Beginning January 1 the "Committee for Enabling Participation in Activities" or CEPA has a new name. CEPA will now stand for "Congregations Enabling Participation in Activities." The name change is keyed on the fact that instead of applications being sent to the Stake for funding, the new program will be congregational-centered. All the processing of requests will be at the congregation level or for groups through Henrietta Kaleikau, with the pastor, stewardship commissioner, or Henrietta doing the final approvals. CEPA funds are available to help any person attend any Stake function for which there is a registration fee. The one exception is Spectacular at Graceland College which has a separate funding source in the Stake budget. CEPA will pay 50% of costs with a maximum limit of $200 per person or $500 per family during any given calendar year. Over the last two years CEPA has made participation possible for a number of youth and adults in the various activities of the Stake. We look forward to this continuing opportunity in the new program.

A Statement on the Relational Ministry Groups was recently mailed to all group leaders and congregational pastors in GLAS. The statement gives a brief historical account as to the development of expansion groups and later relational ministry groups in GLAS. The statement, in the spirit of Transformation 2000, asks all existing groups to either consider becoming a congregation or associating with an existing congregation in mutually supportive ways. The Stake leadership is grateful for and supportive of the ministry which groups have provided in the stake. During the transition year of 1998 GLAS is uniquely poised to make a significant contribution toward Transformation 2000 objectives of establishing 200 new congregations. In addition, groups, which chose to associate with existing congregations, help strengthen the overall ministry in particular areas. Please contact your pastor, leader, or the stake office if you would like to get a copy of the statement.

Older Adults Ministries will again sponsor Winter Renewal to be held Tuesday and Wednesday, January 27-28 at the Hemet-San Jacinto congregation. Cost for this year's event will be $35 per person, payable to GLAS.

Come and spend two days of learning and fellowship with President Grant McMurry. Registration deadline is January 7.

The December 6, 1997 meeting of the Buckhorn Board of Directors will go into the history of the camp as one of the most significant on record. The agenda was long, but in every detail affirmed the board's dedication to provide a quality camp experience and to do all within its power to ensure that we will have such a camp for our grandchildren's grandchildren!

Through the efforts of our camp manager, 3.11 Sutton, camp operations will end the 1997 camping year in outstanding shape. Camper days, the measure of camp use, increased from a 1996 level of 6,847 to a 1997 total of 8,641, the highest level since 1992!

The camp will show an approximate profit of $20,000 for the 1997 program year. This is the best on record for over ten years. Use is up, costs are under control and the camp is being operated and maintained to meet the high standards of our campers, both RLDS and friends.

The board approved a 1998 budget of $196,391, slightly under the projected income for the 1998 camping year. This budget will continue to provide needed maintenance and operational efficiencies.

We look forward to another good year.

While it is clear that the operations of the camp have stabilized, there are continuing signs that the infrastructure of the camp and its facilities are showing their age. It was this concern in December 1995 that prompted the board to consider the long range needs of the camp. The commitment of the board to stay this journey was made evident as it considered the "New" Buckhorn Camp Improvement Project Resolution. This expression of intent was passed unanimously at the meeting on December 6th. The Project Management Team will be considered during our January meeting.

As the details of the improvement plan take shape, we will be asking all the jurisdictions to share in the excitement and the work of such an undertaking. We pray that all will receive this opportunity with generosity and with the understanding that we are preserving the camp for future generations to in enjoy.

The Thunderbird West Congregation of the Arizona District will hold its Winter Reunion from Sunday, February 9 through Friday, February 13. Guest ministers will be President Kenneth Robinson and Apostle Alex Kahtava. Registration brochures are available at the Stake Office. Just call 800/454-2222 and we'll mail one to you.

Beginning Monday, January 26 and ending Friday, January 30, we will be the Winter Field School at the temple. Four classes will be offered at $15 each with a registration fee of $25.

If interested, please contact Tonia at the Stake Office for more information and a registration form. Registration closes January 14.

At the World church's leadership conference in June, Alan Cochran chaired a large workshop on dialoguing about homosexuality. In continuing our understanding of the great diversity within the Greater Los Angeles State, a workshop on dialoguing about homosexuality will be given that the Orange congregation. Sunday, January 11, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

There will be a video, stories of church members, and a chance for questions and answers. It is an opportunity to explore this issue and our understanding of one of the many diversities in our stake.