Greetings everyone,
Meteorologists in Charlotte are not always on target when predicting the weather. However, they have been right for the last few days, saying, "Showers and thunderstorms are in the forecast for most of the day…." This may not be comforting news for those who live in certain other States in the U.S.A., but for us in Charlotte, it's a great blessing. We have been suffering from severe drought for the last several months.
Mr. Roderick Meredith just finished the June Co-Worker letter that will be mailed as of tomorrow. Mr. Richard Ames has been making progress on a variety of projects in the television, editorial and financial services areas. Mr. Charles Bryce is presently in U.K. conducting the Board meetings both in Ireland and England, and visiting some of our congregations over there. He will return home next Tuesday.
FINANCE OFFICE
From Rodger Bardo:
Thank you so much, brethren, for all your cards, letters and prayers for our family during these recent times of loss, especially with the death of my father last month. Dad was not a member, though he certainly did respect the work we were doing in the ministry, even though he was not a religious man. Dad will be deeply missed and yet, many times these occurrences give us reason for our family to pause, to reassess our future goals.
Over two years ago Dr. and Mrs. Meredith, Betty and I, had dinner together, beginning discussions which would eventually lead to our being part of an exhilarating phase of the Work: that of relocating the Work from San Diego to Charlotte. Obviously this would involve different banks, new accounts and contacts, purchase of a suitable facility, credit lines, property mortgage, the move itself and a variety of business objectives.
After 30 years of working in the business world, it also seemed an appropriate moment for us to do something really different in our lives, before we begin a slow transition toward eventual retirement. Dr. Meredith then asked if we could commit to a two year period in an effort to assist the Headquarters team at this juncture. We agreed and so began an exciting two years full of many challenges, helping the team relocate, settle and financially organize the Work at our new location.
And now, the Work has grown and taken that major step forward. I have enjoyed writing regularly to each of you on the progress of the financial part of God's Work. However, after many happy moments here in Charlotte, effective June 18, Betty and I will be relocating to Arizona.
At Mr. Meredith's request and direction, I will continue to serve as a business consultant to the Church; and remain active in our first love, that of, service in the local church ministering to God's people. We bid all here at Headquarters a fond adieu. We have enjoyed this wonderful time in our lives, having learned many lessons.
After this date, all financial matters should be directed to the attention of Mr. Richard Ames. We would appreciate your prayers for a safe and problem-free move. Again, thank you all so much for your love and kindness, especially at this time. God's people have really been a joy and blessing to us!
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Attention All Elders: Ordination Certificates
Some of you might not have an ordination certificate of the Living Church of God. To request one, please contact the Church Administration Department (704-844-1960, ext. 220, or [email protected]) and provide us your full name and ordination date (day, month and year).
Legal Forms Updated Online
Ministers who use the online forms available for download (from the Legal Forms section of the www.cogl.org Church Administration area) will be pleased to learn that the forms have been updated to reflect current needs and our Charlotte address.
Feast of Tabernacles 2004
Festival Assistance
By now, all of the ministers in the USA should have received "Application for 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 week and note that the deadline to have them back to us, properly filled out and signed by the Church Pastor, is August 16, 2004.
Prescott, Arizona—By Glen Gilchrist
We're in need of a Special Music Coordinator, an Activities Coordinator and a Singles Coordinator. If you know of someone attending Prescott whom you can recommend, please let me know at [email protected], or 505-228-9968.
Room rates for the Prescott Resort have changed from what was published in the Festival Planner 2004. New rates for the deluxe room are $85 for single occupancy, $95 for triple, and $105 for quadruple; for the suite are $105 for single and double occupancy, $115 for triple, and $125 for quadruple. Children under 18 have no additional occupancy charge on the room. Room tax is 7.325% per room per night. There is a wide range of affordable housing available in the general Prescott area. To request a Visitor Information Packet, visit www.prescott.org/visitorinfo.htm or call the Prescott Chamber of Commerce at 800-266-7534 or 928-445-2000.
Philippines Update—By Rod King
Mr. Gideon Benitez (pastor for Central and Western Mindanao) sent this message: "We had a visitation with the brethren and they were all okay except brethren in Bogabongan. They have just completed their planting season and the brethren there could hardly eat three times a day because of the past drought." We will send more reports as they become available.
COMMENTS
Why did Mr. Ronald Reagan's death so strongly affect the Americans, and most of the world? After all, he was 93 years old—tragically incapacitated by Alzheimer's disease for the last ten years. Nonetheless, practically every day last week the American media devoted much time to Mr. Reagan, reviewing his political career as a twice-elected American President, and commenting particularly on his family life, on his way of coping with circumstances, and on his personality.
My wife and I, together with a few other representatives from the Ambassador Foundation in Pasadena, were privileged to attend, in 1991, the dedication ceremonies of the Ronald Reagan Library at Simi Valley, in California. What a memorable occasion that was! As we all listened to Mr. Reagan's and Mrs. Thatcher's jovial and humorous speeches, I couldn't help but think that here were the two political giants who had changed the course of History—in partnership… The name of Ronald Reagan will always remain synonymous with the tearing down of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the communist regime—the "Evil empire," as he called it. Just before the banquet, that evening, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Reagan and Mrs. Margaret Thatcher agreed, most graciously, to be photographed with their guests. My wife and I cherish that picture with them which has been on my desk in my office, ever since.
But, besides being a great President, what made Mr. Reagan so popular and respected? The press was almost unanimous: His personality and character; his ability to communicate with people; his optimism and humor; his faith and hope in God. Mr. Reagan had a mission to accomplish; he did it by using these tools. We, too, in God's Church, are called for a mission. Similarly, we, too, are in need of these tools to accomplish our mission. Time magazine called Mr. Reagan "A Man for His Times" and "The Eternal Optimist." Why can't the same also be said about us? Last Friday, as I watched the live telecast of Mr. Reagan's funeral services, I reflected upon these thoughts and said to myself, "How much more everyone of us, in God's Church, could accomplish if we lived and worked with more humor, more optimism, more joy, more faith and hope!"
Y'all have a wonderful Sabbath!
Dibar Apartian