Late-breaking news (this notice was posted before the March 7 general conference of elders): The council of elders of the United Church of God, an International Association, met March 2 to consider The Journal's request for publisher Dixon Cartwright to be allowed to attend this year's general conference, which is scheduled for March 8-9.

Council members agreed to The Journal's request and voted to invite publisher Cartwright to this year's meetings and in fact are officially opening this and future conferences to all who are interested in attending, be they reporters, church members or the general public.

The vote of 11 council members who were on the line for the teleconference was unanimous (Jim Franks of Houston did not participate in the meeting).

Council member Roy Holladay of Hawkins, Texas, noted during the meeting that The Journal would be present anyway, whether allowed in the actual meeting hall or not, therefore a policy should be implemented that would allow reporters to attend.

Council member and church president Les McCullough of Cincinnati agreed and noted that continuing to prohibit attendance by reporters could pose a problem if, for example, the local Cincinnati newspaper wanted to attend a meeting. "Are we prepared to say, 'No, we don't want you around'? What kind of potential problems would that generate? We ought to have one standard for everybody."

Other council members, including Chairman Bob Dick of Washington state and Joel Meeker of St. Louis, concurred. "It should be all or nothing: either open to everybody or closed to everybody," said Mr. Meeker.

Mr. Cartwright commended council members for their decision and said he looks forward to covering this year's get-together.

Back to the preview of the Feb. 28 issue:

Global Church of God elders meet in Southern California for their first formal conference after the church's split in November.

The United Church of God, an International Association, tops its publishing goals for 1998.

A Mississippi congregation splits over philosophical differences. The group waits two months to talk about it. Find out why in The Journal.

Philadelphia Church of God founder Gerald Flurry visits Tyler, Texas, for a two-night personal-appearance campaign. The Journal covers the campaign and publishes an exclusive interview with Mr. Flurry (for the interview, please see the print version). Among other things, he talks about recent news of the WCG vs. PCG lawsuit over the last book written by Herbert W. Armstrong; his own book, Malachi's Message; and how will the brethren know when to flee.

Letters to the editor include two poems, a report on the CCG's law series, a challenge to Ron Dart, more on whether men can have multiple wives, and an epistle from a prisoner in Soledad. This version of the February letters includes some material not in the print version of The Journal.

In editorials on page 3, two writers take regular columnist Melvin Rhodes to task in good-natured challenges to his writings on historical subjects ( Walter Steensby on King Canute and Joe Chiappone on the Elizabeth of history). David Antion talks about depression: clinical and spiritual. Dave Havir pins down the "new commandment." Mr. Rhodes comments that "four years is long enough."

A second Friends Reunion (of people presently or formerly associated with the WCG, AC or Imperial Schools) is planned for Lake Tahoe in August. The first was in 1997 in Tyler, Texas. Organizer Clarke Hockwald said people who didn't attend the Tyler reunion are still kicking themselves.

The Omega Praise Fellowship of Southern Oregon is making plans for the Feast.

Robert Thiel's essay reminds Church of God people why they observe the Days of Unleavened Bread.

A miracle baby's determination saved her own life and that of her mother. Read all about it in Jill Hughes' account.

Gary Fakhoury, in his latest essay, tackles the question: How do you prove something from the Bible? He also laments what he calls brother savaging brother over doctrinal studies.

The UCG Big Sandy plans again to sponsor two Feast sites: in Texas and Florida. Details are in this issue.

An elder of the Global Church of God directs a recent regularly scheduled Sabbath service for the United Church of God in Auckland, Zealand.

The Churches of God UK announce a Feast site in England.

A United Church of God elder and a Seventh-day Adventist elder agree to cooperate on translating Samuele Bacchiocchi's latest book into Spanish.

Ian Boyne participates in a dialogue on the Trinity, drawing a good-sized crowd in Jamaica.

Attorney General Janet Reno says a widely disseminated statement said to be her definition of a "cult" that allegedly aired on 60 Minutes is a hoax. The Journal checked with her office and with 60 Minutes.

Barnabas Ministries founder Alan Ruth releases Barnabas's year-end report for 1998.

Media consultant to the UCG-AIA Rod Hall talks about the church's latest media efforts and results.

Six Church of God brethren visit Sabbatarians in Ukraine on a humanitarian mission. During the trip, Victor Kubik pulls five teeth.

Richard Nickels reviews Samuele Bacchiocchi's new book, The Sabbath Under Crossfire. Mr. Nickels says if you read only one book this year this should be it.

The Global Church of God schedules a fast for the Sabbath of March 13.

Guardian Ministries (David Antion) and United Christian Ministries (Ray Wooten) plan a joint Feast site.

The Worldwide Church of God adds Christmas and Easter (although not by those names) to its holy-day calendar.

The Bible Sabbath Association is looking for new officers. If you qualify and you're interested, you're invited to contact June Narber Harrison.

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