United News July-August 2021

United News: July - August 2021

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In this issue of United News, you can read the report from the General Conference of Elders meeting in early May, travel reports from two pastoral visits, and multiple news items from Ambassador Bible College.

Incoming Council member Paul Wasilkoff reflects on the Christian walk through the lens of mushrooms in Council Letter on page 3, and Peter Eddington provides a media update on page 4. You can find announcements on pages 5-7 and various local church updates on pages 8-9, 14-15. 

The four articles in the Good News section are featured on pages 18-21, and the first article in a new series on the experiences of congregations who own their own building can be found on page 22. Page 23 features a restricted camp property fund that was approved by the Council.

As always, the Beyond Today airing schedule and planned giving article are on the last page of this issue. 

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

Table of Contents

Reflections From an International Graduate of ABC

Class of 2021 graduate Ashlee Jennings shares her experience at Ambassador Bible College.

2021 Canadian Ministerial Conference Held Virtually

Every two years, the ministry and lay members of the Canadian National Conference hold a ministerial conference in June.

“A True Church Somewhere”

As part of the series on members' stories of being called into God's Church, Wilma Edelbach Salmon shares her story.

Council Letter: July-August 2021

There is something exhilarating and rejuvenating about a good walk in the woods. Whether the perambulation is for exercise or for relaxation, a person tends to reap many benefits.

Nearly 150 Gather for Joyous Pentecost Weekend in Brown County, Indiana

With the weekend literally filled with worship, fellowship and song, the record attendance resembled a “living Psalm.”
We picture a time when we will all be a part of God’s spiritual family—and we can start practicing those inclusive, loving family relationships now!

Keeping the Feast for the First Time—or the First Time in a While

8 minutes
If this is your first Feast, or your first Feast back, what do you need to know in order to properly keep this Festival of God?

Updates From Ministerial and Member Services

Below are updates from MMS regarding ordinations and transferrals.

Pastoral Travel Report: Visit to Brazil

After leaving Cincinnati on May 17 and traveling for a few days, I arrived in Boa Vista on Thursday, May 20.
Do what is needed to fan into flame the burning embers of the Holy Spirit that has been put within you.

Three Parables for Slackers

5 minutes
How can we examine ourselves while we await Christ’s return?
We can be fully confident that we will win our battles against fear because God cares for us deeply and is close by our side.

How to Confront and Defeat Fear and Anxiety

6 minutes
With God’s great help we can perform rationally and calmly in anxious situations and win every battle against fear and anxiety.

Media Team Visits Dallas for Broadcasters Conference

The NRB Christian Media Convention is the premier conference for Christian broadcasters, media pastors, program producers, film producers, webmasters, social media managers, bloggers, podcasters, authors, publishers and other communications professionals.

There’s No Place Like Home in Flint

For the Flint, Michigan congregation, our building provides a place of stability and constancy to the members.

General Conference of Elders Meeting Sees Two Members Seated, New Internet Strategy Unveiled

Cincinnati, Ohio—Live via webcast for the second year, the 26th annual General Conference of Elders meeting saw Council seats filled, the Strategic Plan, Operation Plan and Budget approved, two proposed constitutional amendments balloted on, and various updates presented by Church...
The hymn that follows a sermonette or sermon can reinforce the message if the right hymn is chosen.

How Effective Songleading Significantly Enhances a Worship Service

5 minutes
Singing hymns together is a critically important part of worshiping and glorifying God in our church services.

“Outgoing Concern for Others” Proves an Inspiring Theme at Enrichment Weekend

Portsmouth, Ohio—There were 45 brethren from the congregation who met at the beautiful Greenbo State Park Lodge over the Memorial Day weekend for an inspiring enrichment weekend themed “Outgoing Concern for Others.”

Ambassador Bible College Still Accepting Applications!

Ambassador Bible College will operate live, in-person classes next year and is currently accepting applications!

Pastoral Travel Reports

Ghana—About 15 months ago, COVID-19 restrictions shut down the opportunity for in-person visits to West Africa. By God’s blessing, the door of access to Ghana has now reopened.

New Beyond Today Interview With Andi Chapman

On Wednesday, June 9, we welcomed Andi Chapman to our Beyond Today TV studio to record a second round of Beyond Today Interviews. In our previous Beyond Today Interview, Andi talked about hospice and end-of-life-planning. This time we discussed, “Anxiety...

New Video Resource Recorded With Andi Chapman

Ms. Chapman is a Registered Nurse and Regional Clinical Educator for Heart to Heart Hospice. She is also owner and consultant for SelectMed Seminars, specializing in educational and consulting services for general community and healthcare staff.

Fund to Purchase Camp Facility Approved

An exciting new development was approved by the Council of Elders during their meetings in May.

ABC Graduates a New Class of 20 Students

On Sunday, May 9, Ambassador Bible College held its 22nd graduation ceremony. All 20 students in the class successfully completed the program. Additionally, all 20 participated in the chorale, which performed two songs as part of the ceremony.

Media Department Begins Planning for Video Animation

Media and Communications Services has begun exploratory work towards the creation of video animations.

Update: Members in Myanmar Face Conscription and Potential Civil War

God is most certainly on His throne, and we look forward to the day when the only force in this world will be Jesus Christ showing humans what true peace really is!

Using a Charitable Lead or Remainder Trust in Your Estate Planning

3 minutes
Many people want to incorporate charitable giving into their estate plan. For them, a charitable trust may be an effective way to achieve their goals...

ABC Continuing Education Program Resumes at Home Office for 2021 Session

Milford, Ohio—The Ambassador Bible College Continuing Education Program took place in the home office from May 10-14. The 28 students who attended participated in classes ranging from “Highlights from the General Epistles,” and “Why We Follow the Hebrew Calendar,” to...

Is your congregation involved in service or fundraising projects? Let us know!

The Good Works team is looking to highlight service initiatives that congregations are doing locally in addition to the major Good Works projects being funded and carried out all around the world.

“A True Church Somewhere”

As part of the series on members' stories of being called into God's Church, Wilma Edelbach Salmon shares her story.