This week’s news for BUC

UK News from our UK & Ireland Church Headquarters

ADRA: CHILE, HAITI & ANNUAL APPEAL

4 Mar 2010 at 3:25pm

An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Chilean coast on Saturday, 27 February 2010 at 3:34 am (local time) with devastating results. ADRA immediately swung into action.

The Government of Chile has reported that
over 700 people have been confirmed dead while one and half million homes are
believed damaged.  The earthquake caused
massive damage to buildings and key infrastructure and the subsequent tsunami
caused serious additional damage and loss of life along the Chilean coastal
settlements.

“Our staff in Chile are already in the affected
areas to see first-hand the extent of the earthquake damage and identify the
communities that are worst hit,” said Mario Ochoa, Executive Vice
President for ADRA International.  ”A
quake of this magnitude can have a devastating impact in a wide area.”

ADRA is currently conducting an extensive assessment
in the region, including in the southern cities of Talca, Temuco and
Concepción, in preparation for an initial response worth at least $105,000.  Funders include ADRA International, the South
American Regional office, the Adventist Church in Chile, and ADRA Canada.  As part of this initial emergency response,
ADRA expects to provide jerry cans, tents, mattresses, and blankets.  Canada-based GlobalMedic is partnering with
ADRA to set up water purification points.

The Chilean National Emergency Office (ONEMI) has
called ADRA to assist immediately with distributing blankets, bed sheets, food
and water.  ADRA Chile is in the process
of completing a needs assessment and is developing a network-funded
proposal/budget.  ADRA-UK has already
committed to help provide funds for this relief programme.

ONEMI also requested ADRA volunteers to help with
organizing food baskets at one military area of the airport.  It took about an hour and a half to mobilize
60 church volunteers to work the next morning. 
Coinciding with the visit of Mrs Hilary Clinton, Chilean TV cameras
picked up the cheerful faces of the ADRA volunteers wearing their smart
uniforms -  happy to help in the midst of this crisis.

While helping the hurting the church family itself has
been affected.  The Adventist News
Network (ANN) reports that several Adventist church buildings were destroyed in
the city of Talca, including the Central Chile Mission administration office,
an ADRA warehouse and the Talca Central Adventist church.  Many houses in the city of Constitución have
been swept out to sea including seven Adventist residences.

Church officials also reported structural damage to churches
in Los Ángeles, a city in the Biobío region; the Chile Union Mission office,
located in Santiago; the South Chile Conference office, located in Temuco; and
Chile Adventist University in Chillán.  Adventist
leaders emphasized the need for practical help and Christian concern: “We
are working unceasingly and calling for everyone to pray for the Adventists and
the population in general in Chile who is suffering right now in this tragedy,”
stated Pastor Erton Köhler, South American Division President.

ADRA continues to work in Haiti including opening a
children’s centre that will help traumatised children towards healing.  With only a few weeks to go until the ADRA
Annual Appeal in the UK, one of the questions people may ask when volunteers go
door-to-door is ‘What have you done for Haiti or Chile?’

10% of the funds raised through the Annual Appeal are
set aside in an emergency response fund.  Whenever disaster strikes, ADRA-UK immediately
releases funds for an emergency response.

For Haiti, ADRA-UK released US$50,000 on 13 January to
help ADRA Haiti respond and in the weeks following raised almost US$200,000 to
help with the ongoing relief effort.  The
ADRA-UK website has regular updates on our work in both Haiti and Chile – see <http://www.adra.org.uk>.

When people give, they help ADRA-UK to be ready for
the next disaster!

[Bert Smit/BUC
News]

BURY ST EDMUNDS ‘VISION FROM ATHENS’

4 Mar 2010 at 3:19pm

Myrto Theocharous is completing a PhD in Old Testament Studies at Cambridge University. That is nothing exceptional in itself – but the story of her search for Jesus, her move to Evangelical Christianity and her plans to return to Greece as an Evangelical missionary thrilled the small congregation of the Bury St Edmunds Adventist church on Sabbath, 27 February.

On her return she will be
teaching theology and will work with the disenfranchised in Greek society.  She combines ministry to the destitute and
prostitutes in Greece with her academic pursuits.  It was a
gripping, and deeply moving, presentation.  Equally, she was impressed by her day of ‘Adventist
worship’ writing in her blog that
night that, ‘The simplicity and genuineness of this church’s worship was
striking.  It was a privilege to witness
the ordination of two deacons, Limbani and Antonio, and see the hands of the
church touching them in approval, in trust, in unity.  Thank you for sharing your “rest”
with me on this Sabbath day!’

Three years ago, the Bury St Edmunds Adventist
congregation in Suffolk was declining at an alarming rate and the morale
amongst the faithful remaining few was at an all time low.  Since then things have changed.  God’s blessings have been poured on that
little flock.  Today Bury is a lively,
thriving and growing community of some thirty worshippers from: England,
Scotland, Portugal, Brazil, Malawi, Germany, Mauritius, USA, and the Caribbean
islands.  An ongoing variety of worship
services and programmes cater for all ethnic, age and gender groups.  Bury is a showcase of unity in diversity.  The church facilities have been upgraded to
keep up with new legislation and provide comfort to the tiny tots, the
disabled, and to the elderly worshippers.

This day was special not just for the visit of Myrto or
the dedication of the deacons, but as the day that their new pastor, Amalendu
Bairagee was introduced to the church family. 
Pastor Bairagee quickly appreciated the skills of diversity in his new
congregation, with Eric and Bob, both elders, conducting a captivating Sabbath School
around the theme of “Meekness”, Richard, the head elder leading out
in the worship service in his characteristic gracious and humorous style and
Magli singing a meditative solo in Portuguese to the sound of an appreciative
congregational, “Amen.”  Claude’s
cogent sermon was entitled: “What to do with sin”.  The answer in one word was, “flee”
from it.  He then enjoyed an exotic
fellowship meal before Myrto’s afternoon presentation about her conversion to
Christ and her subsequent life’s journey on the work she did with women in
prostitution in Greece, and her scholarly pursuits.  She has seen God opening and closing doors
every step of the way.  Claude says, “Myrto
is a special Evangelical Christian young lady.  She radiates a genuine love for her friends
the Adventists.”

Myrto will go to Greece in September as a
self-supporting missionary, to continue in her ministry to the disenfranchised,
teach theology, and mentor women, amongst other ambitious projects.  Visit her
blog, entitled, “Sabbath rest…” for more details.  Myrto will be speaking again at the Cambridge
Seventh-day Adventist church on Sabbath, 27 March at 3:00 pm.

[Claude Lombart/BUC
News]

SABBATH IN THE GYM FOR A CHURCH BODY WORKOUT

4 Mar 2010 at 3:12pm

Five services in one church is somewhat unusual, but that is the reality of Newbold church in Binfield, Berkshire. With up to one thousand in attendance on an average Sabbath worship is divided between the Early, Family, Contemporary, Russian and JUMP Student churches. So with five different services, how does a church worship as one?

On Sabbath, 27 February the attempt was made.  “Whoa, we’re that big,” surprised
members commented as all five parts of the church family met together in the
College gymnasium to celebrate a day of fellowship.  Accompanied by the church’s fantastic
orchestral ensemble and brilliant College choir, the congregation sang with its
heart and soul in a stimulating spiritual atmosphere.  Lynette Shrimpton, who normally attends the
more subdued early service commented that, “it is so great to be singing
with a choir of 800 people.”  Senior
pastor, Patrick Johnson noted that, “there was a definite positive buzz.
People had a proper feeling of what Newbold church is.”

“Unity” and “church body” were the
words most spoken during the event and expressed the reality of the day.  In his sermon, Pastor Patrick Johnson stated
that, “About 800 people in this hall today are one body and one spirit,
and if one part suffers, all feel pain.  We are here not to enhance suffering but to
grow and develop; everyone is of the same importance in this way.”  He also emphasised tolerance and mutual
understanding within the diverse church body as requirements for its unity.

Associate pastor, Kirsten Øster-Lundqvist and one of
the elders, Alastair Agbaje, presented Newbold’s different church departments
and the activities within them.  However,
the main contribution to the topic was the participation of all the different
contributors during the service.  This
enriched and gave flavour to the whole event.  These included the Newbold Primary School
choir, the puppet group ‘Alive’, the Contemporary Service leaders, a mime youth
group, the Russian String Quartet, and dozens of others who participated in
technical teams and with the logistics of the day.  Each contributed to the whole picture of
Church, a community with great potential as well as great responsibilities.  For photos of the day see the gallery page of
the Newbold church website, <http://newbold.adventistchurch.org.uk/photo_albums/895>.

[Tihomir Zestic]

NEC WORKERS REVIVED BY ISRAEL TOUR

4 Mar 2010 at 3:07pm

Last week we reported on the positive impact a visit to “the land where Jesus walked” was having on North England Conference ministers and staff. Pastor Jeff Nicholson concludes the story reporting on the second half of the week:

Over 100 members of the NEC ministerial staff and
spouses shared in a life changing experience at the NEC Workers’ Meeting and
educational tour of Biblical sites in the Holy Land.  The first few days can be summed up by Pastor Cyril
Sweeney: “I think that every Adventist should save up and visit the
Biblical sites in Israel at some time in their life because this journey will
bring alive the words and scenes of the Bible in a new way like never before.”

Thursday, 25 February was our second day for touring
the sites and we visited Masada the old Herodian fortress which later became
the Zealot heart of resistance during the Jewish rebellion against the Romans
in 66 AD.  The heroic tales of their
resistance and sacrifice chilled yet inspired all who visited.  While on Masada we met a group of Adventists
from Columbia on tour also.  They embraced
us and asked us to sing with them.  This
was one of the many moving moments of the day as they sang in Spanish and we in
English, the song “Side by Side We Stand.”

We next visited Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls
were found, and where the Essenes lived transcribing and studying the Bible.  Needing refreshment we then visited the lowest
spot on earth, the Dead Sea, and many swam or floated in the extremely briny
waters.

On Thursday night the weather changed to howling wind
and rain.  On Friday we travelled to
Bethlehem to visit the church of the Nativity and the sites there.  Sunset was special.  We shared with the family of David Shalom as
they demonstrated how a Jewish family joyfully brings in the Sabbath – the way a
groom welcomes his new bride into his home.  We drank grape juice, sang Psalms and shared
food as we welcomed in the sacred time.

Sabbath in Jerusalem was unforgettable.  Starting at the Garden Tomb, a possible site
for the burial of Jesus, we were given a spiritually insightful presentation by
the guide, a Methodist minister originally from Derbyshire.  For over an hour the Garden was filled with
the sound of joyful praise as we sang hymns and celebrated communion
together.  We then moved to the Mount of
Olives and Gethsemane, then across the valley to the old city of Jerusalem
through St Stephen’s Gate, stopping by the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus healed
the paralytic.  The rain drove us into
the Church of St Anne’s where we sang hymns beautifully amplified by the
acoustics of the splendid edifice.  The
attending crowds joined us in singing hymns of faith and adoration.  After lunch the highlight of the visit was to see
the Wailing Wall the heart of Orthodox Jewish hope and worship.  The sight of hordes of Jewish men and boys
reading and reciting the Torah in ecstasy and praying for Messiah to come was
moving yet sad.

As Adventists we were reminded we are People of Hope
for the Messiah we know and of the sure promise that He will return again.  We left for England committed to that hope.

 A picture gallery and a short video reflection on the
trip is available in the BUC picture gallery.

BOUNCING JOY IN NEWPORT CHURCH

4 Mar 2010 at 3:04pm

When it comes to joy and happiness nothing compare to children’s smiles. That was why Sunday, 28 February was so special for members and friends of the Newport Seventh-day Adventist church.

It was a Children’s
Fun Day and the youth hall was filled with smiles, laughter, happy children and
youth.

The idea came about when the church board realised
that they needed to do something special for the large number of children and
youth now attending the Newport church.  They
planned that Children’s Fun Days should be part of the long-term outreach
strategy of the church, but that the first one – a trial run – should be
organised just for the children and youth within the church.  Of course they brought their friends anyway
and at the end there were almost 30 children and youth playing in the youth
hall, with the regular attendees explaining to their friends what was going on.

So what was going on?  For the first time in their lives, parents and
children saw a bouncy castle actually inside the church building!  After recovering from the shock they made good
use of it – parents and children like.  Another
activity was face painting, with Eifion Paul from the Swansea church working
solidly for about four hours and doing a great job for the children.  Some of the youth brought a Wii console and,
together with a projector and large screen in the church foyer, it provided
several hours of entertainment for the older young people.  Other activities included table hockey and
table football – the latter being used so enthusiastically that it required
periodic maintenance to keep it in working order.

Special thanks go to Sara and Chris Shepherd who
helped us to find the right bouncy castle and also worked very hard in the
kitchen.  Also, big thanks go to the
parents who accepted the idea and were happy to help with food and scheduling
their duties and responsibilities so that there could be more children playing
together.  Other members of the church
helped with donations or came later to help with the cleaning and tiding up the
hall.

Everybody was happy together in the Newport church and
there is general agreement that this should now be pursued as a significant
part of the church’s outreach programme.  There are lots of children living near to the
church and this would provide a great opportunity to befriend them.

More than 100 pictures can be seen in the gallery
section of the Welsh Mission website at: <www.adventistwales.org>.

[David Rancic]

YOUTH PRAYER & FAITH CONFERENCE

4 Mar 2010 at 3:03pm

The seemingly uncivilised and yet calming breeze of the countryside. Little or no signal for our mobile phones. How would we survive the week? Yet the remote Chantemarle Christian Resources and Education Centre, Dorset truly set the stage for a spirit-filled experience during half-term week, 15 – 19 February.

It was the Thames Valley Youth Federation, Prayer
and Faith Conference 2010.

Well what can we say?  Youth + God = Prayer and Faith Conference
(PFC).  This year the Area 5 Thames
Valley Youth Federation (TVYF) definitely delivered a spiritually uplifting
programme.  With a mixture of young
people, from Ipswich, Aylesbury, Oxford, Reading, Bracknell, High Wycombe,
Slough, Basingstoke and London, Adventist youth and their friend, God had brought
each and every one of us here for a purpose.  ”For I know the plans I have for you,”
declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to
give you hope and a future.”  [Jeremiah
29:11]

Our journey began with a delicious Jamaican favourite
of rice and jerk chicken with a vegetarian alternative as the main course,
topped with a tasty salad on the side to provide a healthy well balanced meal.  There was also a variety of exciting recreational
activities such as swimming, volleyball, badminton, snooker/pool, table tennis
and football.

From the tasty food and recreational activities we
move to the uplifting praise and worship services.  Each day a marvellous sound echoed through the
centre as well over 150 young people lifted their voices to sing praises to
God.

The week provided timeless reminders of God’s grace
and love for mankind.  This strengthened
our faith in God.  We spent a lot of time
on our knees in prayer.  During the
course of the week we were blessed by some powerful speakers.  The main speaker, Dr Andrews Ewoo, currently
working at the Netherlands Conference but originally from Ghana, rattled off
some powerful messages about “the book of Daniel” and on “Becoming
a friend of God” and many more great topics that concern us as youth.  We were given the opportunity to write down
pressing questions, issues and prayer requests anonymously which Dr Ewoo would
answer and pray for at the end of each presentation.

Another speaker, Elder June Thompson, focused on “what
our purpose in life is”.  Malika
Bediako concentrated on “relationships and purity”, which is always
an interesting and heart racing topic for all young people.  Pastor Sam Ngui looked at the pressing issue
of “Peer pressure” and how to deal with it.

On our final night the Holy Spirit filled the room and
many young people gave heartfelt testimonies on surprising issues that you
might not expect young people to be going through.  Many of the youth are struggling with
addictions, street crime, bullying, health and family issues; but on this night
each young person dedicated their lives to God and were appreciative of having
loving parents.  Dr Ewoo performed an
anointing ceremony for those that were fasting the day before.

So what was the response to the week?  Gemma stated, “Well, it’s been really
fun.”  Another youth said that it
was “really good, worship is lively and the atmosphere is great, I’m
really enjoying it”.  Chris added, “Well,
this whole God thing has been hitting me hard, making me realise a lot of
things, and it’s definitely got my mind churning”.

Surely there must be a PFC3 next year as this one gave
us all a blessing, including the non-Adventists that were among us and many of
us as young people were delivered.  God
had spoken to us and we believed His words.  Now it is our responsibility to go out day by
day and live for Jesus.  I believe the
youth really had a blessed time.  This
was one of the best five day experiences which we will remember for the rest of
our youthful lives.

[Report by
Tatenda, Chisola, Rumona & Juliette]

MALAWI WOMEN LEAD IN WELSH FELLOWSHIP DAY

4 Mar 2010 at 2:58pm

Malawi Adventists from all over the UK converged on the South Wales African Adventist Fellowship on Sabbath, 27 February to worship and fellowship with the African congregation in Cardiff.

The day which was set aside as Malawi Day of
Fellowship aimed at bringing back other Malawi Adventist and non-Adventist
Christians in Cardiff who for some reason are not in church.

The ladies took a significant role in the day – a role
that is no longer contested in the Adventist Church.  Women in Adventist churches play leading roles
in extending philanthropic activities and community services to people in need.
 Formally known as the Dorcas Society,
Adventist Women’s Societies are remembered for their physical, spiritual and
mutual benefit initiatives.

Women’s Ministries have shown over the years that they
can make a significant difference in the lives of less privileged people in
society.  As the Christian community
stands, Malawi Adventist women can play formidable roles in caring for their
own and the communities in which they belong.

With the support of Malawian men, the congregation
raised two hundred and forty pounds towards an evangelistic campaign in Ntchisi
District of Central Malawi.  Various
singing groups added joy to the day.  For
the many first time visitors to the celebration, it was a Sabbath day worth
remembering as they expressed their desire to visit again.

Pastor Thangalimodzi’s interactive and poignant sermon
on “Pregnant Question” brought the congregation to reflect on how
Christians perceive others vis-à-vis Jesus’ own question who do people say I
am?  The afternoon sermonnette by Pastor
Newton Kawiliza placed the earlier sermon into perspective and cautioned that
meeting the Saviour of our world, Jesus Christ, is dependent on what people do
today as the world stands on the shores of eternity.

For a selection of pictures from the day visit <www.swaaf.org.uk>.

[Theophilus Gokah]

DEATH OF MRS F K (PEGGY) FOSTER

4 Mar 2010 at 2:55pm

It is with sadness that we have received news of the death of Mrs F K (Peggy) Foster, the wife of the late BUC President Pastor E H Foster.

Mrs Foster passed away on 1
March 2010 age 87.  She served as a Bible
Worker in the Irish Mission for one year prior to her marriage and then gave
nearly 27 years of support to Pastor E H Foster during his time of ministry in
the North and South England Conference, the TED and the BUC.

The funeral service will be held in the Grantham
Seventh-day Adventist Church, Dudley Road, Grantham, Lincs, NG31 9AA at 10:30
am on Thursday, 11 March followed by committal at the Grantham Crematorium,
Harrowby Road, Grantham at 11:45 am.  Family
flowers only – donations in lieu of flowers will be given to Newbold College.

NEW ON THE HOPE CHANNEL

4 Mar 2010 at 2:52pm

Tim Standish is the first guest on In Conversation Series IV. Robert Hines and David Riley tell their stories.

Tim
Standish is a Biologist working at the Geoscience Research Institute in
Loma Linda, California.  He believes that
Intelligent Design is a liberating way of viewing nature and our origins.  Tim reflects on his childhood, his upbringing
and how it shaped his life and career. 
He is the first in Series 4 of “In Conversation” filmed in our
newly refurbished studios – and in widescreen. 
Currently available on-line on the Hope
TV website, shortly to be available on satellite.

 UK programmes on the Hope Channel Europe satellite this
week:

 Friday 5 March:
4:30 am and 8:00 pm:  Robert
Hines

  8:30 pm: Faith
Development: How Much Justification Do We Have for What We Know

Sabbath 6 March:
12:30 am and 3:00 pm: Robert Hines

Monday 8 March:
3:00 am and 9:00 pm: David
Riley

Wednesday 10 March: 8:00 am: David Riley

Friday 12 March:
4:30 am and 8:00 pm: David Riley

  8:30 pm: Faith
Development: Can Jesus Literally be
called a Superstar?

Sabbath 13 March:
12:30 am and 3:00 pm: David Riley

  3:30 pm: Faith Development: Can Jesus
Literally be called a Superstar?

CALLED TO SERVE – IN ISRAEL

1 Mar 2010 at 5:45am

Peter Jeynes and Jeff Nicholson are just two of the North England Conference Ministers spending a week of learning and spiritual refreshment in Israel. They bring this report:

 ”When people see Adventist pastors they should
immediately discern, ‘there is hope’”.  So stated Julio Mendez in his Wednesday
morning devotional for the North England Conference pastors currently meeting
in Israel.  Gathering under the theme “Called
to Serve”, you might wonder why a Conference would take its pastors away
in the midst of a recession.  The reason
is not to escape the frozen wastes of the north for the warmth of the Middle
East but to be challenged and revived for service.

The long flight, for some a very long journey, gave
way to an opening devotional by Pastor Richard Elofer, the President of the
Israel Field. Pastor Elofer, a French-speaking, Jewish Christian, came as an
agent provocateur telling stories of the early days of Adventists in Israel.  He told us of Clarinda S Minor, from
Philadelphia who felt called to be a missionary in this beautiful land.  She found poverty among the small Jewish
population.  Her solution was to travel
back to America and seek the funding for an agricultural development programme.
 It has been recognised that her
contribution to Israel laid part of the foundation for Israel’s current
agricultural wealth and state of the art farming methods.

Then moving on Pastor Richard called the pastors to be
a blessing to the people of Israel.  ”In
clear and open language we have a very special mission…to prepare people for
the Second Coming of the Lord.”  Continuing
the thought NEC President Pastor Ian Sweeney set the direction for the week’s
series.  Under the heading, ‘getting the
setting right’ the pastors were encouraged to take this week away in Israel as
an opportunity for spiritual revival.  Just
as Moses found himself at Sinai, with his shoes off, so were we to soak up the
atmosphere and the setting for revival.

Thus the pastors soaked up the scene.  They learned that today Abraham is pronounced
Avraham and Jacob would be pronounced Yacov.  Our ministers learned the differences between
the current ‘tribes’ of Jewish people – the Ultra orthodox wearing black large
brimmed hats, producing large families back at home, and the men studying for
up to 18 hours a day.  From coach drivers
pastors learned of ‘Orthodox lite’ – small hats and smaller families while in
the Kibbutz hotel they learned of the integration of Arabs into current Israeli
society.

Archaeological notes, a historical setting and social
commentary were provided by excellent tour guides.  Bena Mantel on the one coach affirmed the
relevance, accuracy and authenticity of the Biblical record.  A visit to an ancient ‘church’ on the shores
of Galilee described as ‘Peter’s house’ gave a picture taking us back to the times
of the Apostles and help set the scene of what life might have been like in the
time of Jesus and His disciples.  Set
next to a synagogue we could picture the people of Jesus worshipping, working
and walking side by side.

One specialist, the very interesting Shahar Shilo
described the archaeological findings in the Old City of Jerusalem which affirm
names, locations and dates of the Word of God.

There were the departmental programmes of course -
news of the Pan-European Advanced Centre of Evangelism and details of strategic
evangelistic efforts in the North of England revealed that the frozen north may
well be described as ‘the chosen north’.

The event wasn’t all study and the seeking after
wonders.  Food at the Kibbutz hotel
showed that the Conference Health and Temperance leader, Grace Walsh, could
resist the temptation of wonderful foods in abundance and still eat
healthfully.  Rumours passed around of
recently retired, but still active, Pastor Masih praying at the Wailing Wall - 
and then perhaps looking for a studio to record a television programme.  Tales of pastors’ wives haggling for pottery
with stories of Pastor Sidney Almeida’s search for a portable communion set
enlivened the Monday.

The pastors’ wives were not neglected.  As their husbands took note of challenging
lectures aimed at deepening pastor/congregational vision and practice delivered
by Pastor Steve Currow, the spouses had a tour and treat of their own.  Not just a chance to shop but also a chance to
meet Israeli women and become a little familiar with current social activities.

One colleague commented on the experience, “this
Israeli study trip has significantly deepened my understanding of the world of
the Bible and given a deeper well of experience that will enrich not just my preaching
but my own spiritual journey.”

The journey continues with visits to the Dead Sea,
special worship and lectures.  A fuller
report will appear next week.

© Communication department of the UK & Ireland Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

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