PASADENA--Elizabeth Burton Hookfin, a member in Pasadena, celebrated her 100th birthday May 2.
She was honored at a church picnic June 7.
Elizabeth was born to Nora and Abe Burton in Greensburg, Louisiana, May 2, 1898. She was one of three girls and eight boys, all deceased.
When she was born, William McKinley was president. She was born just 33 years out of slavery. Her family members were sharecroppers (tenant farmers given credit for supplies, who shared in the value of the crop yield, minus the charges).
Elizabeth married Hollis Hookfin, 18, on Nov. 13, 1913, and became sharecroppers in Tickfaw, Louisiana. "We lived so poorly you can't hardly describe it," Mrs. Hookfin said with a laugh.
Elizabeth and Hollis had one son, Willie; a granddaughter, Dorothy; six great-grandchildren; and numerous great-great-grandchildren and great-great-great-grandchildren.
When her husband, Hollis, died of a viral infection in 1957 after 44 years of marriage, Elizabeth moved to Northern California.
Elizabeth heard Herbert W. Armstrong on the World Tomorrow broadcast in the 1950s, and moved to Pasadena and was baptized here. Ron Barksdale.
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee--The Knoxville church shipped a cubic meter of clothing to Montevideo, Uruguay, in May for WCG churches in the southern part of South America.
These churches are growing and are Spirit-led, but have need of basic items, according to pastor Mike Medina.
Mr. Medina is from Knoxville, but now serves in Montevideo.
The idea began in a small group meeting, and the congregation supported the idea of collecting used clothes and giving donations to cover shipping costs.
"The help and enthusiasm of many made the project happen," according to Tom Whetsel.
INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana--The Indianapolis P.M. congregation was host for an evening National Day of Prayer service for 75 people May 7.
It was conducted at St. Philip's Episcopal Church, where the WCG congregation meets for services.
Invited to the event were the other congregations that meet at St. Philip's: St. Philip's Episcopal Church, St. Bridget's Catholic Church and the WCG A.M. congregation.
Free community service ads were aired on three Christian radio stations.
In addition to worship music, children brought in the flag, said the Pledge of Allegiance, and led the congregations in singing "America" & "God Bless America."
Speakers were Father John Beasley, associate pastor of St. Philip's
Episcopal Church; Father Adolph Wenger of St. Bridget's Catholic Church; James
Merriweather, co-nonsalaried pastor of the Indianapolis A.M. congregation; and David
Perry, pastor of the Indianapolis P.M. congregation.
The evening ended with all the lights turned off except for the light on the cross. The worship team and children held candles and led the congregation in singing "Shine Jesus Shine." J. David Perry.
ROCHESTER, Minnesota--Several WCG members were among those who attended a prayer breakfast on the National Day of Prayer May 7 at the senior citizens center in Rochester. Pastor Don Engle spoke, and a proclamation was presented by Mayor Chuck Canfield.
That evening, Mr. Engle and Fred Domnick, a WCG member, were among those who offered up prayers for leaders at an Assemblies of God service. Joan Benson, lieutenant governor, was present. Vivian Malcomson.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas--Twenty-five WCG members were among the 2,500 brothers and sisters in Christ who took their faith to the streets of San Antonio May 30 as part of the worldwide March for Jesus.
Waving banners and carrying colorful balloons, family members of all ages and color marched along the one-mile route that ended in the historic Alamo Plaza.
There they sang songs of praise to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Several San Antonio ministers offered prayers. The group prayed for the saved and unsaved in the city; children and schools of the city; and city, state and national leaders.
They prayed for persecuted Christians around the world. They specifically prayed for Christians in China and the thousands of unregistered house churches that the government persecutes daily. Rocky Conrad.
KERRVILLE, Texas--Twenty-two members of the Kerrville congregation marched along with 250 fellow Christians in the March for Jesus May 30.
This was the first time for most of the Worldwide Church of God members to participate in such an event.
A few had initial concerns about how the community would react, but those concerns were dispelled by the enthusiasm and appreciation of onlookers.
CLIFTON, Colorado--In preparation for this year's March for Jesus, members of the Grand Junction, Colorado, church got together with members of another fellowship and participated in servant evangelism.
They passed out pamphlets inviting people to join in the march and come to a free community barbecue.
A Christian radio station, played music for the marchers to march to. Several disabled people were able to participate with volunteers carrying their signs and pushing their wheelchairs.
A prayer and praise rally took place at the Assemblies of God church in Clifton. Ministers prayed for the persecuted church worldwide and for the continued unity of Christians in the area. Marie Duncan.
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island--The Providence church will be host for a singles retreat Aug. 29-30 at a scenic Christian facility on 300 acres of forest and meadows.
The theme is "Single, but Not Alone." Retreat speakers will be WCG pastors Dennis and Lorraine Pelley and Stan and Jean Marie De Veaux.
Cost for the weekend, which includes three meals and overnight accommodations, is $75. Space is limited, so register early. Call Mr. Pelley at 1-508-643-9592 or e-mail him at dennis_pelley@wcg.org for registration details.
GAINESVILLE, Florida--Steve Saint, son of martyred missionary Nate Saint, spoke to the Gainesville congregation May 30.
Steve and his wife, Ginny, live in Ocala, Florida, and make regular missionary trips to the Christian Huaoranis in Ecuador (Jan. 27 WN).
The Ocala and Gainesville WCG congregations have entered into a spiritual support relationship with the Saints as they work to serve believers in the remote church.
The current project is the starting of the Indigenous People's Technology and Education Center (I-TEC). I-TEC helps indigenous churches overcome technological and educational hurdles that stand in the way of their independence from outside missionary support.
The current project is assembling a portable dental lab. A dentist in
Atlanta, Georgia, donated a dental drill driven by a bicycle
pump,
and Mr. Saint and Gene Walrath, a WCG member, devised a 15-pound portable dental and
medical chair suitable for the rigors of the jungle environment (see photo).
Providing dental services to the surrounding Indians presents a door for the Christian Huaoranis to evangelize among their own. This principle is drawn from the great commission of Matthew 28, where disciples make other disciples, who in turn make additional disciples. Ken Smylie.
INDEPENDENCE, Kansas--Charles Rice of the Independence church, was elected vice president of the Independence Ministerial Association at the association's May meeting. The term runs from September 1998 to August 1999.
As vice president, Mr. Rice will be the chairman of Food Basket Ministries. The vice president is also president-elect for the following year.
Mr. Rice said, "This is a wonderful validation of our WCG fellowship and the changes we have made."
Mr. Rice is responsible for Sunday afternoon worship services at two elderly housing facilities. He occasionally fills the pulpit for other pastors on Sunday mornings and has twice delivered sermons for televised worship services.
Charles and his wife, Meredith, have been WCG members since 1968.
AMARILLO, Texas--The Amarillo congregation will celebrate its 35th anniversary Aug. 29.
Services will be at 3:30 p.m. at the RLDS hall at 19th and Manhattan. A potluck will follow. Guest speakers will be Don Lawson and David Albert, both former pastors in Amarillo. For more information call pastor Sammy O'Dell at 1-806-358-2915.
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island--Carn and Joyce Catherwood were guest speakers for the 25th anniversary of the Providence church May 30.
Mr. Catherwood baptized the first Rhode Island member of the Worldwide Church of God in 1959.
Mrs. Catherwood led an interactive women's discussion, "Bonding as Sisters in the Lord." Mr. Catherwood's sermon was titled, "Where is the Worldwide Church of God in the Body of Christ?"
Members performed a music and drama presentation, Family Album, followed by a slide and video presentation produced by Bruce Wingate.
Mr. Catherwood also gave the sermon on Pentecost titled "The Working of the Holy Spirit." Dennis Pelley.
LONG ISLAND, New York--The Long Island congregation celebrated its 25th anniversary May 26.
More than 200 people attended a Pentecost service May 31, including Jeff and Geneva Barness, who formerly pastored the Long Island congregation.
After the service and a meal, a program of music, praise and thanksgiving began. Reflections were given by original members Charles Powell, who now attends in Queens, New York; Matt Ferriso; and Beverly Underdue; and Mr. Barness.
Waldo Sutherland and Thaddeus Robinson put together video presentations. Pastor Stan De Veaux gave closing comments. John Leone.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota--Bruce Bremer, a member of the Minneapolis South church, has presented six Toastmasters youth leadership programs for 120 teens at a high school here.
"The school's 90 minute class periods are ideal for the program," Mr. Bremer said. One day a week for eight weeks he instructs, coaches and mentors the students on communication and leadership skills.
"The teacher and I set high expectations: respect, responsibility and service," Mr. Bremer said. "Everything is conducted in a warm, sharing and fun atmosphere with the teacher and myself become a part of the program."
Sessions are run by the students using an agenda. Class officers are elected, and the students learn how to conduct business meetings.
MEDORA, Illinois--The Macoupin County chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) honored Vern Searls with the DAR conservation medal April 16.
According to the Macoupin County Enquirer, Mr. Searls has practiced energy, soil and water conserving farming methods for about 40 years.
Mr. Searls is an elder in the Alton, Illinois, church, and his wife, Esther, is a deaconess.
HOUSTON, Texas--Though nearly blind and hard of hearing, John R. London, 49, is a computer troubleshooter at Houston Community College.
According to the Houston Chronicle, John has retinitis pigmentosa, an inherited degenerative disease that eats away at his peripheral vision. He also has inherited hearing loss.
The Chronicle noted that John spent most of his life trying to ignore the fact that something was wrong with his eyes and ears. Growing up he faced regular rejection and ridicule as he did poorly in school and routinely dropped things.
In adulthood, and after his disease was diagnosed, John experienced a spiritual reawakening and finally accepted his condition.
"God was able to work with me once I did that," the Chronicle quoted John as saying.
John attends the Houston North congregation.
LONG ISLAND, New York--Long Island's Fun in the Sun weekend will be Aug. 1-2. Activities will include a worship service and a workshop, "Are You Fit to be Tied" 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall 79 Park Ave., Amityville, New York.
That evening a dinner dance will take place at Southwood Caterers, 244 E. Montauk Hwy., Lindenhurst. Sunday an all day beach party and barbecue are planned.
Housing is $85 a night (up to four per room). Call Hampton Inn, 1600 Veterans Memorial Hwy., Islandia, New York, at 1-516-234-0400. Mention the WCG. Cost for the weekend is $40. Payment is due by July 18. Make checks payable to Joe Radosti and send to 118 Granada Pkwy., Lindenhurst, New York, 11757. For more information call Joe Radosti at 1-516-957-3248.
BALTIMORE, Maryland--The Baltimore church honored Roy and Regina McCoy with 55 roses Feb. 14 for their 55th anniversary.
Roy "Tanglefoot" McCoy played for Billie Holiday, Cab Calloway, Flip Wilson, Little Richard, the Drifters, the Coasters, Moms Mabley and Harry Belafonte.
Roy sold newspapers and bought his first trumpet for $12 in the 1930s.
Regina is a deaconess in the Baltimore church.
EL DORADO, Arkansas--El Dorado children ages 8 to 12 presented a play April 4.
Following a suggestion in their children's church lesson, Jody Carson, Angelica Lockling and Elizabeth, Anna and Sarah Torrance composed the story of the apostle Paul's third missionary journey as it might have been portrayed on the evening news.
The children wrote the play and designed the scenery themselves. They played the parts of reporters for A Christian Times Station (ACTS) as well as various characters from the biblical story, Paul, the Roman centurion and the wife of Publius.
At the conclusion of the play, the children shared with the congregation what they had learned from the story. Kathleen Torrance.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1998