BUC News #612 (14 November 2008)
Email Newsletter of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland
Contents:
PATHFINDERS LEAD REMEMBRANCE PARADE
READING TEEN TO ATTEND OBAMA INAUGURATION
INTELLIGENT DESIGN AND DARWIN'S GOD
ASI ATTRACTS YOUNG ADULTS
LIFE.INFO ARTICLE LEADS TO TELEVISION INTERVIEW
ACHIEVING ACCESS: THE WAY FORWARD
CAR WRITE-OFF AT SHEEPCOT VILLAS
A TIMELY MESSAGE FOR SCOTLAND'S YOUTH
NEW DVD PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS THE CHURCH IN 2008
ADRA SENANGA VIDEO UPGRADE
DEATH OF MRS MARGARET CROSS
THIS WEEK'S "IN CONVERSATION"
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PATHFINDERS LEAD REMEMBRANCE PARADE [Olivia Riley]
The Holloway Seventh-day Adventist Drum Corps, under the command of Drum Major Alex Silcott led out in the Islington Council's Remembrance Day Parade on Sunday 9 November. Ninety years after the cessation of violence at the end of the First World War, these young men and women, boys and girls saw the importance of remembering those who had sacrificed for the sake of freedom.
Service units from 217 Field Squadron RE(V), The Standard Bearers and Wreath Bearers, Islington Veterans Association, 23 Cadet Squadron RE, 9F Squadron ATC, 329 Squadron ATC, Sea Cadets, The Riffles as well as the Holloway Adventurers and Pathfinder Club marched from Highbury Terrace along Upper Street to Islington Green and back. The Adventurers and Pathfinders were very enthusiastic and excited to take part in this momentous occasion, and also to contribute and make a positive impact in the community.
Alex Silcott laid a wreath on behalf of the Pathfinders in remembrance of those veterans and soldiers who had lost their lives.
Organisers, as well as a spokesperson from the Head of Major and Back Bench Officer, Islington Council, commented that "everyone was talking about the Drum Corps and how wonderful they looked leading the parade." They added, "having organised the parade for the last 25 years this was definitely the best." An invitation has been extended to the Drum Corps to take on this role on a permanent basis in the future.
READING TEEN TO ATTEND OBAMA INAUGURATION
Jhenielle Reynolds, a 15-year-old student who attends the Reading Central Seventh-day Adventist church has been invited to be present at the inauguration of US President elect, Barack Obama.
At the age of 12, Jhenielle was nominated to attend the Junior National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, DC due to her leadership skills and academic excellence. After attending the conference, she became a distinguished alumnus of the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, which opened the door for her to represent the United States as a junior ambassador in Australia. Unable to attend due to her family's relocation to England, the door remained open for other leadership opportunities, including an invitation to the Presidential Youth Inaugural Conference in 2009. While at the conference, Jhenielle will attend the Inauguration Ceremony and the Gala Ball as well as round table discussions with prominent US leaders such as former Secretary of State Colin Powell and former Vice President Al Gore. Jhenielle is thrilled to be a part of such a historic and monumental event.
Jhenielle sees God's blessing in her life and continues to excel and demonstrate leadership skills both in and outside of school. Recently chosen by her school principal at the ACS Egham International School in Surrey to speak to the media as a representative of American youth living in the United Kingdom, she shared her opinion regarding the 2008 Presidential Election. Speaking of Barack Obama she told the press, "I believe he would make a good president because he addresses issues that are of great concerns to the majority of American people." Asked about 'what would be the first thing you would change if you were president of the US', she responded, "I would adjust the current healthcare policies to make sure that everyone has access to affordable, reliable medical care."
Jhenielle believes that this historic event will "inspire young children and youth to rise to their full potential and fulfil their dreams with God as their guide." It is her desire that through various church programmes, Adventist youth will be empowered to be leaders in their communities and let their lights shine so Christ will be seen through them.
INTELLIGENT DESIGN AND DARWIN'S GOD
A Dutchman working in Ireland but with his eyes firmly fixed on the heavens was guest lecturer for the second "Darwin's God" lecture held at the Gateway Centre, Shrewsbury on Tuesday evening, 11 November. As a former director of the Armagh Observatory, Ireland, Dr Mart de Groot shared his viewpoint of the universe, the big bang, and intelligent design with an audience of around forty people, emphasising with simple illustrations, and in lay language that both the universe at large, and planet earth in particular, are very finely tuned providing all the essentials necessary for life.
Like Darwin, de Groot started off on an adventure of discovery, not on HMS Beagle, but with a similar enquiring mind pointing a telescope to the skies. After many years of study and research he is convinced that "The many fine-tunings within the very narrow limits that are required for life point to intelligent design".
He then posed the question, "Can there be intelligent design without a designer?" Working through the options he concurred with Einstein, "Religion without science is blind. Science without religion is lame". For de Groot, Darwin's God provides the context for scientific discovery and endeavour. His study reflects the words of Psalm 19, "The heavens declare the glory of God."
The third and final lecture in the series will focus on the Hebrew story of Creation found in Genesis. Dr Laurence Turner, a theologian who specialises in the book of Genesis will ask what relevance the story has for the twenty-first century world. The lecture will be held at the Gateway Centre, Shrewsbury, Tuesday 2 December starting at 7.30 pm. All are welcome, admission is free. The "Darwin's God" lecture series, organised by the Shrewsbury Seventh-day Adventist church serves to explore the world of science and religion leading up to the bicentenary of Darwin's birth in February 2009. Darwin was born in Shrewsbury on 12 February 1809.
The BUC Media team also spent the day in Shrewsbury filming for a Hope Channel production to be aired in February aiming to give a Christian balance to the media debate on Creation and Evolution. Filming will continue through until early December. The programme will also be available for church members to share with friends who have questions on Creation and will act as a companion to the recent FOCUS magazine on Origins and Design.
A selection of photos from Shrewsbury and an mp3 audio recording of the Darwin's God lecture are available on the BUC picture gallery: <www.adventist.org.uk>.
ASI ATTRACTS YOUNG ADULTS [BUC News/Audrey Balderstone]
Students, business professionals and supporting ministries of the Adventist Church met together at Staverton Park Conference Centre for what ASI-UK President, Audrey Balderstone called, "The best one yet!"
The meetings, over the weekend of 7 – 9 November, followed a day of earnest prayer and fasting and members of ASI-UK witnessed a series of miracles convincing them that God has great plans for this Association of Business, Professional and Supporting Ministry members of the Adventist Church.
"It was a very inspirational weekend," reported Elvira Pearson. "My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our time there. It was very refreshing to see a group of Adventists coming together and talking about mission opportunities and be encouraged to get involved."
This was the largest conference so far organised by ASI-UK. Among the 136 who attended on the Sabbath were 29 students plus a number of young adults. Edit Liebhardt, a first year student at Loughborough University said, "I didn't even know ASI existed before this but I think it does so much for so many people that we can not let it fade away." She definitely wants to be more involved in the future. "It was a day full of exciting people, fulfilling experiences and inspiring ideas."
Many had come to hear special speaker, Japhet de Oliveira. A former Youth director of the South England Conference, Japhet is currently Chaplain for Mission and Associate director at the Centre for Youth Evangelism at Andrews University. Having just come from the USA he said he "was inspired by the movement in the country." He continued, "Imagine if we and our church had a clear identity. What if we voted for change and got engaged."
Daniel Sabatier appreciated Japhet's emphasis on relationships and how important it is to maintain a church, and its community, and to expand them. He says, "I left feeling revived and ignited again. I was once again passionate about building my relationships at church further and growing my home church so that we can spread the word of God into our business places and community at large!"
The mix of ages and experiences produced energy and dynamism which was felt in the worship music led by Peter Manners-Smith, the inspired preaching of Japhet and in the sharing of experiences by young and old.
Audrey states that "Rarely have I heard people talk so excitedly about a Sabbath School lesson." Jane Sabes, newly appointed Principal of Newbold College, "masterfully took the members through the rites of Leviticus in a lesson demonstrating the various offerings, with finely ground flour, salt, olive oil and honey - a tour de force which will long remain in our memories."
Charlotte Bramble too inspired her listeners with her account of her mission service in Guyana, from washing in the river to eating with the wildlife.
Japhet's preaching, in his own inimitable style, was forthright, thought-provoking and challenging for people, young and old, to do mighty deeds for the Lord. "Relationships are core to who we are," he said. "Our growth in faith is not merely as a result of God and me but God, you and me. We need to experience and challenge our faith through community."
That faith turned to reality as the ASI members voted to offer a one-year scholarship for a new UK student to study Business Management at Newbold beginning in August 2009. According to Brian Davison "ASI believe that the strength of the Church today and in the future depends on committed lay men and women who have a strong relationship with Jesus Christ and a strong desire to serve their church. Newbold has a pivotal role in helping to mould young adults into these sorts of people." This initiative will add to the good news for Newbold business students who have been told this week that they are eligible for the same student loans that they would receive at any other UK college or university.
During the AGM Audrey Balderstone accepted the post of President again. The other Officers are: Vice President: Janette Gulleford, Secretary: Christine Manners-Smith, Treasurer: Charles Bramble. Other members of the Board are: Brian Davison, Robert Hines, Carolyn Schulz and Kerhys Sterling (Student representative). Victor Pilmoor is the BUC representative and Martin Bell is the Chaplain. The motto of ASI (Adventist-laymen's Services and Industries) is 'Sharing Christ in the Market Place'.
ASI is open to everyone with an interest in sharing their faith in the work place and using their talents in evangelism and service. If you would like to know more about ASI-UK please visit the website, <www.asi-uk.org>, or email Christine Manners Smith, <manners-smith@ntlworld.com>, for an application form.
LIFE.INFO ARTICLE LEADS TO TELEVISION INTERVIEW
This Sunday's Songs of Praise programme on BBC1 should feature Aled Jones interviewing fifteen-year-old Anna Surridge along with her father Pastor John Surridge. This all came about through them writing a LIFE.info article about the musical Godspell.
"When you write an article for a magazine you never know who is going to end up reading it," says Anna. "Back in January, Becky de Oliveira, who is the editor of LIFE.info, asked us if we would do a review of Godspell because she had heard that it was on in Cardiff. We didn't need much encouragement and that very evening we went out to see the show. It was great of course and we loved it, and we also enjoyed writing the article."
The article was published in LIFE.info Vol. 7, Issue No. 3, and when Anna saw it she was very excited. "Although I didn't write the whole thing myself it was my first published article and I was absolutely over the moon to see it in print. I didn't think it could have gotten any better, but it did! A month or so later we got a call from a researcher from Songs of Praise who wanted to talk to us about Godspell. Apparently she had read the LIFE.info article online and it fitted in with a programme they were doing on musicals. We were both asked in detail about it, and afterwards she said she would like to interview us for the show. To be honest, I never thought anything would come of it, but to our surprise a few weeks later we found ourselves in the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff about to be interviewed."
"We were taken to the main theatre where the camera and lights were already set up and found Aled Jones sitting there waiting to interview us. I was really nervous but he was so friendly he made us both feel as though we had known him for years. As he had been performing in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which we had also been to see, we got a chance to talk to him about that too. The interview was everything I had hoped it would be - enjoyable, exciting, but of course a bit terrifying! It was a once in a lifetime experience, and it's amazing to think that it all came about from an article in LIFE.info."
Songs of Praise is on this Sunday at 5.15 pm. LIFE.info is available through your Personal Ministries secretary or online at: <www.adventistinfo.org.uk/lifedevelopment/lifeinfomag.php>.
The Adventist presence on national television will continue next month as on Sunday, 14 December the Adventist Vocal Ensemble will perform with the BBC Orchestra and Ruthie Henshall on BBC1 Songs of Praise. The following week, Tessera, and Adventist male group will be guests on Lesley Garrett's show, then on Christmas Eve, 24 December the Adventist Vocal Ensemble will perform on the ITV programme, 'Aled Jones Christmas Carols'. The year will close with Tessera again appearing on the 28 December Songs of Praise.
ACHIEVING ACCESS: THE WAY FORWARD
On Sunday, 9 November, the Stanborough Centre, Watford saw 36 delegates gathered for the 2nd annual Special Needs Coordinators' (SNC) Conference hosted and organised by the British Union Conference (BUC) and the Adventist Special Needs Association (ASNA).
Under the theme, "Achieving Access: The Way Forward", the delegates gained understanding in developing their role in their churches and local communities.
Nigel Nicholls, chair of ASNA and Sharon Platt-McDonald, BUC Health Ministries director and Special Needs coordinator welcomed the delegation. In his opening address Pastor Don McFarlane, BUC President, strongly supported the theological model of disability which advocates that everybody is a child of God and therefore has a right to be part of His Church. This set the tone for the rest of the day.
Members of two Wolverhampton churches, Great Brick Kiln and Wednesfield shared how their churches had made changes that really opened them to the community. In addition to a growing awareness of disability issues, delegates recognised that the conference also provided a great opportunity to be part of an active group of Christians seeking to make the gospel accessible for all.
This year's conference also saw the launch of the Special Needs Coordinator manual, "Making the Gospel Accessible". Authors, Sharon Platt-McDonald, Sophia Nicholls and Trudy Young, presented the manual to the delegation as a resource for leaders in the church. It is to enable the work of supporting people living with special needs and disabilities and to bring all closer to accessing the wonderful gospel of Jesus Christ.
Training on the day was provided by Geoff Evans (Autism Awareness), Colin Thompson (Deaf Awareness, RNID), Francine Bates (Mental Illness) and Pete Winmill from Causeway Prospects (Understanding Learning Disabilities).
For more information on the conference or the new manual please contact Sophia Nicholls, <asna@special1.fsnet.co.uk>, 01491 833395) or Sharon Platt-McDonald at the BUC office.
CAR WRITE-OFF AT SHEEPCOT VILLAS [Joyce Hill]
John and Marjatta Milner's car is no more! Shortly after noon on Sunday, 9 November the peace of a quiet morning was shattered by a resounding creaking and a crash. A mighty Black Poplar tree, growing behind the boundary fence of the Sheepcot Villas in Sheepcot Lane, collapsed onto a resident's car in the corner of the car park. The broken tree squashed the car, and triggered its rear hazard lights.
John and Marjatta Milner were horrified and shocked to see their six-year-old Toyota Corolla car squashed as they watched. Fortunately no one was hurt by the crash, and two other cars were undamaged. The worst shock over, John and Marjatta are taking the loss philosophically, knowing that they were already considering changing this car for a new one.
The car park was made safe under torchlight on Sunday evening and on Monday a professional tree felling team arrived to remove the branches and debris from the Villas' car park. The Villas are provided by the British Union Conference for retired church members.
A TIMELY MESSAGE FOR SCOTLAND'S YOUTH
West of Scotland shift workers swapped shifts, others hurried from work and school children delayed their homework, and all so they could be in church at 6.30 pm during the week commencing 2 November. Why? Because a Youth Week of Revival, "It's Time", was taking place. Covering topics such as "Lot – his choices", "Fishing for Jesus", "Remember thy Creator" and "Prayer". Towera Kasambara said the packed congregations showed "there is a strong thirst for the Word".
But the topics were not the sole attraction. Word about the week's guest speaker, Calvin Preston, pastor of the 1,000-member Atlanta Georgia church had spread. By Friday evening the church was filled to capacity and beyond. Those present warmed to his Southern style animated and participative sermons. "He made the Word, in these end times, so relevant for today's youth," responded Carille Walcott.
The week culminated in a Scottish Youth Day of Fellowship in Glasgow's Church of Scotland Kelvin Grove Church. The young, and the not so young, travelled from all over Scotland to hear Pastor Preston's passionate plea to the Church's youth to "flee from the world's temptations" and focus on Christ. The afternoon session, jointly compered by Martin Pearson and 11-year-old Mervyn Owusu-Ayim from Dundee, featured a rich variety of musical talents.
NEW DVD PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS THE CHURCH IN 2008
A new 17-minute video report is launched this week highlighting the progress of the Seventh-day Adventist church in the UK and Ireland. Released to coincide with the Winter Meetings of the Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists, the report emphasises how youth have made an impact during 2008, how pastors have dealt with difficult issues and challenges viewers with a vision for the church in 2009. The programme is now online and available for viewing or download from the UK-HopeTV website: <www.hopetv.org.uk>. Churches are highly recommended to download the programme and share it with church members on Sabbath. Those who do not have the facilities for downloading can obtain a free DVD copy by emailing Victor Hulbert at <vhulbert@adventist.org.uk> or phoning 01923 672251.
ADRA SENANGA VIDEO UPGRADE
An inspiring video report of the work being done by ADRA at Senanga, Zambia has been upgraded in quality on the UK-HopeTV website: <www.hopetv.org.uk>. Watch it online or download this seven minute report as an ideal story to share in church, at home or with your friends.
DEATH OF MRS MARGARET CROSS
It is with sadness that the British Union Conference reports the death of Mrs Margaret M Cross at The Dell Retirement Home on Wednesday, 5 November, aged 97. Mrs Cross was the wife of the late Mr William James Cross a former Granose worker. Mrs Cross herself had worked a few years at Granose and the Stanborough Press back in the 1950s. The funeral service will take place at Gorleston Crematorium on Monday, 17 November at 11.20 am. Our condolences go to her son, Philip Cross.
THIS WEEK'S "IN CONVERSATION"
His dad came to England from the West Indies in the 1930s breaking the taboos by marrying a Welsh girl. The pressures of his father's singing fame and the racial pressures led to family breakdown and Ricky Porter ended up in boarding school where boxing was the best way to make a name for himself. He knows about prejudice and despair – but also about hope – a hope he found at his father's deathbed. A gritty and moving story on "In Conversation" on the Hope Channel at the times listed below or view on demand at <www.hopetv.org.uk>:
Friday 14 November: 4:30 am and 8:00 pm: Jim Huzzey
Sabbath 15 November: 12:30 am and 3:00 pm: Jim Huzzey
Monday 17 November: 3:00 am and 7:00 pm: Ricky Porter
Wednesday 19 November: 8:30 am: Ricky Porter
Friday 21 November: 4:30 am and 8:00 pm: Ricky Porter
Sabbath 22 November: 12:30 am and 3:00 pm: Ricky Porter
Hope Channel Europe is available on satellite and online at <www.hopetv.org.uk>.
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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