OREGON—Fifty-two singles from around the world attended the 2015 Singles Winter Weekend from Dec. 24, 2015, to Dec. 28, 2015. The event was hosted by the Northwest congregations of the Philadelphia Church of God.
Singles arrived on Thursday for a mixer at the East Vancouver ymca, where singles from Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, Montana, Illinois, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Canada, New Zealand and Puerto Rico got to know each other and renew old friendships.
On Friday, the group took a six-hour luxury bus tour of several historic sites of the early years of the ministry of 20th-century educator and theologian Herbert W. Armstrong. Nearly 50 members participated in the tour.
“The tour was the real highlight of the weekend,” Washington member Shirley Lee said. “Having grown up in the wcg [Worldwide Church of God], the tour made all the places in [Herbert W. Armstrong’s] Autobiography vividly come alive to me and everyone else.”
Oregon member and tour guide James R. Lowry said, “These sites bring to life the birthplace of the Philadelphia era [of God’s Church].”
During the tour, several individuals shared the novelty of carrying a 15-pound weight up a steep hill in Oregon City frequented to simulate Mr. Armstrong’s book-laden briefcase. The evening was capped off with a catered meal and topics session at the ymca.
“That was a real draw for me,” Member Joyce Toro said. She traveled all the way from New Zealand specifically for the tour.
On Sabbath morning, Local Church Elder Darren Verbout gave a singles Bible study using the recently updated Single-Minded for God booklet. Local teens then served tea and coffee to the congregation before 110 members attended services and heard a sermon by Preaching Elder Gareth Fraser on putting the spiritual family first. The evening’s activities included a Mexican-themed potluck and the annual entertainment night and dance.
Sunday’s main events included the annual basketball and volleyball tournaments. Northwest member Amy Hallett sang the national anthem, and young girls from the congregation provided cheerleading. There was also an obstacle course for kids and board games for those not involved in the sports. Following the activities, singles dined on pizza.
“The weekend has been wonderful but is going far too fast!” Canadian member Allison Guenther said. “Many memories and new friendships have been made.”
“The whole weekend was not just for singles,” Alaska single Zachary Hochstetler said. “The focus was more on the God Family vision.”
On Monday, most of the singles caravanned to nearby Mt. Hood for skiing, snowboarding and tubing in fresh snow, while others went site seeing in the greater Portland area.