Email Newsletter of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland
Contents:
NINETEEN PLUS FOUR - A RECORD FOR SCOTLAND
96 YEARS OF MISSION
HEALTH EDUCATION ESSENTIAL TO CURBING ZIMBABWE CHOLERA OUTBREAK
BUC HEALTH MINISTRIES NUTRITION CONFERENCE
FROM ADVENTIST PASTOR TO CHIEF OF STATE
NORTH AND SOUTH UNITED
LATEST MESSENGER ONLINE
THIS WEEK ON THE HOPE CHANNEL
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NINETEEN PLUS FOUR - A RECORD FOR SCOTLAND [John Wilby]
On 21 February and, for the second time in just over a year, Drumchapel Baptist Church hosted a large gathering of members from the West of Scotland. But this time a Scottish record in decades was celebrated when 23 candidates from the Glasgow, Faifley and Paisley churches took their baptismal vows. Nineteen, mostly teenagers, were baptised and four more entered membership on Profession of Faith.
Those committing, or re-committing, their life to Christ, included husband and wife, Allan and Patricia Spencer, and Phelomen Mukangiliye and her children Benjamin and Alice. Among those who also saw their children enter the waters of baptism were the parents of Chloe, Clara and Cokkine Mukisa and Thandiwe and Vitumbiko Madhlopa. Sixteen-year-old Benjamin perhaps best summed up the day with the comment "It was a blessed day when children's souls were enriched with God's Spirit and the fullness of His wonderful words of life".
Addressing the candidates, Mission President, Pastor Llew Edwards, referred to Romans 6:3, 4 emphasising that "Baptism is a memorial of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ". Focusing on the temptations and choices faced by young people today, he referred to Paul's description in Romans 5:14 & 15 of two communities – those "in Christ" and those "in Adam". "In the latter you will die, 'in Christ' you will have everlasting life" he said. Posing the question "how will we know we are in the 'life' community", he summarised 1 John 3:14 – "In Christ we become 'other' centred rather than 'I' centred".
Pastor Clifford Herman, who had prepared the candidates and who conducted the baptisms, said: "A baptismal event is one of the best ways to uplift and refocus the mission and meaning of a church. It is a time when those who have committed their life before through baptism rethink their journey, and those who have not yet accepted the need to follow a life with Jesus, rethink their life situation".
The ceremony was enhanced with songs of praise from the Glasgow group Helping Hands, soloist Francesca Vaudein and the Faifley youth group Destined for Greatness.
96 YEARS OF MISSION [Bert Smit, ADRA-UK Director]
In just a couple of weeks the 96th Annual Appeal or 'Ingathering' will start. This is an exciting time of the year when we all can get together to support the humanitarian work of the Church. The new promotional materials have been welcomed and hopefully will help to make an ever better impact this year. Annual Appeal is not just about collecting from door-to-door but it is about trying to do what we can to raise as much money as we can for ADRA. We hear about the concerts, the sponsored events etc. that churches are planning to organise to reach their goals.
This year it may be a little more difficult and so it may take a little more effort to reach our goals. The credit crunch and the downturn of the economy may make it more difficult to convince people to give to help. And yet, we know that the British general public is very generous and will continue to give for good causes. You + ADRA = hope.
ADRA is now registered on the Just Giving website <justgiving.com>. This is ideal for members who are running sponsored events. Anyone that wants to raise money for ADRA can sign up and the funds will get to ADRA directly.
If you want to get new ideas of how to raise funds, why not download our new Fundraising Powerkit? It is available in the Annual Appeal resources section on our website <http://adra.org.uk>. Follow the Our Work/Annual Appeal link.
We have plenty of extra supplies at our office! Booklets, calendars, lanyards, donation envelopes etc. Just give us a call on 01923 681 723 and we will be glad to send it to you.
HEALTH EDUCATION ESSENTIAL TO CURBING ZIMBABWE CHOLERA OUTBREAK [Nadia McGill/BUC News]
An ongoing cholera outbreak could continue to escalate across Zimbabwe unless a concerted effort is made to educate residents about how to prevent the transmission of this deadly disease, warned the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).
To curb the outbreak, which has killed nearly 4,000 people across Zimbabwe and has affected more than 90 percent of districts, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), ADRA is conducting participatory health and hygiene workshops (PHHE) and dispensing educational materials to teach recipients how to reduce their risk of exposure to cholera. ADRA is also improving access to clean water in areas with inadequate or contaminated water supplies, and distributing jerry cans, water treatment tablets, disinfectants, and medical supplies to residents living near the cities of Harare, Bulawayo, and also in the eastern Manicaland province.
"Successful health education campaigns, such as PHHE, are essential to winning the battle against cholera," said Dr Zivayi Nengomasha, acting country director for ADRA Zimbabwe. "Communities are unable to prevent, identify, or treat the disease if they are not properly equipped with the tools that these workshops provide."
In Kuwadzana, a community outside Harare, and Chendambuya, in Manicaland, ADRA's PHHE workshops utilize medical practitioners that provide training for teachers in safe health and hygiene behaviours. Through a shipment of materials provided by local partner, the Hospice Association of Zimbabwe (HOSPAZ), ADRA is distributing jerry cans, buckets, water tablets, home-based health care kits, oral rehydration salts, and materials that educate the community on preventative methods for 1,000 people living with HIV in Kuwadzana.
Nearly 61,000 people will benefit from this ADRA campaign, which began in mid-December, and will continue through March 2009.
As part of its initial response, approximately 2,500 people benefited from ADRA's clean up campaign in Kuwadzana, while 500 people in Chendambuya and Kuwadzana benefited from the distribution of jerry cans, water treatment tablets, disinfectants and health education materials. In January, ADRA moved into Old Pumula, a Bulawayo suburb, distributing 1,000 jerry cans, and 100,000 water treatment tablets, disinfectants, and health education materials to at-risk families. In February, ADRA increased its response to include the distribution of 1,200 jerry cans and another estimated 100,000 water treatment tablets in Kuwadzana and Chendambuya where 16,200 people are learning improved health and hygiene behaviours in order to minimize infections.
ADRA is also drilling five boreholes in the selected regions, increasing the supply of clean water for a total of 2,500 people, and establishing hand-washing facilities in medical and educational institutions in Kuwadzana and Chendambuya.
In addition, ADRA is providing disinfectants to health clinics, schools, and vulnerable residents who are living near open sewers or are infected with HIV.
ADRA will also distribute a consignment of medical goods supplied by World Emergency Relief (WER)-UK, and WER-Holland. Other distributions include oral rehydration salts (ORS) provided by Global Assistance, and 576,000 doses of ORS from Hope for the Cities.
Not including the medical supplies, the project is valued at more than $93,000, and is funded through a partnership between ADRA Czech Republic, ADRA Denmark, ADRA International, ADRA Norway, ADRA Netherlands, ADRA Sweden, ADRA Australia, ADRA Canada, ADRA New Zealand, ADRA-UK, ADRA Portugal, and ADRA Japan.
To assist in ADRA's emergency response to the cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe, contributions can be donated to ADRA's Emergency Response Fund, by phone at 01923 681 723 or online at <www.adra.org.uk>.
ADRA is a non-governmental organization present in 125 countries providing sustainable community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race, or ethnicity.
BUC HEALTH MINISTRIES NUTRITION CONFERENCE [Sharon Platt-McDonald, BUC Health Ministries Director]
"Excellent presentations!", "The day was extremely informative and inspiring", "Brilliant! Well worth the early start and journey!" "Excellent programme. Encourages me to try more things and share with others and my church"; "A very well organized and very inspiring event. The food was excellent". These were just a few of the comments from the 70 plus individuals who attended the BUC sponsored Nutrition Conference held on Sunday, 1 March.
Coming from a very practical angle the conference aimed to deliver the 'how to' of nutrition rather than the usual route of explaining what was good and not so good to eat for healthy living. Under the caption, "Renewing our Vision for Health – a dietary perspective", the conference theme developed in line with the Ellen White 'Counsels on Diet and Foods' p273 that "where ever the truth is proclaimed, instruction should be given in the preparation of healthful foods".
Key to the day was the culinary steps participants were taught when helping to assist someone to transition from a meat to a plant based diet. This was supported by varied demonstrations of plant based recipes and provision of colourful laminated postcards and fridge magnet recipes for easy access in the kitchen.
A range of food demonstrations covering breakfast, lunch and supper was undertaken with demonstrations including bircher muesli, granola, apricot spread, how to build a salad, guacamole, hummus, stir-fry and sweet potato wedges. The lunch for the day had a Moroccan theme and participants were able to see the making of dishes like aduki bean koftas and spiced marinated olives. Dessert was a delicious pina colada or berry nutty vegan ice cream.
The opening lecture concentrated on a little explored area; that of the link between food, appetite and spirituality and its impact on our wellbeing. There followed a range of seminars including the benefits of a whole food plant based diet, Moroccan Vegetarian Cuisine and The Transition Nutrition. The conference pack provided additional resources for displays that Health Ministries leaders and their teams could use when delivering health programmes to the church and community.
Conference organisers, Sharon Platt-McDonald BUC Health Ministries director, Angelette Muller nutritional consultant and lecturer in therapeutic nutrition and Fay Lindo food demonstrator not only facilitated the event but also wrote and created all the resources.
This is the first stage in the development of a planned cooking school with nutritional resources being developed for churches, schools and the community. The BUC Health Ministries department wishes to thank the Stanborough Press for supporting the event and the team of volunteers who made the day such a success. For more information on nutrition information shared at the conference please ring Sharon Platt-McDonald on 01727 872 162.
A selection of appetising photos from the conference can be seen on the BUC picture gallery, <www.adventist.org.uk>.
FROM ADVENTIST PASTOR TO CHIEF OF STATE [Mark Kellner, News Editor Adventist Review, reports from Kingston, Jamaica/BUC News]
Change came softly on a Caribbean breeze, Thursday 26 February, as the nation of Jamaica installed a Seventh-day Adventist pastor as its Governor-General, or head of state, in a solemn ceremony attended by thousands and broadcast nationally.
Patrick Linton Allen, until recently President of the West Indies Union became the sixth Governor-General as a band from the Jamaican Defence Forces played the national song and a choir from Adventist-owned Northern Caribbean University sang.
Allen was named to the position on 13 January, under recommendation of Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding and the approval of Queen Elizabeth II, whom Allen will represent on the island. He replaces Sir Kenneth Hall, a professor and educational administrator, who is retiring for health reasons.
Allen's new job also involves appointing and disciplining officers of the civil service, and calling or dismissing the Parliament. Allen is a three-time graduate of Adventist-owned Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States. He served as Union Conference President since 2000, as well as serving as chairman of Northern Caribbean University board of directors. Derek Bignall, who gave the benediction at the installation, has succeeded Allen in both posts.
Allen is the second Seventh-day Adventist to serve as a Governor-General in the Caribbean. Sir James Carlisle, a dentist and layman, was Governor-General of Antigua and Barbuda between 1993 and 2007. However, Allen's appointment is unique in that he has been called from a church administrative background.
Allen takes office at a time of great national concern here: the economy, as with much of the world's trade, is in upheaval, with tourism and trade affected by the slowdown in the United States, Britain, and Europe. Crime and violence are also issues. "Jamaicans are hurting – economically, financially, socially, mentally, and spiritually," Allen allowed in a speech delivered at the conclusion of the installation ceremony. His address sounded several traditional Adventist themes, albeit couched in appropriately secular language.
In focusing on the economic situation, he noted: "Should not this challenge us to find alternate ways of providing for ourselves by using the natural resources with which we are blessed: water, land, fertile soil, and good climate all year round? This may also be the opportunity for us to feed ourselves, rely less on imported goods, promote a healthier lifestyle, and improve the quality of our diet by eating more of what we grow from the soil."
On the continued violence in Jamaica, he said the nation has room "for conversations … in order to resolve our disputes without resorting to the use of violence. We have a reputation of being friendly to visitors, so why can't we get along with each other and help each other?"
And, he said, "we must embrace the values that will develop a just society and define us as a people – respect, fairness, punctuality, forgiveness, sharing, caring, and lending a helping hand."
"The well-being and welfare of Jamaica must be our primary concern," Allen declared in his remarks. "We must repair the ills that threaten to divide, separate, and destroy us. We must appeal to our better nature and restore mutual respect for each other."
He said, "every one of us has to participate in the healing, the restoration, and ultimately, the prosperity of this nation. There is nothing wrong with Jamaica that cannot be fixed by what is right with Jamaica."
Prime Minister Golding said "our Governor-General serves as an icon of national unity, someone who stands above partisan and sectoral differences, someone who embraces the entire nation and whom the entire nation can embrace."
The appointment of a Seventh-day Adventist pastor to this post – which Golding said would become President should Jamaicans approve a referendum changing the nation to a republic – "is a testimony to the pluralistic, multi-denominational character of our society and reflects the true spirit and hope of our nation that anyone, regardless of colour, class or creed, and however humble one's beginnings, can rise to occupy the highest office in our land."
Allen noted this himself, saying, "it would be remiss of me not to mention the persons in this audience and elsewhere who have contributed, in one way or another" to his life's development.
"As a boy from a modest family in the far reaches of the Portland community of Fruitful Vale, I have taken one step at a time toward my goals," Allen said, "…not wondering where the next step would lead me."
As Allen concluded his remarks, he offered a commitment to his nation and his people, saying, "I believe in Jamaica. I believe in the people of Jamaica. I am committed to doing my best as I carry out my responsibilities. I am confident of the support of my wife and best friend, Patricia, as I uphold the dignity of this office, and the confidence which has been placed in me."
Seventh-day Adventists have a long tradition in Jamaica and church members comprise approximately 12 percent of the population here. Allen's sectarian roots stirred some controversy on his appointment, but in an editorial, the local Gleaner newspaper said "we do not, however, share the expressed fears about Dr Allen, a highly intelligent and decent human being, who will be guided by the Constitution and the law and the appropriate balance of public sentiment."
NORTH AND SOUTH UNITED [Garry Gordon]
It's hard to be sure which aspect of last Sabbath, 28 February's "North visits South" all day service stood out most. For some it was the movement when well in excess of 200 members (3 coaches, 1 minibus and untold cars) from Handsworth church, Birmingham to Brixton church, South London arrived. For others, it was that Handsworth opted to take the whole day including song service for Sabbath School, which meant leaving Birmingham at 6:00 am.
Or perhaps it was that every age group was represented and addressed from children to senior citizens. Undoubtedly for Handsworth members the warmth, generosity and hospitality that Brixton provided with both lunch and evening refreshments for over 220 people left a lasting impression! Whatever the personal highlight was, all agreed that the day was a tremendous success and blessing to the overflowing congregation.
The programme was a result of an invitation extended to the Handsworth church family during a revival series conducted by Pastor Hamilton Williams in September of last year. The Sabbath School department took up the challenge and under the leadership of Superintendent Winston Brown set about putting the day together using the theme 'Expect The Unexpected'. The emphasis of the day was to encourage members to maintain and increase faith in God even in troubled and uncertain times.
With a call to trust the integrity of God's Word and His prophets during the Sabbath School lesson the morning study period was also a worship experience. The worship and inspiration continued throughout the morning with praise team and Tabernacle Choir (a mixture of senior youth and middle agers) singing to the glory of God. The Sermon was delivered by Handsworth minister, Pastor Garry Gordon. He sought to encourage the congregation to believe that God can still do extraordinary things in their lives in spite of a poor start, negative environments or various and varied setbacks. At the close of the sermon several individuals responded to the appeal made, including several for baptism.
The afternoon began with praise and worship continuing where the morning had left off with a fusion of traditional and contemporary 'psalms, hymns and spiritual songs'. While the interactive quiz engendered all church participation, the children's corner was reserved for the youngest to share in the day's blessing. However, the highlight of the afternoon was the contemporary play based on the life of Job. With a mixture of humour and serious reflection members were challenged to remain faithful to God irrespective of what the world may throw at them.
The day finally came to an end at around 7:30 pm with Pastors Gordon and Williams agreeing that an inspirational day was had by all. Both pastors expressed appreciation for all the hard work put in to make the day a success and then concluded with prayer for each other's respective congregations.
LATEST MESSENGER ONLINE
"End-time theme at Three Missions' Pastoral Retreat" is the lead headline on the latest edition of Messenger, the official journal of the Seventh-day Adventist church in the UK and Ireland. Now available online at <www.adventistnews.org.uk>, the 6 March edition also focuses on the memorial stones of Joshua in line with our Follow the Bible reading guide, looks at "Toxic attitudes" while recognising that "Children mattered to Jesus!" All this along with the latest news and information from around the Union.
THIS WEEK ON THE HOPE CHANNEL
This Friday and Sabbath we continue our Creationist reflection on the 200th anniversary of the birth of evolutionary biologist, Charles Darwin in 'Darwin Revisited'. In addition we have added four extended interviews on the Hope TV website with the principal characters from the Documentary. Through next week we take a lighter look at life and art with performance poet, Valerie Bloom who last year was awarded an MBE for her services to poetry. Valerie is our guest on "In Conversation" on the Hope Channel at the times listed below and is on demand at <www.hopetv.org.uk>:
Friday 6 March: 4:30 am and 8:00 pm: Darwin Revisited
Sabbath 7 March: 12:30 am and 3:00 pm: Darwin Revisited
Monday 9 March: 3:00 am: Valerie Bloom
Friday 13 March: 4:30 am and 8:00 pm: Valerie Bloom
Sabbath 14 March: 12:30 am and 3:00 pm: Valerie Bloom
BUC News is a weekly news bulletin produced by the British Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and edited by the Communication Department. Victor Hulbert, director; Mary Kapon, secretary. Items for inclusion should be sent to <bucnews@adventist.org.uk> and need to be received by 6.00 pm on Wednesday, preferably as simple email text. All unattributed stories written by the editorial team. Coming Events and Small Ads should be kept short and preferably be submitted via the on-line form at: <www.adventist.org.uk>. The editor reserves the right to modify articles received to make them suitable for inclusion. The views expressed by individuals cited in this bulletin do not necessarily reflect the views of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, though we try to ensure that they do. You are free to re-print any portion of this bulletin without the need for special permission. However, we kindly request that you identify BUC News or other sources whenever you publish these materials. Back issues and an RSS feed including photographs are available on our website at <www.adventist.org.uk>.
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