Announcements
A special section highlighting recent births, weddings, anniversaries and obituaries of our membership.
Births
Sydnee Elizabeth Tomes
Chris and Kaylee Tomes of the Sacramento, California congregation are excited to announce the birth of their fourth child, a baby girl named Sydnee Elizabeth Tomes.
Sydnee was born on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 1:06 a.m. weighing 9 pounds 2 ounces and measuring 21.5 inches long. She was born at 41 weeks after a successful induced VBAC delivery. They are very grateful to God for all the many answered prayers in the success and safety of Sydnee’s arrival. She has been such a sweet addition to their family and absolutely adored and loved by everyone, including her big brother, Amos (age 5), big sister, Sage (age 5), and big brother, Landon (age 2).
Maternal grandparents are Tom and Debbie Randle of the Twin Cities, Minnesota congregation and paternal grandparents are Keith and Christy Tomes of the Sacramento and Reno, Nevada congregations.
Weddings
Nathan Martin and Katie Welch
Timothy and Linda Welch are pleased to announce the marriage of their daughter, Katie Welch to Nathan Martin, son of Leonard and Julie Martin on June 8, 2025.
Anniversaries
Jim and Mary Beth Philp
The East Texas congregation honored Jim and Mary Beth Philp on June 14, 2025 after Sabbath services with a reception to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
Jim and Mary Beth met for the first time at Church of God services in Washington, D.C. A year later they were engaged at a regional formal dinner dance social held in downtown D.C. during the Days of Unleavened Bread. A few months later they were married after the Sabbath on June 14, 1975 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, at her sister’s home.Jim is originally from Colorado. After high school graduation, he went to Galveston, Texas, where he first heard the World Tomorrow broadcast. He then became a Plain Truth subscriber. He was soon after drafted into the Army and spent most of his two-year tour of duty working as an operating room specialist at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. After leaving the Army he was baptized in 1968 and remained in the Washington area working at Sears. In 1976, Jim was accepted as a student at Ambassador College, and the couple moved to Big Sandy. He has since been employed as an accountant for most of his working life. Jim serves as treasurer in the local congregation.
Mary Beth is from Connecticut and graduated from high school at the Norwich Free Academy in Norwich, Connecticut. She continued her education at the University of Connecticut where she graduated with a degree in nursing science. She learned about the Church through her sister, and was baptized in 1972. Music has always been an important part of her life, and in the last 30 years, she has pursued her passion for writing music of praise. She has presented many of her songs as special music over the years. Several of her songs are included in the UCG hymnal. She also serves as one of the pianists in the local congregation.
Jim and Mary Beth serve as deacon and deaconess in the East Texas congregation. They are the parents of two daughters and have six grandchildren.
Obituaries
Frances Elaine Anderson
Frances Elaine Anderson died on June 12, 2025, age 97.
Born to Ray and Mae Morris on Dec. 10, 1927, Frances grew up in the small Northeast Iowa town of Cresco. In high school, she enjoyed sports and singing in choir. Frances attended the Waterloo School of Beauty, graduating in the fall of 1950. In November 1950 Frances married Donald L. “Doc” Anderson, a young Cresco optometrist, and she practiced as a beautician. They enjoyed socializing, driving their sports cars, attending sports car races and raising cats and kittens.
Her son Eric was born in 1960, and Frances settled into a full-time homemaking job. In the early ‘60s she and Doc began to listen to the radio broadcasts of Herbert W. Armstrong. In 1965 Frances was baptized into the Church of God, together with her husband, her father-in-law and mother-in-law. Each Sabbath the family traveled across the Mississippi to attend church in Richland Center and Blue River, Wisconsin.
After moving to Waterloo, in the 1970s, Doc was ordained a deacon, serving in the Waterloo and later the Des Moines, Iowa congregations. In Des Moines, Frances was ordained a deaconess. The family enthusiastically enjoyed the Feast of Tabernacles in many locations around the United States and in England.
Frances was constant in prayer and Bible study, and she was diligent in the care of her family, who suffered through some very serious and protracted illnesses. She continued to serve brethren, serve at church functions in different capacities, and sing in choir. Quiet, thoughtful and kind, Frances was a great listener and sounding-board for people and their troubles.
Widowed in 2007, as she aged into her late 80s and 90s, fatigue, mild dementia and finally a stroke in 2020 took their toll and separated her from church and social activities. Her son became her caregiver, just as she had cared for him through an extended and severe illness. A constant stream of cards and letters from friends came to her mailbox, which she would read over and over until they literally fell apart. Until the end, she listened to sermons on the Internet, read the prayer requests and enjoyed cat videos and comedy TV shows. Hospice aides helped in her last few weeks, making her death peaceful and nearly pain-free.
Her two brothers and two sisters preceded her in death. She is survived by her only son Eric. She was laid to rest beside her husband in Ankeny, Iowa, awaiting the return of the King.
Steven Lee Werst
Steve Werst, 73, died on Aug. 14, 2025, in Coos Bay, Oregon. Born on July 16, 1952, in Twin Falls, Idaho, Steven lived a life marked by faith, dedication to family and a deep commitment to his work and community.
Steve began his professional journey in the construction industry, working alongside his brother Richard. After sustaining an injury on the job that ended his time in construction, Steve faced a pivotal moment. Through prayer and reflection, he found a new path that allowed him to remain close to the field he loved. He returned to school and became a building inspector, continuing to contribute his knowledge and experience to the industry with integrity and diligence.
A proud veteran, Steve served in the United States Army during the Vietnam era. Stationed in Germany, he worked in clerical support roles that were vital to military operations during that time. His service reflected his sense of duty and quiet strength.
Faith was central to Steve’s life. A long-time and devoted member of the Worldwide Church of God—and later, the United Church of God—he found both spiritual grounding and companionship within its community. It was through this Church that he met Barbara in 1979. Their meeting marked the beginning of a loving partnership that would span decades.
Steve is survived by his beloved wife Barbara; his four children: Julie, Mary, Steven Jr. and Samuel; his six grandchildren; and his brothers Richard Werst and Jim Werst. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Dora Werst, and his sister Patrica Hanks.
Those who knew Steve will remember him for his kindness, generosity, unwavering faith and deep devotion to family. Known for his joking nature and warm spirit, he brought lightness into every room he entered. His loss leaves a profound void in the hearts of all who loved him.
A memorial service will be held at a later date to honor Steve’s life and legacy. May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him.
