Greetings everyone,
We are getting down to "short time" for Headquarters in San Diego! This was brought forcibly to our attention Wednesday of this week as Mr. Meredith opened the employee meeting. Mr. Meredith stated that the preparation of the building is on track. He then introduced Mr. Richard Ames for comments and discussion of the move to Charlotte. Mr. Meredith also asked me to speak to the staff for a few minutes, and I encouraged everyone to look beyond their present trials to the ultimate goal.
The TV studio will be dismantled beginning next week. The last TV programs were recorded last week, and the last taping done in the current studio was a sermon in French by Mr. Apartian today. Mr. Apartian has recorded radio programs and Sabbath sermons continuously for the past 43 years—from Pasadena and San Diego, California. He will now commence a new 40-year career from Charlotte, North Carolina!
EXECUTIVE OFFICE
Most of the Headquarters personnel who had properties in California have successfully closed on the sale of the same. Exceptions are Mr. Gaylyn Bonjour who manages our Mail Processing Department, and my brother Mr. Raymond McNair. Please pray for them to have success in their respective endeavors.
Important Move Deadlines:
Please note—all correspondence to Headquarters for Sabbath hall payments and reimbursements for ministerial expense must be received by FEBRUARY 12.
The last day Headquarters will issue checks from San Diego will be FEBRUARY 24.
From February 24 through March 16 the office will be closed because of the Headquarters move to Charlotte, North Carolina.
Announcement—Mr. Tom Turner:
Legal & Risk Management Services During Relocation: Due to the physical relocation to Charlotte, NC, the Office of Legal Affairs and Risk Management will be closed beginning the afternoon of February 21, 2003 at 1:00 pm until the morning of March 17, 2003 (the official "Grand Opening") at 9:00 am. Mail for this department that is received after February 21st may not be processed until after March 17th. However, we have arranged for certain limited services to be available during this time to address urgent/emergency contract processing, proof of insurance needs and jury duty excusal rejections. Unfortunately, our other services (including requests for Conscientious Objector packets) will not be able to be filled, or forms processed, during the referenced 3-week period. From February 21, 2003 through March 17, 2003 all documents relating to urgent/emergency contracts, proof of insurance and jury duty excusal rejections should be emailed to [email protected], or faxed to (619) 374-7292. (Please note that this special temporary fax number should not be used until after the 21st of February).
Conscientious Objection and Military Service: The potential for the US government to re-institute the military draft grows with each passing week. The Military Selective Service Act provides that no person shall be subject to combatant training and service in the armed forces who "by reason of religious training and belief is conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form" (50 U.S.C. App. § 456(j)). There is no draft at present; however, if a war were declared today, the draft could begin immediately. By law, all males must register with Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Pursuant to the Biblical instruction given in Romans 13:1-2, if you have failed to register within the required 30 days, the Church would recommend that you now register as soon as possible if you are between the age of 18 and 26. The longer you delay, the greater the potential penalty if the draft were re-instituted. Male "adherents" (members, prospective members) of Living Church of God in the United States, who are 18 to 26 years old, should request, read and consider the instructions contained in the Church's information packet on Conscientious Objection to Military Service. The packet includes an exemption request form, instructions for completing that form, recommendations for additional actions to take, and how to be recorded in the Church's official Register of Conscientious Objectors maintained at headquarters.
MEDIA
As reported last week, the Tomorrow's World television programs from now forward will be taped in Charlotte, North Carolina.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Pastoral Assignment Changes:
Effective March 1st, Dr. Jeff Fall will pastor Orange County.
The Phoenix and Tucson Churches will be pastored by myself, assisted by Mr. Gary Ehman.
Greater Wyoming Family Weekend—Pastor Ben Whitfield
The "Greater Wyoming Family Weekend" is planned to be held at beautiful Saratoga, Wyoming, June 13th to 15th at the Riviera Lodge in beautiful Saratoga, Wyoming. The Wyoming brethren use this time to fellowship with family and friends down by the river, talk well into the evening as adults do, watch the kids play and just have a good time. The Sabbath offers an excellent time to get to know one another, worship God and hear from His word and share life's experiences with everyone. We've planning on some special guest speakers who will join us for this summer time event. Stay tuned...
Bible study is planned Friday evening June 13th, at 7:30pm at the Riviera Lodge, which is located at 104 E. Saratoga Street...2 blocks North of Bridge Street...right on the river. Phone number is 307-326-5651 for motel room reservations and directions if you get lost.
Sabbath Brunch, June 14th, is @10am with Sabbath services at 2:00pm, followed by a steak cook out on the lawn. Then Sunday is fun time. Spending time with your family in beautiful Saratoga, Wyoming. Hiking, fishing, river floating, etc., come prepared to have a great time in the mountains of Wyoming this June with the brethren...
For those who would like to "Camp Out" there is a mobile home park close to the river or a trailer/tent campground at the lake with electricity.
This will be the weekend immediately after Pentecost this year. The weather is usually beautiful, cool nights and pleasant days...like Phoenix during January...come prepared to have a great time in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming. For those who would like to venture onward after the weekend may we suggest exploring other parts of southern Wyoming...or even a trip up to Jackson Hole or Yellowstone. Wyoming summers are wonderful. See you then...
For any questions or further inquiries, please contact:
Ben Whitfield
P.O. Box 639
Rawlins, WY 82301
Email: [email protected]
INTERNATIONAL
Europe Moves Toward Unity—Douglas Winnail
Although overshadowed by more immediate events in other parts of the world, Europe's key nations continue their ever-quickening march toward unity. While fires devour Australia, while Americans focus on the super bowl, while Africans starve, North Korea threatens to develop nuclear weapons and the world worries about war with Iraq, France and Germany are taking dramatic steps towards political union in Europe.
In recent weeks members of the French and German parliaments held an unprecedented joint session in the historic palace of Versailles. Plans were announced to hold joint cabinet meetings, for closer co-ordination on foreign policy, and for appointing a secretary-general to represent each government in the other's capital to promote Franco-German co-operation. Other recent proposals have urged the two nations form a Franco-German federation with common governmental institutions that create and enforce common legislation, and that French and German citizens be permitted to hold dual citizenship. France and Germany would thus become a "hard core" around which other nations of Europe, who desire a closer union, could be organized.
Most remarkable was the proposal by France and Germany for two separate presidents of Europe—one for the Council of Ministers and one for the European Commission. This is an awkward attempt to harmonize competing visions for Europe held by France and Germany. The proposal was immediately challenged by other nations in Europe who see France and Germany plotting to retain dominant roles in an expanding European Union. The idea for twin presidents has been labeled a "formula for mayhem" and a "recipe for Euro-disaster." References to the dual presidents as a "bicephalous presidency" and a "double-headed monstrosity" echo descriptions of multi-headed beasts found in Bible prophecies related to end-time events (see Daniel 7 & Revelation 13).
Influenced by old antagonisms and molded by current world events, the beast that is rising in Europe is growing increasingly antagonistic toward policies pursued by America, Britain and their Israelite allies. Henry Kissinger recently commented "that Transatlantic relations are worse today than at any point since the second World War" (Euobserver.com, Nov.11, 2002). Our "lovers" are undergoing a change of heart and beginning to turn on the nations that came to their aid only decades ago—as Bible prophecy has long predicted (see Jeremiah 4:30; Ezekiel 16 & 23). This European beast is determined to challenge America and play a prominent role on the world stage—yet the Israelite nations are oblivious to what is happening. It is time to wake up!
Kingston, Jamaica
The Kingston, Jamaica congregation welcomed Regional Pastor Jonathan McNair on January 11th, for a quarterly visit. Two prospective members attended, bringing the Sabbath attendance to a record-high of 72 people. The Jamaican brethren continue to wholeheartedly support the preaching of the gospel, as the Tomorrow's World television program is broadcast each Sunday morning at 9:00 am. More than three thousand subscribers receive the Tomorrow's World magazine, and many have requested booklets on a range of subjects. Our public lecture schedule for 2003 will begin in the town of Mandeville, on January 25th, with associate pastor Hugh Wilson conducting the lecture. Subscribers who have requested two or more booklets have been invited. A second Public Lecture will be held in Kingston, in early May. Last year the Kingston lecture had an excellent turnout.
Sydney, Australia
Regional Pastor Bruce Tyler informed me by phone that the fire danger is still very high. Even in the mountainous area of NSW the drought is severe. Your prayers are needed for our brethren in Australia.
COMMENTS
Most of us in the USA viewed the State of the Union address by President Bush last Tuesday evening. It appears that a war with Iraq is inevitable. Clearly Saddam Hussein will seek to use anti-war sentiments in the US and Europe to stay the US action, but he is dealing with a President now who is just as resolute as he (Saddam) is intractable.
Our prayer is that Jesus Christ returns soon to deliver us from the misrule of man over man. The one thing history is consistent about is that man's rule over fellow man leads to the death of thousands of young men in the prime of life. No man, regardless of how loving and caring he is, will ever stop the cycle of war. As General Douglas MacArthur remarked in his words following the awful slaughter and destruction of WWII, the problem of mankind is a matter of the heart. "If we do not now devise some greater and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at our door. The problem basically is theological and involves a spiritual recrudescence and improvement of human character that will synchronize with our almost matchless advances in science, art, literature and all material and cultural developments of the past two thousand years, It must be of the spirit if we are to save the flesh."
Only God can stop war by changing the hearts of men. Religion and religious groups cannot stop war. The removal of Satan, the god of this world, and the rule of Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords will eliminate "the crucible of war."
I was reminded this week by an e-mail post from a member in Alabama that it is very important in wet and icy conditions to turn off and not engage the cruise control on your car. A few years ago I helped turn a car upright after a skid and overturn because the driver had her cruise control engaged when she encountered ice on the road. She sure was happy when she was extracted from the car following ten minutes of hanging upside down in her seat belt!
So, have a great Sabbath, and drive carefully!
Carl E. McNair