluck meal will be provided Sunday evening.

All events will be held at the same location as in years past, the Cottontree Inn in North Salt Lake City: 1030 North 400 East, North Salt Lake, Utah; reservations: (800) 662-6886; phone: (801) 292-7666; fax: (801) 296-9664. The motel is located off the Woods Cross exit on I-15 (exit 315), just north of the 1-15/1-215 intersection.

The room rate at the Cottontree is $73.76 including tax—the regular rate is $99. This includes two queen beds and a fabulous continental breakfast. The Cottontree will also allow multiple people, i.e. sleeping bags, in the room.

The skiing event will occur Sunday morning. At this time, we are still working to confirm group pricing for lift tickets. You can count on approximately $65. Be prepared to make payment Saturday evening. Skiers will also be responsible for meals while skiing.

As always, the earlier we hear from you—and the more people we have sign up—the better rates we can lock in.

For more information and/or to register, please contact Jon Pinelli, the pastor of the Salt Lake City congregation, by e-mail at jon_pinelli@ucg.org.

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Dallas to Host Young Adults' Presidents' Day Regional Weekend

Dallas, Texas, will once again be host to the young adults' regional event to be held over Presidents' Day weekend from Feb. 15 to 18, 2008. The theme for next year's event will be "Men and Women—Being the Best You Can Be!"

Events will include a Friday evening mixer, seminars for both men and women featuring special guest speakers on Sabbath and Sunday morning, a dance on Saturday evening, as well as other activities on Sunday afternoon.

Details—including a registration form—can be found on the Web at www.ucg-dallas.org/ya. Please check this site often as more information will be updated as we finalize plans. For questions or comments, please send an e-mail to sandilands@tx.rr.com.

—Doug Horchak

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Dec. 15 Deadline for ABC 2008 Applications

Ambassador Bible Center is still accepting applications for 2008. The deadline is Dec. 15, 2007.

As of Oct. 23, 32 students have been accepted. Because of lack of facilities, we will not accept more than 60.

We currently have accepted twice as many men as women. That is a first for ABC! Normally, we have more women than men apply.

The changes we made last year will continue this coming year. We added the Foundations of Faith class that covers the proofs of God's existence, the proof of the authority and origin of the Bible and the basics of salvation and faith. We have also added an optional speech class for public speaking and confidence development.

Orientation will be Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008. The first day of classes is Monday, Jan. 7.

If you need an application or more information, you may write: ABC, P.O. Box 54992, Cincinnati, OH 45254-0992. Or simply go to www.ucg.org/abc and download an application. You may e-mail us at Gary_Antion@ucg.org with any questions you may have. Or you may call (513) 576-9796 and ask to speak to David Register (director of Education Programs), Ralph Levy (registrar) or Gary Antion (admissions officer) about any ABC-related information.

Please hurry, because the Dec. 15 deadline is approaching quickly. We look forward to hearing from you.

—David Register

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Caribbean Cruise Planned

The Los Angeles, California, and Chicago, Illinois, young adults and singles have arranged a four-night Western Caribbean cruise aboard the Celebrity Century.

The cruise will depart Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, from Miami, Florida, with two ports of call—Key West, Florida, and Cozumel, Mexico—along with a full day at sea to enjoy the group activities on the ship. For more information, call Travel Gallery at (800) 858-6999 or visit the Web site www.travelgallery.com.

—Rick Johnson

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Calendar of Events

Nov. 5-7: Regional pastors' meeting, home office.

Nov. 10-11: Twin Cities Women's Conference, Minneapolis, Minnesota (www.ucgstp.org/womensconference).

Nov. 11-13: Northwest Region ministerial conference, Portland, Oregon, area.

Nov. 17-18: ABC continuing education classes in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Nov. 17-18: ABC continuing education classes in Spokane, Washington.

Nov. 26-29: Canadian National Council meeting, Toronto, Ontario.

Dec. 1-2: ABC continuing education classes in Oakland, California.

Dec. 3-4: Senior pastors/associate senior pastors annual meeting, home office.

Dec. 11-13: Council of Elders meeting, home office.

Dec. 21-25: Winter Family Weekend, Louisville, Kentucky (Friday evening through Tuesday late night).

Dec. 23-30: Challenger II–Rock Climbing program, Tucson, Arizona.

Dec. 23-25: ABC continuing education classes in Portland, Oregon.

Dec. 24-25: ABC continuing education classes in Louisville, Kentucky.

Dec. 27-Jan. 1: Winter Camp, Montello, Wisconsin (gary_black@ucg.org).

Jan. 19-21, 2008: Winter Ski Weekend, Park City, Utah (jon_pinelli@ucg.org).

Jan. 18-20: Women's Enrichment Weekend, "Becoming Women of Courage and Compassion," Garden Grove, California, area, www.ucg-gg.org (look under events-photos).

Feb. 9: Family Dance, Receptions Eastgate, Cincinnati, Ohio (FouchB@greatoaks.com or cincywd@fuse.net).

Feb. 15-17: Young Adults' Presidents' Day Regional Weekend, Dallas, Texas (www.ucg-dallas.org/ya).

Feb. 29-March 5, 2008: Council of Elders meeting.

May 18-19: GCE annual meeting.

Please send calendar items to mike_bennett@ucg.org.

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What's New on the Web?

2007 Feast Sermon Video.

If you were not able to watch the Feast video “Threshold of a New Age” or would like to watch it again, it is available online at
www.ucg.org/sermons/

Archived Feast Sermons

Listen to archived 2007 Feast messages from Jekyll Island, Bend, Kelowna and Panama City Beach by visiting
http://feast.ucg.org

Booklets in Audio Format

The following booklets are now available in MP3 audio format: The New Covenant: Does It Abolish God’s Law? and God’s Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind. Visit www.ucg.org/booklets/ to access the audio Web page links.

UCG Weekly Commentary

“Droughts, Floods and Wildfires: What Should We Do?”

“National Memorial Days for Slain Peace Officers”

www.ucg.org/commentary/

Featured Link

Beyond Today
www.beyondtoday.tv

If you have questions or comments, please contact: webmaster@ucg.org