Home Office Weekly Update
January 4, 2024
From Ministerial and Member Services . . .
Greetings from the Philippines!
After the weeklong Manila leadership conference, my wife, Kathe, and I along with senior pastor David Dobson and his wife, Denise, traveled to the south island of Mindanao. About 85 brethren gathered together for Sabbath services with our congregation in Davao. It was a joyous celebration of the Sabbath and wonderful opportunity to be together, with many traveling long distances.
The following day we were able to have extended visits with Jed Sy and her brother, Jong Pilapil, who are members presently incarcerated. It has almost been 20 years that they have been imprisoned and yet have remained extremely faithful under very difficult circumstances. They have set an amazing example of God’s way through the difficult decades, and have been used as trusted leaders in both the men’s and women’s prisons. They even refer to Jong as the “mayor” since he is able to help with the inmates in ways even the guards cannot do. He knows each of the over 1800 inmates by name!
Here is the official mailing address for both Jed Sy and Jong Pilapil:
PO Box 80134, DCPO, 8000 Davao City, PHILIPPINES
Our pastor Roy Gilos and his wife, Shiela, tirelessly serve seven congregations throughout Mindanao. They took us to visit our Church-owned building in Santo Tomas. The brethren are overjoyed to be able to have their own facility. Our building also serves as a community center.
We also had the opportunity to visit Eden Nature Park where the Philippine Teen Camp is held. It is a beautiful area in a garden like setting that serves as a wonderful place to be “in the Zone.” We were impressed with the facility and the organization and activities of the teen camp.
Next, we returned to Manila and were able to visit the UCG office in the Philippines. Bong Remo, associate pastor for the Metro Manila and Luzon areas and his wife, Grace; Richard Macaraeg; and our pastor for the Metro Manila and Luzon areas, Dr. Rey Evasco, and his wife, Cynthia; along with the Dobsons, explained all the work that takes place at the office. It was very encouraging to see how God has blessed the preaching of the gospel and the care of the brethren in the Philippines.
As we prepare to travel home, we are certainly reminded that we are all a part of the Body of Christ, and the Work of God that spans the globe! Please remember to pray for our dear and faithful brethren in the Philippines.
—Steve Myers, Operation Manager, Ministerial and Member Services
Agape Love Series Part 5—“Love Does Not Boast and Is Not Proud”
This week’s study is titled: “Love Does Not Boast and Is Not Proud.” Boasting and pride are related attributes, both of which Paul specifically mentions in his famous exhortation of agape love in 1 Corinthians 13.
You can listen to it online at ucg.org/sermons/love-does-not-boast-and-is-not-proud-agape-love-series-part-5 or download it to your favorite mobile device. All 11 parts are available as a sermon series at ucg.org/sermons/sermon-series/agape-love.
—Peter Eddington, Operation Manager, Media and Communications Services
Atlanta Ski Trip—Feb. 3-4
With meteorologists predicting extra snow this year due to the El Niño effect, the Atlanta congregation is once more planning its annual ski trip. Our 13th consecutive annual ski and snowboard trip is scheduled for Feb. 3-4, 2024. Based on the success we had last year at Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Ober Mountain’s newly renovated lodge, we will be back there again.
Details for the trip, including payment details and recommended lodging, are offered at: ucg.org/congregations/atlanta-ga/posts/atlanta-ski-trip-february-3-4-2024-977886
Block off the first weekend in February on your calendar, reserve a hotel room (see the options on the Atlanta UCG website), and get ready for another year of fun, fellowship and activities on the slopes in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
Wamatochick Weekend—Feb. 23-26
Young adults are invited to join their brothers and sisters for the third annual UYA Wamatochick Weekend, Feb. 23-26, 2024, for a winter weekend in the pines of Northern Arizona. This year's theme will be “Fan the Flame” (2 Timothy 1:6, English Standard Version) and the presentations will invite and encourage us to be proactive in growing our relationship with God. The Sabbath will include church services, and sessions in the afternoon on topics close to our hearts, all connecting back to the theme. Sunday will feature additional sessions as well as indoor and outdoor activities including hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking, weather permitting. Everyone is welcome to stay an additional night to extend the weekend into Monday to enjoy more fellowship and activity time.
Ages are 18-32, and married and single are welcome. Cost is $165 per person, including sleeping arrangements and seven meals. Camp is outside of Prescott, Arizona, and the Phoenix Airport is a 2-hour drive from camp. Please text or email Erin Merritt if you are interested in attending, or for more information (425-686-0462 or penguinseed@icloud.com).
Please let us know if you are planning to come! We need a count to plan for beds and food. As a bonus, we will have our famous camp cooks, who will be taking care of us from the kitchen. It doesn’t get much better than that! Register now using this link: ucg.regfox.com/wamatochick-weekend-2024
ABC Continuing Education
The Ambassador Bible College Continuing Education program will be held at the home office in Milford, Ohio, May 13-17, 2023. Registration will open on Jan. 8. Faculty members will teach excerpts of classes from the ABC curriculum. Lunch and continental breakfast will be served each day. The cost to attend the program is $85 per person, or $100 for married couples. Enrollment is limited. To register, please contact Katherine Rowland at (513) 576-9796 or katherine_rowland@ucg.org.