Craig & Mary Bacheller
Dan Bierer
Charles & Judi Piscatello, and Cory
Carn Catherwood
SANDY COVE, Maryland--Ministry leaders in the three Northeast districts gathered in Sandy Cove Jan. 1 to 3, for a leadership conference sponsored by Church Administration.
More than 350 pastors, elders, deacons and ministry leaders came from than 10 states to participate in the event.
Many of the participants attended presentations by Dan Rogers, superintendent of ministers; Ron Kelly, controller; Gerald Schnarrenberger, district superintendent in Salt Lake City, Utah; and Carn Catherwood, district superintendent of the Memphis, Tennessee, region.
Presentations included such topics as spiritual formation, leadership, worship liturgy, the role of bivocational pastors, the role of local church elders, worship leaders, and a question and answer session.
Sandy Cove is a Christian Retreat center overlooking Chesapeake Bay. Most leaders commented on how informative the sessions were.
One elder said: "I wish I had heard what I had heard here this weekend two years ago. It would have been helpful, and I believe that some of my friends would still be here if they had received this information."
Each day began with praise and worship. Friday night, Jan. 1, Dan Bierer, pastor of the Montvale, New Jersey, and Middletown, New York, congregations, led in worship accompanied by Serge Volpe and Tony Bethea.
Saturday morning, Ron Swift, an elder, led worship accompanied by the music ministry from Queens, New York.
Sunday morning, pastor Charles Piscatello led worship accompanied by the music ministry from Batavia, New York.
Many were fascinated with Charles, as he is blind and a former pianist with the rock group, Blood, Sweat, and Tears. Charles' guide dog, Cory, would end our sessions with an amen--in dog language, of course.
The music ministries from Queens, Manhattan and Syracuse, New York; and Union and Brick, New Jersey, provided music for a praise and worship concert Saturday night.
The conference concluded with communion led by Mr. Catherwood, and decorated by the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, women's ministry.
Their decorations featured banners and elegantly decorated tables from which we came to participate in the elements of our Lord. Craig Bacheller.
Craig & Mary Bacheller |
Dan Bierer |
Charles & Judi Piscatello, and Cory |
Carn Catherwood |
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah--The Salt Lake City congregation combined with the Salt Lake Alliance and Korean Presbyterian churches to put on a fall harvest carnival Oct. 31.
This activity involved sharing a fellowship meal, a costume party, carnival booths and games, activities and prizes that centered on biblical themes.
The evening was an opportunity for evangelism as members invited family
and friends to have fun in a Christian environment.
Mike Kuykendall.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio--Oran Telford, an elder in the Youngstown congregation, was appointed first vice president of the Organization of Protestant Men Dec. 13.
The OPM is a multidenominational organization that runs a chaplaincy program that visits every person admitted to the city's hospitals to determine their church affiliation and notify the appropriate church, and provides a chaplain to jail inmates in Mahoning County. John Dobritch.
OGDEN, Utah--A new WCG congregation began meeting in Ogden Dec. 5.
This congregation was formed from members who live in this area and have been attending the Salt Lake City congregation. Members who live in the area can now evangelize more effectively in their communities. Mike Kuykendall.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah--Several Salt Lake City congregations sponsored an Annual Police Appreciation Banquet Dec. 15.
Participating congregations were the Salt Lake City church, the Salt Lake Alliance church, Mountain Side Baptist and Timpanogos Baptist churches and the Christian Family Church.
Officers and administrative staff from the Sandy City and South Jordan Police Departments were treated to a variety of foods and desserts.
This event is conducted every December and lasts all day to cover officers working every shift. It is an opportunity for members to work with other Christians in the community, and it allows the Christian community to serve police officers who protect and serve them in their communities. Mike Kuykendall.
GREENSBORO, North Carolina--John B. Heath, a 1997 graduate of Ambassador University, was appointed Key Club chairman of the Greensboro Kiwanis Club Oct. 1.
In this role, John helps high school students develop leadership skills, and helps them plan ways to serve their schools and community.
Founded by Kiwanis in 1925, Key Club International is made up of more than 200,000 high school students in 20 nations and territories.
A member of the Kiwanis family for 15 years, John is a former member of the Carolinas Key Club district board of trustees. He also worked to form the Ambassador University Circle-K Club (Key Club's collegiate counterpart) before the 1997 closure of the university.
At an Aug. 23 conference of pastors from the Northwest region, Guy Engelbart, district superintendent, presented Glen and Connie Weber with a plaque and watches for 25 years of service in the WCG ministry.
They have served in the British Isles and Canada and presently serve in the Inland Northwest churches around Spokane, Washington.
OCALA, Florida--Missionary Steve
Saint, son of Nate Saint, a martyred missionary, spoke to the Ocala congregation
Jan. 2.
Mr. Saint shared an inspirational message of the Christian responsibility to reach out to others with the hope and joy of the gospel message.
The service was followed with a potluck dinner, where Mr. Saint's mother, Marge Saint Van Der Puy, and stepfather, Abe Van Der Puy, joined the group.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Der Puy have spent 40 years in Ecuador serving as missionaries and working for World Radio Missionary Fellowship and HCJB radio.
The group then went to an open house celebration of the new facilities for I-TEC (Indigenous People's--Technology & Education Center).
The Ocala church provides volunteer workers at I-TEC in the assembly of jungle-worthy portable dental chairs and tools for the Christian Huaorani Indians in the Amazon jungle of Ecuador. Ken Smylie.
CANOGA PARK, California--The Canoga Park (formerly Reseda) congregation will celebrate its 25th anniversary Feb. 20.
Festivities start at noon, with the worship service at 2:30 p.m. and dinner at 6. Pastor General Joseph Tkach will be guest speaker.
Anyone who would like to share in the celebration is welcome. For details, contact Richard Harry by phone at 1-213-741-7591 or by e-mail at RichHarry@aol.com
ONTARIO, Oregon--The Ontario church will celebrate its 25th anniversary March 20. For more information call Wade Higgins at 1-208-549-1778 (evenings) or 1-208-549-2239 (weekdays). Wesley Higgins.
The correct e-mail address for Between the Lines (January WN, page 24) is J4Umusic2@aol.com
Robin Sutcliffe Hulme, 49, wife of David Hulme, former vice president of Ambassador Foundation, died of cancer Jan. 15.
Mrs. Hulme was born in Temora, Australia, and graduated from the Bricket Wood, England, campus of Ambassador College in 1971.
Survivors include her husband and their children, Mark, Kirsten and Scott.
Condolences can be sent to the Church of God, P.O. Box 150, Monrovia, California, 91017.
NORFOLK, Virginia--The Norfolk congregation participated in the National Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church Nov. 15.
Members signed up for 15 minute time slots for continuous prayer during the 24-hour period.
One of Norfolk's small groups had a meeting at the home of Milton and Ada Wilson, where they watched a video titled Faith Under Fire. The video depicts what our brothers and sisters in other parts of the world face daily for their beliefs.
Nov. 21, Daniel and Mignon McElvancy of Voice of the Martyrs spoke to the Norfolk congregation.
Ann Butos, the congregation's coordinator of missions, brings Voice of Martyrs literature to church every week. Cathy Wallace and Waneece Jones.
SHREVEPORT, Louisiana--Members of the Shreveport congregation attended a unity service Dec. 31 for churches in the community.
Pastors of Promise was host for the service. This is an interdenominational association of pastors formed after the Promise Keepers Pastors Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.
Pastor Mike Booze and his wife, Susan, learned of Pastors of Promise two years ago, as they were grieving the departure from the Worldwide Church of God of most of their closest friends in the ministry.
Mr. Booze began attending their weekly prayer meetings. Later, at a dinner for their wives, Mrs. Booze shared with those at her table the WCG's spiritual transformation.
Since then, they have had many opportunities to tell of the church's transformation, and Mr. Booze was invited to speak to one of the congregations.
CHEHALIS, Washington--Thelma Evelyn Jones was elected to the International Poetry Hall of Fame. Her poems are on the Internet at http://www.poets.com/ThelmaJones.html
Mrs. Jones wrote a book titled Psalms to Rhyme, where she set the book of Psalms to metered rhythmic poetry. She has also written a book for children and three other books on poetry.
SYLMAR, California--The San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council conducted its 11th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Service Jan. 18.
The focus was on Living the Dream--honoring nine youths in the San Fernando Valley who are actively putting into practice Dr. King's dream.
One such young person was Jenette Lemoto of Northridge, California, who attends the Canoga Park congregation.
Jenette received seven certificates of recognition by numerous state and local representatives including Senator Richard Alarcon and Congressman Howard Berman.
The evening began with a prayer by Jordan Davis of Parks Chapel A.M.E., and Denise Coultas-Parker, assistant event coordinator and a member of the Canoga Park congregation.
Carlton Green, a Canoga Park elder, presented an offertory message inviting all present to open their hearts and pockets to benefit the many community services managed by Valley Interfaith.
Also representing the Worldwide Church of God in the San Fernando Valley were pastor Tom Ecker and Herman Hoeh. Denise Coultas-Parker.
FARGO, North Dakota--The Fargo congregation raised $726 for the church activity fund at a men's cake bake auction Dec. 5.
Jimmy Schnabel was auctioneer, and Jeff Berg was ringman. Several commented that this event generated more money in a shorter period of time than bazaars and garage sales.
After the auction a church social and dance took place, during which the auctioned cakes were served. Music was provided by 21 Strings, a three-member group made of up Arnold and Adeline Sollevald of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Jim Fry of Fargo.
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee--Ellis Noll, a physics teacher at Webb School of Knoxville, received the teacher of the year award in May from the state section of the American Association of Physics Teachers.
According to the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Mr. Noll wants to teach students how to think, not what to think, and to help students retain knowledge by thoroughly understanding and using it.
Mr. Noll attends the Knoxville church.
HOUSTON, Texas--The first class of the Houston North Evangelism Explosion Ministry graduated Jan. 10.
The Houston North Sunday Contemporary Congregation was host for an Evangelism Explosion social inviting members and guests to find out more about the ministry.
Graduates who became trainers are Dana Bain, Terry Quinn, Milton Randle, Ester Reed and Colleen Verdun.
Instructors are Chris Beam, Ben O'Neal, Vernon Strickland and Harris Verdun.
Evangelism Explosion equips members to be more effective witnesses for the gospel.
The Worldwide News appreciates the many articles received from church members.
We regret that we are unable to publish or acknowledge each article sent to us.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas--What better time to evangelize in the community than during the celebration of Christ's birth?
With this in mind, members hand-delivered invitations in pastor Frank Parson's neighborhood inviting people to gather in his front yard Dec. 18 to sing carols about the birth of Christ and then share hot apple cider, hot chocolate, candy canes and fellowship.
The invitation mentioned that this was a good way to get to know one another and also that a talented guitarist and singer (Sylvia Morgan, a WCG member) would sing carols in English and Spanish.
Nearly 50 neighbors and members showed up and sang and fellowshipped for nearly two hours.
NEW ALBANY, Indiana--The New Albany church has formed a community prayer group to pray for others in need.
The group printed business card with an address where community members can submit their prayer requests. Ray and Norma Mala.
SALINA, Kansas--The Salina church, pastored by Tony and Audrey Auernheimer, was host for a weekend family retreat at Camp Mary Dell Oct. 30 to Nov. 1.
Fifty-six people, including members and former members, attended services Oct. 31.
A worship team from Emmanuel Foursquare Gospel Church led a worship service. An evangelism seminar took place Saturday. Carolyn Martin, a Christian counselor and owner of Legacy Family Counseling Center, presented a marriage workshop Sunday. Roberta Robertson.
Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 1999