United News January-February 2021 Cover Page

United News: January - February 2021

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Welcome to the first issue of United News for 2021! This issue features color-photo local church updates from Wisconsin, Massachusets and Arizona on the front page and inside front page. Exciting media updates this issue include a record-breaking response for Beyond Today television program hosted by Gary Petty and a new initiative to include shortened, 2-minute Beyond Today programs. 

The Council Letter for this issue, written by John Elliott and titled, "Read Your Entire Bible," can be found on page 3. On pages 4-5 are tributes to the legacy of three ministerial couples upon their retirement. Updates from Ministerial and Member services and the December Council of Elders meetings are featured on page 5. Announcements can be found on pages 6-8.

The Good News section, found on pages 9-12, features five articles, including the first in a new series by Council member John Miller focusing on "The Ultimate Vision," becoming like God. John Labissoniere writes on Building Your Inner Person, and Ellen Burton shares a personal story to highlight the need to "Run to God" instead of relying only on ourselves and other people. Vincent Braddock discusses the Christian walk through the perspective of trees in an article titled, "Sturdy and Strong," and Katherine Rowland shares lessons learned from pruning a rose bush.

Council member Dan Dowd shares a cautionary message regarding social media on page 13. The Operation Managers' Council Reports from the December meetings are published on pages 14-18, and include the Financial Audit Statements for the 2020 fiscal year. International News from Africa can be found on page 19.

This issue's Planned Giving/Financial Stewardship article, titled "Financial Considerations Regarding Assets and Blended Families," as well as the Beyond Today airing schedule can be found on the back page of United News.

Thank you for your continued support of this publication. Please email Ariana Del Signore at un@ucg.org to submit articles, announcements, local church news, questions or feedback. 

Table of Contents

New England Hosts Virtual Pinewood Derby for Participants Near and Far

The 5th annual New England Pinewood Derby took place on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020.

Updates from Ministerial and Member Services

Below are updates regarding two re-credentialed elders in December.
Photo of a man walking in a field toward the sun at golden hour.

The Ultimate Vision

5 minutes
Where there is no vision people perish! Proverbs 29:18
Photo of a man buttoning a tailored suit.

Building Your Inner Person

7 minutes
Do we place as much emphasis on the development of our character as we do in making sure we look physically presentable each day?

2-Minute Beyond Today Programs to Air on Newsmax TV

After multiple rounds of negotiations we’ve settled on time ranges and days of the week to maximize audience for the month of January for our 2-minute, short-form Beyond Today TV programs on Newsmax TV.

Women’s Enrichment Sabbath Provides Encouragement for All

Phoenix, Arizona—The theme for the Women’s Enrichment Sabbath held in Phoenix, Arizona on Dec. 12, 2020 was Encouragement. Though “physically distanced,” in-person attendees and online participants were spiritually connected by God’s Spirit!

Council Letter

Read Your Entire Bible!
Photo of a person running towards mountains in the middle of an empty road.

Run to God

6 minutes
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is the one we should be running to first when we are in pain, sick, happy, sad, joyful and...
Becoming More Bountiful

Becoming More Bountiful

4 minutes
When we bought a new house last summer, I was delighted by the enormous rose bush in the front yard. All summer long, it boasts bright pink blossoms...

Honoring Retiring Ministry

Jim and Joan Tuck retired from the ministry on Jan. 1, 2021 after 46 years of dedicated service to the Church.
Whatever the hardships or joys that life may bring, we should strive to be like trees planted by the riverside

Sturdy and Strong

3 minutes
Looking at our Christian walk through the perspective of a tree can teach us about our own spiritual growth.

Personal from Ministerial and Member Services

In this personal from MMS, Mark Welch reports on his recent trip to Arizona with his wife, Barbara, for the Southwest Regional Ministerial conference, Women's Enrichment Sabbath and a recognition of Jim and Joan Tuck for their 45 years of...

Honoring Retiring Ministry

Tom and Lisa Damour retired from the ministry after 38 years of selfless service to the Church.

Prudence with Social Media

There is no doubt that social media has had a huge impact on the culture around us, but there is also a downside to the wide reach of social media. While the Internet can seem like a big safe place...

Stunning New Record High Response for Beyond Today Television

Besides obtaining the highest-ever viewer response, “Beware the Mark of the Beast” produced the lowest cost-per response for any Beyond Today television program.

Honoring Retiring Ministry

Jerold and Mary Ann Aust retired from the ministry on July 1, 2020, after more than 57 years of committed service to the Church.

Audited Financial Statements 2019-2020

Preface to the audited financial statements for the fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2020.

Winter Camp 2020 Held in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Winter camp 2020 was an absolute success! God showered us with blessings all week as we constantly saw prayers being answered.

Quarterly Council of Elders Meeting Held in Ohio, Online

The last quarterly Council of Elders meetings of 2020 were held Dec. 7-10 at the UCG home office in Milford, Ohio.

Financial Considerations

3 minutes
Depending on a family’s nature, there may be a range of factors to consider when planning for the future and providing for dependents or beneficiaries...