Local Church Updates

• Portland Women's Retreat Weaves Fellowship, Spiritual Food and Service
• School Holds Retirement Celebration for Principal
• Indianapolis Hosts Teen Weekend
• Pittsburgh Celebrates 50 Years
• Boise Celebrates 45th
• South Dakota Brethren Hold Annual Nature Center Event
• East Texas Sabbath School Gives Special Presentation
• Neffs Honored for 50 Years of Service
• Mansfield Meets at Malabar State Park
• ABC Breaks Records at Car Wash

Portland Women's Retreat Weaves Fellowship, Spiritual Food and Service

Women from all over the Northwest came together at the Canby Grove Conference Center March 14 to 16 for the Portland, Oregon, Women's Retreat. The theme this year was "The Master Weaver: Godly Women, Fitly Woven by His Hand."

Early arrivers came Thursday evening, and many pitched in to help make the table decorations or to assemble name tags, all while catching up with friends old and new. When it was time to go to bed, everyone discovered an unexpected treat on her pillow: a handmade washcloth and some chocolate.

Friday morning was spent enjoying a group brunch in the conference hall or exploring nearby Canby for breakfast. The day passed enjoyably with crafting, fellowshipping and/or shopping.

Dinner in the nearby dining hall marked the official beginning of the retreat, and the light rain created a cozy atmosphere for being indoors to enjoy good food and friends.

After trooping back to the conference hall, we heard some enjoyable special music, followed by an opening presentation by Dyanne Dick on the background and history of the art of weaving and how it metaphorically relates to our relationship with God. Visiting continued into the evening, and the ladies' choir ensemble practice allowed everyone throughout the building to enjoy a little extra Sabbath music.

The next morning began with a delicious hot breakfast, followed by some spiritual food with a sermon by Clyde Kilough on the Mary and Martha story and how to choose wise priorities. The ladies' choir ensemble was an excellent addition to the service.

Lunch was followed by free time to explore the 75 acres on the facility, to rest or to fellowship.

An afternoon seminar led by Nicole Graham and Becky Hornor inspired much laughter. Our team-building activity was to market brussels sprouts to our neighbors in the place of safety as the only food available for 3½ years. The activity exposed the differences between how each personality type operates, and Mrs. Hornor went on to explain communications dos and don'ts for each personality type.

Following the afternoon seminar, Dee Kilough gave a presentation full of colorful personal stories as examples urging us to develop deep and lasting friendships in our lives.

Following dinner, five women described how it was to be in God's Church and live in remote areas away from family and friends, contrasted with what it was like to now live in an active church area. This inspired many of us in the audience to be grateful for the blessings we do have. Fellowship and crafting followed and continued well into Saturday night.

After an energizing continental breakfast and closing remarks by Mrs. Dick and Mrs. Kilough, Terri Werner got everyone started on the service project. This year the project was to make school kits for impoverished children. We had quite an assembly line going, with some women ironing fabric, some sewing the kit bags, some stuffing the bags with school supplies, some performing quality control checks and some prepping the kits for transport. The project brought everyone together, and we made 145 kits, thanks to the hard work of the many participants!

All in all, it was another enjoyable retreat weekend with much credit to be given to all those hands that helped make the weekend a success. It felt like a mini-Feast and served as an excellent springboard for us to develop those enduring friendships that result from lives woven lovingly and deeply together.

—Debbie Werner

[ back to top ]

School Holds Retirement Celebration for Principal

On June 11, in a lovely garden setting at Santa Ana High School in Santa Ana, California, over 150 family, friends, coworkers and city and educational officials celebrated the retirement of Dan Salcedo. His retirement came after 12 years of being principal of Santa Ana High School, an urban school with nearly 3,700 students and staff (the size of some small cities), and 46 total years of service in education.

Guest speakers at this retirement celebration included the school district superintendent, city officials (including the city manager and a city council member), the local community college chancellor and board members of the school district and community college. Part of the ceremony included musical selections from the school's top vocalists, chamber singers, jazz band and even a vocal solo, "The Impossible Dream," from Mr. Salcedo.

Mr. Salcedo received his B.A. in voice and education in 1962 and began his education career by teaching in elementary and intermediate schools for nine years in Monrovia, California. After earning his M.A. and administrative credentials in 1971, he continued his education career in Santa Ana and served for the next 37 years as a principal in the grade levels of elementary, intermediate and high school.

Mr. Salcedo is extremely grateful to God for the unique opportunity he has had to serve young people, parents and staff members of the Santa Ana Unified School District.

Dan Salcedo is an elder in the Garden Grove, California, congregation and has been an elder since 1977.

—Jean Updegraff

[ back to top ]

Indianapolis Hosts Teen Weekend

Twenty-two Indiana and Ohio teens and their families spent three days together in Pendleton, Indiana, July 4 to 6. Bible games, treasure hunts, great food, a bonfire with marshmallows, football and kick ball rounded out the great weekend.

On the Sabbath, Darris McNeely, Indianapolis, Indiana, pastor, joined the crowd of just over 40 to deliver a Sabbath message on dreams and goal setting.

—Debbie Zimmerman

[ back to top ]

Pittsburgh Celebrates 50 Years

It was a beautiful and joyous first Sabbath of the summer as the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, congregation hosted its 50th anniversary June 21. On June 7, 1958, approximately 40 people, pastored by C. Wayne Cole, gathered in a small room in the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. Since that time, there have been many who have spent seasons of their lives in the Pittsburgh congregation, and still a couple who were there on that very first day remain among us after all these years.

Guests attending the special Sabbath came from near and far, some even all the way from Oregon, Arizona, Florida, Texas and Colorado. The turnout was 182 in all.

The day began with a reception and fellowship hour, as we joined in celebration of all that God has accomplished over the years. Taking pleasure in exquisite finger foods, we took a walk down memory lane, glimpsing the past through picture collages and albums that connected us with remembrances from days gone by. There was even a special picture board with the Pittsburgh area "Heroes of Faith," documenting the towers of strength who have gone before us. As a cherished keepsake, every family was given a DVD with pictures set to music.

The guest speaker for the day was Larry Neff, who served in the Pittsburgh area in the early to mid-1990s. In his message, "Behold, I Make All Things New," Mr. Neff took us on a journey to the past as he talked about a scenic railway tourist attraction that was popular north of Los Angeles in the late 1800s. He pointed out that this man-made attraction had seen its heyday as the "Disneyland" of that era, but when adversity struck, it was just a matter of time before it was all but forgotten.

The lesson was that the physical things in this life will pass away, but keeping our eyes set on what God is building in us, through proper character, approach and attitude, is everlasting!

Following a catered meal served by the Pittsburgh brethren, our current pastor, Don Henson, interviewed several ladies who were among some of the first members of the congregation. Mrs. Shirley Henn, Mrs. Frieda Iiams and Mrs. Larue Moenich told us some of their fondest memories of the early days of congregation. In addition, several former and current Pittsburgh members reminisced about their favorite memories of the Pittsburgh congregation.

The evening concluded with a presentation by Mr. Henson documenting the Pittsburgh region as a whole, the local ministry over time and some of the earlier members who paved the way.

Fittingly, one of the songs sung by the choir was the timeless "Song of Fellowship." Christian hearts were certainly tied together in this memory of the last 50 years. As the song ends, so does another landmark moment in time, until the next celebration: "May the peace of God be with us all, to guide our hearts and minds, and help us reach beyond these walls to share the friendship we find—Blessed be the tie that binds!"

—Lisa Kifer

[ back to top ]

Boise Celebrates 45th

The Boise, Idaho, congregation celebrated its 45th anniversary on Sabbath, March 22, 2008, with a special service and a potluck social after services.

During services messages were read from Mark Mickelson, James Tuck, Bill Jahns and Fred Kellers, some of the ministers who had served the Boise church in the past. A review of the congregation's history was given by elder David Blue; and Boise's current pastor, Steve Nutzman, gave a sermon about the Church in the wilderness.

After services there was a special potluck with a beautiful cake and punch served by the Boise ladies. Members enjoyed sharing memories as they looked at the display of pictures and other memorabilia from Feast occasions, socials, picnics, campouts, Sabbath school events, teen events and Spokesman's Clubs through the years.

The Boise congregation began as a Bible study for a growing number of interested

—Plain Truth subscribers in February 1963. Church services started a few months later in June with a congregation of 30 to 40 people. The Boise congregation currently has approximately 40 members in regular attendance.

—Gloria Harden

[ back to top ]

South Dakota Brethren Hold Annual Nature Center Event

Sixty-four of the young and young at heart from the Watertown and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, congregations, along with a few guests from Texas, experienced a beautiful June day at Oak Lake Field Station near Brookings, South Dakota. A large rustic lodge looming above the prairie grasslands and nestled along the western oak-forested shoreline of a prairie pothole lake was the setting for the events of the day.

"Early birds" were treated to a modest but filling brunch before Sabbath services. A highlight of the service, led by Pastor Mitchell Knapp, was a "graduation" ceremony recognizing the accomplishments of elementary Sabbath school students and the contributions of their teachers.

The sermon titled "The Blessing of Growing Old" set the tone for another special activity of the day: honoring 20 of our senior citizens. The "stage" had been set with a backdrop of artifacts, provided and arranged by Janice Spieker, from "earlier days," including handmade quilts, metal hair curlers and curling irons, antique irons, hurricane lamps and an "as you like it" rain gauge—complete with adjustable funnel—designed by one of our seniors, Quentin Rhody.

After an appetite-quenching old-fashioned potluck picnic, the youngest children wowed those attending with their enthusiastic, joyful singing of several inspiring action songs and performances of two of Aesop's fables: "The Lion and the Mouse" and "The Ants and the Grasshopper."

"Senior Moments in Time," a PowerPoint presentation featuring photos, comments and stories from our senior members' lives, was the next item on the agenda. In the slide show, each honoree shared a little of what they've learned, how they've lived, what they dream of doing yet in their lives and what advice they'd like to pass on to future generations. It was fascinating and allowed us to get to know them in a different light than before. Wit and wisdom abounded. We were all inspired to make the most of our "moments in time."

The final activity of the day was a quiet evening along the lakeshore, complete with lawn chair conversations, family canoeing and snacks served from the grill and the tailgate of a pickup. It was a perfect June day.

—Claudia Brunick

[ back to top ]

East Texas Sabbath School Gives Special Presentation

The East Texas Sabbath school children provided a special presentation to the combined East Texas and Texarkana congregations on Pentecost afternoon, June 8. This is the third year the children have treated members to presentations, as part of the Pentecost services.

This year's presentation was titled "Finding Great Treasures." Thirteen children shared with the congregation what they have been learning this year. As the Sabbath school children traveled down the narrow path fighting the good fight, they discovered that there were treasures to be found along the way. By using God's Word as their map, they were able to find many

—great treasures, including loving God and your neighbor, forgiving others, making peace, exercising self-control and exhibiting humility.

Participating in the presentation were Ben Holcomb, Ittai Perez, Hunter Crawford, David Holcomb, Olivia Urwiller, Zachary Kennebeck, Kyleigh Moody, Jordenn Phillips, Will Ditto, Karina Moody, Liam Urwiller, Hannah Shipman and Kate Trotter.

Stephen McNeely II wrote, composed and performed the opening song titled "All That Glitters Is Not Gold." In addition, Mary Beth Philp wrote lyrics and composed music to several inspiring songs performed by the children.

The Sabbath school program is under the direction of Harriet Walding, with Laura Moody and Penny Urwiller as the other primary teachers.

—Sarah Baker

[ back to top ]

Neffs Honored for 50 Years of Service

On Pentecost, June 8, the East Texas congregation honored Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Neff with a gift and flowers for their 50 years of service in the ministry. Mr. Neff was ordained a local elder by Herbert Armstrong at the Shakespeare Club in Pasadena, California, on June 7, 1958.

Mr. Neff had been working since Dec. 1, 1955, for the Church and Ambassador College (sometimes for one, sometimes for the other). At the time he was ordained, Mr. Neff had just completed his junior year of college and was managing the Mail Receiving Department.

Mr. Neff said he feels it has been a privilege to be able to serve God and His people for such a long time.

—Ken Treybig

[ back to top ]

Mansfield Meets at Malabar State Park

The Mansfield, Ohio, congregation met together for a "Springtime Sabbath in the Woods" at peaceful Malabar State Park on May 24.

At the rustic Pugh Cabin, the brethren enjoyed a great potluck and fellowship after Sabbath services and a Bible study.

Joel (13) and Naomi (1) are shown here enjoying the afternoon. They are two of six children of Mansfield elder and wife, Leonard and Julie Martin.

—Regina Wilson

[ back to top ]

ABC Breaks Records at Car Wash

Many Ambassador Bible Center students served at this year's car wash June 22 to earn seed money to put on the annual ABC charity auction, which this year raised money for the Children's Education Fund, Nigeria (see page 1).

The energetic advertising crew used several methods of attracting customers. Slogans such as "take 10 minutes to support kids in Africa and you'll feel great all day!" were shouted to cars stopped at the nearby intersection. Sally-Ann Hambleton and Ashley Moen managed to collect over $50 in donations from people just driving by.

Both Subway and Quiznos donated sub sandwiches and drinks for all the volunteers. Several Church members even brought ice cream bars and an ice cream cake, and some helped wash cars.

The total profit exceeded $800 and surpassed all previous ABC car washes.

[ back to top ]

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.

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