Even though the building project has gone on for seven years, church members said they were encouraged and impressed by the almost-completed structure.

Although the final cost will be considerably more (at about $586,000) than first planned, it will be worth about $1.5 million, Mr. Treybig said.

Most of the funds to build have come from local donations and fund raisers, with UCG headquarters in Milford, Ohio, kicking in $50,000.

A mortgage of $165,000 that could be increased to ensure that a Jan. 1, 2008, move-in deadline is met can be paid out over 20 years or more. The ownership will remain local until the note is paid off, at which time the ownership will transfer to the UCG parent organization.

Congregation member Aaron Dean of Gladewater, a member of the UCG's governing council of elders, advised the congregation that the home office in Ohio would probably kick in some more funds "if we'd just ask."

For more about the building and other projects of the congregation, see tinyurl.com/35onmp.

UCG move hits a snag

MILFORD, Ohio--In other building news from the United Church of God, the planned transfer of church headquarters from a Cincinnati suburb to the North Texas town of Denton has apparently hit a snag.

Word had gotten around on Internet forums that the proposed building site was close to a Safety Kleen, Inc., plant, which disposes of and recycles sometimes-hazardous industrial wastes, and near the residences of convicted pedophiles.

The church says there is no truth to the pedophile rumor and the plant is not a theat to the church's potential property. Still, because some in the church are squeamish about the location, the search is on for property elsewhere in North Texas and the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

Feast in the Philippines

CALAMBA, Philippines--Enrique M. Gabuyo announces Feast of Booths information for the Church of the Living God in Christ Jesus Internationally Affiliated Associates.

The observance will be Sept. 28 through Oct. 4, 2007, with the Eighth Day on Oct. 5.

Feastgoers will meet at Inn Rocio, Kisad Road, Baguio City.

For more information write Mr. Gabuyo at 398 Kinsville Subdivision; Calamba, Laguna 4027; Philippines. Or E-mail him at cogemg007@yahoo.com.

Port Austin Bible Center Feast

PORT AUSTIN, Mich.--The Port Austin Bible Center and the Philadelphia Church Port Austin will sponsor the Feast of Tabernacles Sept. 27 through Oct. 4, exact location to be announced.

This year's theme will be "Two Becoming One," with studies on creation and physical and spiritual marriage.

Seminar papers from last year's Feast are up at http://waterandfire.org/vo3no1.html.

For a festival packet, write Homer Kizer at info@portaustin biblecenter.com or P.O. Box 629, Port Austin, Mich. 48467, U.S.A.

Port Austin Bible Campus Feast

PORT AUSTIN, Mich.--The Port Austin Bible Campus will sponsor its fifth Feast of Tabernacles observance Sept. 27 through Oct. 4, 2007. Feastgoers following "nearby calendars" will also be accommodated, announced Norman Edwards.

Some lodging will be available on campus as well as nearby motels. The Feast staff will prepare three organic meals per day for Feastgoers.

For more information write pabc@portaustin.net or PABC, P.O. Box 474, Port Austin, Mich. 48467, U.S.A.

Lots of visitors

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich.--TheJournal.org attracted 84,308 actual visitors in June 2007 and 80,837 in July, announced Alan Ruth, The Journal's webmaster.

The site served more visitors in June than in the entirety of 2003.

"This year's explosion in growth has meant, as of Aug. 1, that TheJournal.org has already had more visitors year to date than it did for the entirety of 2006," Mr. Ruth said.

"The site's goal is to reach one million actual visitors in 2008," he said.

Chicago Feast

ITASCA, Ill.--The Church of God United of Itasca and Herald Ministries will sponsor a Feast of Tabernacles site in the Chicago area, with services each day Sept. 27 through Oct. 4.

Feastgoers will qualify for special room rates when making reservations with the Quality Inn at (630) 279-0700, announced Wendell Wiese. Mention the Church of God United convention.

For more information contact Mr. Wiese at momanddadwiese@comcast.net. Or contact Jeff Cormany at jccormany@comcast.net.