UCGindy

Preaching the Gospel and Preparing a People... from Greenwood, IN

Quarterdeck 09.10.2009

Hello Everyone,

I have spent this shortened week in Cincinnati taping Beyond Today programs. I am currently on a Council of Elders teleconference wrapping up some loose ends from our meeting last month. I started the teleconference earlier and am finishing it up in my office.

The Feast of Trumpets will be next Sabbath, September 19. Both Fort Wayne and Indianapolis will combine with the Lafayette and Terre haute congregations. It will be good to see our friends from the other areas on this high holy day. Services will be held at the Sheraton Hotel, Keystone at the Crossing. Services will be held at 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM. There will be a luncheon available from their cafe as well as other local venues. 

Day of Atonement services will be held on Monday, September 28. In Indy services will be in our normal hall location at 2:30 PM.

Ladies Book Club

Remember that this week we will have our Secret Sister party so bring a nice gift for the friend that has been giving to you. Also, don't forget to bring your pink "Women of the Bible" books so we can plan our next club meeting on October 31. We will also be getting our feast gift books this week--a study book on the Proverbs 31 woman. Please make every effort to be at this special meeting. 

Well, the teleconference is over and the first NFL game of the season is on. Time to catch a little of this before bedtime.  

See you Sabbath.


Quarterdeck 08.27.2009

 

Hello Everyone,

Last night I sent out an announcement regarding Nancy Cook, a member in Indianapolis. It was thought Nancy had a heart attack and had been taken to the hospital. It turns out she did not have an attack. She was admitted and kept for observation and should be at home by now.

Summer is winding down and it is hard to believe that in five weeks we will be gathering for the Feast of Tabernacles. Three weeks from this Sabbath is the Feast of Trumpets. We have all been anxiously awaiting this period. School is back in session as well and this is a moment we need to address a situation which could affect all of us. 

SWINE FLU (H1N1)

The Swine Flu virus has been in news lately. I have read where schools are taking extra precautions to contain the spread among children. You will be hearing more about the potential for this problem to spread as we enter the winter months. As we plan our travel for the Feast of Tabernacles and the coming months it is good we review a few precautions to protect ourselves and one another. In view of this the home office has sent out the following announcement and asked us to share it with the membership.

To Be Announced in All Churches:
The news media and responsible pub lic health professionals have asked all organizations to implement programs to minimize the dangers posed by the recently discovered H1N1 influenza virus. As responsible citizens and Christians, it is important that we do our part.
Therefore, we would like to enlist the help of the membership in establish ing the following guidelines for local services and for the Feast of Tabernacles.

  •  
    • Know the signs and symptoms of flu. Symptoms of flu include fever or chills and cough or sore throat. In addition, symptoms of flu can include runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, diarrhea, or vomiting.
    • Self-imposed quarantine is a biblical principle. If you are sick, stay home or at your place of resi dence for at least 24 hours after there is no longer a fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius) or signs of a fever (have chills, feel very warm, have a flushed appearance, or are sweat ing). This should be determined without the use of fever-reducing medications (any medicine that contains ibuprofen or acetamino phen).
    • The flu often lasts for several days. If you become ill with the flu while at the Feast, you may want to consider returning home before the end of the Feast if that is possible.
    • Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective if soap and water are not available.
    • Contact a health-care provider right away if you are having difficulty breathing or are getting worse.
    • Please do not come to services or bring sick children to services to get anointed. You are encouraged to call the elders if you need to be anointed. If you would prefer to not have anyone come to you, you are welcome to request an anointed cloth.
    • As responsible citizens, we should cooperate with public officials in any way possible to limit the spread of this disease.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. More specific informa tion on avoiding and treating the flu is available at http://www.flu.gov.

I know we will all do what we can with this potential problem. I should mention that if anyone should need to stay home from services for this, or other needs, you can connect to services through the telephone service we have available in Indianapolis. This service is available for a true need. I will print the instructions below for anyone to save for future use:

Here is the connection info for the Indy teleconference bridge:  Contact Mr. McNeely for the necessary telephone service information:

Our policy for this service is fairly loose. If you need to occasionally use it and can afford to pay it would be appreciated. Widows, elderly and others unable to pay are free. Always ask if there are any questions. 

That's about all I have for this week. Debbie and I will be in Indy this Sabbath. We look forward to seeing all of you then.


Quarterdeck 08.20.2009

 

Hello Everyone,

Debbie and I just arrived back home after spending two nights on the shore of Lake Michigan for our 36th wedding anniversary. Hard to believe, but the years keep ticking away. It was nice to get away from the phone and email. I actually went 48 hours without checking my email! It felt pretty good. I recommend it for anyone.

This Sabbath after services the Fort Wayne congregation will behaving an after church gathering at the home of Karl and Lori Hermann. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be cooked. It should be a good time for everyone.

Council Reports and Chairman's Summary

All of the reports from last week's Council of Elders's meetings have been issued. You can read them all at our new Council of Elders web site. Here is the link...http://coe.ucg.org/

I am including Chairman Roy Holladay's summary of our meetings below. It just came out today....

See you all this Sabbath....


Dear Fellow Elders,

Certain sections of the Bible grab your attention and focus you on God’s plan for all humanity. Ephesians 1 is such a chapter. Verse 4 reveals that our Heavenly Father’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ was thought out “before the foundation of the world.” God is following a plan to achieve His overarching purpose for creation to bring many sons to glory. Verse 11 adds clarity to God’s plan by stating that we are “predestined according to the purpose of Him…according to the counsel of His will” (emphasis added). 

The August Council meetings addressed several significant issues facing the Church that have to do with our working with God to fulfill that plan. The Council addressed the long-term issues and plans for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God, as well as educating our youth and ministry. Let me explain.

The groundwork is now laid for our administration to carry out an effective ABC and pastoral training program. The green light has been given to the administration by the Council to develop the curriculum for ABC and pastoral training that will serve the Church well over the next decade. Quoting from the Curriculum Development Plan: “The curriculum of ABC and the Pastoral Training Program would be reviewed by a task force of individuals from inside the current education administration and members outside the administration. It is recommended we have a two-tier task force. The first task force would review the curriculum and recommend any changes. The second would review the recommendations and recommend a final 
curriculum...” 

The Council to a person wholeheartedly concurs with the development of full-time church pastors who can serve the local congregations. Management has the directive to provide adequate facilities for the training of future ministers—thus fulfilling the Strategic Plan. We look forward to 2010 for the start of the updated pastoral training program. As this develops, you will be hearing more about it.

With the branding discussion we have taken another step to position our message before the world. We all know our message is the gospel or good news of the Kingdom of God. No one has to tell us what our message is. In discussing our message with branding agencies we have emphasized the uniqueness of our message:

1.     We offer the path to a direct and personal relationship with God. Our members are living examples of this message.
2.     We offer authentic Christianity. We are an extension of the first-century Church.
3.     We offer understanding. We provide a biblically based explanation of the meaning and purpose of life. We provide life-changing biblical truths and the answers to tough questions.

When people search for news, they go to their favorite Web site such as CNN, Fox News, CBS, NBC or ABC. When people search for religious information, we want them to think of the United Church of God—we want them to come to our Web sites. We want to rise above the crowd and become the source of religious information and understanding that people go to. A branding company will assist the Church in achieving that goal.

The Council will be working with the administration to produce both an effective message and a media mix in the coming months. We believe a proper media mix (the appropriate use of all available media tools), combined with positioning our message, will greatly aid in propelling the work forward. This is a dying world that desperately needs to hear a message of hope and truth regarding what biblical salvation entails.

Two years ago the decision was made to relocate to Texas. Over the last two years dramatic financial changes have occurred on a global basis. As a result of this crisis, the Council and administration had reevaluated “Where Do We Go From Here” for nearly a year. The economy has faltered, the housing market has collapsed, bankruptcies have soared, and millions of people have lost their jobs.

These trends are also having an impact on the Church. Last year God blessed the United Church of God with a 1.5 percent increase in income. As responsible stewards, we are striving to take a measured approach to expansion at this junction. Over the next three to five years we will have a clearer understanding of the impact this financial crisis will have on the nation and the Church.

Thus, the Council has made a strategic decision based on financial considerations to maintain our presence at our current facility. This was one of the options put forward by the administration. Therefore the Denton property will be placed on the market. Please pray that God would send a buyer to allow us to recover our investment in the property in Texas so those funds can be put toward the vital need of preaching a gospel of hope, as well as preparing a people that God is actively striving to bring to the full measure of Jesus Christ.

The Scriptures clearly teach that “the laborer is worthy of his wages” and “let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:17-18). We have many long serving ministers and wives and employees who have labored long and hard, some up to 50+ years in the work of God. They have worked tirelessly and sacrificed their health and time in service to the Church. We all are very grateful to them for their years of service. We cannot neglect them in their later years. We are committed to providing a reasonable means of retirement-age income for them. Britt Taylor led the Council through a review of how this can be made possible. There is a biblical duty and responsibility to look after the needs of our employees, and the Council plans to continue that support. More details will be distributed to the employees soon on this plan.

One highlight of the meetings was the approval of 11 new men to be ordained into the ministry of Jesus Christ. This is the largest number of ordinations that I remember at any one time. This speaks well of the dedication, humility and faithfulness of many families within the local congregations of the United Church of God. God is providing more laborers for the harvest.

With all these exciting opportunities before us, we need to unite together as never before to preach the gospel and serve “the elect” of God. God has given His children into our care to love and guide. As we move away from these meetings that deal so much with facts, figures and policies, let’s never lose sight of the grand focus of Scripture that God is calling us to relationships with Him and His Son, with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, and with a world that so desperately needs His message. It is a privilege to serve alongside you in this great calling.

In Christ’s service
Roy Holladay
Chairman

Quarterdeck 08.14.09

14 AUG 2009

Hello Everyone,

Sorry to be late in writing this week. Debbie and I returned last night from Cincinnati where we attended the quarterly meeting of the Council of Elders. I have been trying to catch up today and on top of everything my grandson Liam dropped in today and insisted that Grandpa Mac watch Thomas the Train with him. How could I say no?

We had a very productive week of meetings. That may sound like an oxymoron but we did accomplish some significant work. We closed the chapter on the relocation to Texas issue. The Council passed a resolution that there would no more study of relocating. We will place the Texas property for sale to being to determine the market value and whether we can sell at a price that recoups our investment. You will need to pray for this and ask God to send a buyer that can allow us to put that money back into the job of preaching the gospel and providing for the future educational needs of the church.

We gave a go ahead for the administration to do a study of the Ambassador Bible Center program and develop a curriculum that fits the needs of all who attend. It has been ten years since the start of ABC and an assessment and review is in order. Part of this will also include developing a curriculum for pastoral training. Those who will be brought into a separate training program  for pastoral ministry will receive one year of training at the home office. Our plans do include providing adequate facilities to accomplish both the ABC and pastoral training programs.

The Council approved a communication strategy to allow it to communicate clearly and effectively with the ministry and membership. This will be a great aid for us to show what we are doing in committee work and in all our meetings.

Another big ticket item was the decision to contract with an agency to help us develop an effective message to the world. We have called this a "branding" project and you will recall the sermon I gave on this recently. This will be a key project over the next few months to help us move forward with the job of preaching the gospel.

I appreciate all the prayers you offer for our work. It helps greatly to know so many of you support all on the Council and the many decisions we have to make. Thank you.


Debbie and I will be Indy tomorrow and look forward to seeing many of you then.

Take care,

Quarterdeck 08.08.09

08 AUG 2009

Debbie and I hope your week has been going well. I am a bit late in  getting this note to all of you before the Sabbath. Robin Webber flew in late last night and will be giving the sermon in Indy tomorrow. We leave from there to go down to Cincinnati for the quarterly meeting of the Council of Elders which begins on Monday. Sunday is always taken up with committee meetings.

Secret Sister Reveal

All book club ladies, please plan to attend the Secret Sister Reveal meeting after services on Sept. 12. This time we will have a a change--please bring a nice (but not expensive) gift to give to the sister who has been giving to you! We will all have a chance to thank our sisters for their cards, gifts and prayers. As usual, please also bring a finger food snack to share with the whole church. We will also be planning for our first real book club after the feast. See you there.

Young Adults Picnic

A Young Adults Picnic and Interactive Bible Study will be held on Sunday, August 16th, at Fort Harrison State Park in the Delaware Shelter. This will be an interactive study on focusing on the challenges of living a Godly life in today world. It will also give us an opportunity to brainstorm and begin organizing some future activities for young adults. If you have not already RSVP'd for this event, please contact Melody Moss at Melody@MossIndustries.com.

Attention Midland Ontario Canada Feast-Goers!

There is an urgent need for volunteers to sing in the Midland Festival Choir.  Currently we do not have enough voices to sing each part that constitutes a complete choir.  We really need the participation of those who are able to serve by singing in the festival choir.
 
If you are interested in helping out in this important way, please contact the festival choir director Paul Wasilkoff asap.  Remember to give him your (a) name and (b) the part you sing.  His e-mail address is paul_wasilkoff@ucg.org. Since the Feast is only a few short weeks away your response is needed no later than August 21 – sooner would even be better.  He looks forward to hearing from you soon.

Volunteer Sign Up Lists for Wisconsin Dells

In both Indy and Fort Wayne this Sabbath we will have sign up lists for various duties needing to be filled at the Wisconsin Dells Festival Site. If you are attending there and would be able to serve in any capacity, be sure to sign the sheets.

Beef and Boards Payments

Don't forget that August 13 is the deadline for sending payment for the Beef and Boards dinner theater outing on August 30. Seniors are free and non-seniors are $42.

See you Sabbath,

Ladies Luncheon - Last Call for Signup

Ladies,  tomorrow is the last day to RSVP for the Ladies Luncheon. There is a signup sheet at the back table.

Please join us on Sunday, August 2nd at 1pm for the 2009 Ladies Luncheon.

We will be hosting all ladies from the surrounding areas for an afternoon as we step back in time to the Fabulous 50’s. Come dressed for the event in your favorite 50’s style outfit if you prefer!

Please bring a salad to contribute to the feast. All other food and drink will be provided by the Indianapolis Social Committee.

Tomorrow (Saturday 25 JULY 2009) is the last day to RSVP at the signup sheet on the information table, so please do not forget.

Indianapolis Social Committee

UCGindy On Posterous - Now

The weekly postings of information for the local congregation, UCGindy,  of the United Church of God, an International Association, located in Greenwood, IN, will now appear on Posterous and then be passed on to platforms from there.  A one place posting - landing on numerous other locations.

The UCGindy web site will be undergoing another change in the near future as Home Office gears up to provide new sites for the various churches around the United States.  The Media Dept. in the Cincinnati office have been preparing a new platform to roll out to all the churches soon.  The new format will have a common look in the over all user interface, have feeds from the Home Office site and other news sources.  The new system will also allow the Home Office staff to push information to congregation a lot easier and faster.  Delivery can also be to the group or to individuals as needed.

The current web sites - such as ours in Indy - will be able to be retained; so long as there is sufficient volunteers to run it.  The new system will need very little upkeep and will provide - for most congregations - a more steady stream of information and services.

I will be watching over the current site until the transition.  Mr. McNeely and I have agreed to allow someone else to be the caretaker of the site as the new one comes on.  I have plenty of online activity to please me.  So, I'm more than willing to pass on the torch to others.  I'm here if someone wishes to ask questions or seek help.  But I will be 'retired' from the UCGindy web page when the transition occurs.

I and others will still be able to post to the Posterous platform and thereby keep up the conversation.

I hope you enjoy this new service and that several will take advantage of the offerings.

Best to all -

les

United Church of God, Indianapolis
Les Booth
Information Architect
Preaching the Gospel, Preparing a People
ucgindy@gmail.com