BRANCH OFFICE ESTABLISHED

The decade of the 1960’s began with a winding down of the missionaries’ role in Alaska and the Yukon. Strong groups of spiritually minded brothers and sisters had been organized. In 1961 “the faithful and discreet slave” recognized the need to draw these far-flung groups closer together. A branch office in Anchorage would accomplish this. Arrangements were made when Brother Milton Henschel visited, and in September 1961 Andrew K. Wagner arrived to take up his new duties as branch overseer. The Yukon Territory of Canada would be cared for by the Alaska branch office, providing circuit assemblies with international flavor as brothers and sisters from two countries would assemble together. Brother Tom Didur, circuit overseer from Canada, had served all of northern Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon and northern Alaska for several years. Under the newly formed branch his assignment centered on Alaska and the Yukon.

The immediate benefits of an Alaskan branch are related by Brother Wagner in his report to the Society: “Much of the increase this year [1962] has come as a result of better shepherding made possible by the closer oversight of the work that the local branch is able to provide. There is also evidence of greater maturity on the part of many who have felt weak because of isolation.” One overseer remarked: “Up to that time we had felt somewhat like orphans, due to the distance from other congregations and the headquarters.”

When Brother Woodard left Alaska in 1963, only one of the original missionaries remained. In 1964 Brother Knorr wrote to Brother Errichetti and invited him to go to Brooklyn Bethel, where he is continuing to serve down to this day. A man who stuck faithfully to his assignment, Brother Errichetti said: “Alaska was my assignment for 20 years and I enjoyed it very much. Brother Woodard and I had some hard times, but Jehovah, our loving God, always pulled us through.” How true those words! These two brothers especially displayed an outstanding resourcefulness all the years they served in Alaska. There was hardly anything they did not know about living off the land, and they were ideal servants for the untamed and inhospitable territory of those years. They gained the respect of the people and did much to encourage the brothers, who followed their zeal in Kingdom activity in spite of hardships. These two certainly showed by their zealous service that these last days are no time to take one’s ease.

[Picture on page 147]

Branch facility in Anchorage, including an office, apartment and a Kingdom Hall that seats 250