BIG SANDY--Ruth A. Tucker, a visiting professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois, taught History of Christianity I at Ambassador July 28 to Aug. 2.
The course represented an overview from the first century to the 16th century Protestant Reformation.
Dr. Tucker is the author of 10 books, including the Gold Medallion Award-winning From Jerusalem to Irian Java. She has also taught at Calvin College, Fuller Theological Seminary and Moffat College of Bible in Kenya.
BONN, Germany--Helene Hennig, 84, wife of photographer Alfred Hennig, died July 26 after a short illness.
Mrs. Hennig had been associated with the German church since the mid-1960s. While Mr. Hennig supplied photos, Mrs. Hennig provided connections with various European leaders.
She also helped get press credentials for Editorial personnel from Pasadena and the church's German Office.
Wolfgang and Linda Thomsen of the German Office took part in the funeral service Aug. 2, presenting wreaths on behalf of the Worldwide Church of God and Ambassador College Bonn.
BIG SANDY--In a Member Appreciation Day sermon July 27, Pastor Don Mears looked to Olympic gymnast Kerri Strug as an example of heroic commitment.
Kerri, her ankle severely sprained in an earlier vault, performed a critical final vault to seal her team's gold medal standing, before crumpling to the ground in pain.
"That kind of heroic courage and commitment is what we need-- and what we have--in the Big Sandy congregation," Mr. Mears said.
Mr. Mears thanked members for their faithfulness and courage, shown over many years and particularly the past year. And he called upon members to use their spiritual gifts for the good of the congregation.
After the sermon Mr. Mears introduced Colleen Bailey, pastoral liaison for the Big Sandy Women's Ministry.
Mrs. Bailey called onstage 39 members who have served in the congregation. As she gave a description of each member's service, Don and Beth Mears, helped by associate pastor Paul Smith, presented each member with a gift of appreciation.
"I know that far more people than just these 39 have shown courage and commitment to service," Mr. Mears had said in his sermon. "But let no one feel left out; when you see these people on stage, understand that they represent all of you; and when we say `thank you' to these, we are saying `thank you' to you all."
Afterward members enjoyed a social and potluck in which the children's church presented skits depicting biblical themes.
In a skit depicting the miracles of Jesus, when it came time for Jesus to multiply the food, no one came forward to play the role of Jesus.
Rory Ellard announced, "Jesus is absent today," whereupon another of the children quickly volunteered, "I'll be Jesus." This sentiment summed up the day: each of us is called to be Jesus. Neil Matkin.
TIELEN, Belgium--French-speaking members from Brussels visited the Gabriels family here in the Flemish part of Belgium June 29 for a social with the Dutch brethren.
Despite the different languages, members were enthusiastic to meet others. We hope the future will bring us more of such occasions and that these contacts will bring us closer to each other and to Christ. Simon Smout.
TWIN FALLS, Idaho--The Twin Falls church will be host to a couples weekend Oct. 26 and 27 at the Weston Plaza in Twin Falls.
Saturday's activities include an afternoon social and registration, followed by a worship service focusing on marriage.
A buffet dinner and dance will take place that evening, with music provided by a disc jockey with more than 16 years experience in the music industry.
A marriage workshop will be conducted Sunday after breakfast. Costs for the weekend are $36.50 per couple for the dinner and dance, plus $8.10 per person for breakfast.
If you would like to attend, please send your payment by Sept. 15 to Karen Shepherd, Box 3602, Hailey, Idaho, 83333, or call 1-208-788-8694 after 6 p.m. weekdays.
The Weston Plaza offers a flat rate of $45 per room, which can be booked by calling 1-800-333-STAY. Please mention that you are with the church to receive this discount. Andre Zick.
SEATTLE, Washington--Sarah Gagnon competed in the sixth annual Washington State Christian Talent Contest Feb. 10 and 11 in Seattle.
As a semifinalist in the female vocalist category, Sarah was judged on technical performance and stage presence.
The competition was sponsored by a Seattle music ministry and Christian radio station, with proceeds benefiting the March for Jesus.
Although Sarah did not qualify for the finals, she said: "Having the opportunity to perform and network with my peers in the largest gathering of Christian artists in Washington was an inspiring experience. My goal is to bring this enthusiasm back to my local congregation's music ministry."
Along with being a member of the Gospel Music Association of Nashville, Tennessee, Sarah is active in her community Christian music outreach program and performs worship service music in the Tacoma, Washington, church, which she attends with her parents, Richard and Ruth Gagnon.
LOS ANGELES--Bob Ancona, who works in the creative department of Campbell-Ewald advertising agency, worked on three television commercials for The National Fatherhood Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring responsible fatherhood in America.
The commercials used examples from nature to show the critical role males have in nurturing their offspring.
Bob's main area of work for Campbell-Ewald is doing commercials for the Chevrolet Motor Co.
"I enjoy what I do, but this is something I not only enjoyed but am proud of," Bob said. "Society has gone to great lengths to demasculinize as well as de-emphasize the vital role fathers have in raising their children.
"We used these examples from nature to remind viewers how vital it is for human fathers to spend time with their children."
Bob, his wife, Edit, and their son, Sam, attend the Pasadena church.
TULSA, Oklahoma--Singles from surrounding states and from as far away as Hawaii gathered here May 25 and 26 for fellowship, fun and spiritual enlightenment.
Activities began with a Bible study followed by a social. A workshop for singles on spiritual gifts preceded Pentecost services with the Tulsa church.
In the workshop Ron Lohr, Tulsa pastor, and Gerald Schnarrenberger of Church Administration in Pasadena, invited participants to define, explore, identify and formulate purposes of spiritual gifts.
Participants sought to identify their own and others' spiritual gifts, to distinguish between natural talents and spiritual gifts, and to articulate ways to provide an environment in local churches for members to use their spiritual gifts.
Key words from singles throughout the weekend were freedom, faith, hope, unity, love and joy. These singles returned home refreshed, uplifted and eager to share their deepening knowledge and joy in being Christians. Virginia A. Rogers.
ST. PAUL, Minnesota--Rebecca Nielson, 15, was named volunteer of the year at the Science Museum of Minnesota. The museum has more than 900 volunteers, ages 13 through 90.
Rebecca began volunteering in February 1994 and has donated more than 600 hours since then. Over the past year she put in many extra hours to fill in for others who were unable to work.
Rebecca is the daughter of Vernon and Janet Nielson and attends the St. Paul church.
Singles Chattanooga river boat cruise
Singles attending the Feast in Chattanooga, Tennessee, can enjoy a riverboat cruise and dinner dance.
Live entertainment will feature the Malibus, who will perform music from the '50s through the '80s. Cost for this activity, which includes tip, is $23 per person. Tickets will be on sale at the Feast site.
Portugal Feast site
The contact telephone numbers for the Sao Pedro do Sul, Portugal, Feast site are 44.36128 (till Sept. 24) and after Sept. 24 the numbers are either 32.723013 or 32.723471. Once in Portugal the codes are 044 and 032 followed by the numbers above.
Please return your information forms urgently as we need to allocate accommodation and reserve your places in the buses (either from Lisbon or Porto), and bring your copy of your deposit remittances. The site is now full. Carlos Tavares.
HONOLULU, Hawaii--In a joint effort to help Hawaii's needy, members of the Honolulu church and Animal Rights Hawaii collected and donated nonperishable vegetarian food items to the Hawaii Foodbank during its annual food drive April 21.
The foodbank, which collects money and food from the public, has suffered from surplus shortages since the downslide of Hawaii's economy about three years ago.
The Salvation Army, which receives donations from the foodbank to stock its pantry, has been robbed twice since Thanksgiving 1995, making it difficult to distribute food baskets to needy homes. Carolyn Fu.
MANSFIELD, Ohio--Eric Fields was notified by the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) board that he scored the maximum 1600 out of 1600 points on the SAT exam he took in May.
The SAT exam is part of the entrance requirements of most colleges and universities in the United States. The higher the score the more likely a student will be accepted by the college of his or her choice and be awarded scholarships and grants.
Eric is the son of Jay and Nancy Fields, who pastor the Mansfield and Marion, Ohio, churches. He will start his junior year at Lexington High School this fall.
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