Someone forwarded to me a notice that the Southwest Missouri congregations of Church of God, a Worldwide Association are putting together a special weekend in Branson, MO for those interested in attending.
Normally, this isn’t the type of thing I’d post here, but since more official COGWA communications channels are still being built up, I agreed to pass it along. There is a Facebook page for this event as well, but I don’t have the link.
The Southwest MO congregations of Church of God, A Worldwide Association are once again sponsoring the President’s Day Family Weekend in Branson, MO, Feb 18-21. Everyone is invited to join us for this fun filled weekend.
Activities include an opening night hospitality room, seminars, sabbath services (with guest speaker Mr Doug Horchak), a family carnival, a family dance, and plenty of fellowship.
Hotel rooms are available at the Quality Inn, Shepherd of the Hills Expressway at a rate of $37/night (before tax) for 1 to 4 people in the room (complementary breakfast included). You can make reservations at (417) 335-6776, and be sure to identify yourself as being with the Church of God Family Weekend.
Schedule of events
Fri, Feb 18
6:30-9:30 PM Fellowship and reception at Quality Inn
Sat, Feb 19
7:00-9:30 AM Breakfast at Quallity Inn
10:00-10:50 AM Seminars
11:05-11:55 AM Seminars
2:30-4:30 PM Sabbath Services (at Lions Club Community Center)
5:15-6:30 PM Dinner ($5 Adults, $2.50 ages 4-11, max charge of $25/family)
6:45-8:00 PM Family Carnival
9:00-11:00 PM Family DanceSun, Feb 20
7:00-9:30 AM Breakfast at Quallity Inn
10:00-10:50 AM Seminars
11:05-11:55 AM Seminars
12:15-2:00 PM Roller Skating (cost $2:50)
1:30-3:00 PM Seminar
3:00-5:30 PM Mini Golf (Grand Country Hall, nominal cost)
6:00-7:00 PM Dinner (Pizza and leftovers)
7:00-10:30 PM Table games and fellowshipMon, Feb 21
7:00-9:30 AM Breakfast at Quallity Inn
Daytime: attractions around Branson, Titanic museum tour, etc.
If you plan on attending the Saturday night dinner (meal will include chili, hamburgers, hot dogs, salad, and dessert), you’re asked to please mail in a check and reserve your meal space by Feb 5 to give the planners plenty of time to get the food.
Please include the number of adults ($5) and number of children (age 4-11, $2.50) you will be paying for and make the check payable to "Church of God Springfield" and mail the check and numbers to:
Church of God Springfield
P.O. Box 14308
Springfield, MO 65814
May I correct the statement "The Southwest MO congregations of Church of God, A Worldwide Association are once again sponsoring the President's Day Family Weekend in Branson, MO." Its not once again, this has been hosted by UCG not COGawa. Also how is it that COGawa is now in controll of this event?
It's a very simple answer and one with no malicious intent behind it. I hope you'll bear with me as I explain. I'm the one responsible for the description written as it is.
First about the "once again". This event has always been a local church event hosted by the Springfield and Joplin, MO and Harrison, AR congregations. It's all handled on the local level and been a congregational event since its inception–one that has grown over the years, but not as big as Louisville (which UCG home office eventually took over from the local side of things), and thus still a local event.
Bad phrasing in general, but it is an annual event that the local congregations have taken care of. It was phrased that way to reflect that–much the same way that an area might celebrate their 50th anniversary, but really, they can't have a 50th anniversary since that would go back to the Radio COG or WCG days.
Now regarding the event itself…
Joplin, MO and Harrison, AR left en masse. I'm not aware of any one in either congregation that stayed with United. To my knowledge, those congregations in United have ceased to exist and this was coming from the elder in Springfield that stayed with United.
Springfield, MO was closer to 60/40 in leaving/staying. (out of a congregation of roughly 50 on a good day).
The split in Springfield has been very amiable for the most part (though I cannot speak for all families). Mr Blackwell has been very helpful to the elder that stayed and is now running the Springfield congregation. And on the flipside, United is even letting us use an old keyboard that they have no use for (having a newer one to use themselves), until we can find one of our own.
The topic of the weekend was also amiable in that, as I've been told, it was offered to the elder here to still have it, use the same facilities as always, etc. The offer was turned down, and thus COGWA went forward with planning the weekend. This was not stealing an event from anyone, nor is there bad blood in the local areas regarding it (that I am aware of in any case–again, I can't speak for everyone).
Also, a link to the FB page:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=192227967470576
Thanks Andrew,
Didnt know that it was offered to the UCG Elder, that was the answer I needed.