More than 350 Southern California brethren have now been trained to take WATS calls in their homes. Another 400 are being instructed in California and Arizona churches. By the Feast of Tabernacles, about 750 members will have been thoroughly trained to take literature requests.
In accomplishing this task, we send teams of qualified personnel to each local area. They present three separate lectures covering all aspects of properly answering calls in response to the telecast. Slide shows, tapes of sample calls and a detailed manual supplement these lectures.
In-home operators answer calls only during peak response periods, immediately following the telecast. Approximately 1,100 calls are now taken each weekend, or 8 percent of the total calls received.
The outlook for future expansion of the in-home program is excellent. Recent tests have shown that we can transfer calls several hundred miles, with almost no loss in volume. We are also working with the phone company to give us the capability to expand the WATS in-home program across the nation. After these technicalities are worked out, we plan to begin training members in other states. With the help of these volunteers, many more viewers will be able to get through on our telephone lines. Church members are thrilled to be part of the phone answering team.
We have received a number of letters from subscribers and co-workers asking about the Feast of Tabernacles. Most requests for information come from people who have read about the Feast in “The Good News” magazine. Some want to know how to properly keep this Festival. A few even asked how they can make reservations. Some of the questions asked are:
"Where's the closest location I can observe God's Holy Days?" “Is an unbaptized person permitted to attend?" “Can I be baptized at the Feast?"
These people are informed that details about attending the Feast are available through the local minister. We also send a copy of Mr. Armstrong's booklet about God's Holy Days if the person does not already have it.
On another subject, all new literature is normally sent to the ministry first class. However, since postage rates are determined by weight, the cost of mailing "The Bible Story” is considerable. Therefore, we request that you pick up your personal copy at the Feast site you'll be attending. You should have already received a claim check for the book with your Holy Day offering envelopes. Thanks for your understanding.
Finally, as the Feast of Tabernacles approaches, the reality of God's Kingdom more clearly comes into focus. Many members of the Church and their children have written in to Mr. Armstrong over the past several weeks to express their excitement and anticipation.
Here are a few recent letters:
Well, here we are another month closer to God's Holy Days and Feast days! We are looking forward to those days. Sure will be wonderful when we can keep them with Christ in the world tomorrow. That is a time to really look forward to. Clarksville, Arkansas
Keep up the great work. It won't be long now, and we'll see this world and its ways coming to an end, and the coming of that new age we all look forward to begin to unfold. It is truly a great honor God has given us to have a part in the greatest work on the face of the earth. (Know any cures for Feast fever?) Pico Rivera, California
I hope you are feeling well. I enjoy watching the broadcast each week. Especially when you talk about the world tomorrow. I really look forward to that time when we all can live in peace together. You are always in my prayers. My family and I love you very much. Age 7 High Point, North Carolina
Please accept my offering to your work for God. I hope and pray for the Kingdom of God to be set up on earth. I am looking forward to a world of peace and harmony, and I know only God can bring that to us. Pray for us, and you have our sincere prayers for you and your work. Odum, Georgia
I am ahead in my Bible lessons. I'm 8 years old. And I live in Texas. I can't wait till the Millennium. It sounds more than wonderful. I'm going to have a pet monkey in the Millennium. I like monkeys. I love animals, but I like monkeys the best. In church my favorite story is about Joseph. I like church. Sometimes I wonder what the place of safety will be like. Age 8 Auless, Texas
I want to thank you for all the booklets and articles that I have received from you. I have them in a file so I can easily find them for reference when I study. I am still studying as much as possible, as I would like to be a teacher in the millennial reign of Christ if I am worthy and acceptable when the time comes, and I do think it isn't far away now.
I don't write very well any more as I am getting old but would like to live long enough to see the coming of the Lord and the restitution of all things. So you can be looking for my donations as long as I am living. Franklin, Nebraska
I am only 10 but I still read my brother’s “Youth 85” magazines which he receives. I've been in the Church all my life, and I plan to stay in it. I hope your eyes get better soon. I'm also looking forward to the Kingdom where I'll have quite a lot of wildlife, especially budgerigars [parakeets] like this photograph of my budgerigar I have now. Her name is Sydney. Age 10 Hobart, Australia
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