From Mr. Robert Morton: A regional ministerial conference was conducted March 17-21 for all ministers and wives from Australia and Asia. The conference was held at our beautiful SEP camp site at Lake Moogerah. Lectures by pastors Bill Winner and Bill Bradford and myself continued the theme of "unity" set by Mr. Herbert Armstrong at the recent Regional Directors' Conference in Pasadena. There were many comments of appreciation from the ministry for the in-depth instruction and counsel contained in the material presented.
Harmony, cooperation and uplifting fellowship were very evident throughout the conference. Touch football, volleyball, basketball and water skiing added to the overall success and enjoyment of the meetings.
The regional office was seriously disrupted in March by severe electrical power shortages extending over a period of two weeks. A confrontation between the state government and striking electrical power linesmen caused load shedding throughout the state, and complete loss of power in some areas. Business and industry were severely restricted or shut down. Millions of dollars in business and wages were lost throughout the state because of the dispute. In addition, union activity within the post office, especially in the Sydney area, disrupted mail or caused a slowdown in delivery.
Mail and income for March were affected by these disputes. However, responses to "The WORLD TOMORROW" telecast were the highest on record. The availability of our WATS line number to viewers has been primarily responsible for the increase in responses to the programme.
The most successful programme to date is "Ascent to Greatness," aired March 3, offering Mr. Armstrong's book, THE UNITED STATES AND BRITAIN IN PROPHECY. This programme pulled twice as many responses as any other programme aired so far in this country. Seventy percent were responding to the programme for the first time and went on file as new PLAIN TRUTH subscribers.
Income for March rose 10.2% over the same month last year, bringing our year-to-date increase to 3.0%.
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Worldwide Church of God