Dear Daytona Registrant,

With all that has been going on in the nation and with Feast planning this year, it is hard to believe that the fall holydays are almost upon us.   The Feast of Tabernacles will begin in a little more than a month!

As we draw near to Feast time, let me bring you up to date on some things concerning Daytona Beach.

By this time, you have most likely made your housing reservations for the Feast.   If you have not, please be advised that we have recently added three hotels to the approved/discounted hotel list.  Click on the Housing Tab at the Daytona Feast site at feast.ucg.org.   The discounted prices for the latest three hotels, which are the Hampton Inn, Hawaiian Inn, and Tropical Winds are posted on the site.  The rates are as low as $68 a night for an oceanfront room with kitchen and balcony.  Contact information is online under Housing Info.

We are looking forward to spending the Feast with all of you at Daytona this year.  You should have received an August 13 update that was sent a few weeks back, so you know that we will have a designated “masks-only” room separate from our main meeting room for those who prefer that option.  Masks are still required in Daytona in public places and indoors when social distancing is not possible.  We will update local requirements again as we draw nearer to Feast time.

The Ocean Center is a large, beautiful facility. During the time of the Feast, we will be the only people (besides those who work there) meeting on the premises.  There will be a parking lot that is dedicated to the Church that is located to the south of the entrance to the main meeting hall.  It is a little walk from the parking lot, but there will be drop-off opportunities for those who need that service;  a limited number of handicapped parking spaces will be available.  More instructions will be coming later on these issues and the Special Services crews that will be on hand before and after services to assist those who need into and from the Center. 

As we plan for the Feast, we can use your help in a few areas, and I have a couple questions I would like to ask of you.

Volunteer Areas
If you have not already volunteered at the time of your registration to assist in Youth Education or Special Services, and would like to do so, please email me and I will put you in contact with the people who are coordinating those functions.  Also, if you have coordinated Mother’s Room services before or served as a Business Office Manager at the Feast previously, please let me know. 

(In case you don’t know what “Special Services” are, these are those who will be available at the entrances to assist those who need help into the meeting rooms, whether it be the elderly, mothers with small children, those in wheelchairs, or other situations . I hope that perhaps several of our young adults and older teens might volunteer to assist in this area).

I need a response by email from you if either of the following applies to you:

To assist in our planning and accounting, please email me if either or both of the following applies to you:

 If you plan to sit in the designated “masks only” room, please let me know.  We have a large space available and will have seating  set up in accordance with distancing guidelines, but we need to know about how many plan to be in that area.  (Please note, also, that it is okay to sit in the main hall with a mask on for the entire service, if you so desire.  Everyone in the “masks required” room will be required to have masks on during fellowship and services time).

 

If you have made reservations for a condo or home or other accommodation, through VRBO (Vacation Rental by Owner), please let me know.  (There is no problem with this company, we just need to know how many accommodations have been booked through them).

Feast Activity Schedule

An Activity Schedule for the Feast will be posted within the next several days as we finalize Bible Study, seminar, and other activity dates and times.  When completed and posted you will be notified that the Schedule is available.    Just watch for and click on the link provided in that future email when it arrives.

We are excited about the Feast in Daytona this year.  God is in charge and I know He is planning a wonderful time for all of us to be together, observing His Feast in the manner He prescribes.  As we rejoice with each other in His presence and under His guidance,  my prayer is that we will all develop a clearer vision of what His Kingdom will be like, and that all will be done to His honor and glory.    

If I can be of any assistance to you in any area, or if you have any questions, please feel free to call or email me. 

Until later, take care and be well.

Rick Shabi
Daytona Feast Coordinator