New Beginnings

March was a busy month here in Bend, and it's going to stay busy for a while!  The Parkway congregation had at least 33 auxiliary pioneers, and I was told there were a few more who hadn't been announced.  We were able to get our territory covered with the Memorial Invitations with 3 days to spare, and some in the congregation were able to help other congregations finish their territory.  Having that many auxiliary pioneers certainly helped the spirit of the congregation.  All month long there was a high level of enthusiasm for the ministry and a strong sense of camaraderie.

And then last night on our Local Needs part we found out that the Branch has approved the forming of a new congregation to begin operation on May 1st, the Old Mill congregation.  Because the territory boundaries had to be changed in order to make room for the new congregation, many of the Friends now live in the territory of a different congregation, and we have been strongly encouraged to serve in whatever congregation whose territory we end up in.  It's going to be exciting to see how Jehovah blesses these new arrangements!

Memorial season and increased theocratic activity

February is almost over and the congregation is gearing up for increased field service activity during the Memorial season.  A couple weeks ago, our service overseer gave the Memorial Invitations part on the service meeting.  He really encouraged as many as possible to sign up to auxiliary pioneer during the month of March.  So far, the service committee has received twenty-something auxiliary pioneer applications.  This Thursday the names will be read off at the service meeting.  It'll take most of the Announcements part just to do that!

I can't auxiliary pioneer myself this month, but I am going to increase my share in the field ministry quite a bit.  Plus, Jim is coming down again, so it looks like March is going to be a great month!

It's been a while

I got busy and then wasn't in the mood to post for a while, but I'll be adding some new entries in the next few days or so chronicling our trip to the Oregon coast from December as well as what's currently going on.