Home Office Weekly Update

From Ministerial and Member Services . . .

This coming Monday, Dec. 4, the Council of Elders will convene at the home office for their quarterly meetings. The agenda has been sent to pastors to share with Church members. We ask for and appreciate your prayers that God will provide His direction to the meetings and that His will be done.

Death of David Hale

David Hale, age 76, an elder serving the United Church of God congregation in Denver, Colorado, died at home on Nov. 19, 2023, with his loving wife, June, at his side. Preceded in death by his parents, Elva Larson, Dayton Hale and Chuck Youngquist. David is survived and deeply missed by his wife, the vivacious Mrs. June Hale, his children Heather, Kelly, Victoria and Cavin; sister Sheila; and many special grandchildren and nieces.

A long-time resident of Colorado, David was happiest in the great Rocky Mountains, especially hunting with his friend Ben. He worked tirelessly to ensure that his family had everything that was needed and more. David was a humble and giving man who dedicated his time and energy to the Church and the brethren.

Positive response from tax office in Norway

UCG-Germany has a donor in Norway who has been supporting us financially for several years. Until last year, his local tax office accepted his donations to us as tax deductible, but last year his donation was rejected. He contacted us and asked us to apply for recognition as a charity in Norway.

According to its own rules, Norway recognizes foreign organizations as charities and allows Norwegian taxpayers to deduct donations to these organizations.

After checking the rules, UCG-Germany applied for recognition in February and sent the necessary documents to the appropriate Norwegian tax office.

In May, we were informed that our application had been rejected. Our work as an “association” was acknowledged as charitable or non-profit, but the rejection was based on the lack of a “national dimension” for our activities, as we only have about 150 individual donors in Germany. Organizations that are only active at a local level (town, district, etc.) are not recognized.

We were given six weeks to appeal. We appealed at the beginning of June, arguing that donations to our organization are tax-deductible throughout Germany and that our donors currently reside in 15 of the 16 German states, meaning that our work can already be considered national in scope.

On Nov. 14, the Norwegian tax office granted our appeal. Norwegian donors are allowed to donate up to 2130 EUR per year and claim it as a deduction, which will please our Norwegian donor.

This is very positive news for us as it is an additional recognition of our charitable status as an organization.

—Paul Kieffer, UCG-Germany

Youth Instruction Family Study Guide

This Family Study Guide presents practical and relevant discussions of God’s Sixth Commandment. We review the story of Cain and Abel, which shows how an attitude of jealousy can lead to hatred, which is murder in the heart. The guide also reviews how Jesus expanded on the Sixth Commandment to help show how to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). We discover how God intends for us to understand and apply the scriptures related to the Sixth Commandment, “You shall not kill.”

Additionally, each Study Guide has suggested lessons and activities that can be used in a classroom setting. These are found at the end of each guide.

You can read and download this study guide at: ucg.org/members/family-study-guides/ten-commandments-sixth-commandment

ABC Magnetic Calendar Order Reminder

Please put the sign-up sheet out for members to order calendars so that we can receive the order and have them mailed by January. If you have someone driving to the Winter Family Weekend, calendars can be picked up there for individuals or for the congregation (email us a count so we can prepare your order in advance).

This link is a form that each congregation can print out and have available for members to place their orders. the sooner we get them the sooner we can mail.

For questions, email ABCfundraiser@ucg.org.

—ABC class of 2024

Midwest Teen Prom 2024

We are very excited to announce that we have booked a second year at the Encore Hotel in Berlin, Ohio, for the annual UCG Midwest Teen Prom! It will be on Saturday, March 16, 2024. The Encore Hotel provided a gorgeous setting for the prom and spacious venue for the church service last year, so we are very excited to be able to return. At this time, we have reserved the entire hotel for our prom weekend so we should have a very special experience for all of the teens and their families again this year.

This annual event welcomes over 100 teens from states all around the country. The weekend includes a Friday evening pizza social for families arriving from out of town. The next day a special Sabbath service will be geared towards teens. The evening will include a formal dinner and dance for teens aged 12–19. We are hoping parents and family members will be able to attend the senior recognition just before the dinner. Sunday includes a sports event with volleyball, basketball and more social time. We hope that you’ll join us!

The cost for the prom and dinner is $50 per person. Registration is open until Feb. 18. We had a gorgeous and special prom last year. We are looking forward to another amazing year! Registration forms, schedule, and hotel information can be found at midwestteenprom.com. 

If you have any questions, please contact Sabrina Massie by email: sabrinamassie13@gmail.com or phone/text: (919) 943-9966. We look forward to seeing everyone at the prom next year!