United News September-October 2021

United News: September - October 2021

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This issue of United News features reports and photos from the United Youth Camps held over the summer! See pages 5-12. On the front page of this issue, you can read about the start of classes for Ambassador Bible College, and a special workshop retreat for the Council of Elders just before their quarterly meetings at the home office.

Local church news can be found on page 2. The Council Letter and Operation Manager's Update, written by Darris McNeely and Rick Shabi respectively, are featured on page 3. 

The Good News section can be found on pages 13-15, just before the Festival announcements found on pages 16-17. Announcements, including births, weddings, anniversaries and obituaries, are featured on pages 18-19.

As always, the Planned Giving/Financial Stewardship article and Beyond Today airing schedule are on the back page of this issue.

Thank you for your continued support of this publication. Please email UN@ucg.org to submit articles, announcements, local church news, questions or feedback. 

Table of Contents

Council of Elders Retreat Builds Bonds of Peace

I have been searching my mind for words to describe the atmosphere of this workshop and I keep returning to Ephesians 4, where the apostle Paul pressed upon the Church to act “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing...

Tribute to a Retiring Minister

The United Church of God is pleased to honor Dr. Donald Ward and Mrs. Wanda Ward upon their retirement after 52 years of serving Ambassador University and the brethren in the Church of God.

Time to Get Estate Documents

Many times, people think that as long as they have a Last Will and Testament to take care of their estate when they die, they are done with estate planning and in good shape.

A New Academic Year Begins for Ambassador Bible College

The 23rd class of Ambassador Bible College has begun the new academic year.

Media Job Opening

The United Church of God has announced an opening for a video editor.
Photo of an empty park bench in a grassy park next to a tree.

Why You Don’t Have an Immortal Soul

7 minutes
The most prevalent belief of traditional Christianity is that people have immortal souls which, upon death, leave the body and go to heaven or hell...

New England Churches Host Semi-annual Campout

Ludlow, Massachusetts—In the beautiful green woods at a Boy Scout Camp in Ludlow, local members united for a semi-annual campout tradition on July 30-Aug. 1.

Keeping the Feast at Home or Not Attending In-Person Services?

If you are keeping the Feast at home or you’ll be watching the webcast remotely for the entirety of the Feast, you can still register for the Feast to receive resources designed to help you have an inspiring and uplifting...
Photo of a younger person's hands gently holding an older person's hands on a subway.

How To Be a Neighbor

8 minutes
How can the parable of the Good Samaritan help us to become the neighbor we should be?

Council of Elders Meets at UCG Home Office for August Meeting

Milford, Ohio—The Council of Elders held its regular August meeting at the home office from Aug. 16-19, 2021.

Festival Webcast Information

There will be two webcast options for those who are unable to attend in-person services at the Feast of Tabernacles this year:
Lewis and Lena VanAusdle have made friendships with brethren from all over the world. Here they are pictured with friends during a trip to Malawi in December 2019.

The Refreshing Bond of Fellowship

4 minutes
The Feast of Tabernacles can help us realize the importance of building and maintaining connections with one another.

Picnic Held for Home Office Staff and Families

Milford, Ohio—On Friday, Aug. 13, the home office employees and their families came together for a special afternoon of food, fellowship and lawn games at the home office of the United Church of God.

Feast Plans Changed?

By now, everyone should have changed their registration already if you needed to switch to a new site.

Council Letter: September-October 2021

I spent the last week of June 2021 in Turkey, making a tour of the ancient cities that were home to the seven church congregations addressed in Revelation 2 and 3.

Feast 2021 Travel Advisory

Between now (submitting this issue to the printer) and the Feast, government health mandates can change.

Operation Manager's Update: Finances

United Church of God completed its most “unusual” fiscal year on June 30, 2021.

Holy Day Offering Procedure for U.S. Members Traveling to International Sites

The question arises each year from U.S. members traveling to international Feast sites (including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean) whether they should mail in their Holy Day offerings to the home office or contribute directly at the Feast site they...

Updates from Ministerial and Member Services

Chris Rowland shares recent changes in ministerial and member services.

A Home Base Provides Stability for Kansas Congregations

In June of 2014 the Kansas congregations were blessed to move into our own building in south Wichita.