Herbert W Armstrong

It seems that our rapidly advancing technological age raises new questions on occasion. One question that many have been asking recently is whether it would be appropriate to videotape the wedding ceremony. In discussing this question with Mr. Armstrong, he gave the following principles:

1. The wedding ceremony should not be disturbed in any way. If video-taping is done, it must be done quietly and without distractions. The same applies to taking photographs. There should be no flash photography nor other distractions during the ceremony itself. Any photography must be done quietly and without the photographer moving around. Of course, flash photography before and after the ceremony would be fine.

2. Audiotaping the ceremony is also fine, as long as it too is done quietly and without bulky equipment, or equipment and cords located in conspicuous places. There should be no clicking of automatic shutoffs or ejecting and turning over of cassettes.

3. The prayer is an especially sacred part of any ceremony and, therefore, should not be audiotaped, videotaped or photographed at all.

4. Baptisms and funerals are not to be photographed or recorded at any time. However, photos before and after the baptismal ceremony or funeral are permissible.

I might add that any photography or taping that does not have the complete approval of the families of the bride and groom should be avoided. That seems rather obvious, but we recently had one situation in which a man not related to the couple getting married wanted to videotape the wedding, contrary to the families' wishes.

I hope these guidelines answer most questions, but if any further questions arise, please write in. As most of you realize, prior to this time the policy had been that neither photography nor taping were permitted during the entire wedding ceremony. Mr. Armstrong explained that the reason for this policy was that the bulky and noisy equipment most often used in the past was too distracting. If such problems can be avoided, he felt that the sanctity of the ceremony can still be preserved.

Copies of the 1985 FESTIVAL PLANNER are now being shipped to church pastors in the United States and Canada, and should arrive in time for distribution on the Sabbath of April 20. Please make absolutely sure that you do not distribute any copies before that date. Last year some pastors actually did distribute the FESTIVAL PLANNER early. Under no circumstances should it be handed out before April 20!

Distribution should be one copy per household. If you will not be visiting one of your congregations on the Sabbath of April 20, be sure to give sufficient copies to the Festival Advisor for that congregation. Let's take special care to ensure that all the brethren receive the FESTIVAL PLANNER on the same day.

The Festival attendance lists will be mailed from Pasadena and Vancouver on April 29. Members will be able to sign up for the Feast site of their choice beginning Sabbath, May 4.

The following is a copy of the announcement that is included with the shipment of FESTIVAL PLANNERS pastors of churches in the U.S. and Canada will receive. It is to be read in all U.S. and Canadian churches April 20 and 27, in conjunction with the distribution of the FESTIVAL PLANNER:

TRANSFER AND HOUSING POLICY

If you plan to transfer for the Feast, you may make your reservations now at most transfer sites. Before making a reservation, please note these two important points:

First, you must make only one reservation; either at your assigned site or at the site which is your first choice for a transfer. Do not make more than one reservation.

Second, you must still wait until you receive transfer approval before you arrange your housing, if you plan to transfer to one of the following sites: Hawaii, Jekyll Island, Vail, Penticton and Victoria. This is because we expect to receive more requests at these sites than the auditorium or the housing will accommodate.

Likewise, it is vital that members reserve their housing only from the lists printed in the FESTIVAL PLANNER. Please read the article "The Necessity for Festival Housing Negotiations" on page one, and follow the guidelines given there. If you have questions, contact your Festival Advisor.

These policies are for your convenience and benefit, and will work only if everyone follows the points outlined above. We appreciate your cooperation.

Clarification for Jerusalem Feast Applicants (From the Festival Office)

Brethren interested in attending the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, Israel for the second or third time may wish to sign up for an alternate tour, for repeat visitors only. Such a tour is new this year, and was called a "Second-timer's tour on the application coupon which appeared in the March 18 WORLDWIDE NEWS. This will be a revised tour and will include areas that have not been seen by previous Festival tours. Some of these are: Beersheba, the Rockefeller Museum, the Israel Museum, and a very extensive walking tour of the Old City of Jerusalem.

If anyone in your congregation is interested in such an alternate tour, he or she should indicate that on the application form. If the application has already been sent in, the member should contact JMT Travel at the address given in the March 18 WORLDWIDE NEWS.

Comments From Monthly Church Reports

From the United States

FORT WORTH (PM), TX — BOB SMITH: The WainWRIGHT and the Ray WRIGHT tapes are helping us stay on the "wright-track"! Both were extremely instructive and encouraging.

JOPLIN, MO — VINCE SZYMKOWIAK: I appreciate the sermon tapes, such as Dr. Wainwright's and Mr. Wright's, which are sent to be played in the local areas. They give both the field ministry and local congregation the opportunity to hear what is being taught at Headquarters.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA — CARLTON SMITH: The brethren have responded well to the two tapes by Dr. David Wainwright and Mr. Ray Wright. In fact, after Mr. Wright's sermon on the extent of the work, 20 members came forward to volunteer for the PT newsstand program.

JACKSON-GREENWOOD, MS-MARC SEGALL: After hearing Mr. Ray Wright's tape, a few reticent members stepped forward to volunteer to find more new locations for the PT newsstand program. One member decided to contact the manager of the Jackson airport. The manager was very cold about putting the PT in "his airport." But, after the member recited some of the facts from Mr. Wright's tape concerning the worldwide circulation of the PT, the manager's attitude changed completely and he said we could choose the location in the airport to place the stand.

OLYMPIA, WA — MEL DAHLGREN: We had a YES skating party where we asked the rink owner to play the "Young Ambassadors" tapes. At the end of the session he was so impressed with the music and conduct of our people that he ordered a set of tapes for himself! He felt our music was better to skate to than "gospel rock" and would be a welcome addition to his collection.

FLORENCE, AL — LAWSON J. TUCK: One of our members recently met with the manager of a Quick Mart store in the Tennessee area after trying to do so four other times. To his amazement, he discovered that he and the manager had been childhood neighbors.

After looking at the PT, the manager was surprised it was free of charge. He recommended we use the three-pouch racks. Another interesting fact came to light. He manages not just one Quick Mart, but nineteen in the surrounding area! He asked his secretary to type a letter of authorization to put the PT in all the stores under his management. This member related he learned through experience the value of persistence, prayer and relying on God to open the doors for The PLAIN TRUTH.

RAPID CITY, SD — STEVE BUCHANAN: Nearly 100% of motel owners contacted in housing negotiations mentioned how much they like our members. The members should be made aware of how important their example is during the Feast. Their conduct is perhaps the biggest single reason the Church is able to negotiate for low rates. In this way everyone in the Church is a part of the "festival team.”

— Joseph Tkach, Ministerial Services