News at a Glance

• Covenants Booklet Completed
• Beyond Today Closing in on 10,000 Responses
• 15 Attend Pastoral Training Classes
• Writers Needed for New Publication Approved by Council
• Planning to Attend the Feast in Stirling, Scotland, in 2008?
• Jacksonville Young Adults' Activity Registration Details Announced
• Bluegrass Family Fun Weekend Set
• Families for God Weekend Set for April 21-22
• Calendar of Events
• What's New on the Web?

Covenants Booklet Completed

In March we plan to print and mail to members a new book, The New Covenant: Does It Abolish God's Law? The publication, at 168 pages, is more of a book than a booklet and thoroughly explains an essential identifying doctrine that sets apart the branches of the Church of God from other churches.

The booklet, written primarily by senior writer Roger Foster of San Antonio, Texas, has been in the works for several years.

"Correctly explaining in a single booklet the New Covenant and topics related directly to it was one of the first priorities set by United Church of God," commented Mr. Foster. "Shortly after the Council of Elders made available its official doctrinal paper on this subject I was authorized to start the process of putting the booklet together. I completed the first draft early in 2004.

"Since then we have solicited reviews and advice from many sources that have resulted in useful modifications and additions. The current text is truly the product of many people who have contributed useful perspectives and suggestions. And I personally did extensive research to raise the accuracy level as high as I could. The task has been long and tedious. My hope is that all the work that went into it will truly benefit those who read it."

Leon Walker, chairman of the Church's Doctrine Committee, said: "I believe this is the best treatment of this subject that we have ever had in the Church. The booklet covers an important topic and I believe Roger in particular has explained several difficult aspects very well. We have needed this booklet for quite some time, and I am pleased that at last we have it completed."

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Beyond Today Closing in on 10,000 Responses

As of Feb. 16, 9,257 responses have been recorded from cable-access television, radio and the Internet since Beyond Today first aired in December 2005.

Weekly response has been on a steady upward track. Since September 2006, average weekly response has climbed from 138 to 156. The top responding program so far is "The Coming King of the South," which garnered 316 responses the week of Nov. 5-11, 2006. The next highest responding program, "The Debt Trap," which aired the final week of August 2006, received 275 responses. Of the top 10 highest-responding programs, six have covered prophetic themes.

The titles of the top 10 programs are:

1. "The Coming King of the South."

2. "The Debt Trap."

3. "What Next America ?"

4. "Where Have Fathers Gone?"

5. "The Next Superpower."

6. "A Place Called Hell."

7. "You Need a Break."

8. "The Return of Jesus Christ."

9. "Is Your Future Secure?"

10. "The Horsemen of Revelation."

In the past 15 months, 43 Beyond Today programs have aired, 17 of which have aired twice. Beyond Today is currently airing on 188 cable-access television channels and broadcasting on 19 commercial radio stations in the United States.

John LaBissoniere

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15 Attend Pastoral Training Classes

Jan. 22 to 30, 2007, Ministerial Services held training classes for new pastors. Several instructors from the home office and others from the field ministry conducted the classes and workshops for the 11 men from the United States and four from other countries. Here is the list of those in attendance:

Gary Black, pastor of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Andy Burnett, pastor of Covington and New Orleans, Louisiana, and Laurel, Mississippi.

Paul Carter, assistant pastor of Springfield and Joplin, Missouri, and Harrison, Arkansas.

Dan Dowd, pastor of Milwaukee, Oshkosh and Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

Eric Evans, associate pastor of Atlanta and Jefferson, Georgia.

Herchial (Paul) Fisher, pastor of Jamaica congregations.

Peter Hawkins, office manager in the United Kingdom.

Dennis Horlick, assistant pastor of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Ron Kelley, assistant pastor of Columbus and Cambridge, Ohio.

Scott Lord, pastor of Buffalo and Elmira, New York.

Chris Moen, pastor of Mansfield and Canton, Ohio.

Gary McConnaughey, pastor of Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Cadillac, Michigan.

Dave Palmer, pastor of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Jon Pinelli, assistant pastor of Cincinnati East AM and PM, Ohio.

Tim Waddle, pastor of Marietta and Athens, Ohio, and Morgantown, West Virginia.

Toward the end of March, they will return with their wives for another two weeks of the six-week program. This next session will focus heavily on counseling.

Excerpted from Jan. 25, 2007, Ministerial Services Newsletter and Journal.

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Writers Needed for New Publication Approved by Council

A new electronic publication has been approved by the Council of Elders that will focus on alcoholism, eating disorders, substance abuse, sexual addictions, mental illness and other forms of dysfunctionality. The purpose of the magazine is to help people in their daily struggles and to help those who help them.

We are looking for writers on these subjects. Articles may be written by people who struggle with these issues, family members and friends who have helped them and people who are professionally qualified to help. Only articles from members of the United Church of God will be accepted. Writers may request to use a pseudonym, if preferred, but the material must be submitted in the person's actual name.

Please send articles to Melvin Rhodes at the home office address. You may also e-mail them to him at melvin_rhodes@ucg.org.

Articles should not exceed 1,500 words.

Suggestions for a name for the publication are also welcome by the end of March.

Melvin Rhodes

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Planning to Attend the Feast in Stirling, Scotland, in 2008?

UCG–British Isles would appreciate the help of those who have decided to attend the Feast in Stirling , Scotland , Oct. 14-21, 2008. Let us know online or by letter so we can negotiate with hotels and private accommodations. How many will be in your family group? What ages?

For planning purposes we would also like to know places you would like to visit so we can arrange a private tour operator to take care of your needs. Details of some options are on the Web site.

Please visit www.ucg.org.uk/Stirling2008 to let us know your details, or write to Stirling Feast 2008, United Church of God–British Isles, P.O. Box 705, Watford, WD19 6FZ, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom. Names and ages of those in your group, type of accommodations preferred and projected dates of arrival and departure in Stirling will be a great help. We aim to provide a suitable hall for Atonement in the area, so let us know if you plan to be there.

Any further inquiries may be made by e-mail to feast@ucg.org.uk with "Stirling2008" in the subject line. Thank you for your help.

Peter Hawkins

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Jacksonville Young Adults' Activity Registration Details Announced

Plans are well underway for the Pentecost/Memorial Day weekend leadership activities in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Florida. The activities begin Friday evening, May 25, and conclude on Monday evening, May 28.

The registration fee is set at $80, which is due by May 5. This fee pays for most of the meals and activities. The seminars, dance and Sabbath/Holy Day services will be held at the Holiday Inn Resort of Jacksonville. The rooms have a discounted rate of $79, plus tax, a night and will hold up to five people per room. You will be responsible for making your own reservation by contacting the hotel yourself at sharrison@mmiemail.com or by calling (904) 741-4404.

Please send your registration fee to UCG-Jacksonville, P.O. Box 7558, Jacksonville, FL 32238. Make checks payable to United Church of God–Jacksonville. For more information or details, please contact Ina McLemore at inamc@juno.com. Due to limited seating space, this activity is being offered on a first-come basis, so please register early!

Ina McLemore

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Bluegrass Family Fun Weekend Set

The Wheeling, West Virginia, congregation invites musicians and brethren who enjoy music to a Bluegrass Family Fun Weekend June 28 through July 1 at Sally Buffalo Park near Cadiz, Ohio.

Jam sessions, parking lot pickin' and entertainment programs will highlight activities on Thursday night, Friday and Sunday. Saturday night will feature an extended jam session and great food. A "Welcome" reception is scheduled for Friday night. On the Sabbath there will be a Sabbath service, a potluck-style lunch and Bible studies for adults, teens and children.

Registration forms are available at www.ucgnet.org/wheeling/bluegrass. You can also request a registration form and get further information by calling Jesse Earles at (276) 650-2224 or Bob Miller at (740) 968-3106.

Bob Miller

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Families for God Weekend Set for April 21-22

"Children of God—Joint Heirs With Christ...Our Spiritual Heritage" is the theme for this year's annual Families for God Weekend in Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 21-22, 2007. The inspiration for this exciting facet of our shared calling comes from Romans 8:16-17.

The weekend includes Sabbath services, useful seminars, great food, a family fun show, teen prom and more, including special guest speakers. These uplifting activities will be held at the Marriott Minneapolis West in St. Louis Park.

Seminar topics include "Understanding Our Fellow Heirs," "Can't We All Just Get Along?" "Passing Our Godly Heritage to Children," "Joining the Generations," "Mentoring Fellow Heirs" and "Becoming What God Envisions: Putting on the Ritz."

The prom, for teens 13 to 19, has the theme of "Once Upon a Time" and will offer a separate dinner and elegant ballroom in the Marriott.

Sunday will sport a fun day of water adventure and casual fellowship at the 70,000-square-foot Waterpark of America (next to the Mall of America), in the Grand Lodge Hotel. Special discounts and light snacks will be provided.

Registration is required for Saturday and Sunday activities, as well as room reservations, all by March 31. Rooms at the Marriott can be booked by e-mailing Ed or Pam Quam at eddie_pam@yahoo.com or by calling them at (320) 679-0315. Printed brochures with registration forms will be distributed to local church pastors.

To download a form, get involved with the fun show or for more information, visit www.ucgstp.org/familiesforgod. Or contact David Morker at (763) 639-8705 or dsmorker@yahoo.

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Calendar of Events

March 17: South Central Region Teen Formal Dinner and Dance, Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, www.ucg-dallas.org/teenformal.

March 24: Southeast Regional Prom, Gainesville, Georgia, www.ucgatlanta.org.

April 7: Dallas 50th anniversary celebration, Westlake, Texas, www.ucg-dallas.org/50th.

April 21-22: Twin Cities Families for God Weekend, "Children of God—Joint Heirs With Christ...Our Spiritual Heritage," Minneapolis, Minnesota (www.ucgstp.org/familiesforgod).

April 28: Great Lakes Region Teen Prom, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (www.ucgnet.org/pittsburgh/teens/; see article, January issue, page 16).

May 5-7: GCE annual meeting, Holiday Inn Eastgate, Cincinnati, Ohio.

May 8-10: Council of Elders meeting.

May 18-20: Spokane, Washington, 10th annual Women's Retreat. Theme: "Fruitful Branches."

May 25-28: Young adults' activity, Jacksonville, Florida (see article, this page).

June 28-July 1: Bluegrass Family Fun Weekend, Sally Buffalo Park near Cadiz, Ohio, www.ucgnet.org/wheeling/bluegrass.

Aug. 5-8: Council of Elders meeting.

Aug. 12: ABC graduation.

Sept. 2: Houston Music Festival, see article, this page.

Dec. 11-13: Council of Elders meeting.

Feb. 29-March 5, 2008: Council of Elders meeting.

May 18-19: GCE annual meeting.

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What's New on the Web?

Beyond Today Commentary. Watch or listen to short commentaries on various topics presented by the hosts of the Beyond Today program. Access online at www.beyondtoday.tv/programs/commentary/.

Bible and Archaeology. Read though this series of articles to see how evidence from archaeology proves the historical accuracy of the Bible. Online at www.gnmagazine.org/archaeology.

Profiles of Faith. Read about the faithful men and women of the Bible in the "Profiles of Faith" series at www.gnmagazine.org/profilesfaith/.

UCG Commentary

"Entertainment Replaces News"
"The Real Secret"
"Unmarried Women, a Casualty of War"
www.ucg.org/commentary/

Featured Link

UCG Council Meeting Reports www.ucg.org/about/council/updates.htm.

If you have questions or comments, please contact: webmaster@ucg.org