Greetings everyone,
By now, most of you have probably received Mr. Meredith's recent letter addressed to the Church members, proclaiming a fast to enable us to get closer to God. We know that God will appreciate our individual sincerity in this aim.
However, without spoiling its solemnity, may I risk a humorous remark? I will have a difficult time explaining to our French members why in the world this fast is scheduled on the 14th day of July?… Why choose the unique Bastille Day out of the 365 days of the year? Perhaps someone could suggest to Mr. Meredith that, in all fairness, he choose July 4th next time he calls for a Church fast! Or should I be the one to suggest?
Traveling Ministers
Mr.Richard Ames and his wife Kathryn are leaving today for Lakeland, Florida, to attend Mr. and Mrs. Ron Peterson's 50th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday. Among the few hundreds guests, there will be Mr. Ray Clore and his family. Mrs. Rhonda Clore, as you know, is one of the Petersons' daughters. Heartfelt congratulations to the entire Peterson family.
Mr. and Mrs. Carl McNair will be spending the July 4th holiday in a heavenly place called Helena. Frankly, someday I must see that place since so much is said about it!
Mr. and Mrs. Don Davis, after eight and a half years at Headquarters, finally took a week's vacation traveling to Toronto, Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Bryce and their son Scott hosted them in their home. Don and Sandy spent the Sabbath with the brethren in the Guelph and the Toronto churches. The next day Don was asked to guest direct the Toronto Spokesman Club. Don reports the Canadian office-staffed by Mr. and Mrs. Bryce, their son Scott and Ross Abasolo-is a busy place experiencing continuing growth. "It took us 35 years, but Sandy and I were finally able to visit Niagara Falls," he chuckled. They flew home rejuvenated.
Feast of Tabernacles Update
Arklow, Ireland. Plans are progressing for the Feast in Arklow. All services will be held at the Arklow Bay Hotel, except for the Sabbath of October 6, when services will be held in Glenart Castle. The castle is a 10 minute drive from the hotel. Transport will be provided.
Several bus trips are planned-to Glendalough-to Waterford-and to Tara and New Grange. Several afternoons will be free. For further information contact site coordinator Dr. Douglas Winnail at [email protected] or by phone at 011-353-41-987-3386.
From Accounting
"Hall Rental Vouchers for August hall rent should be faxed or mailed to Accounting no later than July 10th instead of the normal 20th of the month. Accounts Payable will be closed from July 18 to July 30th except for emergency checks as the staff will be serving the youth in the Northwoods of Michigan."
Jerry Ruddlesden
Web Activity Update
With recent activity from the West African nation of Gabon, the official Living Church of God Web sites have now reached at least 123 countries around the globe. Since the sites' inception in early 1999, more than 172,000 unique visitors have come to the sites, with more than 32,000 visiting 2 or more times. More than 1.25 million page views have been recorded on the sites, and more than 775 gigabytes of text, audio and video have been downloaded, mostly in the form of more than 50,000 PDF files and more than 400,000 audio and video files.
From the Philippines
"We received a call early this morning [June 25] with the sad news of the death of Mr. Encardio Benitez, Living Church of God pastor in Central Mindanao, Philippines. Mr. Benitez, 76, had suffered several strokes in the past, and succumbed to a fatal stroke sometime last Monday. Mr. and Mrs. Benitez were involved in the Work of God for many years. They were both baptized by the Church of God Seventh Day in 1950, and came into contact with the Radio Church of God in 1962. He was ordained as a Preaching Elder by then-Regional Director Colin Adair in 1975. Mr. and Mrs. Benitez have faithfully served in the Living Church of God since 1999, pastoring three churches, San Fernando, Don Carlos, and Mauswagon. He continued to work even in declining health and with often difficult and dangerous traveling circumstances. We extend our condolences to his wife and family. We will miss him personally, and will we miss him for his contribution to the Work as a fellow laborer in Bukidnon, Mindanao."
-Rod McNair
An Eye On The EURO
How many of us are closely following the ongoing debates and preparations in Europe, concerning the Euro. As of January 1st the Euro will be the single currency used by 12 of the 15 European countries forming the European Union. The 3 undecided ones, as of this day, are Britain, Sweden and Denmark. There was a brief but interesting article in the current issue of U.S, News and World Report (June 25, 2001). Here is an excerpt: "The stakes, in fact, are huge. For the first time since the Roman Empire introduced a single currency across Europe 17 centuries ago, 12 nations have agreed to abandon their currencies in favor of a simple monetary unit…[hoping to] compete with the United States dollar in both power and prestige."
Notice the parallel drawn between the Roman Empire and the European Union! The French media is just as open and dogmatic on the subject. L'Express, one of the leading French magazines, recently announced the arrival of a "UNITED STATES OF EUROPE"!
Prophecies are indeed coming alive! By the way, 50 billion Euro coins are now being made ready. That's 24 times the weight of the Eiffel Tower…
Well, drive carefully and have wonderful Sabbath y'all!
Dibar Apartian