Herbert W Armstrong

While the overall response to the current semiannual letter is about average, we're happy to report that the number and amount of donations from new subscribers is the highest for any letter since 1979. Donations from primes (subscribers who have renewed at least once) are also high — the second highest number since 1979.

We believe that the prayers of members have had a lot to do with this fine response. Many subscribers who donate through the semiannual letter go on to become co-workers. We would like to encourage the brethren to keep up their prayers that God would add more co-workers, as Mr. Armstrong has requested.

Bounced Checks a Recurring Problem

Although most members are conscientious about their donations, bounced checks continue to be a problem for the Mail Processing Center. For example, about 800 checks sent in over the past two months, totalling nearly $100,000, have bounced! Not only was that amount of money unavailable for the Church to use in its commissions, but these bad checks needlessly cost the Church time and money. Our employees must spend dozens of hours to process them, change donation records and notify each contributor.

Even though the Church does not charge for bounced checks, the sender's bank does. The individual must pay a fee when the check is returned to his bank. Worse still, the tithes intended for God's Church have not been paid. The following points should help members reduce this problem:

• Members should be encouraged to pay tithes first.

• They should be careful to write only valid checks. It is better to give a smaller offering or wait until they have sufficient funds than to send a check that will bounce.

• They should keep careful records and maintain an up-to-date balance in their checkbook. This should help eliminate the chances of writing checks for more than they have in their account.

A Reminder About Annual Receipts (U.S. Only)

We plan to mail 1984 annual receipts on January 15-16. They will be mailed first class and should arrive at most homes by the end of January.

All donations postmarked by December 31 will be credited on the 1984 annual receipts. Any contributions mailed after that time will be posted on 1985 records.

Any members who do not receive their receipts by the first week in February should call to let us know so we can send a duplicate copy. The toll-free number is 1-800-423-4444. (In Alaska and Hawaii, call 1-818-304-6111 collect.)

— Richard Rice, Mail Processing Center