The response to the distribution of the Jamaican video tape (produced by Brother Steve Johnson and sponsored by WCF) has been most encouraging. Nearly 400 copies have been distributed in North America and overseas. To date, approximately $8000 has been donated to the Jamaican welfare fund and $500 has been contributed to defray the production and duplication costs. Additional copies of the tapes are available at cost + postage from the WCF Resource Center, PO Box 982, Bloomington, IL, 61702. Tax-deductible WCF donations earmarked for either the Jamaican welfare fund or video production costs should be sent to the WCF Treasurer.

Going forward, Brother Steve has indicated a willingness to produce another program in the God’s Family Around the World series. God willing, Steve and his two-person crew will travel to Ireland in spring ‘99 and work with the brethren there. Completion target date is winter ‘99. Funding will be provided by WCF. Anyone wishing to help support this project is invited to send his/her tax-deductible contributions (earmarked ‘Ireland project’) to the WCF Treasurer:

Ray Pratt
335 North Western
P.O. Box 86
Deland, IL 61839.

This summer’s Bible Schools and other individual submissions have generated many additions to the WCF Tape Library. The paper version of the Tape Catalog reflects the new listings in terms of subject and speaker. Cost per tape remain @$1.50 and orders can be placed by using the 1-800-689-8273 number or mailing to WCF Resource Center in Bloomington.

We Christadelphians in North America find great value in our Bible Schools, fraternal gatherings, Bible classes, and study days. In general, however, these events are not designed to develop discipleship skills. Yet surely each believer has a continuous need for gaining basic know-how (e.g., apologetics - the defense of Christianity, think right/do right), skill building (e.g., conflict resolution, personal witnessing), improving relationships (e.g. spouse building, how to handle disbelief among believers), effectively dealing with behavioral problems (e.g., drunkenness, promiscuity, pornography, gossip, anger, pride), being competent to address difficult subjects (e.g., divorce, loneliness, gray areas), and spiritual readiness (e.g., the 7 habits of highly effective believers, applying the righteousness of God to daily life). Here is where workshops focused on "training in godliness" can be a big help to the Brotherhood.

Brainstorming meetings regarding the Christadelphian Workshop Training Program took place this summer and fall. Meetings were held in Rhode Island, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Ontario, with one soon to be held in California. Participants were strongly in favor of pursuing the program concept. Plans call for developing 3 to 5 one-day workshops sometime in 1999, training the content developers in how to facilitate work sessions, and then conducting the workshops at ‘volunteer’ ecclesias which have agreed to evaluate the value and viability of the initial set of workshops.

WCF already sponsors a number of seminars which deal with the subject areas mentioned above, and the list of offerings is updated every year. WCF is pleased to promote the following seminar by Brother Bill Farrar:

To schedule this seminar at your ecclesia, you can phone Brother Bill at 905-389-5598, or write him at 36 Highcliffe Ave., Hamilton, ON L9A 3L5; his email address is osp@netinc.ca.

WCF now has its own web site (www.wcfoundation.org) where the Foundation’s purpose, objectives, and services are now put in the public domain. Content includes the Tape Catalog Service (and how to order), Discover Your Bible booklets (and how to order), and Middle East and Your Future videos (illustrated by sample clips + how to order). Further information is offered via a basic feedback mechanism. Readers are invited to visit the site and give us your comments.

Due to health reasons, Brother Herman Opitz has decided to resign from the board. He was one of the founding directors of WCF. For the past twenty-two years, Brother Herman has been a servant leader, a faithful steward, and a generous contributor in both time and resources. He will continue to serve in an advisory capacity.

Brother Kyle Tucker (Midlothian, VA) and Brother Al Hussey (Welland, ON) have joined as new WCF directors. They join brethren George Booker - Treasurer (Austin, TX), Norm Fadelle - Chairman (Elgin, IL), Alan Ghent - Secretary (Mississauga, ON), Dave McKay (Brampton, ON), Robert Morrissette (Richmond, VA), and Vic Nance (Medina, TX).