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December 18, 2015
This Blog to be Discontinued
With almost 1 million views since Inside United: Realtime was created in 2010, it is now time to discontinue this United Church of God management team blog.
We thank our 1,625 followers and subscribers. We also thank those who left more than a hundred comments and interacted with us. The majority of our viewers came from the U.S.A., Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, South Africa, Singapore, Germany, Philippines and France.
The content and news provided here at Inside United: Realtime will now appear and continue on the Beyond Today website of the United Church of God and also on the new members website of the Church.
Updates on the work of the Church’s media department, letters from the president, letters from the chairman, and reminders of webcast Bible studies and other events, will now all come from the Beyond Today and UCG Member sites.
We recommend that you immediately sign up for e-mail updates of new material posted on these sites if you have not already done so. Simply go to http://www.ucg.org/email-subscribe and choose one or both of the available e-mail services.
Thank you for your support of the important work of preaching the gospel of the Kingdom and caring for those whom God calls into His flock.
Peter Eddington—Operation Manager, Media and Communications Services
Right Versus Wrong: The Power of Discernment
December 11, 2013
Join us this Friday night, December 13, at 8 p.m. ET for the next Vertical Thought Bible Class (VTBC) at verticalthought.org and click on Live Bible Class! Once again, this study is available live via webcast.
The Power of Discernment
How can you know what’s wrong, what’s right, what’s foolish, what’s wise? How can you “read” people, or even read yourself? How do you perceive whether someone is giving you a straight answer or not? How do you analyze an argument or idea to know whether it’s good or bad? How can you make plans for your life that will bring success and not failure?
The answer is found in the quality of mind called discernment. At the next VTBC we’ll explore those qualities from the Bible to help you unleash the power of discernment in your life!
Teens and young adults—as well as “young adults” of all ages—urgently need the keen ability to discern good from evil and be able to understand the fickle foibles of human nature.
Originating from the Ambassador Bible Center lecture hall in the home office of the United Church of God in Milford, Ohio, please join us this Friday night, December 13, 2013 at 8:00 p.m. EST for our free, live webcast of the Vertical Thought Bible Class titled “THE POWER OF DISCERNMENT”!
You can access the live webcast at verticalthought.org by clicking on “Live Bible Class.”
Randy Stiver—Managing Editor, Vertical Thought
Statement About the Death of Sheryl Meredith
November 30, 2013
“It is with sadness that the Council of Elders, the staff and the members of the United Church of God note the death of Sheryl Meredith, the long-time wife and spiritual partner of Roderick C. Meredith,” said Victor Kubik, president of the United Church of God. “We all join with members of the Living Church of God in renewed prayer that God’s Kingdom come soon, marking the future happy and joyous time when Mrs. Meredith and many thousands like her will be resurrected as the literal children of God into an everlasting Kingdom.”
Mr. Kubik and his wife Beverly plan to attend the December 4th funeral of Mrs. Meredith in North Carolina as representatives of the United Church of God.
Mr. Kubik noted that the death of Mrs. Meredith was “especially poignant, given the fact that Dennis Luker had died in the faith less than a year ago.” Following the death of long-time minister and mutual friend Dibar Apartian, Mr. Luker, then the president of United, visited the headquarters of the Living Church of God before Mr. Luker’s death. Dr. Meredith had worked closely together with Mr. Luker on a number of occasions in their prior shared fellowship.
Prior to the death of Mrs. Meredith, Mr. Kubik had discussed the possibility of the Living Church of God and the United Church of God jointly providing aid to Church members afflicted by the recent typhoon in the Philippines. “We agreed to work together and it is now more fitting than ever that this joint effort should move forward,” Mr. Kubik said.
Victor Kubik—President, UCGIA; and Robin Webber—Chairman, UCGIA
Philippine Disaster Relief fund approaches $100K
November 23, 2013
We are very pleased to report that donations to the Philippines Disaster Relief fund are very encouraging and will 
help greatly in restoring the living conditions of our brethren.
The United Church of God’s “Good Works” program has collected more than $66,000 to help provide essential supplies to our Philippine brethren in dire need. Additional donations to LifeNets and the local Philippine disaster relief fund brings the grand total to almost $100,000.
Monies contributed will be used to provide aid and assistance to UCG members in the Philippines, and also to other Church of God members as funds allow. You can see a running “thermometer-scale” of money raised so far at goodworks.ucg.org/project/philippines-disaster-relief.
Please read a comprehensive report from the Philippine UCG office giving a timeline and photos of their relief effort and their work to locate our brethren.
—Media and Communications Services
UPDATE: Philippines Disaster Relief Fund
November 13, 2013
We are very pleased to report that donations to the Philippines Disaster Relief fund are now coming 
in. The United Church of God’s “Good Works” program has collected more than $15,000 so far to help provide essential supplies to our Philippine brethren in dire need.
Funds contributed will be used to provide aid and assistance to UCG members in the Philippines, and also to other Church of God community members as funds allow.
You can see a running “thermometer-scale” of money raised so far online at goodworks.ucg.org/project/philippines-disaster-relief.
Thank your for your support for our fellow brethren. If you are able to make a financial contribution to provide essential, life-saving items please do so on our Good Works page.
Victor Kubik—president
New Video: Focus on God’s Work
June 7, 2013
Information Technology
The home office has released its fifth monthly Focus on God’s Work video about its Information Technology department. Richard Kennebeck, Information Technology manager, gives an overview of the work done by his team, and the auxiliary projects his area undertakes on behalf of serving the Church.
As earlier announced, the plan is for various managers and employees of the United Church of God to give a report about their area of responsibility that may be of particular interest to our congregations. Pastors are asked to make the video links available to our membership, and most videos will be suitable to play in the sermonette timeslot at Sabbath services if desired.
Focus on God’s Work has it’s own menu selection on the member’s website under the “resources” tab at members.ucg.org/content/focus-gods-work. This is where a new video will be posted each month.
Peter Eddington—Media and Communications Services
Focus on God’s Work: ABC & Education
April 25, 2013
Ambassador Bible Center and Education
The home office has released a fourth monthly Focus on God’s Work video about the Ambassador Bible Center (ABC) and our other United Church of God education programs.
Gary Antion, ABC Coordinator and Education Coordinator, gives an overview of the past 14 years at ABC, and outlines some of the other major education initiatives of the Church.
As earlier announced, the plan is for various managers and employees of the United Church of God to give a report about their area of responsibility that may be of particular interest to our congregations. Pastors are asked to make the video links available to our membership, and most videos will be suitable to play in the sermonette timeslot at Sabbath services.
Focus on God’s Work has it’s own menu selection on the member’s website under the “resources” tab at members.ucg.org/content/focus-gods-work. This is where a new video will be posted each month.
Peter Eddington—Media and Communications Services
Announcement from Chairman Webber
March 14, 2013
Dear Members of the United Church of God,
This letter is to inform you that United Church of God president, Dennis Luker, died today, March 14. He spent his last physical days residing in his hometown of Seattle, Washington, surrounded by his loving wife, LeeAnn, and their immediate family.
Thank you for your prayers and fasting during this challenging time for them, and for God’s blessings on this transitional period for the United Church of God. Our Heavenly Father’s will for Denny has been made known at this time—even though it is not news that we humanly desire. At the same time, I am reminded of his constant encouragement to reflect on the promising words of Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Mr. Luker knew “that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25) and now awaits the trumpet call with so many other faithful saints down through the ages (1Thessalonians 4:13-18). I know that LeeAnn would ask us all to continue to pray for others who are challenged with spiritual, emotional and health issues—and that God will grant His peace to them (Philippians 4:6-7).
Dennis and LeeAnn, as a pastoral couple, have given 50 years of their lives in service to others. And yes, they truly came as a “couple.” They are loved far and wide beyond our own Church sphere, throughout the entire Church of God community. He brought an enthusiasm for speaking of the always-present love of God and the necessity of having Jesus Christ as the center of our lives.
Denny’s service to the United Church of God had a dynamic impact not just recently, but also in our formative years. He served on the original Advisory Council of Elders in 1995. Since then he has served as a member of the Council of Elders, as a church pastor, as a regional pastor, been part of the Ministerial Services team and of recent years, our Church president.
Please remember LeeAnn, the children, the grandchildren, the great-grandchildren and all their family members—in our prayers that God will grant them comfort in this most challenging of life’s chapters. More details will be forthcoming regarding pending memorial services.
In my role as chairman during this transitional time, I have maintained frequent contact with the Council and the home office operation managers to ensure stability. Now, in accordance with our governing documents (Bylaw 9.5, Vacancies in Offices), the chairman of the Council of Elders becomes the acting president of the United Church of God, an International Association, until a new president is selected by the Council and assumes office.
I look forward to working with the Council of Elders in the presidential nomination process currently underway. As Council members, we appreciate your prayers for God’s guidance for all in the weeks to come.
May the God of peace and comfort be with all of you at this time,
Robin Webber—Chairman and Acting President
Dennis Luker Launches New Video For Members
January 31, 2013
Focus on God’s Work
The home office has begun a new monthly information video for the United Church of God membership titled: Focus on God’s Work. Dennis Luker, president, asked Victor Kubik to present the inaugural video at the weekly staff meeting on Monday morning.
The plan is for various managers and employees to give a report about their area of responsibility that may be of particular interest to our congregations. Pastors are asked to make the video links available to our membership, and most videos will be suitable to play in the sermonette timeslot at Sabbath services.
Focus on God’s Work has it’s own menu selection on the member’s website under the “resources” tab at members.ucg.org/content/focus-gods-work. This is where a new video will be posted each month, and we’ll also endeavor to announce them here at Inside United: Realtime.
Victor Kubik, the first presenter in this new series, gives an inspiring report about the United Church of God in south-central and southern Africa. Below is the video from this past Monday morning:
Please feel free to download this and future presentations to get a monthly update on the work being done by various departments in the Church to preach the gospel and prepare a people.
Peter Eddington—Media and Communications Services
Identity Theft: Protect Yourself
April 27, 2012
A presentation about identity theft was given on April 23 to the United Church of God home office staff by Kevin Miles, Clermont County, Ohio, Assistant Prosecutor.
While the presentation was given in Clermont County, the principles and recommendations given by Mr. Miles are widely applicable to citizens in all countries around the world.
Mr. Miles began his legal career in a civil law firm before joining the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office in 2000. After two years of experience in Municipal Court, he was promoted to the felony division. He is currently a supervisor in that division and in his eighth year as a felony prosecutor. During his tenure, Mr. Miles has had the opportunity to try hundreds of cases including several high profile murder cases.
The Clermont County Prosecutor, Don White, has given permission for this material to be shared with our United Church of God audience. We trust this important material will be helpful to you.
Aaron Dean—Treasurer and Financial Services Operation Manager, United Church of God
Inside United: Realtime 