Local Church Updates

• Dallas Millennium Photo Contest: A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Years
• ABC Seminar Held in Chicago
• Charlotte Brethren Ride Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
• Oregon Young Adults Clean Road
• Three North Carolina Congregations Meet for Sabbath and Supper
• Houston Area Hosts ABC Continuing Education
• Mansfield Has Sabbath at Park and Minister Appreciation
• Maine Members Appreciate Pastor

Dallas Millennium Photo Contest: A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Years

Every year at the Feast we hear messages about "picturing the future" (Hebrews 11:13).

While God's Word and the prophecies of the Millennium give us the understanding of that incredible future, sometimes a picture taken while at the Feast of Tabernacles can also give us a "snapshot" and reminder of what that time will be like. That was the theme of the Millennium Photo Contest held at the fourth annual Dallas, Texas, UCG post-Feast social on Nov. 3.

Members from the congregation shared digital pictures in big-screen projection from the Feast sites they attended around the United States and the world. A potluck meal and fellowship were the background for this annual social—topped off by a review of stunning and inspiring photos that many members took that they felt captured the spirit and vision of the Millennium.

Many inspiring pictures were entered in the contest; however, after much deliberation, judges chose the picture submitted by Rick and Diane Bennis.

Mr. Bennis said of this photograph: "What I liked about this moment in time was that it reminded me that in the Kingdom there will be no need for light from the sun, that the glory of God will be the light. To me this particular sunrise moment depicted God's glory because the light beams were reaching up to the heavens as dawn broke forth. It made me think of the possibility that in the Kingdom when people looked from a distance toward Jerusalem, this might be what they see as the light of God's glory rises up from the city."

The second place photo was awarded to Bruce Benedict. All in all, the reviewing of these wonderful pictures helped all in attendance to maintain the vision of the wonderful Millennium ahead for all of mankind.

— Becky Horchak

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ABC Seminar Held in Chicago

The " Windy City" was the host for an ABC Continuing Education event over the weekend of Oct. 27 and 28. Cincinnati visitors Jim Franks (Ministerial Services operation manager) and Ralph Levy (ABC instructor) presented split sermons on the Sabbath and 10 classes, representing a sample of Ambassador Bible Center.

Services began at 10:30 in the Hinsdale Community House, with about 140 present, including several out-of-state visitors. Dr. Levy gave the first split sermon on "Spiritual Memory," and Mr. Franks gave the second, titled "Seize the Vision."

After a delicious potluck lunch, classes started at 2 Sabbath afternoon. Mr. Franks presented "Introduction to Doctrine: How Did We Get Our 20 Fundamental Beliefs?" "Understanding the Plurality of God," "Understanding the Divinity of Christ" and "The Sabbatarians of New England." Dr. Levy presented "The Covenants: Which Laws Are in Effect Today?"

A total of 10 classes were presented, concluding on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. In all, 89 people attended at least one session, and 40 completed the entire 10 hours.

Awards were given to the youngest participant, 11-year-old Kurt Hewitt; the "most senior," Ted Efimov; and the longest baptized, Sylvia Efimov, who edged out her husband by just a few seconds, having been baptized on the same day in July 1958! The last award went to Robert and Jane Barbeau, for having traveled the longest distance.

— Ralph Levy

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Charlotte Brethren Ride Great Smoky Mountain Railroad

Blue skies and autumn colors painted a perfect scene as 19 brethren from the Charlotte, North Carolina, congregation climbed aboard the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad in historic Bryson City on Oct. 21. Prior to boarding, the group enjoyed touring the railroad museum with model trains and interactive children's exhibits.

We then climbed onto our private caboose to travel along the Tuckasegee River into the Nantahala Gorge. Spectacular views of scenery and plenty of fellowship combined to make the 4½-hour, 44-mile round trip a memorable one.

One remarkable part of the trip was crossing the Fontana Lake Trestle and viewing the lake, which is now 14 feet below normal because of drought conditions in the area. The layers of bare rock and the diminished blue lake sparked conversations about today's conditions.

We enjoyed eating together beside the Nantahala River on a one-hour layover, before reboarding. Our own Madalene Taylor climbed into the engine car to signal the whistle for the return trip.

As we disembarked and gathered for our picture, the smiles on the faces of everyone from age 3 to over 73 showed that we all had a great time!

— Marti Springer

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Oregon Young Adults Clean Road

On the weekend of Aug. 24 to 26, young adults from all over Oregon gathered together in Bend for Bible studies, fellowship and a service project.

The energetic team of trash collectors removed 2 tons of debris from a Forest Service gravel pit and surrounding roads.

— Sabrina Koester

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Three North Carolina Congregations Meet for Sabbath and Supper

The Sabbath of Nov. 3 was a very special Sabbath for the congregations of Asheville, Hickory and Greensboro, North Carolina. These three sister congregations, served by Ron Kelley and his wife, Nancy, combined in Hickory for Sabbath services and an evening of food, fun and fellowship. Since it's such a large circuit, some people on the far ends of each of the areas had to travel as far as three hours to reach our central location in Hickory.

After Sabbath services, we had a fabulous chili and soup supper with the focus being on hot chili and cornbread.

To help us meet each other, the seating for our supper was color coded according to the color of our name badge that identified our congregation. The idea was to only sit at our assigned color indicated by dots at each seat at the table. There were never more than two dots of the same color together, so each table had a mix of congregations. It was a fun way for us to meet brethren from our sister congregations.

Following dinner we were entertained by various musical acts, including a command performance from none other than Elvis himself! Well, actually he is better known to us as Alvin Walker from Greensboro.

We had a marvelous time together and all the brethren said they looked forward to combining for another social together next year.

— Ron Kelley

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Houston Area Hosts ABC Continuing Education

On the weekend of Aug. 25-26, Gary Antion and Ralph Levy of the Ambassador Bible Center (ABC) visited the Houston, Texas, area to conduct a regional ABC Continuing Education class. On the Sabbath Mr. Antion spoke to the Houston South congregation, while Dr. Levy gave the sermon in the North congregation.

The ABC classes began shortly after services with individuals from both the South and the North in attendance at the North's Broze Hall. Dr. Levy's lecture covered the prophet Jeremiah and Mr. Antion's covered the prophet Haggai.

Sunday's classes began promptly at 9 a.m. (Coffee, juice and breakfast snacks were provided.) Dr. Levy began his lecture with a continuation of his in-depth discussion and analysis of the book of Jeremiah. Mr. Antion followed with a comprehensive Comparative Religion class on the Baptist denomination.

Each man alternated every hour with a 10-minute break at the top of the hour and a break for lunch at the noon hour. Mr. Antion also gave an expansive coverage of 2 and 3 John nearing the end of the course, with a Q&A session bringing this round of ABC classes to a close.

The ABC Continuing Education program was enjoyed by nearly 200 people overall, with 70 receiving certificates for all 10 hours of instruction. Special awards were given in the following categories: Longest distance traveled, longest baptized, oldest attendee and youngest attendee (which was received by Tabitha Morgan, age 13).

— Peter M. Gabriel

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Mansfield Has Sabbath at Park and Minister Appreciation

The Mansfield, Ohio, United Church of God was blessed once again with exceptional weather for their early Thanksgiving celebration on the Sabbath of Oct. 20, 2007, at Pugh cabin in beautiful Malabar Farm State Park. The day consisted of Sabbath services, Bible study, potluck dinner (turkey and traditional Thanksgiving foods), and "minister appreciation" with a cake and gift certificates to unique restaurants for the elders who lovingly and faithfully serve the Mansfield congregation throughout the year.

— Regina Wilson

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Maine Members Appreciate Pastor

Sabbath, Oct. 27, was an opportunity for the brethren who meet in Kittery, Maine (officially known as the Portsmouth, New Hampshire, congregation), to recognize Paul Suckling in observance of Pastor Appreciation month.

Mr. Suckling was presented with a card and small gifts as a token for his dedication and service.

— Margie Jacques

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Local Church Updates: If your congregation's news and events are rarely covered in United News, why not check with your pastor and write something for him to send in? We're looking for 100-to 300-word articles and photographs with captions. Please include a self-addressed envelope if you would like photos returned. Include the author's and photographer's names and your phone number. Please double-check the spelling of names. Please e-mail (preferred) or give the material to your local pastor to forward to United News.

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