Update from the President

Beverly and I have just returned from a trip that took us to South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois for a number of notable church events and visits. It was time shared with our brethren with a history going back almost half a century.

On the Sabbath of July 14, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, church. I was so happy to see those who were at services, particularly those who were there one year after the start of the church when I started serving there as a ministerial assistant. It was also gratifying to see their children and grandchildren, who are now leaders in our congregations. I was so moved to be with these people with whom we had invested our lives in our common faith. We thank God and the brethren for their faithfulness!

Much, of course, has changed as our spiritual journey is not always smooth. There were many who came from groups that are not part of UCG. The atmosphere was very cordial and warm. Ken Skorseth narrated a PowerPoint slide show of church history that covered the decades of changes and the list of ministers who cared for the area. Split sermons were given by elder Glen White and myself. Glen White served the area from Omaha before the official start of the church. The final song of the services was led by Orley Wangsness who I knew from my first Sabbath in Sioux Falls.

Elder Ken Skorseth commented:

"More than a year of planning culminated in a wonderful day this past Sabbath celebrating 50 years since the first Church of God congregation was established. It was a privilege for the United Church of God congregations to host this event in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Many of us had prayed that we could let our lights shine as Christ instructs us and that people would glorify God as a result. That came to pass as many visitors joined us from the time the doors opened at 10 a.m. until they closed about 10:30 p.m. that night. All were welcomed no matter what their current fellowship was. We simply wanted to provide a wonderful opportunity for reflection and fellowship.

"There was ample time to visit and renew old acquaintances. After dinner on Sabbath evening, a formal presentation was delivered highlighting the history of the Church of God in South Dakota beginning in the 1950s when many people heard the World Tomorrow program and began to respond. Despite the fact there was no congregation until 1968, a number of people were baptized beginning in the early 50s. By 1963, Bible studies were conducted by visiting ministers.

"The presentation also highlighted early ordinations, a couple of the first pianists and the first Spokesman Club and its officers. The evening ended with a session of sharing by who wished to do so via a roving microphone. This included comments from five pastors who were present who had served South Dakota in the past and one who sent a video greeting also showing some people and events he remembered. This event will be long remembered by all who attended. The attendance was 140 for Sabbath services and upwards of 180 for the evening dinner."

Pastor David Jones commented:

"When Ken Skorseth and I first began planning this event, I had hopes for a reunion that would bring about healing. I didn't know how much it would do, or if it would be successful, but I felt very strongly that we had to reach out to all those who we once called brethren and family.

"There were obviously some who said they didn't want to revisit the past, but in the end, some who said they would never want to reunite, said 'thank you for a truly wonderful evening.'

"We have been called to a ministry of reconciliation which is a responsibility to reach out to each other, to try and heal old wounds, by remembering all the love, fellowship, and blessing of our relationship with God and with each other. We were not trying to get everyone under the same organizational umbrella again, but rather just under the same roof, at the same table, sharing food and laughter and love.

"God truly blessed all the efforts of everyone who worked so hard to make this come about, because unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Seeing so many people, hugging and sharing happy tears made everything worth it. We could not be more pleased with how our 50th reunion of family and friends went."

We thank pastor David Jones and his wife, Joy, who along with others care for the Sioux Falls, Watertown and Rapid City congregations.

UYC Preteen Camp Ironwood in Minnesota

On the way back from South Dakota, we stopped at UCG Preteen Camp Ironwood near Stewartville, Minnesota, and spent two days there where our four grandchildren were campers and our son and daughter-in-law worked as counselors. The venue is a beautiful and well-equipped camp location where we have also been holding regional ministerial conferences. There were the added activities of horseback riding, zipline, mini-farm, petting zoo and much more. I commend the dedicated work of pastor David Schreiber and his wife, Jolinda, as well as many others for a well-planned and executed experience for our children. The camp theme this year was "Friendship."

Death of Leroy Cole

We are so sad to announce the death of pastor Lee Cole. He died early the morning of July 17, with his wife, Laura, and two of their daughters by his side. Lee and Laura would have celebrated 56 years of marriage on July 29.

Funeral services will be held this coming Sunday in Emigrant, Montana, near Yellowstone National Park. Glen White will be officiating.

Lee Cole graduated from Ambassador College in 1962. His first assignments were in Australia. He served there from 1962 to 1974 before coming to the United States and pastoring in Modesto, California, Denver, Santa Rosa, and Phoenix, among other places. The last assignment was Bethlehem, Lewistown and York, Pennsylvania.

Miscellaneous

While on the way to South Dakota, we stopped in Chicago for the Sabbath on July 7. We were hosted by pastor Randy D'Alessandro and his wife, Mary, where we spent Friday night. Over the years we had become acquainted with many of the Chicago brethren through working together at the Wisconsin Dells Feast of Tabernacles site. Randy D'Alessandro is a most caring pastor who takes care of the Chicago congregation extremely well along with elders Bill Bradford and John May. John May's wife, Melanie, works for the home office from home as Web content editor.

We noted that there were many young children in this congregation. This is always a joyous sight to us. After services on the Sabbath, Bill and Joanna Bradford invited us over to their home before we headed northwest.

On the way back from Camp Ironwood, we were invited to the home of Milwaukee pastor Dan Dowd and his wife, Roxanne. We also visited with newly-ordained elder Devin Schulz and his wife, Tiffany. He has been mentored by Dan Dowd. The Schulz family will be moving to Kalamazoo, Michigan, after the Feast of Tabernacles. Devin will be an assistant pastor for Kalamazoo, Lansing and Grand Rapids with pastor Mike Joseph.

Our trip these past two weeks was a profound journey of church history, experience, ecstasy and some sadness. I was so happy to see brethren who stayed the course of what life consists of. Seeing the brethren in Sioux Falls was very emotional to me as this is where I first began a journey in the pastoral ministry. To this day, the people of the Sioux Falls church who have God's Spirit have made a deep impression on me and the relationships run deep, spanning decades.

While visiting all the churches, I am encouraged to see the young step into the role of us adults who, with the same Spirit, carry on the Mission of the Church both to the world and within to one another. I thank God for this journey and am thankful to be part of it.