Hello everyone,
Another productive week has just about come and gone here at Headquarters. Busy is the word in every department. The mailing team is sending out Mr. Meredith's latest letter to the members in which he announces a church-wide fast for the Sabbath of July 12, 2003. He explains much more in the letter but I just thought I would give you a "heads up" for planning purposes.
TELEVISION DEPARTMENT
After three months of inspecting existing production studios and rental space for potential use as a TV facility in the Charlotte area, Mr. Meredith made the final decision to tape the Tomorrow's World television program right here at the Headquarters building. The financial saving to the Work is sizable.
The program, advertising and production were reviewed with an eye to increasing the impact and effectiveness of the upcoming season's productions that will start in August.
A new set is to be constructed in the space. Lighting, camera positions and crew assignments were also decided. The "look" of the program, and the support elements that back up the presenters, should be markedly improved over what we were able to produce in the more cramped space we used in San Diego during the last two years.
Please pray for the continuing growth and effectiveness of the Tomorrow's World television program and that Christ, the leader of this Work, will increase its scope and power in the coming year.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Feast of Tabernacles
FESTIVAL SURVEY 2003
To be read in all US & Canadian congregations this coming Sabbath: This Sabbath, June 21, 2003 we will be conducting the final Festival attendance survey in all our US and Canadian congregations. Please be prepared to state your present Feast site preference if you haven't already done so. If you have not fully made up your mind, you should name the site you will be most likely to attend. If your plans change later, that will be all right. The Festival office is conducting this survey for planning purposes and appreciates everyone's help.
FESTIVAL ASSISTANCE
By now, all of the ministers should have received Festival Assistance forms to be used by those who will need assistance to attend the Feast of Tabernacles this year. Please announce this at Sabbath services this Sabbath and note that the deadline to have them back to us, properly filled out and signed by the Church Pastor, is August 22, 2003.
MYRTLE BEACH UPDATE
Please be aware that the Kingston Plantation resort is in NORTH Myrtle Beach (off King's Road about three miles from SC22). Feastgoers who reserve other accommodations in Myrtle Beach should be careful to ensure that they do not mistakenly choose to stay too far to the south of Kingston Plantation.
ATTENTION US AND CANADIAN MINISTERS
If you have not already done so, please return the Feast choice forms, listing your F.O.T site preferences, to us ASAP. We need to start working on the speaking schedules right away. Thank you for your help.
Youth Camps
LIVING YOUTH CAMP
Even though the deadline has passed, there is still room for about 5 boy and 7 girl campers at LYC Teen Camp in Michigan. If you are interested in attending this year, please send in an application ASAP. Applications for LYC Michigan and all the preteen camps can be found at: www.youth-web.org or see your minister and he can help you acquire one. There is also room at some of the preteen camps. If you have a preteen who is interested in attending a camp this summer, check one out at www.youth-web.org.
LIVING 4 TOMORROW - A TIME 4 YOUNG SINGLES
We still have openings for young singles ages 18-30 at Living 4 Tomorrow — A Time 4 Young Singles. You can find an application at: www.youth-web.org and it only takes 3 minutes to fill it out online. Don't miss this special opportunity to meet others of like mind.
If you have not received word on whether you have been accepted or not to LYC Michigan or to Living 4 Tomorrow, please e-mail Gerald Weston at: [email protected] or call 905-814-1103.
To all Ministers and Video Group Hosts
SERMONS AVAILABLE ON DVD
We are currently attempting to expand the number of DVDs available to replace the VHS video tapes that are being sent to the congregations and video groups. The cost to ship DVDs is much less than video tapes and blank DVDs cost less as well. This will be a great savings to the Work. Our eventual goal is to virtually eliminate video tape altogether and have DVD as our main media format for the sermon videos. The picture quality of DVD is much better than VHS tape and the DVDs are not subject to the damage that can be caused by demagnetization during shipping. Also, DVDs do not wear out and they take up very little space for storage. We understand that if a congregation or video group does not already have a DVD player available, one would need to be purchased. DVD players can be found in popular department stores for about $60 to $70.
Sermon DVDs will be available on a first come/first served basis at this time. In order for the Work to transition toward this economical and high quality media format, we need your help and input. Please contact Church Administration to begin receiving DVD sermons, by calling 704-844-1960 ext. 220 or by writing to [email protected].
INTERNATIONAL
Update Europe: Religion, Politics & the Vatican – Douglas Winnail
Religion, politics and the Vatican have become regular features in European news in recent months—but not yet the main events. The concerns of a number of European countries about the deliberate omission of any reference to God or the Christian faith in the new European Constitution are not going away. While Giscard d'Estaing, the former French President who chaired the constitutional convention believes no references should be made to God in the constitution, other nations feel differently. The Vatican has strongly lobbied members of the European Parliament on this issue. Romano Prodi, the Italian head of the European Commission and a Roman Catholic has stated the position in the new constitution (which was personally penned by d'Estaing) is an attempt to ignore 1500 years of European history. The German Christian Democratic Party has vowed to fight for references to God and Christianity in the new constitution. The Germans will probably be joined by Poland, Spain, Austria and Portugal—all strongly Catholic countries. This promises to be a volatile issue in the months ahead.
Meanwhile, the Vatican continues to attempt to influence political events in the developing European superstate. Polish voters only approved a referendum to accept membership in the European Union after a strong plea from the Pope. Catholic priests in Poland played a critical role in getting out sufficient numbers of voters to pass the referendum. Poland's 40 million Catholics will significantly increase the influence of the Vatican in the EU. Amidst the debate over the impending release of the new constitution the Pope made his third visit to Croatia. Croatia is a Roman Catholic bastion in the Balkans that is also seeking admission to the EU in the next several years. When you glance at a map you quickly notice the strategic position of Croatia in southern Europe. Croatia was once part of the Holy Roman Empire and could well be another strategic piece in the end-time revival of that historic configuration. Religion and politics are being deliberately mixed in what is developing in Europe—as Bible prophecy has long indicated (see Revelation 13, 17 & 18).
COMMENTS
What is the business of this business? That is a core question effective managers ask often. It is a principle that ties in with the goals and responsibilities we all have in the Church. A young Jesus Christ said, "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" (Luke 2:49). Many years ago, I received some good advice from a great boss. He told me to find out exactly what my job is—and to do that. I hope all of us will ask ourselves these questions, and honestly consider how we are doing in the duties we have been given to do in all areas of our life.
Do we work hard and effectively without overdoing it and burning out? Do we have our goals and priorities set, and are we following through on them. We all know what Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, but just as a reminder, it tells us "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." The overwhelming number of people I know in the Church are doing just that. However, we can all fine-tune our focus and concentration of effort, from time to time, just to make sure we are doing our best.
Jesus Christ set a sterling example in every way, including staying fully engaged and on target in the responsibilities He was given to carry out. He said, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (John 4:34). And then He said, "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do" (John 17:4). He succeeded 100% in fulfilling His mission. He will help us achieve our mission as well if we ask Him to and do whatever we do wholeheartedly.
Have a delightful Sabbath and a profitable week!
Charles E. Bryce