Greetings everyone:
I had a good trip and visit with the brethren in Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee last Sabbath. There were two members at services in Chattanooga who attended the first monthly Bible Study I conducted in Nashville, Tennessee in 1963—the Pastor, Bob League and member Mr. Robert Bowker Sr. who is now 95 years of age! By October of 1964 there were about one hundred people in regular attendance in Nashville, and we then started weekly Sabbath services, connected to Evansville, Indiana as a church circuit. Mr. Bowker traveled 150 miles to join with us at Chattanooga last Sabbath.
INTERNATIONAL
DUBLIN, IRELAND—by Dr. Doug Winnail
I just returned from a trip to France, Switzerland and Italy. I met Ray and Rhonda Clore in Paris and we drove to Geneva for Sabbath service with French and Swiss brethren. We had about 25 in attendance including several guests. Many brethren in the region are still wrestling with the effects of doctrinal changes and church divisions they have experienced in recent years. There appears to be a definite need to re-establish a solid doctrinal base. While in Geneva we were able to tour the Palace of Nations. This impressive stone structure on the shores of Lake Geneva was built to house the League of Nations and is now a major center of United Nations activities.
On Sunday we drove across the Alps to Turin, Italy, through mountain passes used by Julius Caesar and German Emperors in their pursuit of military conquests. From Turin we were able to explore and photograph many historical sites in the nearby alpine valleys where the Waldensians fled for refuge during centuries of persecution by the Roman Church. We visited the Waldensian headquarters in Torre Pellice, toured several of their old churches, walked through the building where they hold their annual synod and a museum with exhibits of their centuries-long struggle to practice their biblically based faith. We then drove deeper into the Angrogna valley to view a cave where up to 200 Waldensians worshiped during times of persecution. Our final stop was at the tiny settlement of Pra del Torno located high on a mountainside where Waldensian ministers once studied in the "college of the Barba" (Waldensian ministers were called barba).
The scenery in the Waldensian valleys was spectacular—rugged, rocky, tree-covered slopes, sounds of tumbling waterfalls, and mountaintops that disappeared into the clouds. However, it was sobering to contemplate the terrible, bloody persecutions waged against a people who were essentially peace loving and dedicated to following biblical teaching. Many Waldensians were massacred, imprisoned, banished or burned at the stake for teaching and believing ideas that were contrary to the doctrines of the Roman Church. As a result of persecution many Waldensians migrated out of the valleys—to Germany and to the United States—especially North Carolina, and, would you believe it, to Montana! On our return trip we were able to spend some time in the library at the University of Geneva reviewing books on the history of the Waldensians. I reviewed several books written in English, while the Clores tackled books written in French. I plan to incorporate information gathered on this trip in a future TW article.
GUYANA
Mr. Jonathan McNair forwarded the following letter to me. I had been informed that the Awaranewau brethren had declared themselves "members" of [name withheld] Church of God. The following letter from Mr. Fitzroy Greeman, Elder in Georgetown, Guyana, reveals the past and current circumstances.
Hello Jonathan,
This serves to inform you that I received a letter from [name withheld] stating that he is committed to the Living Church of God. He said that he had been writing several letters, both to me and Headquarters. Since he was not hearing from anyone he had continued to study and carry on services by himself. He said that the only person from his area who does not agree with Mr. Meredith is [name withheld]. He said that [name withheld] Ministers were up there and claimed that they were already members of their group without even consulting with them.
He is preparing to come to Georgetown to keep the Feast with us this year. I will be sending financial assistance to help him and his wife to do so. I thought that you would like to hear this.
Warm Regards
Fitzroy Greeman
Jonathan McNair wrote concerning the letter above:
"In our world, we are surely expecting instant communication more and more. At LYC this summer, in a Teen Life class that I taught, I asked the classes how many of them use the "AOL Instant Messenger" to talk with friends. I'm estimating that, across the board, approximately 80% of them used the instant messenger, communicating across state and national boundaries almost instantly. This is not the norm for everyone around the world. There still are places where mail service comes "once in a while". One of those places is Awaranewau, Guyana. The mail comes to their village when the occasional vehicle happens to be making the trip in that direction. Otherwise, it piles up in Lethem, which is a rough day's drive away. When the rivers are swollen, during rainy season, no vehicles are able to make the trip for weeks on end. Definitely not "instant messaging".
We do our best to serve these people, just as those in the first world. However it is worth bearing in mind that, when it comes to communication, they operate at a different pace than us!"
From time to time we hear of individuals attempting to draw members away from Living Church of God to follow them. While we do not believe the Church involved sanctioned its minister's actions, we understand that zealots will attempt to "rob" members from other Church of God fellowships. I remind all of you that we are committed to preaching the Gospel to the world by TV and our printed material—and have been from the beginning of Global and Living—not to robbing churches. Our ministry is committed to serving those who seek us out, not "robbing" other churches. We are thankful for those thousands who share our desire to preach and teach via TV and other media, and demonstrate their desire by joining us as members and co-workers.
FESTIVAL ANNOUNCEMENT
For those attending St. Sauveur who would like to perform special music at St. Sauveur, Quebec Feast site, please contact Mr. Jonathan Bryce ASAP at [email protected]
- Piano solo
- Vocal solo, duets etc.
- Other instrumental solo
CONCLUSION
The following from the publication, LEADERSHIP, with a human touch is both amusing and insightful.
"Procrastination is my sin,
It brings me naught but sorrow.
I know that I should stop it.
In fact, I shall… tomorrow."
Marc Connelly, the author of The Green Pastures was being hounded by a producer to whom he had promised a new play. "Marc," the producer demanded, "where's that play? I want to get the cast assembled."
"It's coming along," Connelly assured him.
"Just how much have you actually done?" asked the producer.
"Well," said Connelly, "you know the play is going to be in three acts and two intermissions. I just finished the intermissions."
Procrastination is a universal problem. Difficult decisions and problem situations are not easy or pleasant to address, but success in life requires that we do deal with them after consideration of the best course of action.
A test failed (or avoided) is a test to be taken. Procrastination (or avoidance) prolongs the pain and delays the gain—or, as poet and humorist Don Marquis wrote—"procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday."
I hope all of us are prepared for the up-coming Feast season. God's Feasts are important reminders of His plan for us and for all humanity. Each Feast is a "refresher" to inculcate more deeply in our minds and hearts His great love and hope for us.
Let's "talk up" the Feasts, so that the procrastinators are moved to action!
Have a great Sabbath and travel safely.
Carl E. McNair