Home Office Weekly Update: December 19, 2025
Updates from Ministerial and Member Services and announcements about upcoming events.
From Ministerial and Member Services...
We’re happy to announce that on Dec. 11, 2025 Michael McKinney was credentialed as an elder by the United Church of God. He serves in the Los Angeles and Bakersfield, California congregations.
We’re happy to announce that on Dec. 13, 2025 Max Spigelmyer was ordained into the ministry. He and his wife, Sharon, serve the congregation in Rome, Georgia.
—Steve Myers, Operation Manager, Ministerial and Member Services
Live Webcast: Cincinnati Winter Family Weekend Sabbath Services
For those unable to attend the Winter Family Weekend (WFW) in person in Hamilton, Ohio, we are pleased to announce we will be webcasting live on Sabbath, Dec. 27, starting with seminars in the early afternoon.
The broadcast schedule is as follows:
- 12:30 p.m. EST: Live coverage of two seminars.
- 2:30 p.m. EST: Sabbath Services. John Elliott, president of the United Church of God, will be delivering the sermon.
Watch live here: https://www.ucg.org/watch/webcast
—Dave PerMar, WFW Event Coordinator
Laurel, Mississippi: Annual Chili Cook-Off
The annual chili cook-off in Laurel, Mississippi is scheduled for Jan. 31, 2026. Sabbath services will begin at 2:30 p.m. and we will eat at 5 p.m.
To everyone who has an award-winning chili recipe and believes it can stand a little scrutiny, please bring it and see if it will win a prize! Best overall chili will win a much-coveted prize. Everyone is a judge. Ballots will be available to help choose the winner.
Those of us that aren’t master chili chefs please bring your favorite chili accompaniment (cheese, sour cream, hotdogs, onions, fritos, etc.).
We hope to see you there.
—Greg Musgrove, Pastor
Women’s Enrichment Weekend: Fairmont Hot Springs, BC
We are excited to host our Women’s Enrichment Weekend in Western Canada once again at the relaxing and picturesque Fairmont Hot Springs resort in Fairmont Hot Springs, British Columbia on April 17-19, 2026.
All ladies (high school graduates and older) who attend UCG are cordially invited to join us for an enriching weekend of fellowship, learning and fun. There will be group round-table discussions, guest speakers, Sabbath services, a craft activity, a group session by a registered psychologist, lots of fellowship and some relaxing social time all focusing on this year’s theme of “Remember What God Has Done!”
Please see the Women of Valor website for more information: https://www.ucg.org/women-of-valor.
REMINDER: Wamatochick Young Adult Weekend
NEW: Registration site now available: https://ucg.regfox.com/wamatochick-weekend-2026
Young adults, you are invited to join your brothers and sisters for the fifth annual UYA Wamatochick Weekend, Feb. 13-16, 2026 in the picturesque pines of Northern Arizona!
The theme is “A New Creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The presentations will invite and encourage us to be active and growing in our walk with God. The Sabbath will include interactive presentations and discussions. Sunday will feature additional presentations as well as indoor and outdoor activities including hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking, weather permitting. Everyone is welcome to stay an additional night to extend the weekend into Monday to enjoy further fellowship and activity time!
Ages are 18–32, and married and single are welcome. Cost is $165 per person, including sleeping arrangements and seven meals. Camp is outside of Prescott, Arizona and the Phoenix airport is a two-hour drive from camp. Rides from the airport can be arranged. Please plan to arrive no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, and depart no earlier than 1 p.m. on Monday. Check-in starts at 4 p.m. on Friday at Camp Wamatochick.
Registration Deadline: Feb. 10, 2026.
Please text or email Grant Fogelson (623-238-2044; grantfogelson@gmail.com) or Katarina Fogelson (469-858-1720; katarina14.reinoso@gmail.com) if you are interested in attending or for more information.
No 2026 Southeast Regional Formal Weekend
After five consecutive, wonderful years (and 17 total years) of offering the Southeast Regional Formal Weekend, the Atlanta congregation will not host this event in 2026.
We appreciate the strong support and participation from our teens and families from around the U.S. over the past five years and are grateful for all who have helped make these weekends so meaningful.
We encourage those who are able to consider attending one of the other UCG teen proms/formal events being offered (e.g., the Dallas/Fort Worth “Regional Family and Prom Weekend” or the “Midwest Teen Prom” in Berlin, Ohio). Additional information is available through the event coordinators for those weekends.
—Philip Aust, Pastor, Atlanta and Buford, Georgia
