We hope you were encouraged, informed, and uplifted at Yearly Meeting! Thank you to our incredible Ministry Team members, moderator, recording secretary, guest speakers, and worship teams! We appreciate all of the volunteers who helped with childcare, coffee service, errands, and event set-up. Yearly Meeting would not be possible without you!

We would love to hear what you thought of Yearly Meeting 2019! Your input is valued as it helps us plan for next year. Please take a few minutes to fill out the online survey by August 21. You are welcome to complete the online version too if you filled out the paper survey.

Also, please feel free to send your pictures from Yearly Meeting to Julia McDonald. We look forward to seeing and sharing your experience at Yearly Meeting.

David and Cindy Aufrance -  Dave and Cindy have returned to Hong Kong. Please pray for them and their church as significant political demonstrations have created a “tense and unpredictable atmosphere” (2 Thessalonians 1:4). As the Aufrances make arrangements to transition back to the U.S. in July 2020, we ask for specific prayer that Cindy’s Medicare application will be approved expeditiously.

Our prayers and sympathy for the family of Phyllis Jean Morris, who passed away on Sunday, July 21, 2019. Phyllis was the wife of former EFC-ER Pastor John Morris, who served EFC-ER for at least 50 years. A funeral service was held at Mount Carmel Friends Church on July 27. You can read the complete obituary here.

You are invited to join First Friends Church in Canton, OH for the Hymn Revival Tour with national recording artist Dino Kartsonakis and pianist Timothy Noble on Sunday, September 8.

Doors open at 5:00pm and the concert begins at 6:00pm. The cost is $5 per person. Tickets are available here .

More information is also available on Facebook. Contact First Friends at (330) 966-2800 if you have questions.

The speaker for this year's women's retreats is Sue Heimer, who is an author, certified Biblical Counselor, Bible teacher, and international speaker. Read more about Sue here.

Retreat fees include four speaker sessions, workshops, hotel stay for two nights with access to hotel amenities, breakfasts, and a banquet dinner on Saturday evening.

Men's Retreat will be held September 13-15, 2019, at Camp Gideon in Mechanicstown, OH.

Men, you are invited to enjoy a great weekend of activities, including canoeing, hiking, swimming and a waterslide, campfires, food, laughter, and worship. The feature speaker this year is Dr. Bruce Bell, who is currently serving as the lead pastor of Friends Worship Center, and is in his 40th year of ministry in Friends Churches. There will also be break-out sessions featuring Dan Hepner and Ron Jones.

For more information and to register, visit www.meninmissions.org and download the brochure here. Questions? Contact Justin Carpenter at (614) 296-7335.

Visit the events calendar on our website at www.efcer.org/events .

* September 13-15 - Men's Retreat at Camp Gideon in Mechanicstown, OH. Info here .

* September 20-22 - Southern Women's Retreat in Kitty Hawk, NC. Event info available here . Download the brochure here .

* September 23-24 - Church Health Team Meetings at the Evangelical Friends Headquarters (EF HQ).

* September 23-24 - Leadership Development Team Meetings at the EF HQ.

* September 25-26 - Multiplication Team Meetings at the EF HQ.

* September 26 - Finance & Administration Team Meeting at the EF HQ.

* September 27 - Oversight Board Meeting at the EF HQ.

* October 11-13 - Northern Women's Retreat in Sugarcreek, OH. Download the brochure here .