Local Church Updates

• Brethren From North Carolina and West Virginia Meet on Banks of New River
• Brethren in Hawaii Celebrate Festivals
• Brethren in Hawaii Celebrate Festivals
• Fort Wayne Honors Senior Citizens
• Brethren Place Brochures in Branson
• Cincinnati North Honors Fathers
• Eureka Enjoys Barbecue
• Congratulations, Graduates!
• Four Volunteers Teach English and Help With Summer Camp in Ukraine
• 12-Year-Old Donates Hair to Locks of Love
• Member's Nutrition Program Featured in Newspapers

Brethren From North Carolina and West Virginia Meet on Banks of New River

Aug. 8 to 10, brethren from Hickory and Greensboro, North Carolina, and Princeton, West Virginia, gathered for a weekend retreat on the beautiful grounds of Camp Dickenson located on the banks of the New River near Fries, Virginia.

The weekend was kicked off with a Friday evening Bible study near the river's edge, with light provided by a bonfire and several torch stands. Pastor Ron Kelley compared our Christian lives to the characteristics of the river.

After a delightful Sabbath brunch, we gathered in the main lodge for Sabbath services with 47 in attendance. After a wiener roast by the river, Saturday night was capped off with a sing-along of a variety of our favorite songs.

Sunday's activities were highlighted by a four-hour canoe trip down the New River. God blessed us with incredibly beautiful weather for the entire weekend, and we all agreed this was definitely an event worth planning again for next year.

Ron Kelley

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Brethren in Hawaii Celebrate Festivals

"Skip" Miller, an elder from San Diego, California, and his wife, Suzanne, arrived on the Big Island of Hawaii for the Passover. Twelve members and one observer were present at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Al Gordon for the ceremony. Among those in attendance were Mr. and Mrs. James Lum, deacon and deaconess from Honolulu , joined by Big Islanders from the east and west coasts. By means of the telephone hookup, two other couples on Maui were virtually able to be together with us. At Mr. Miller's direction, all the male attendees were assigned to read a certain portion of chapters 15, 16 and 17 of John's Gospel.

Our population grew by two visitors from the southern coast for the Night to Be Much Observed and the First Day of Unleavened Bread services. The festive dinner, including lamb, was prepared by Vera Gordon and Sherry Ellis. It was a sumptuous meal.

The Last Day of Unleavened Bread, attendance on the Orchid Isle (as Hawaii is also known) was nine. The Millers were in the presence of four attendees on Maui for that day's message.

For Pentecost weekend, 17 attended the weekly Sabbath, June 7. We were pleased to greet our pastor, Mario Seiglie, and his wife, Caty, from Garden Grove, California. Besides Chuck and Mary Smith, others from neighboring islands also returned: the Lums (Oahu); Mr. and Mrs. Ed Coughlin and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kenknight (Maui). Big Island of Hawaii residents comprised the remainder of our small group.

The following day, Pentecost, the number grew by an additional two persons. Between services, this reporter played several hymns, as well as other European songs, on his accordion. Fellowship was enjoyed by everyone.

On the 1,977th anniversary of God's New Testament Church, we were reminded how to keep God's Spirit alive within us daily while we are still in our developmental stage; admonished, in this world, to make the best music possible, like a Steinway piano, when praying; given keys to have a more effective prayer life; asked whether we have the joy of the Holy Spirit; and taught to stay on course like a gyroscope, especially with the fruits of the Spirit. In God's Kingdom, no longer influenced by Satan, we will be filled completely with His Holy Spirit.

Our gracious hosts, the Smiths, deacon and deaconess from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, shared their Hawaiian home during the weekend, and provided us with two evening barbecues. Once again, as last year, all 17 of us dined at Il Pescatore, a restaurant in downtown Hilo.

Aloha nui loa ke Akua—very much Christian love—from the Hawaiian Islands.

Johnny Kretz

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Brethren in Hawaii Celebrate Festivals

On the weekend of July 25 to 27, an adventurous group of 18 young adults, teens and adults set out on a backpacking trip into the forests of the Cascade Mountain Range in Oregon. The hike was sponsored by the Salem, Oregon, congregation, and there were also people from the Portland, Eugene and Roseburg, Oregon, congregations. High spirits, dried fruit and mosquitoes were plentiful on this fun-filled mountain journey.

The group camped at Fir Lake near the boundary of the Mt. Jefferson wilderness area. Most meals were shared communally, with fun and fellowship including a Friday night Bible study, fireside hymn singing, a Sabbath message by David Love and a late night of stargazing. The group hopes to return on a similar trip next year.

Sabrina Koester

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Fort Wayne Honors Senior Citizens

The Fort Wayne, Indiana, congregation honored all 23 of its senior citizens at a special brunch before services the Sabbath of June 21. The men cooked up scrambled eggs, cheesy eggs, southwestern eggs and turkey sausage. The youth happily served fruit cups, assorted rolls and drinks.

After the brunch, pastor Darris McNeely put forth to the congregation "get to know you" questions that relating to each senior citizen. When the question was answered and the senior identified, the youth presented the senior with a teddy bear holding a box of chocolate goodies.

After the brunch, church services began with a very happy congregation. The sermon topic was on the biblical precept of honoring the elderly. The whole Sabbath was so positive and successful the congregation plans to do this again. A link to photos is on the announcement page at www.UCGFortWayne.org.

Phyllis Minton

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Brethren Place Brochures in Branson

Thirty-six business outlets throughout the city of Branson, Missouri, currently display Good News magazine and brochure displays. An additional 20 locations may be established by the time of the 2008 Feast of Tabernacles. Last year members attending the Feast in Branson were pleased to see the displays in various motels and other businesses throughout the area. This distribution effort began on Sept. 24, 2007. Members who would like to help distribute brochures in the United States can write to John LaBissoniere at john_labissoniere@ucg.org or call him toll-free at (888) 369-9940.

Joel Fritts

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Cincinnati North Honors Fathers

The ladies of the Cincinnati North, Ohio, congregation went all out to honor all the dads June 14, the Sabbath before Father's Day.

The young children handed out chocolate in decorated wine glasses. Then all the men watched with great anticipation as Frank McCrady, the pastor of the North congregation, drew the winning name for the main prize. Rusty Wayne was the lucky dad. He won a gift certificate to a steak house.

After services a manly meal was served. White Castle burgers, a huge pretzel and other goodies adorned the nicely decorated table.

After the activity all the men were able to take home a nice bottle of wine. The ladies are to be commended, especially Debbie Kieviet whose ideas came together to make this so special. Thanks also go to Terri Knuckles for all her hard work.

Michelle David

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Eureka Enjoys Barbecue

On the Sabbath of Aug. 16, the Eureka, California, congregation held a barbecue at the home of members Dave and Mary Dudley after services.

The brethren enjoyed barbecue-sauced hamburgers, hot dogs and all the condiments, salad, natural sodas and much more. There were also heart-shaped chocolate cupcakes to celebrate the 32nd wedding anniversary of our pastor and his wife (Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Segall), which was two days earlier.

The weather was warm at first, then had some overcast, but our hearts were warm with good food and fellowship.

Kandy K. Goodrich

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Congratulations, Graduates!

Mary Elizabeth Boden

Parents: Thomas and Darla Boden

Congregation: Minneapolis, Minnesota

High School Accomplishments: Mary "Liz" graduated with honors. She was active in FFA, 4-H, band and jazz band and was involved in high school musicals and plays. She was also a member of the National Honor Society and Tri-M, and she served as a freshmen mentor during her senior year.

Church Activities/Hobbies/Interests/etc.: She played in the church ensemble for several years, as well as attended a few UCG camps. She loves riding her horse and helping her uncle farm in South Dakota and has thoroughly enjoyed working on a dairy farm during the past year. She loves music, spending time with her family, traveling, laughing and eating plenty of cereal. She would also like to mention that ridiculous is her favorite word.

Plans After Graduation: She will be attending the University of Sioux Falls, though her major is still undeclared.

Advice: Make everything fun and always be kind.

Favorite Scripture: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Valarie Serpa

Parent: George D. Serpa

Congregation: Worcester, Massachusetts

High School Accomplishments: Valarie was a member of the National Honor Society.

Church Activities/Hobbies/Interests/etc.: Valarie really enjoys science and learning about the body. She took some extra science in high school so she could understand how the body works.

Plans After Graduation: Valarie is attending the local community college and then plans to study occupational therapy.

Favorite Scripture: "There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; and one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches" (Proverbs 13:7).

Advice: Let's make ourselves rich in the knowledge of God, and we will be rich in happiness no matter how much we have.

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Four Volunteers Teach English and Help With Summer Camp in Ukraine

UCG members Dan and Cindy Harper who live in Cherbourg, France, and Ken Zahora from Indianapolis, Indiana, along with Stefan Saxin from Gothenburg, Sweden, went to Vinogradov, Ukraine, from June 15 to 29.

They taught English as a second language and helped at a youth summer camp in western Ukraine. They served disadvantaged and at-risk youth in the small town, working with a Sabbatarian minister, Vasyl Polichko, and his wife, Irina, who provide healthy meals, Bible lessons, love and support to a large group of street children all year around.

Each summer the Polichkos go beyond this daily service to host a camp that enables the children to have even more opportunities for fun and learning. The UCG volunteers got to see firsthand the fruits of the labors of this project, partially funded by the LifeNets charity founded by Vic Kubik, a UCG pastor and Council member. They found it very inspiring to see the lives of these children so positively affected.

Most of the children are street children with different hardships behind them. LifeNets has been supporting these children since 2001, and the Church has been working with Sabbath-keepers in this area since 1991.

Every afternoon the campers went on excursions to see various things in the area, such as peacocks and ostriches at a farm and the famous ruins in Vinogradov. As the weather grew hotter, they walked several times to a place to go swimming.

After nearly two weeks the volunteers saw progress with all the children as they performed the English songs they had learned in front of the interested adults. Following that the children performed Ukrainian songs. After the music there was food, desserts and candy—a great ending to the summer camp!

To encourage the children to keep their English glossary books, the volunteers attached a photograph of the summer English class of 2008 and gave it to each of the children. They were very pleased with this.

The volunteers said the children at the camp left a lasting impact on them. Though so many of them came from very hard backgrounds and many were still living in very difficult circumstances, they were all very loving, trusting, open and very receptive to their teaching and attention (despite the language barrier).

The volunteers were also impressed with the Polichkos, who saw a need and instead of turning away (as many of us may do, feeling helpless to do anything), took responsibility for those around them.

For additional impressions of the Ukraine trip, see Stefan Saxin's Web commentary for Vertical Thought (verticalthought.org/issues/vt20/c_ukraine.htm) and the LifeNets Web site (lifenets.org/vinogradov/summer08/menu.htm).

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12-Year-Old Donates Hair to Locks of Love

Heidi Braun, 12-year-old daughter of Martin and Ailsa Braun, donated 15 inches of her own hair in July to Locks of Love. This is the second time she has donated her hair to the charity (see February 2007 United News). Locks of Love is a charitable organization that uses donations of hair to benefit financially disadvantaged children with long-term medical hair loss.

Heidi attends the Charlotte, North Carolina, congregation with her parents and younger sister, Heather. She contributes to vocal special music in her congregation and has performed in a number of piano recitals at local assisted-living facilities.

Ailsa Braun

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Member's Nutrition Program Featured in Newspapers

Linda Porteous, a member who attends the Olympia and Tacoma, Washington, congregations, coordinates a program called Healthy Strides for students in preschool through grade 2 in Pacific County school districts.

Her program was featured in two local newspapers. In the Willapa Harbor Herald March 19 Rebekah Hastings wrote:

"Linda Porteous, affectionately known as ‘Miss Linda' to local elementary school students, has been trailblazing her way through preschool through second grade classrooms for the past couple of years. As a health educator, and deliverer of the Healthy Strides program, she teaches area children about healthy eating choices, exercise and relaxation to ensure healthier kids."

The Chinook Observer also had an article May 7 about a field trip Mrs. Porteous arranged for 120 students to visit an organic farm.

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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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