Home Office Weekly Update: November 13, 2025

Nov 13, 2025
6 minutes read time
groups of people seated at round tables in a conference room
The timing for this conference is perfect for integrating optimal strategic, operational and financial goal-setting into the coming year’s plans.
UCG.org

You are an integral part of the work that God is doing in and though the Body of Christ. While we are seeking His direction to implement ways that we can better organize and optimize our effectiveness, it is the whole Church that moves with a responsibility to bring light to a dark society and build the Body as each part does its share.

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From the President...

Greetings brethren from Atlanta, where I am taking part in meetings this week with the Council of Elders and home office operation managers. As Chairman Pebworth previously shared, these meetings are integral to developing our Strategic, Operation and Financial Plans for fiscal year 2026-27.

Our work this week, assisted by a professional consultant, involves formulating overarching strategies that will facilitate constructing a detailed Operation Plan containing clear goals, measurable objectives, clear strategies, priorities, timelines and responsibilities for specific outcomes.

As I look back over the six months I have served as President, the events leading up to this point seem divinely motivated. Gaps in administration needed to be staffed and various roles and responsibilities needed adjustments and clarifications. With Christ at the helm, we have come a long way in a short time.

Our new Treasurer and the Operation Manager of Financial Services have been busily assessing and implementing processes using industry-recognized best practices. Media and Communications’ new Operation Manager is continuing efforts to maximize the gospel’s reach to all generations through a variety of platforms. Ministerial and Member Services is upgrading its ability to provide support and growth opportunities to leadership, members and youth—both domestic and international.

The timing for this conference is perfect for integrating optimal strategic, operational and financial goal-setting into the coming year’s plans, which will be finalized and ready for ratification by the General Conference of Elders at its annual meeting in May 2026.

You are an integral part of the work that God is doing in and though the Body of Christ. While we are seeking His direction to implement ways that we can better organize and optimize our effectiveness, it is the whole Church that moves with a responsibility to bring light to a dark society and build the Body as each part does its share. As appointed leaders, we are always looking for ways to improve and to do our part better than in the past.

Join us in prayer—seeking God’s help to build a stronger family of brothers and sisters who truly love and serve one another as Christ does for us. “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren… My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:16, 18).

Thank you for faithfully doing your part in His work with a personal devotion for living the Way and loving everyone as Jesus gave us command. “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

As we progress forward, let’s each humbly redouble our efforts for faithful, godly service to Him and deepening our love for one another.

With love and appreciation for you in Christ’s name,

John Elliott, President

From Media and Communications Services...

Help Shape the Future of our Media!

We’re launching a small pilot to test two new podcast formats—and we’d love your help! Join our pilot group to preview new programs and share your feedback. It’s a simple way to help shape what’s next for our media work. Sign up here by November 21 or at surveymonkey.com/r/UCGMediaFG.

—Scott Delamater, Operation Manager, Media and Communications Services

Wamatochick Young Adult Weekend

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.

Ambassador Bible College Magnetic Yearly Calendar

(Please make announcement available to your congregations.)

The ABC Calendar is back! This 11” by 8.5” glossy magnetic calendar highlights Holy Days and other important events for 2026. There is also space to jot your own notes and lists using any dry erase marker.

The calendars are $10 each, which includes shipping. This year, we can also accept online payments. We accept individual orders as well as group orders from congregations. The money raised allows the ABC class to travel and serve a congregation outside of our local area. It also supports educational, fun opportunities outside of the classroom.

We prefer that calendar orders be placed by Dec. 19, 2025.

Here’s how to order:

Individual Orders

Paying online:

Visit us online at ucg.org/members/abc/annual-fundraiser. Multiply the number of calendars you want by $10 and pay that much, remembering to include your name and mailing address. We will mail the appropriate number of calendars to the address you provide!

Paying by check:

  1. Print out an order form (Individual Order Form).

  2. Fill out the order form and mail it, with a check made out to ABC Student Fund, to:

    Ambassador Bible College
    555 Techne Center Dr.
    Milford, OH 45150

    OR email your order to ABCfundraiser@ucg.org and send a check as above.

Group/Congregation Orders

  1. Print out a group order form (Group Order Form).
  2. Mail the completed form to the address below OR email the completed form to ABCFundraiser@ucg.org.

  3. Enclose a check (made out to ABC Student Fund) to:

    Ambassador Bible College
    555 Techne Center Dr.
    Milford, OH 45150

    OR make an online payment at ucg.org/members/abc/annual-fundraiser, being sure to include name and mailing address.

  4. The ABC class will ship all of the calendars to be distributed by the contact person.

Thank you so much for your support of the ABC class of 2026.

—Kyle McKenzie, ABC Student Body President

Winter Family Weekend Seminar Schedule

We’re excited to give you a first look at the seminar schedule for this year’s Winter Family Weekend!

Our 2025 theme is “Fueled by Faith,” and this schedule is designed to provide the spiritual “fuel” we all need for our Christian walk. The presentations cover deep biblical study, practical daily application, and spiritual encouragement.

Here are the highlights you can look forward to:

Wednesday, Dec. 24: The Fuel of God’s Word

(Location: Riverside Ballroom) This day is dedicated to deep biblical study. Highlights include:

  • “The Wilderness Tabernacle” (Brian Hoselton)
  • “The ‘I AM’ Statements” (Steve Myers)
  • “After the Apostles” (Andy Lee)
  • “Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament Sacrificial System” (Frank Dunkle)

Thursday, Dec. 25: Fueled for Life: Practical Application

(Location: Riverside Ballroom) This day focuses on practical tools for daily life. Highlights include:

  • “Building a Resilient Mind” (Dr. Roy Fouch)
  • “The Art of Godly Communication” (Lena VanAusdle)
  • “Too Busy for God?” (Dr. Eric Mohr)
  • “Building a Family Legacy” (Dr. Philip Aust)

Saturday, Dec. 27: Fueling Our Relationship

(Location: Hamilton Ballroom) This Sabbath is the centerpiece of our week. It begins with the fellowship breakfast, followed by two new “TED Talk” style seminars:

  • “Igniting Your Personal Bible Study” (Scott Delamater)
  • “When Prayer Feels Like a Monologue” (Stephen Bouchette)
  • Sabbath Services will follow, featuring a sermon from UCG President John Elliott.

The full event schedule—including all sports, the family carnival, the teen dance (with an ice cream bar!) and the young adult social—is also finalized.

We can’t wait to see you there! You can view the full, detailed schedule and register today at wfw.ucg.org.

—Dave PerMar, WFW Coordinator

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