The 2017 Feast of Tabernacles in Jamaica is shaping up to be epic. We are excited

that so many members have chosen Jamaica this year. We could have over 500 in

attendance.

The Activity schedule is still being tweaked but the Speaking/Song Leading

Schedule has been sent out. The Choir, Teen, Pre-Teen, and Children Choir

schedules are nearing completion. We are going to have 2 full days of fellowship

with the Jamaican brethren at the hotel and this is a highlight every year, so make

sure to plan on being at the hotel those days. (October 6 and 11)

There is still room for participation in the Fun Show. Hurry and email

jlocmct@live.com to reserve your spot.

2017 Jamaica Tours

Many of you have contacted us

concerning the tours during the Feast.

We recommend Jamaica Tours Limited

for all of your tours. We have a long history with them and they take really good

care of the brethren. They do their upmost to keep us safe and on-time, and they

are flexible to our schedule. They assist the ministry all year long in getting around

the Island. You are not required to use them, but you are helping the Work when

you do so.

Airport Transfers must be arranged before the Feast.

All other tours can be booked at the Feast site.

Airport Transfers First, for transportation to and from the airport, the charge is $15 cash per person.

You will need to email your flight itinerary as follows:

Email: newton@jamaicatoursltd.com

Subject: United Church of God – HRH Transportation

You will pay this fee in person, Sunday, October 8th at 6:00 pm in our meeting hall.

Cash only.

Once you arrive at the airport and after you leave the customs desk, you will pass

through double doors into the transportation area. Generally, you will find

someone with a placard saying United Church of God or UCG. If you do NOT see

them, go to Booth #21, Jamaica Tours Limited, and identify yourself. THEIR

BUSINESS BOOTH IS IN THE TRANSPORTATION HALL on the left side at the far

corner. They will take care of you. DO NOT GO OUTSIDE THE BUILDING AND

LOOK FOR THEM, YOU CANNOT GET BACK IN!!

Before/After Feast Tours There are some tours that can’t be completed during the Feast due to time

limitations. However, if you have extra time before or after the Feast, you may be

interested in the following:

• Negril (the cliff diving from Rick’s Café is popular) From web site:

Facing directly west, Negril's Seven-Mile Beach has been voted many times over as one of the best in the world. Legendary for its dramatic sunsets, silky white sands, clear turquoise waters, and spontaneous island spirit, the natural attributes of this phenomenal beach are alluring. Sheltered by one of the Caribbean's great reefs, Negril Bay is always tranquil. And because Jamaica itself does not have high tides, the entire protected beachfront is nearly level with the gently lapping waters, creating a seamless entry from sand to sea.

• Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour From web site:

On this trip, you will learn about Jamaican culture and enjoy leisure downhill bicycle ride

through lush tropical rain forest, home to over hundreds of species of birds and blossoming

plant life. Guests will be able to view Blue Mountain Plantations, home of the famous Blue

Mountain coffee, one of the world's most rare and expensive. The conclusion of the tour will be

an exhilarating dip at a cool cascading waterfall. A simply exciting way to end a dynamic and

educational tour.

Check out the website for more ideas: https://jamaicatoursltd.com

Feast Tour Prices and suggested times ❖ Luminous Lagoon $57.26 Saturday night

❖ Snorkeling $88 Sunday morning

❖ Dunns River $60 Sunday morning (Out by 8:00 return by 1:00)

❖ Zipline $89 Based on availability

❖ ATV $115 Based on availability

❖ Golf $119 (Available on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday)

❖ Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting. $147 per couple or $125 single

Watch: https://youtu.be/MEcER9xbH6Y (Available on Sunday, Monday, or

Tuesday)

❖ Outdoor activities are subject to weather delays and cancellations.

❖ This is only a partial list of activities, check out the web site for more

details.

❖ There will be tour representatives at the hotel daily to assist you in making

your tour plans. Other than the airport transfers, they do take all major

credit cards. Remember that your credit card may charge foreign currency

transaction fees.

❖ Finally, have you seen the hotel? Why would you want to leave?

USEFUL INFORMATION – JAMAICA FEAST SITE

JAMAICA CURRENCY Currently, one US dollar = 127.91 Jamaican dollars. Virtually all vendors will

accept US dollars, but you will likely receive change in Jamaican dollars. For

reference, if you see something priced at $2,000 Jamaican, that is about $15.64

USD.

CREDIT CARD FOREIGN TRANSACTION FEES Many U.S. credit card companies/banks charge a foreign transaction fee (usually

3% of transaction amount) for purchases made in currency other than U.S.

dollars. Check with your credit card company or bank.

JAMAICA—A SUNNY TROPICAL ISLAND

Jamaica is a beautiful tropical island with lush vegetation, swaying palms,

beautiful flowers, and wide beaches. Enjoy it to the fullest degree! We don’t

want anything to detract from your enjoyment, so remember your sunscreen and

bug repellent to keep away those less than desirable things that go along with a

tropical environment.

Daytime temperatures should be in the upper 80’s/low 90’s with quite a bit of

humidity. Hotel rooms, meeting hall and some restaurants are air-conditioned;

some of the other restaurants, bars, and lobby areas are not.

TAXI SERVICE If you plan to use a taxi service while on the island, please plan to pay with cash.

Most taxi drivers cannot accept credit cards. Negotiating a rate before you get in

the Taxi is best and saves time, money, and feelings.

HILTON RESORT INFORMATION

Electrical Outlets in Hotel Rooms Hotel rooms are outfitted with U.S.-type 110 electrical outlets. Adapters will not

be needed.

UCG GROUP ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION

We will be using PowerPoint to display the hymns; however, if you require a

hymnal, you will need to bring your own personal copy.

Dress for Services Dress for services is Sabbath-wear as is the custom in the US and Canada. For

men who are speaking, song-leading or giving a prayer, a suit or sports coat and

tie is appropriate; otherwise, slacks with a dress shirt and tie are fine.

Location for Services All services, the Bible Study, and the Seminars will be held in the ballroom below

the lobby in the Hilton Rose Hall. The ballroom is on the ground floor in the West

wing of the Hilton.

Opening Night Service The opening service will take place Wednesday, October 4, at 7:30 PM.

Holy Day Offerings Holy Day offerings will be collected on the first and last days of the Feast. Checks

can be made out to “UCGIA - Jamaica Limited.” Your offering will help finance

congregational expenses for our three Jamaica congregations for the rest of the

year. We humbly ask you to invest in God’s work in Jamaica.

Family/Youth Days – Friday, October 6 and Wednesday, October 11 Friday, October 6 and Wednesday, October 11 are designated as Family/Youth

Days. During these days “Day Passes” to the Hilton will be provided to all the

Jamaican brethren, so they can join us for meals, activities, and fellowship; they

will have access to all Hilton facilities for the day (except for guest rooms). There

are no off-site activities planned for these days so that we can maximize the

fellowship and really get to know the Jamaican brethren.

Family Fun Night – Sunday, October 8, 7:00 - 9:00 PM In conjunction with Youth Day, a Family Fun Night is scheduled and will be held in

the Hilton ballroom. Some activities include skits, music, dancing and more.

Bible Study – Friday, October 21, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM This will be an interactive study conducted by Chuck Smith, Festival Coordinator.

Seminars – Tuesday, October 10, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM There will be 2 seminars held in the Hilton Ballroom on Tuesday night conducted

simultaneously -- one by Mr. Gary Antion, a long-time minister and former

Instructor at Ambassador Bible College, and the other by Jeff Lockhart, Assistant

Festival Coordinator.

Families Helping Families Each year, many overseas brethren ask how they can assist the local brethren in

Jamaica. Families Helping Families was designed to provide an outlet for those

who do want to assist. This year, donations to this program will go toward the

cost of housing for brethren at the Feast as well as the day passes for local

brethren. Donations can be made through the business office.

Use Wisdom and Stay Safe Like every country, Jamaica has its fair share of crime. Overall, we will be located

in a safe area, but please follow the same safety precautions you would follow in

any other country. Some safety tips:

• Never leave the resort property alone.

• If approached with dubious offers, utter a polite but firm “no-thank you” without stopping or slowing down. Ignore catcalls; keep walking briskly and with purpose.

• Stick to public areas, out in the open where you can be seen by many people.

• Never go off with any unfamiliar person outside of our group—especially alone.

T-shirts for sale at the Feast We will have a limited number of T-shirts available for sale at the Feast.

We will have two colors, sea blue and sand (shown), and the following

adult sizes: Sm, Med, Lg, XL. The price will be $18.00 per shirt. The T-

shirts will go on sale Friday, October 6, after services and will be sold on

a “first come/first served” basis. The picture here is not correct, the

actual T-shirt has a small logo on the front and the big design is on the

back of the shirt. You will be able to pay using cash or credit card.