United News January-February 2018

United News: January - February 2018

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In this issue of the United News, we cover the most recent 2017 Winter Family Weekend and give an update on the video recording studio. Also, there is a focus on the Financial Statements of the Church for this past year. Included are articles focused on self-examination, love, volunteering for camp, info on this year's Challenger West camp, a statement from the Council of Elders, info on the new museum about the Bible in Washington D.C., a new Feast site in France, etc. There are many announcements and Local Church Updates to read over as well.

Table of Contents

Passing the Baton

On Dec. 2, 2017, the Coleman, Texas, congregation of the United Church of God honored their pastors with a surprise ceremony.

Orlando Teen One of Six to be Awarded Full Scholarship

Asia Lavender, daughter of Anthony and Joan Lavender of the Orlando congregation, was honored with a tremendous award—she was one of only six in the entire State of Florida who were the recipients of a Leaders For Life scholarship.
Godly love far exceeds agape. The love God has for us goes much deeper than we can imagine. It implies a decision to love someone even when there is no expectation of a reciprocal response. It often is not a mutual, two-way love.

Godly Love Versus Agape Love

10 minutes
As humans, we can never fully comprehend God’s love, although it is our duty and joy to strive to understand it better and better. It is our duty and...

2018 Southeast Regional Formal

The Nashville and Murfreesboro congregations cordially invite all teens and young adults to the United Church of God Southeast Regional Formal!

Wild West Still Alive in Idaho

Cowboys and cowgirls from around the territory gathered Saturday, Dec. 2, for a Wild West roundup hosted by the Lewiston, Idaho, cowpokes. The afternoon and evening were filled with sermonizin’ and lots of socializin’.
The children’s choir at the 2017 Feast in Oceanside, California. How do you keep the memories from your Feast from slipping away throughout the year?

The Feast—Over in the Blink of an Eye

2 minutes
Yes, it’s over quickly. But we can then continue in our preparations for the future God has for us through our Bible study, prayers and continuing to...

Statement From the Council of Elders

Below is a personal correspondence letter that was approved by the Council of Elders.

United Youth Camps: A Legacy Worth Passing Along

As the United Church of God was being formed in 1995, it was felt that providing a summer camp program for the youth of the Church was an important legacy that we wanted to preserve and pass along. Since the...

Updates From Ministerial and Member Services

Below are several updates from the Ministerial and Member Services.

Be Diligent to Know the State of Your Flocks

Included on the right hand side of this page are the audited financial statements of the United Church of God, an International Association, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, along with the auditors’ report.

Connecting With Our Brethren in Malawi

Many times ministers are placed in areas where there is a need, where there is a flock that needs a shepherd. But this assignment was much more than just about teaching—it was about connecting, about establishing relationships and about developing...

Winter Family Weekend 2017

Another enjoyable Winter Family Weekend has been successfully completed!
However ugly and ungodly our lives have been, and continue to be, there’s a way out through repentance.

Fourteen Taps on the Shoulder

9 minutes
God effectively reminds us of the importance of repentance, with these 14 taps on the shoulder.

2018 Cincinnati Family Dance Weekend

Lights, camera, Hollywood! Come join the Cincinnati East congregation for our Old Hollywood Glamour Costume Dance Weekend!
Hiking alone will allow you to have a lot of self-examination without the distractions of the world. How do you go through your own self-examination this year as you go through your busy, daily lives?

The Story of Job and Self-Examination

7 minutes
Self-examination is seldom pleasant or comfortable—but it is a necessary part of our calling so God can bless our latter days.

Put It On Your Bucket List: The Museum of the Bible

I visited the brand-new Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. just a week after it opened—and was very impressed with the quality of the exhibits and the size and grandeur of the museum. It encompasses seven large floors and...

Marriage Presentation in Nashville

“A marriage tune-up” was how Kay and Randy Schreiber described the five-part presentation they gave in the Nashville congregation in December.

Middle Tennessee Congregations Bid Temporary Farewell to Fred Kellers

Not one to be kept idle even in retirement, former and longtime Nashville (and Murfreesboro and Jackson), Tennessee, pastor Fred Kellers bid America kia ora, setting off for New Zealand in November.

Reflections of a Life

Manny Purdo is a member of our UCG congregation in Saratoga Springs, New York. He and his wife Diane are longtime, faithful members of God’s Church. Unlike most of us who were born in a free country enjoying many God-given...