United News Weekly

August United News

It’s time to share the latest issue of United News!

As usual, you will be receiving the print copy in a few weeks, but for now, you can preview articles online.

For August, our theme is “Honor.” We celebrate the retirements of two home office employees, feature five more graduation announcements, and share obituaries from beloved brethren, honoring their example of faithfulness.

Be sure to check out our Good News section and Light of Hope article!

Read online: ucg.org/members/united-news/united-news-august-2026

Don’t Just Ask, “How Was Camp?”

by Steven Britt, Senior Manager, Ministerial and Member Services

This summer, hundreds of our teens and preteens have attended United Youth Camps, with the final camps wrapping up this week and next! I was thinking about our campers and staff, and, as always, it hit me how tremendous an impact our camp program has—not only on spiritual growth, but also on friendships and connections within the Church.

If any young people from your congregation attended camp, you can help carry that impact a little further by taking a genuine interest in what they experienced. Getting them to open up is not always as simple as asking, “How was camp?” Sometimes that lets them wiggle out with a generic answer like “good.” So here are a few questions you might use to get the conversation going:

• What was the camp theme this year?  
• Did you try anything new or do something you’ve never done before?
• Did you learn any memory scriptures this year?
• What was the funniest or most unexpected thing that happened at camp?
• What was your favorite activity? Why?
• Did you make any new friends? Where are they from?

A simple conversation after services may seem like a small thing, but it tells a young person, “You matter to us, and we care about what is happening in your life.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 reminds us to “consider one another” and encourage each other. That kind of connection does not happen automatically! It grows when we take a genuine interest in one another. Asking a thoughtful question and taking time to listen is one small way we can strengthen those bonds and build one another up every week.

So, this Sabbath, find a camper and ask one good question. You might hear a meaningful lesson learned—or at least a memorable story about camp food, dorm life or an activity that did not go quite as planned! Whatever the case, we’re all better off connected.

United Youth Camps

Camp Report—Camp Pinecrest

by Mike Phelps, Director, Camp Pinecrest

Camp Pinecrest celebrated its 30th summer in Southeast Missouri with another year of God’s abundant blessings and guidance. We are deeply thankful to our Father and His Son for leading the camp and making Pinecrest a special place where His presence is consistently felt.

For the third consecutive year, camp reached full capacity with 108 campers and 75 staff members. We are grateful for the dedicated volunteers who generously gave their time and resources to serve, providing outstanding examples of Christian living and God’s love. We also thank the campers for their positive attitudes and the parents for entrusting us with the opportunity to encourage their teens.

The week centered on the Christian living theme, “Follow Me,” challenging everyone to embrace a life devoted to Christ. Daily messages based on Jesus’ words “Hear My Voice,” “Come to Me,” “Learn From Me,” “Love Me” and “You Follow Me” encouraged spiritual growth that was evident throughout the week.

Despite the summer heat, campers remained enthusiastic, and activities continued without interruption. New additions, including Pickleball, “The Blob” and a Bible class on “Is It Gossip?” helped keep the week engaging, enjoyable and Kingdom-focused.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support, which we believe played an important role in another successful and spiritually uplifting Camp Pinecrest.