Greetings everyone!
I returned last Sunday to San Diego from the Feast of Tabernacles. All of the reports I have received indicate that we had a very spiritually uplifting Feast of Tabernacles. I attended in St. Sauveur, Quebec, and Cranbrook, British Columbia (Canada). I was in Jackson, Wyoming for the last two days of the Feast, but I was sick and missed one service. This was the first time I have ever been unable to fulfill a feast speaking assignment in forty years.
Following the Feast, I spent a few days in Montana before flying to Anchorage, Alaska for a memorial service for Mr. Don Erickson. Mr. Erickson was our Host in Wasilla. He had been a member of the Church of God for 35 years, a deacon for many years, and a member of Global and Living Church of God. Both Don and Helen have been rock solid pillars in the Church in Alaska.
Those who knew Don knew a man who fulfilled the commission of Christ to love the brethren. He was a man of sterling character and strong, quiet leadership. I feel a great sense of loss both personally and for the brethren in Alaska.
Many current and former members of God's Church came to pay their respects to Don and his family. Helen (Don's wife of 44 years) is presently living in Anchorage, Alaska. I am sure she would appreciate your prayers for strength and courage through the months ahead. Her service is sorely needed in the Anchorage Church.
I appreciate Mr. Apartian keeping me informed while I am away. He also encourages me to use my time well—hunting or fishing or something constructive like that. I always try to heed and apply his wise advice.
Mr. Meredith is in Chicago where he will speak at an open service this Sabbath. We sent out invitations to over 5,000 subscribers to the Tomorrow's World magazine and we hope many will respond to the invitation and come to hear Mr. Meredith in person. A significant percentage of the people on our mailing list never heard Mr. Armstrong or the World Tomorrow program, so they are excited about the discovering the truth. We continue to receive letters of inquiry from people who were in contact with the Work in past years, but fell aside for various reasons. Many listeners to the broadcast/telecast recognize the same vital message being preached on the Tomorrow's World telecast as preached by Mr. Armstrong many years ago.
Next week (November 18), Mr. Richard Ames will visit Montgomery, Alabama. He will conduct an open service at Jasper, Alabama. Please pray that many people in that area will come to hear his message and be established firmly in the Truth.
MEDIA
The Mail Processing Department is preparing to mail the Fall Semi-Annual letter. Dr. Meredith will offer his new booklet, "Restoring Apostolic Christianity." We plan to send the letter on Wednesday, November 15th to 55,295 Tomorrow's World subscribers (43, 604 US, 10,404 Canada and 1,087 scattered international). Please pray for the success of the mailing and that we get a strong response from the four corners of the world.
A Suspension from Church — (Need not be announced):
After consultation with several pastors in the US and Canada Mr. Pierre Marcel has been suspended and is not to attend LCG services. Mr. Marcel is a truck driver who travels extensively and attends congregations in whatever city he happens to be on a given weekend.
If Mr. Marcel should appear in your church area, he is not to attend services until his Pastor, Dr. Winnail restores him to fellowship. Pastors who wish may call Dr. Winnail about implementation of this suspension.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Mr. Kinnear Penman reports from New Zealand:
Beginning September 30, 2000 the TW program was broadcast on Prime TV at the time of 8:30am for the first time. The responses so far have been 44. The weekly average we achieved over the 13 weeks we had been on at 6:30am was just 9.6.
I am delighted with the great improvement, which already justifies the new time. I expect we will see an increase in future weeks.
PHILIPPINES:
Mr. Rod McNair just returned from Manila reporting that over 550 attended the feast sites in the Philippines this year. This is an increase of 10% over last year's attendance. Some brethren live in parts of the country where they cannot travel.
The Church members are enthusiastic and in excellent spirits in spite of the national troubles with which they must contend. You may recall that the Philippine President is accused of corrupt practices, and there are ongoing demonstrations orchestrated by the opposition party attempting to force a resignation.
CARRIBEAN:
Mr. Jonathan McNair reports that the Churches in the Caribbean are doing fine. The telecast in Jamaica (first airing September 30) is producing responses now that we have added a local address. Mr. Hugh Wilson has also arranged for an office and member to assist in the work.
We are also pleased that Mr. Fitzroy Greeman has been ordained a Church Elder to serve the brethren more effectively in Guyana.
CONCLUSION:
In light of the current election chaos, the following message forwarded to me may resonate with you. I think someone said it well at the Feast in Jackson—GET USED TO IT!
Have a GREAT Sabbath!
Carl E. McNair