United News Weekly

Welcome to our new publication, United News Weekly. This newsletter is intended to bring you current developments taking place in our congregations, home office operations, and our international work in preaching the gospel and preparing the people.

Jesus gave us the directive of, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Our messaging of the importance to live by biblical principles remains clear. Romans 12:9-18 instructs believers to love without hypocrisy, show brotherly affection, bless those who persecute, be of the same mind toward one another, and live peaceably with all. Leadership encourages everyone to respect each other’s work, treat one another as brothers and sisters in Christ’s Body, and leave judgment to God.

The Media and Communications department, supported by the IT Department, is involved in highly complex technical work that operates largely in the background. Most internet, video and print productions require constant processing by skilled staff, both on-site and remote. We are working very hard to upgrade our website at ucg.org along with digital platforms and online media apps.

A key focus of our outreach is adapting to the changing demographics across evolving platforms in a changing society. The staff is very energized in exploring ways to share our message across platforms and seek greater opportunities to disseminate God’s Word everywhere possible.

As I write, our Media staff are finalizing preparations for an exciting new Beyond Today series. Our legacy presenters are preparing scripts, locations and logistics for filming the series on location in Israel. This series is providing excellent opportunities for our senior presenters and generating valuable video footage for future use.

Young adults and families form a vital core of the Church, providing the next generation of leaders and youth while serving as a primary source of new members. Recognizing that this demographic has been somewhat underserved, leadership is making it a priority to ensure young families receive proper focus with well-served needs and opportunities. The Council recently approved highlighting this demographic in the upcoming Strategic Plan.

Through operational challenges and organizational complexities, UCG remains committed to preaching the gospel, preparing a people and fostering unity within the entire Body of Christ as we have opportunity to do so.  

Thank you for your efforts in spreading the exciting truth that sets lives free and brings harmony to relationships both here and above.

In Christ's service,
John Elliott
President, United Church of God

Ministerial and Member Services

Ordination of Vincent Wong

We’re happy to announce that on Jan. 24, 2026, Vincent Wong was ordained into the ministry. He and his wife, Phoebe, serve the congregations in Sabang, Visayas, Philippines as well as Conalum, Tubod, Tacloban City, Cebu, and Samar.

Obituary: Gordon Hannaway

Gordon Hannaway of the Tampa, Florida congregation died on Jan. 17, 2026, at age 80.

Born in Philadelphia in 1945 and raised in New Jersey, he attended Tusculum College in Tennessee, where he met his wife, Holly. They were married for 57 years until her death in 2024 and had three children and seven grandchildren.

Gordon earned a master’s degree from East Tennessee State University and worked over 50 years as an insurance and benefits consultant. He and Holly became members of God’s Church in 1969–1970, and he was ordained a deacon in the 1980s and an elder in 2006.

In Tampa, Gordon served as Assistant YOU Coordinator, managed church finances, coordinated the Feast site, and was a steadfast pillar of the congregation. His generosity, wise counsel and dedication to God’s way of life touched many and will be deeply missed.

ABC Scholarship Opportunity

Ambassador Bible College (ABC) is offering six scholarships—three for young men and three for young women—thanks to donations supporting ABC. Each award covers tuition and living expenses.

We especially encourage applicants with leadership potential and a desire to serve in God's Church.

Key Details:

• Must be accepted to ABC (scholarship application can be submitted first or simultaneously).
• Applications available at abc.ucg.org or via abc_admissions@ucg.org.
• A committee of UCG elders and ABC faculty will select recipients.
• Tuition waivers may be considered for significant financial need.

Promising young adults are encouraged to apply as soon as possible!

Frank Dunkle, ABC Coordinator

Challenger West Summer 2026

Are you ready to grow? Does stretching your limits sound interesting to you? Are you at an inflection point in life and ready to be challenged to go to the next level?

Challenger 2026 is ready to accept applications for an experience of a lifetime. If you are ready to grow spiritually, develop meaningful relationships, and stretch your comfort zone physically and mentally, then consider the Challenger program. Please watch the video to see if this is a program for you!

2026 Southeast Regional Formal Weekend

Registration is still open for the 2026 UCG Southeast Regional Formal Weekend! Activities include a pizza social on Friday evening, a special Sabbath, and a formal prom that evening. Dress for the evening is Formal, Semi-Formal or Sabbath attire. Seniors will have a special recognition right before the dance that parents can join.

We have also planned a skating/arcade/laser tag family activity on Sunday, March 1 prior to departure, so we hope you’ll plan to stay a bit longer on Sunday to allow the teens this extra social time.

Dates: Saturday evening, Feb. 28, 2026

Location: Del’avant Event Center in LaGrange, Georgia.

Cost: $30 per person (prom, ages 12-19); $25 per person (family activity).

Registration Deadline: Feb. 14, 2026*

Contact: Matthew Blackwood at (706) 668-0714 or matthew@unlockmath.com

*The deadline for discounted rates ($103.70/room per night + TAX) at the La Quinta Inn is Friday Jan. 30. Please make your reservations here before sunset Friday evening.

Schedule of Events

Friday, Feb. 27
6:30-10:30 p.m. – Social in La Quinta lobby (pizza delivered at 7 p.m.)

Saturday, Feb. 28
7-10 a.m. – Complimentary breakfast at hotel
1:30 p.m. – Sabbath services at Del’avant Event Center
4 p.m. – Clear room to set up for dance
6:30 p.m. – Senior recognition
7:30-11:00 p.m. – Dance (ages 12-19)

Saturday, March 1
7 a.m. – Complimentary breakfast at hotel
10 a.m.-12 p.m. – Starlite Family Fun Center in Sharpsburg, GA

Register for Southeast Formal Weekend

Northwest Men’s Weekend: “Being Lights in a Dark World”

The men of the United Church of God Tacoma and Olympia congregations invite our brothers in the faith to attend the Northwest Men’s Weekend, held in Seabeck, Washington. This weekend is structured around a clear objective: helping men better understand and carry out their God-given responsibilities as husbands, fathers and spiritual leaders. It is a focused gathering, distinct in purpose, and one of the few events of its kind within the United Church of God.

These weekends are designed as deliberate learning opportunities, aimed at strengthening men so they can serve more effectively within their families and local congregations. Pastors and elders lead interactive, seminar-style sessions tied to a common annual theme, encouraging thoughtful discussion and practical application. Over the years, this approach has consistently proven beneficial for those who attend.

The theme for this year is “Being Lights in a Dark World.” We hope you will be able to join us for great seminars, food, wine and cheese socials on Friday and Saturday night, and conversation.

Dates: June 12-14, 2026 (4 p.m. Friday through 1 p.m. Sunday)

Location: Sebeck Conference Center, 13395 Lagoon Dr. NW, Seabeck, WA

Cost: $375 (includes two nights of lodging, six meals, and taxes). Donations will be gladly accepted to help others attend. Thank you for considering helping in this way.

Registration

To sign up, please email Roc Corbett at roc_corbett@ucg.org or text him at 801-676-9273. Reservations in the Pines Lodge are limited to the first 36 men who sign up.

Then, to secure your reservation, send a check to UCG-Tacoma, P.O. Box 62, Allyn, WA 98524. Please mark “for NW Men’s Weekend” on the check. Sorry, but we cannot take online payments.