Reports, Conferences, Home Calls

CHANGE OF CORRESPONDENT

Midland Park, NJ - Henry T. Carmichael, 195 Vreeland Ave., Midland Park, NJ 07432, Phone 201-447-3844. email: carmih@bigfoot.com.

REPORTS - USA

Newington, CT - The believers enjoyed the visit of Eugene Higgins on Lord's Day, November 3.

Terryville, CT - The October conference was a time of uplifting ministry and refreshing fellowship, with seven brethren giving help, to the appreciation of the assembly.

DeLand, Fl - Please pray for two weeks of meetings planned with Harold Paisley using his chart on Daniel, following the conference on February 2, D. V.

Tampa, FL - Please pray for gospel meetings planned to begin on January 5 with Murray McCandless, D.V., with invitations being distributed on December 26-27.

Waianae, HI - The assembly was most encouraged by a week of children's meetings in October with DJ DeFreece from Seattle. Many new children from the surrounding neighborhood attended.

Cedar Falls, IA - Two weeks of children's meetings conducted by local brethren were an encouragement, with good attendance, including some parents. Robert Surgenor's visit for ministry October 20-24 was appreciated.

Saugus, MA - The assembly greatly appreciated the visit and timely ministry of James McColl on October 24-26. He also visited Cambridge, Watertown, Byfield, and Methuen during the week of October 27, encouraging the believers in each place.

Livonia, MI - The conference in October was again one of the largest. The ministry was excellent, and was especially suited to the many young people present, most of whom showed a real interest in the things of God. Brian Crawford and Marvin Derksen began gospel meetings on November 10.

Barrington, NJ - James McColl and John Dennison were with the assembly for ministry on Lord's Day, November 3.

Long Branch, NJ - John Slabaugh and David Petterson started gospel meetings on November 4.

Akron, OH - Bill Lavery, David Oliver, Gary Sharp, and James Smith visited during October, giving excellent help in ministry and the preaching of the gospel.

Mansfield, OH - The assembly's first conference, at the beginning of October, was well attended, with ten brethren giving help. There was much appreciation for the Word of God.

REPORTS - CANADA

Edmonton, AB - The presence of a large number of young believers at the October conference was an encouragement to the assembly. Helpful ministry was given by Dave Hunt, Stan Wells, Bryan Funston, John Slabaugh, Gordon Williams, Peter Smith, and James Ronald.

Paradise Valley, AB - The October conference was a great encouragement to the Maidstone, Mervin, and Paradise Valley assemblies. Visitors from the community were present at the meetings, and the Lord blessed in salvation, bringing joy to all. Lorne Mitchell, John Slabaugh, Dan Kember, Stan Wells, Dave Hunt, Bryan Funston, and James Ronald gave help in the meetings. Following the conference, John Slabaugh and Bryan Funston had meetings in Paradise Valley and Mervin, and Dave Hunt and Stan Wells had meetings in Maidstone and Paradise Valley.

Vancouver, BC - The ministry throughout the weekend at the fall conference was timely and practical, with help given by John Fitzpatrick, David Oliver, Dave Richards, Ken Taylor, Tommy Thompson, and Gordon Williams. After the conference David Oliver and Ken Taylor each had two nights of ministry in Victoria Dr., and Ken Taylor had a night in Fairview. The November monthly ministry meeting in Carleton was taken by Ken Taylor and Wesley Barr.

Nineveh, NS - More than five weeks of gospel meetings with Peter Orasuk and John Meekin (Ireland) closed with an afternoon ministry meeting on October 27. These meetings were well attended, with many outsiders, some of whom came regularly. The gospel was faithfully preached and the believers were encouraged and are trusting to yet see some blessing in salvation.

Lance Au Loup, NF - The annual conference was well attended, with good ministry given by Murray McCandless, Gaius Goff, Alex Dryburgh, Allan LeBlanc, Bert Joyce, Bill Bingham, Wallace Buckle and Eric Fowler. The Bible study on Ephesians 4, led by Gaius Goff, was very profitable to all, and the gospel meeting on the following Monday night in Red Bay had excellent attendance.

St. John's, NF - Gaius Goff visited various assemblies throughout the province during October and November. He had a week of meetings in St. John's and an appreciated three nights in Grand Falls-Windsor. There were a good number of unsaved present, along with new believers, and God gave evident help.

Parsons Pond, NF - The Lord gave help as the Word was ministered at the annual conference. Brethren helping in the ministry were Bert Joyce, Gaius Goff, Peter Mathews, Alex Dryburgh, Allen LeBlanc, Eric Fowler and Bill Bingham. The Bible study on Ephesians 5 was practical and helpful.

Chatham, ON - David Oliver and Jonathan Procopio started gospel meetings on November 4.

Clinton, ON - The annual conference was a profitable time, with ten brethren sharing in timely and stirring ministry and the gospel. Bruce Rodgers and Jim Beattie conducted the two instructive and well-attended Bible Readings.

Grand Bend, ON - Four weeks of very encouraging gospel meetings with Marvin Derksen and Mark Bachert closed on November 3. The voice of God was heard in the faithful presentation of the gospel, attendance was good, and the Lord's hand was seen in salvation.

London, ON - The annual conference was smaller in number but fifteen brethren were present to minister the Word to profit. Jim Smith returned on November 7 for two weeks of meetings on "Egypt to Canaan."

Niagara Falls, ON - The conference in October was well attended with ten of the Lord's servants present. The guidance and control of the Holy Spirit in every meeting was a delight to witness and God graciously blessed in the gospel.

St. Thomas, ON - The attendance at the conference was significantly larger this year. The ministry was encouraging, exhortative, and instructional in character. Walter Gustafson, Larry Steers, James Smith, William Metcalf, Frank Sona, Murray McCandless, James Jarvis, Paul Robinson, James Beattie, Bruce Rodgers, and Shad Kember, Jr. shared in the ministry.

Thunder Bay, ON - On October 19 and 20 the assembly celebrated the 90th anniversary of its commencement in 1912, when four brothers and two sisters remembered the Lord in a home. There are now 39 in fellowship, and nearly 70 met to remember the Lord on this happy occasion. Robert Boyle, Timothy Kember, Larry Steers, James Webb, and Lorne Langfeld were present, and the ministry given was helpful and much appreciated. Larry Steers remained for two nights of uplifting ministry on Revelation 4 and 5, and Lorne Langfeld began six days of children's meetings on October 26.

REPORTS - FOREIGN

Brazil - Tom Matthews worked two areas of Novo Hamburgo over the past four months, with door-to-door work and meetings held twice weekly. In Sapucaia do Sul Lindsay Carswell and Crawford Brown have ended six weeks of gospel meetings in a community hall. In Santa Cruz do Sul, Tom Wright and Roberto Ploia are in the fourth week of gospel meetings, with disappointing interest evidenced by the local people. A number of young people, children of the Christians, are attending nightly. The prayers of the Lord's people for all these efforts are valued.

CONFERENCES

Pennsauken, NJ - January 4 and 5, with prayer meeting on Friday at 7:30 in the Gospel Hall, 6530 Caroline Ave. at Rte. 38 near Rte. 70. All other meetings in the Haddonfield Memorial High School, Kings Highway East, Haddonfield. (Please note new location.) Breaking of Bread at 10:00. Corr. David A. Curran, 326 Windsor Ave., Haddonfield, NJ, 08033-1142. (856) 429-4443; dacurranOaol.com. Gospel Hall (856) 662-1201.

Seattle, WA - January 18 and 19 (one week earlier than previous years), with prayer meeting on Friday at 7:30, and gospel meeting on Sunday at 7:00, in the Gospel Hall. All other meetings in the West Woodland Elementary School adjacent to the West Woodland Gospel Hall, 516 NW 56th St. Bible readings at 8:45 A.M. Saturday, I Corinthians 13, "The Characteristics of Love" and Sunday, I John 3, "The Manifestations of Love." Saturday meetings at 10:30, 2:30, and 7:00; Sunday at 10:00, 2:30, and 7:00. Corr. David Hale, 16813 19th Ave. SW, Normandy Park, WA 98166, (206) 243-0557. Hall (206) 783-1368.

Tampa, FL - All-day meetings on December 22 and December 29. In February there will only be an all-day meeting on the second Lord's Day, February 9, D.V. All meetings in the Gospel Hall, 12704 Marjory Ave., Breaking of Bread at 10:00. Sunday School 12:00. Ministry 2:30 and gospel at 7:00. Corr. Oronzo Dalfino, (813) 265-2757. Gospel Hall (813) 932-9530. Deland, FL - February 1 and 2, with prayer meeting on Friday at 7:00. All meetings in the Gospel Hall, 109 E. Rose Hill Avenue, east off N. Woodland Blvd. Meetings both days at 10:30, 2:00 (Bible reading), 3:30, and 7:00. The Bible reading topic will be "The Person of Christ," Luke 24. Corr. Fred King, 215 Lake Talmadge Rd., DeLand FL 32724, (386) 9434000. Gospel Hall (386) 736-1009.

HOME CALLS

Crapaud, PEI - Douglas Thompson, age 67, on July 14. He was saved in meetings of Albert Ramsay and Herb Harris in 1953 and was in fellowship for 49 years in the Crapaud Assembly. Doug was a quiet and gracious brother who was able to lift the meeting with an appropriate hymn. He had a real exercise for children's work and was instrumental in starting the outreach work from the Crapaud assembly that is thriving today. He was looking forward to picking up children for the yearly children's meetings when he was suddenly called into the Lord's presence. His wife Lois survives him, along with his children, Jennifer (and Brian) Good, Neil (and Pam), and Earl, all in fellowship in Crapaud, and four grandchildren. David Swan, Peter Orasuk, Doug's oldest son Neil, and Murray McCandless shared the service at the large funeral.

Aredale, Iowa - Maxine Ayers, age 95, entered the Lord's presence on September 20 after months of illness. Saved in 193 1, she was received into the Aredale assembly at its commencement in 1933, and remained in happy fellowship until her home call. Maxine was a woman of courage who witnessed for Christ, and her four children and their spouses profess salvation, along with several of her 45 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Clark Burmeister and Al Christopherson shared the service at the large funeral.

Willmar, MN - Mrs. Gladys Wadsworth, age 90, on September 24. Our dear sister was saved in July 1956 through gospel work conducted by Leonard DeBuhr and others. A very religious lady prior to her conversion, she often expressed appreciation for her awakening and salvation. She was in fellowship in the Willmar assembly for many years, though unable to attend the meetings in recent years because of health problems. Two sons and a daughter and their families survive. Robert Orr took the funeral service.

Seal Cove, NF - Cassie Loveless (nee Rideout), age 89, on October 8. Our dear sister, known to many as Aunt Cassie, was a great asset to the work and testimony of the Lord in Seal Cove. She was saved as child, and later widowed at a young age and left to raise two children. Aunt Cassie was gathered to the Lord's name in 1979, and "continued steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." Despite her failing health throughout the years, she was eager to speak of the Lord and tell others of salvation. She distributed tracts by the thousands, and earnestly prayed for many souls. For the last 14 years of her life, she was lovingly cared for by her, granddaughter, Lexie. She leaves her son, Roland, daughter Nita (and Doug), four grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and two brothers -and their families. A large crowd gathered for her funeral service, shared by Gaius Goff, George Whey, Peter Mathews and Bert Joyce.

Niagara Fall, ON - Mrs. Marg Mckay, age 94, on October 10. Our sister was saved in 1930 and was in the assembly for more than 70 years. She suffered a great deal in the last few years and was confined to a nursing home. Her last days in the hospital were peaceful, with joy in the Lord as she waited to go home to be with Him.

Forest Grove, OR - Betty Robertson, age 90, on October 12. Betty was saved in gospel meetings conducted by the late Hector Alves and Thomas Black and was in the Forest Grove assembly for 70 years. She had a deep interest in Sunday school work, teaching for 40 years. Many of her students were saved and added to the assembly, becoming lifelong friends. Betty was a very caring, thoughtful person, using a letter with a tract to cheer and encourage those in need of a word. She is survived by her husband John, a daughter, and a son in the assembly. George Goff and John Fitzpatrick shared the funeral service.

Tampa, FL - Henrietta Wickert, on October 16, after having suffered a stroke. Our sister was the widow of the late servant of the Lord, Ed Wickert. Together they served the Lord in Cuba during the 50's, and later worked among the Spanish-speaking people in the Tampa area.

Sault Ste. Marie, ON - Ernie Sarlo, age 70, on October 25. Ernie was saved in 1951 under the preaching of the late George McKinley. From his earliest days as a Christian he manifested a keen interest in studying the scriptures, and his ability in gospel preaching, ministering to believers, and witnessing to unbelievers was outstanding. He had a great interest in prison ministry and was instrumental in seeing a number of inmates saved. Ernie was a respected overseer and will be sadly missed. Predeceased by his wife Micklen in 2000, he leaves a son and daughter, two grandchildren, four brothers, and two sisters to mourn his loss. The large funeral attended by 350 was evidence of the respect in which he was held.

Culver City, CA - Gregory Baghramian, age 94, on October 30, of a brain aneurysm. An ethnic Armenian, Gregory was raised in Persia (Iran) and saved at 24 through tracts sent to him by his godly, praying mother. He began breaking bread in simple assembly fashion with a few others who were likeminded while still in Iran. He immigrated with his young family to the United States in the early 1950's and was in fellowship in the West Chicago Blvd. assembly in Detroit (now Stark Rd., Livonia) before moving his family to Los Angeles. He was in fellowship in various assemblies, including Long Beach and Culver City. All that knew him can attest to his fervent love for the Lord, the Lord's people, and the assembly gathering. He passed out tracts wherever he went, easily distributing over a million tracts in his lifetime. He published his testimony as a tract and sent it to U.S. presidents, the Queen of England, and many other well-known figures. The funeral service, with several hundred in attendance, was shared by two saved grandchildren, his son Martin, and Tom Baker. He leaves his dear wife Sarah, five children, nine grandchildren, and a number of great-grandchildren, most sheltered under the blood.