September 2026 Member Letter

September 10, 2026

Dear Brethren,

Sharron and I recently returned from a 14-day trip to Europe with Doug and Tanya Horchak and Joel and Marjolaine Meeker. During our trip, we had the privilege of visiting brethren in Switzerland and France. We conducted services with a small group in Switzerland on Aug. 8 and another small group in Paris on Aug. 15. Mr. Meeker and I have both shared some highlights from the trip on In Accord during the past two weeks, but I wanted to share a few additional thoughts.

It is no exaggeration to say that Switzerland has some of the most spectacular scenery I have seen in all my travels. The mountains, picturesque valleys and beautiful sunrises and sunsets were unforgettable. It is difficult to put into words the beauty of what we saw. Yet, as impressive as the scenery was, the real purpose of our trip was to spend time with and conduct services for our brethren scattered across these two countries.

Though the number of brethren in these areas is small, their enthusiasm for the work of the Church was encouraging and inspiring. I was deeply touched by those we met at the two services. They are so scattered that it is not possible to have services every Sabbath. Their pastor, James Muir, and his wife, Odile, live several hours from both Geneva and Paris. Mr. Muir pastors both groups—those in France and those in Switzerland. When there are no scheduled services, the members tune in to a webcast from the Muirs’ home or from the U.K.

Most of us in the United States don’t know what it is like to be so isolated from other members of the Church. It can be easy for us to take for granted the opportunity to attend services every Sabbath, fellowship afterward and, in many areas, see brethren at other times during the week. Here in the Dallas area, we often get together on a Sunday or on a weeknight to have dinner with other members. For many of our brethren in Europe and elsewhere around the world, that simply isn’t possible. Some live hours from the nearest member; and in a few countries, there may be only one member in the entire nation. Please remember these brethren in your prayers.

In Hebrews 10:24-25 we read: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” We often quote these verses to remind ourselves of the importance of assembling together on the Sabbath. But our recent visit brought another dimension of these verses into sharper focus for me. Some of our brethren deeply desire to assemble with others, yet because of distance and circumstances, they simply cannot do so every Sabbath. For those of us who can assemble regularly, that should deepen our appreciation for what God has given us. Fellowship with brethren of like mind is a blessing, and it is difficult to measure its value. Let us never take it for granted—and let us not forget those brethren who would dearly love to have the opportunities many of us enjoy every week.

There was another experience during our trip that left a deep impression on me and reinforced a related lesson: We should never take for granted the sacrifices made on our behalf. During the week between our visits with the two congregations, we had the opportunity to visit Normandy. It was on June 6, 1944, when tens of thousands of Allied troops crossed the English Channel and landed along the Normandy coast in the largest amphibious invasion in military history. Visiting those beaches, museums and memorials was both sobering and inspiring.

The Allied invasion on June 6 had enormous consequences—the future of Europe was at stake. What was especially sobering to consider was that many of the troops who landed that day were only 18 or 19 years old. These young men were willing to give their lives—and many did—for a cause far greater than themselves. Except for the British soldiers, they lived thousands of miles from Europe, but they were still willing to sacrifice to free Europeans from tyranny.

Our hotel was right above Omaha Beach. There are still relics on the beach from the events that took place in June of 1944, but today, Omaha Beach is like any other beach, visited by tourists and locals who have come out for a swim or stroll on the sand. But as you walk around, you find yourself in the midst of the remains of the German defensive positions from which troops coming ashore faced devastating fire. I can only imagine the courage it must have taken to leave the landing craft, make your way across the exposed beach under enemy fire, regroup and then continue the assault. There were many casualties that day.

After visiting the beaches, we drove a short distance to the cemetery, where 9,389 of those killed in the invasion are buried. As we walked among the graves, a ceremony was conducted near the entrance. At its conclusion, the presenter asked everyone to remove their hats and join in singing the American national anthem, followed by the playing of taps, a haunting bugle or trumpet call played at dusk or at military funerals. It was a deeply emotional experience, and it was impossible to hold back the tears.

I came home from this trip with a renewed appreciation for blessings that can easily be taken for granted. Some of our brethren would dearly love to enjoy the fellowship many of us experience every Sabbath. And Normandy reminded me that many of the freedoms and blessings we enjoy came at tremendous human cost. Above all, both experiences reminded me never to take for granted the greatest sacrifice ever made on our behalf—the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God “gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16), and Christ said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).

We returned home from Paris on Tuesday, Aug. 18. What a trip! But wait, there is more to come! In a few days, we will be observing the Feast of Trumpets, followed by the Day of Atonement and then the opening night of the Feast of Tabernacles on Friday evening, Sept. 25. What a month we have ahead of us! This will be my last member letter until after the Feast.

It has been an extraordinarily busy year for me. Partly because of that, Sharron and I will remain in the U.S. for the Feast. We will be in Branson for the first half and then Orange Beach for the second half. We have traveled around the world more than once visiting the brethren since last year’s Feast, so this seems like a good year for us to stay closer to home.

We look forward to seeing many of you during the Feast. It is an exciting time to be alive and to be part of God’s Church!

Sincerely, your brother in Christ,

Jim Franks