Greetings everyone,
"What happened to your usual way of greeting?" you may ask. Well, all of us have to change when circumstances dictate. As you know, from now on, I will be working with Dr. Douglas Winnail—a northerner as I mentioned in a previous Update. That's why, starting today, both us will be addressing you by, "Greetings everyone."
This has been a busy week in Charlotte. Mr. Meredith has been finishing the copy for a new booklet and is working on the next semi-annual letter that will offer this new booklet. Dr. Winnail moved to the USA (from the UK) on Friday, September 9th and is getting oriented to his new duties as the Director of CAD. Mr. Charles Bryce and his family are settling into Tyler, Texas, as he assumes his new duties as the Regional Pastor in that area. On Monday, Mr. and Mrs. Meredith and Dr. Winnail had lunch with Miss Exie Howell, a Church member and nurse who worked in a hospital in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit the city. Exie discussed her experiences and events she witnessed while she remained at the hospital for several days, until the staff and patients were evacuated.
It has been very encouraging to see the generous response of members to Mr. Meredith's request for donations to the Disaster Relief Fund. These funds will be used to assist needy individuals who are impacted by devastating events, such as the recent Hurricane Katrina.
CHURCH ADMINISTRATION
Trip to Kenya
Dr. Winnail visited congregations in Kenya from August 30 to September 6. During this visit, he and Mr. Muthama looked at several possible locations for a new office in Nairobi, and then traveled to western Kenya for visits, a Sabbath service, several Bible Studies and baptismal counseling. Arrangements were also finalized for the Feast in Kenya near Lake Victoria. One highlight of Dr. Winnail's trip was meeting with a new group of more than 60 people near Kisii who came across our website and have begun to keep the Sabbath. They were very eager and excited to learn the truth about a number of biblically based Church doctrines. Overall, Dr. Winnail and Mr. Muthama were able to meet with over 150 people in Kenya. The brethren in Kenya send their greetings to members in other countries—and will also appreciate being remembered in your prayers.
Australian Work Report
Mr. Bruce Tyler reports that in August, the Tomorrow's World program generated 822 responses in Australia. For the first eight months of 2005, the Australian office received 4,864 responses. Fifty-two percent were from first-time callers. Currently, our Australian mailing list is above the 11,000 mark. We are grateful to God for this growth.
Bulk Literature Requests from Regional Offices
Regional offices that anticipate needing literature from Charlotte for use at the Feast, or shortly after the Feast, should send those requests to CAD as soon as possible. Headquarters will be closed from Thursday, October 13 until Monday, October 31. However, as mentioned in the September 1 Update, the building will be open for tours before the Feast on Friday, October 14, and after the Feast on Thursday, October 27. The tours will be conducted at 9:30 am, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm and 2:30 pm. Reservations are not necessary.
Holy Day Calendars
Attention all USA and International Video Recipients: The next package of sermons you will receive from Headquarters will contain Holy Day pocket calendars. Please take these calendars to Church services with you so that members can have one or two copies for their personal use.
MEDIA
Mr. Wayne Pyle reports that Mr. Ames' TV program that aired last weekend, "2005 and Prophecy," and offered the booklet, Revelation: The Mystery Unveiled! drew more than 3,000 calls. Five TV stations last weekend had record responses. Mr. Pyle writes, "It was our best summer re-run weekend ever." In the UK, the current ad for the booklet The United States and Great Britain in Prophecy has generated more than 2,000 responses.
COMMENTS
A few days ago, I read the commencement address Steve Jobs delivered at Stanford University last June. He is, as most of you know, the CEO of Apple Computer and Pixar Animation Studios. His "unforgettable" speech can be found online on various websites. Mr. Jobs told three personal stories describing the major events in his life—his ups and downs in building a successful business as well as his recovery from pancreatic cancer.
The first story related to what he called "connecting the dots." As a young college student, he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. He never graduated from college; he didn't know how college was going to help him figure things out. Having an interest in calligraphy, he chose to take a class in it. Ten years later, what he learned in that class helped him design the first Macintosh computer. "You have to trust in something," he told his audience. Trust is a major key to success. This approach never let him down and it has made all the difference in his life.
His second story was about "love and loss." He found what he loved to do early in life and, in due time, he fell in love with "an amazing woman," who became his wife. He was convinced that the only thing that kept him going was his love for what he did. "You've got to find what you love," he said in his address. "Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick, don't lose faith." "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life and the only way to be satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do."
His third story was about life and death. When he was 17 years old, he had read a quote that went something like, "You must live each day as if it were your last." Mr. Jobs asked himself, "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" When the answer was "no" for too many days, he knew he needed to adjust something. "Death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it," he said, describing death as being "life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new." His remarkable conclusion was, "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."
Steve Jobs' life is a story of success against all odds—a lesson for all of us. We, too, must move forward with faith, conviction and determination, remembering that our time is limited. So let's not waste it living someone else's life, but develop our own personal potential.
Have a wonderful Sabbath,
Dibar Apartian