2003 ADRA-UK Appeal will respond to the - BUC News

confidence for the new ADRA Annual Appealcampaign. Be Prepared.Hang on to it!The enclosed information sheet isintended to build your awareness and2003 ADRA-UK Appealwill respond to thechildren by Pastor Roy MorganPersonal Ministries director, North England ConferenceJesus articulated his concern for children,could it be that he thought aboutthe circumstances of his birth?Membership involvementOf the official 21,137 BUC membership,7,449 members raised £523,887 to helpContinued on page 2At the age of 4 I contracted a lifethreateningdisease. The GP whoprescribed the remedy, told mymother that if it did not work Iwould die. It didn’t. What worked wasthe interventionof a woman whowas moved withcompassion for a4-year-old boywho was always crying whenever he andhis mother passed by.Doesn’t the cry of a child tug at yourheartstrings? Every year innocent, suffering,crying children drive me to leavemy comfortable suite and hit the streetto collect funds for the ADRA-UK AnnualAppeal.World-wide, yearly, 630 million childrenunder 5 go to bed hungry, and 6million die of starvation. In Brazil theone million orphan children living on thestreets get their food from dustbins. Itgives some relief to know that throughADRA-UK we can be part of the humanitarianaid, probably, to the most vulnerablesection of society.Children prioritisedLast year a proportion of the £523,887raised would have helped children inGuyana, Cambodia, Guinea, Ivory Coast,Kenya, Sudan and in the popular SpecialNeeds Camp in Wales. There were ninespecial projects that we focused on duringthe ADRA-UK Appeal. In some wayevery one touched the lives of children.I would like to add my word of appreciationto that of the ADRA-UK director,Raafat Kamal, for the sterling andenduring work that our members havedone.In 2003, once again, all eleven projectsselected will in some way respondto thousands of crying children. Tearswill be wiped away because of our contributionto ADRA-UK Annual Appeal.Annually, 630 million childrenunder 5 go to bed hungry and 6million die of starvation.Look at the projects: Special NeedsCamp in Wales; Health Education Centrein Guyana; Day Care Centres in Brazil;Primary Education in Uganda; Women’sLiteracy in Haiti; Vocational Training forWomen in Rwanda;AddictionAwareness inGeorgia, SchoolDevelopment inPakistan; Secondary Education in Sudan;Emergency Disaster Response anywhere,even where we are; and this one –Street Children in Mexico.Pick-uo a FREE copy ofthis brochure at yourlocal churchJesus’ special concernADRA-UK Annual Appeal is about Jesus’special concern. It is evident fromScripture that children were of specialconcern to Jesus. He says in Matthew18:10, ‘Be careful that you neverdespise a single one of these little ones– for I tell you that they have angels whosee my Father’s face continually inHeaven.’ (Phillips.)Neglecting children draws emphaticlanguage from Jesus. Conversely, practicalconcern for children draws emphaticcommendation from him! WheneverThe AberdaronExperienceby Malcolm HaylesCollecting DatesProvinces29 March-13 AprilMetropolitan29 March-20 AprilBackgroundFor over 35 years, ‘Glan Yr Afon’ camp atAberdaron has held a special place in the lives of many people.Located west of Snowdonia, at the end of the Lleyn Peninsula, Aberdaron hasbecome for some people their spiritual home, with its unique combination of peace,tranquility, and friendship, and the opportunity to take time out from an increasinglydemanding and hectic lifestyle, in an area designated as ‘of outstanding naturalbeauty’.However, until last year, the benefits found at Aberdaron could be experiencedfor just a few weeks during each summer, with tents only for accommodation,which made it impossible to operate Aberdaron viably on an annual basis. Limiteduse meant limited facilities. That, in turn, led to even more limited use. There wasa downward spiral which gave cause for concern. It was evident that if Glan YrAfon was to have a future,this downward spiral must bereversed.To attract increasedincome it was of fundamentalimportance to be able to provideaccommodation whichwould not only be suitable forall-year-round use, but wouldContinued on page 4

2003 ADRA-UK Appeal willrespond to the childrenContinued from page 1bring relief to disenfranchised, disadvantagedand vulnerable children in2002. The membership now is approximately22,000. Based on these figures,The bitter endHave you ever sunk your teeth into somethingappetising, anticipating a delicious responseonly to find that your teeth are set on edge,your hair curls and your skin breaks out in‘goose-flesh’? The taste is unexpectedly bitter.An American biotech company is rushing toyour aid. The New-York-based Linguagen scientistshave developed an additive that can mask thebitter taste of a variety of substances. Normallywhen we taste something bitter, such as thecompound naringin found in caffeine, grapefruitand some painkillers, the taste receptors of themouth produce a protein called gustducin whichtriggers a more complex series of reactionsculminating in nerve impulses to the brain wherewe are made conscious of the bitterness of theitem.The researchers have found a way to switch off2just think what 15,000 members cancollect – a staggering £1,000,000 plus!‘Let’s go for a Million’This year, beloved, let us ‘go one million’.The prospect excites me! Listen to thisword: ‘God has an abundance in ourworld, and He has placed His goods inIf my people prayThank you for the many prayer requests now coming in.When writing, please continue to specify whose names andcircumstances you would like to be printed in order to effectspecific prayers from our members and what you would prefer I keepconfidential. I have been very general about what people have askedme to pray about, where it has not been clear whether the requesterrequires confidentiality or not. Ask Jesus to be with Adventist families whohave youngsters within them who are turning to drugs rather than the Lord.Pray that the parents of such youngsters will be loving and full of the fruitsof the Spirit, thereby enabling their children to see first hand what God coulddo for them if only they would let him.Pray for the starving in Brazil and wherever famine is a problem in the world.Pray for Adventist families where marriage relationships are breaking down.Pray that our entire membership will become contagiously Christian through anoutpouring of the Holy Spirit upon us. Pray specifically for the Sutton-in-Ashfieldchurch, the London SE9 church and the Stafford church, who ask specifically for agrowing ability to witness effectively in their communities, homes and workplaces. The Corby Small Group and the Prayer Band at Bethel church in Londonalso ask that you remember them in prayer. Pray that we will hold on to our faiththat in asking God to help us, in our need and pain, he will hear and answer usbecause he loves us (John 14:13, 14). Many of our members feel isolated andalone in their struggles and emotional pain. Please pray for such people. Pray thatour membership will be particularly effective in reaching family members whomthey love with the message of redemption. Ask that close relatives who have notmade a decision for Christ, will do so soon, according to God’s will. Prayparticularly in this regard for Darren Glyne Thompson from Thornton Heath, Surrey.Ask that God will help our Sabbath School teachers and church leaders to leadwisely and effectively for Christ. Pray particularly for Pastor Howson in London andAlva Gallaher and his Sabbath School team in Weston-super-Mare.Send prayer requests to: Tracy E. Dixon, 83 Penygroes Road, Caebryn,Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, S. Wales, SA18 3BZ.TRACY DIXONthe hands of all, both the obedient andthe disobedient. He is ready to moveupon the hearts of worldly men, evenidolaters, to give of their abundance forthe support of His work; and He will dothis as soon as His people learn toapproach these men wisely and to calltheir attention to that which it is theirprivilege to do.’ Christian Service, page167.the initial production of gustducin so that foods,drinks and medicines need no longer be perceivedas bitter. They are hoping to extend the technologyto help consumers avoid the effects of sugars,salts and fats, so reducing the unhealthy conditionsassociated with excess use of these foodcomponents.It seems that adding the bitter-blockers will notaffect our ability to detect food that is sour or goingoff. The mechanism for detecting these uses a differentreaction circuit to the brain. Food scientistsare optimistic that foods that children traditionallyhave aversion to such as cabbage and spinachmight be debitterised and have increasedacceptability.Blocking bitter taste will also have clinical usesas drugs from simple painkillers to those used tocontrol HIV will be made more palatable andThe 2003 ADRA-UK Annual Appealwill answer to the cries of thousandsof vulnerable, disenfranchised anddisadvantaged children. For the sakeof these crying children, let’s increasemembership involvement and go for acool £1,000,000!increase the likelihood thatpeople will stick to their prescriptions.Patents have beengranted to develop further therange or ‘family’ of blockersdiscovered. Only tiny amounts of the blockers arerequired to have the desired effect. Currently amajor food group and a leading pharmaceuticalcompany are testing the blockers across a widerange of products. Independent research hasconfirmed that the science behind the innovationis good.So for the future, we won’t need a spoonfulof sugar to help the medicine go down – andhopefully parents will not have to have mealtimetantrums over beneficial but ill-liked foods. If theblockers are used widely we won’t have any bitterregrets!‘‘I was going downand you helpedme up!’Abandon ship!’ was the only order DonVairin needed to hear before he sliced thewater. He was part of the Americaninvasion of Guam – and his boat had torninto a coral reef.Don sank like a stone, his gun, medicalpack, canteen and big boots dragging himdown. Once he forced himself to the surface togasp for air, only to sink again. That was whenhe knew he wasn’t going to make it.Just then Don saw a man thrashing about inthe water beside him. Don grabbed the man,hoisted himself onto the reef – and was rescued.But he felt bad about grabbing a drowningman to save himself. So bad, in fact, that hedidn’t tell a soul about what had happened.Six months later Don was enjoying R and Rin San Francisco. As he entered a restaurant asailor, pointing to him, announced to his friends,‘This is my buddy. He saved my life!’Confused, Don asked, ‘What do you mean?’‘Don’t you remember?’ asked the man. ‘Wewere in the water at Guam. You grabbed on tome. I was going down, and you helped me up!’ 1‘I was going down, and you helped me up!’Could anyone ever say that of you?Jim Burns once said, ‘For every criticalcomment we hear, it takes ten affirming commentsto even out its effect on our life.’ I’ma bit doubtful about his arithmetic (and hisgrammar), but I add, ‘Hear, hear!’ to the pointhe’s making. A wise man once wrote, ‘Manyeveryday conversations are actually mutualcounselling sessions in which we exchangethe reassurance and advice that help us dealwith life’s routine stresses.’So how many have you held up – or pushedunder – so far today?When The Guardian was relaunched thirtyfiveyears ago, Alistair Cooke wrote, ‘The newpaper is going to tell it short and fast and like itis.’ 2 And I, for one, wish reporters for this magazinehad similar aims; but accurate reportingand the economy of words is not everything.Words can sink and save.Why are so many words we hear calculatedto tear down, rather than build up? I’ll tell you.Because too many are chronically insecure andthey have decided that the only way to makethemselves look good is to make others lookbad. Of course, they do not even succeed intheir primary objectives; because in the ‘mutualcounselling session’ that is conversation theyhave given the signal, ‘Destruction is good’ –and the person at the other end of the exchangewill hear and respond accordingly.Be big enough to build, rather than destroy!Be generous enough to give, to affirm, to dishout praise (in place of blame)! God will use youto make your congregation, family, work group,whatever, a so much better environment.Darwin did get it wrong, didn’t he? Society isn’treally about the survival of the fittest. Right?Right? So prove it by the way you behave!‘A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold insettings of silver.’ (Proverbs 25:11, NKJV.)What a picture! The word translated ‘apples’could just as easily have been rendered‘apricots’ or ‘oranges’. And, ‘settings ofsilver’ means ‘silver baskets’. 3 The overallimpression is the attractiveness of the(appropriate) spoken word.The way we use words is important.Wordsmith Mark Twain once wrote: ‘The differencebetween the right word and almost theright word is the difference between lightningand a lightning bug.’ Some words jab at the jaw,others float like thistledown, still others threatenlike the cold, steel barrel of a .38 Smith andWesson. Words can purify our thoughts, transportingus, if only for an instant, to heavenlyplaces; and words can incite lust, bitternessand alienation. Flowers fade. Shorelines erode.Temples crumble. Empires fall. But ‘a word fitlyspoken’ endures. Who has not found relief in awell-timed word spoken at the precise momentof need? Who has not been crushed beneath theweight of an ill-chosen word? And who has notgathered fresh courage because a word of hopepenetrated the fog of self-doubt?Too many people take Peter as their rolemodel: they want to lead. Others pattern onPaul: they want to pontificate on points theological.Some want to be visionaries, like John:you’d be amazed what they read into thekaleidoscope of disorder that is their dreams.I commend to you the example of Barnabas:Barnabas was ‘the Son of Encouragement’(Acts 4:36, NKJV). That is a name worth having!The indication is that it was a name given tohim by the apostles and that his proper namewas Joseph. The writer Malcolm Muggeridgewanted the epitaph, ‘He used words well.’ Andthat’s a good one. Better still, though, is to beknown in life as a son or daughter of encouragement.That is a nickname worth having!You go and be a Peter if you must, a Paul ifyou have to, and a visionary if you really wantto try my patience. I’ll be a Barnabas! There’llalways be room for any number of Barnabases(Barnabi?) for their stock in trade is encouragement.Over the years I’ve written about twentybooks. Some have taken years in the writing.Others only months. I have no idea which onessold the best. But I do know which one generatedthe most appreciative mailbag. It was atiny book written after much thought and prayer– in two long afternoons: God’s Little Book ofEncouragement. It represented 126 pages ofBible quotes and pithy comments – youguessed it – on the theme of encouragement! Ihad been asked to write a book by a near deadlineto use up a quantity of paper that otherwisewould have been wasted.Letters of thanks – sometimes embarrassinglyeffusive – followed hard on the heels ofpublication. They came as a total surprise. Onecame from a Christian woman who, after a hardlife featuring divorce and isolation, was in ahospice in the final stages of cancer. One camefrom an unemployed man. Another came fromsomeone with a long-term illness. Most camefrom ordinary people who felt that they hadbeen given ‘a leg up’. Having poured years ofeffort into other books – for which little thankshad been received – I was tempted to be a tadirritated by this ‘bumper bundle’. After all, whatwas it? A collection of 126 encouraging Bibleverses. Clearly the operative word wasencouraging. In the majority of livesencouragement is a commodity in short supply.That’s a lesson I’ve decided not to miss.After all, God filled his book with words ofencouragement. So let’s take a leaf out of God’sbook! Let’s use words of encouragement andbuild up; not wound, alienate, embitter ordeflate.Covet the nickname of Joseph of Cyprus, the‘Son of Encouragement’. (Acts 4:36.)References:1 Donald Vairin, ‘His Mysterious Ways’, Guideposts, September 1999.2 Nick Clarke, Alistair Cooke: the Biography (Orion, 1999), page 479.3 Enid B. Mellor, The People’s Bible Commentary: Proverbs (BibleReading Fellowship, 1999), pages 188-189.3

contiuned from page 1also be attractive, comfortable to stayin, and represent good value for money.The way forwardWith this prerequisite in mind, an agreedcomprehensive programme of investmentand refurbishment began inearnest in April 2002, with the removalfrom site of the five old caravans, whichhad become wholly unsuitable for anykind of habitation, and the constructionof five solid pinewood cabins.Based on proven Scandinaviandesign principles with thickly insulatedwalls, floors and roofs, and convectedheat, the cabins provide a very warmand comfortable environment in colderweather, and a cool respite in warmertimes.Each cabin measures 8m x 5m, withflexible accommodation facilities for 2 to8 people, having two double bedrooms, awell-equipped kitchen/breakfast bararea, lounge area, and toilet/showerroom, offering ideal accommodation forthose wanting a higher degree of comfortduring the camp season, or as a selfcontainedbase for families, groups offriends, etc, throughout the year –accommodation which has recently beengranted 4-star rating by the WelshTourist Board!Naturally these cabins could nothave been constructed without the relevantplanning permission, permissionwhich has not been granted to any otherparty in the area. This has not onlyhelped us provide the accommodation4we need to offer, but also incorporate anextension to use the site for up to 44weeks a year!The introduction of these cabins nowenables Aberdaron Camp to be usedfrom early March through to the end ofDecember, giving all churches, churchgroups, families and friends, the opportunityto enjoy the benefits this peacefuland natural setting provides.Already in 2002, 2003, and into2004, increased bookings have helped tochange the viability of Aberdaron Camp,and we would continue to encourage allchurches, youth groups, etc, to takeadvantage of what Aberdaron can nowoffer as partly shown in our newleaflet/poster which shows only a sampleof the improvements which are totake place.Other activities in 2002 include:● The complete redecoration and refurbishmentof the main hall, includingnew carpet, tables, chairs, curtainsand lectern.● Provision of a new entrance area.● The enlargement of the laundry,including the installation of two newwashing machines and tumbledriers, plus new irons and ironingboards.● Provision of a new undergroundsupply of single phase electricity.● A complete new floor and carpet inthe cottage.● Drainage of the lower field tominimise water retention.● Replacement of most of the old tentswith new, twin-skinned, ‘Vango’tents, each containing two doublebedrooms and a central dining area.● Provision of two rubbish silos.● A new fully-equipped safety boat.● A long wheel base Land Rover tooperate with the safety boat.● New mains sewerage pump.● Supply of mains water, electricalsupply, and sewerage services to thefive cabins.● Four new electric ‘hook ups’ for touringcaravans and tents.● New sit-on grass mower.● New canoe storage facility.A full and busy year for the firstphase of the improvement programme!This year’s programme will include:● Construction of extensivedecking/verandah areas across thefront and one side of each cabin.(Completed.)● Refurbishment/enlargement of thekitchen area to incorporate additionalequipment, bringing the layout intoconformity with current legislation.● Relocation of food stores area.● New secure storage areas within themain stores area to enable improvedcontrol over equipment and facilities.● Further new tents.● New slate shale entrance/car parkingarea. (Completed.)● WDA assessment of accommodation.(Completed.) 4-star award.● Supply of underground three-phaseelectricity supply to ensure adequatesupply at times of greatest demand.● Emergency lighting facilities to mainhall/entrance areas.● Illuminated emergency exit signs/firealarms/smoke detectors to main halland entrance areas.●●●●●●●Heating to shower blocks.Application for further cabin units.Commencement of a planned ‘naturetrail’ project.New reception/office area.Looking forward to 2004:Improved and adequate facilities forSpecial Needs/Disabled to bring usinto compliance with the DisabilityDiscrimination Act.Completion of ‘nature trail’ project.Construction of further cabins.Legislation and insurancemattersNew legislation and restrictions imposedby insurance companies have requiredus to ensure that outdoor activities –canoeing, sailing, and rock climbing –now only occur if suitably qualifiedsupervisors are in attendance to ensuremaximum safety for all involved, andthat bouncy castles, for example, areused only when covered by the appropriateinsurance, something which isproving almost impossible to obtain.Sponsors/donors/volunteersThe programme of improvement andrefurbishment continues to be substantial,and as part of this programme wehave been blessed with great support,financial and physical.While it is not the intention to identifyindividual sponsors, it would beimproper not to mention granoVita (UK)Ltd who donated funds to cover the constructionof two of the five cabins, theinstallation of the electric hook ups, andmany other smaller yet important itemswhich have all greatly added to the continuedimprovement at Glan Yr Afon.Additionally this year they have donatedfunds to cover the construction of afurther cabin (as planning permissionallows), and are also sponsoring initiallytwo youth study weekends at Aberdaronwhich will be completely free for thoseattending! (Watch for details.)In addition, a number of volunteersof all ages have given their time andabilities – sometimes labouring hard incold and wet conditions – to get uswhere we are today.The total time donated by this faithfulband is over 28 weeks of labour, awonderful gift of time, talent and energy.Others have given donations, enablingadditional items to be purchased, andsuch gifts as new lectern, new weighingscales for the kitchen, and a sit-ongrass mower, to name just a few.Why the investment?In today’s world, it is important for us tohave a refuge, a place that gives mind,body and soul time to relax andrecharge, to be apart from everything weknow as modern-day living, to think, torelax, for fun and laughter, of safetywhere our children can play, to talk andlisten – uninterrupted by any othersound – with our God, to get our livesback in balance, to enjoy the company ofothers, to be alone, to celebrate thegreat outdoors, unspoilt and invigorating.‘Glan Yr Afon’ has existed as such aplace for many years, but for just 8weeks a year. Now it exists as such aplace for 44 weeks a year. Increased usewill enable fees to be maintained atminimum levels, and facilities toimprove on a continuing basis.CostsAberdaron has a history of offeringexcellent value for money. In the interestsof all of those who love to visitAberdaron, we have to ensure that allcosts are adequately covered if lossesare to be a thing of the past, and toguarantee the future.Therefore it will come as nosurprise that fees for some campsthis year will increase. But even so, thenew fee structures still represent excellentvalue when compared with anysimilar facility locally or nationally.Our investment programme is allabout offering better quality – for longer.This has initially been reflected inFebruary of this year when anindependent assessment by theWelsh Tourist Agency resulted in a4-star grading for the new woodcabins!Our new leaflet/poster has been sentto all churches to give you a taste of thenew, improved Aberdaron. Be assured,however, the magic that is ‘Glan Yr Afon’will not be compromised. For those ofyou who have never been, I wouldencourage you to come, either as achurch group, a youth group, or as agroup of friends or family.Like many things in life, Glan Yr Afonis worth the effort!In the summer of 2001 New LifeStamford Hill members Stephen andBetty-Ann Pilgrim put their careers onhold in order to spend a year helping torevive a struggling Adventist hospital inPort of Spain, Trinidad. On Tuesday 25February Stephen came in to the BUCoffice in order to share his story.Stephen is well known in the Londonarea, where he works as a SeniorLecturer and Consultant in InternationalMarketing at Middlesex UniversityBusiness School. He is also a credentialledlay preacher and lay evangelist.Betty-Ann is a Nurse Specialist with theCity and Hackney Primary Care Trust,specialising in blood disorders. Back inFebruary of 2001, while completing hisdoctoral research and consultancy programmewith the governments of theEastern Caribbean, Stephen wasapproached by the South CaribbeanConference and asked if he would bewilling to assist them in developing amarketing strategy to revive theAdventist Community Hospital. Althoughthe hospital is located in a wealthy areaon the western peninsula of Port ofSpain and has over the years become ahousehold name, it has also sufferedfrom the economic downturn which hitTrinidad and Tobago in the 1990s. TheFor any further information, literature,details of costs, etc, please callMalcolm Hayles, Project DevelopmentManager, on 01758 614334 or 01758760281.Please note:If you have suitable qualifications insailing, canoeing, or rock climbing, andare interested in helping at Aberdaron,please contact either Malcolm Hayles on01758 614334 or Pastor Steve Palmeron 0115 9606312.Qualifications required:Canoeing – Level 1Sailing – RYA Dinghy Certificate, withCoastal Waters endorsementRock climbing – Single Pitch AwardAttention 18-year-olds and over only!How would you like to spend all summerat Aberdaron, and get paid as part of ourmaintenance team? If you like the idea,telephone 01758 614334.Free!If you really loved the old white tents atAberdaron, here is a chance for you,your youth group, or your church to ownone – absolutely free, complete withpoles, etc. Come and choose your own,and take it away. Tel: 01758 614334.Pilgrims return from Trinidadby John Surridge, Communication director, BUCwider church community has helpedsupport the Adventist CommunityHospital, and the Loma Linda Hospitalhas been particularly helpful, but it wasfelt that Stephen’s special expertisecould make a major difference.As a result, Stephen curtailed hiswork programme temporarily and later in2001 he and Betty-Ann found themselvesfully involved in the hospital’sredevelopment. As Director of Nursing atthe Hospital, Betty-Ann implementedmany changes in thenursing department and initiateda midwife-led Antenatal Clinic,as well as a community-basedHealth Education programmethroughout the country. Meanwhile,Stephen developed a newcorporate identity for the hospital,which included a new logodisplayed on signage, uniform,stationery, etc. In addition, healso spearheaded the raising ofnearly 100,000 US dollars for anew ambulance; took part in thesetting up of a MagneticResonance Imaging Unit, aDialysis Unit, and an IntensiveCare Unit; and engaged in extensivetraining throughout thecountry in the area of marketingof educational and health institutions.‘We were thrilled with the experienceof serving the community in Port ofSpain,’ said Stephen. ‘It was wonderfulto see the positive response of the staffto the changes that took place over theyear. The thing we noticed most of allwas the vast improvement in staffmorale. This of course had an effect onthe public perception of the hospital, andwe saw a significant increase in thenumber of people using the facility. Weare confident that this is the beginningof a great future for the AdventistCommunity Hospital.’Stephen acknowledged the help thathad come from a number of differentareas to make all the changes possible.‘We were particularly grateful to theJapanese Embassy who completelyfunded the purchase of the new ambulance,and also to the many benefactorsin North America and England who havechosen to support this project. We havehad a great deal of encouragement fromthe Church administration, both in theCaribbean and in South England, and wewould like to say a special thank you tothe Enfield, Slough and New LifeStamford Hill churches, for leading thefund-raising initiatives, and to theAdventist-run Tranzition International &Synicom Corporation.’One of the key figures in organisingthe relaunch of the hospital, and ininviting Stephen and Betty-Ann to help,is the current Chief Executive, DrRichard Spann, who used to work as asurgeon at the Southampton GeneralHospital but went to work at theAdventist Community Hospital in Trinidadin 2000. He feels so strongly about thework there that he and his entire familyhave decided to stay permanently.The Pilgrims are still keeping closelyin touch with the hospital and Stephenwill be making further visits later thisyear.Stephen Pilgrim5

ACTS 2003by Melody Tan, Newbold Advancement departmentMore than 1,800 people from allaround the BUC, from placesas far away as Wales andNorthern Ireland, visited NewboldCollege on Sabbath 22 February forACTS 2003. For four years now,Newbold’s Advancement departmenthas been organising this annual eventboth as a day of fellowship and as anOpen Day for young people who areinterested in getting a taste of life onthe Newbold campus.‘We want young people to knowthat life on the Newbold campus isnot just academic but also offersworship, fellowship and fun,’ said KayChoudary, acting Advancementdirector.The day began with worship servicesin three venues on campus: Back2 Back Preaching in the gymnasium,contemporary worship in the Newboldchurch centre, and a more traditionalfamily service in Moor Close chapel.The gymnasium held the largest numberof people, and the balcony had tobe opened up to make space for moreseats as people poured in endlesslythroughout the three-hour service,extended as the enthusiastic crowdenjoyed themselves singing.Some people moved from oneservice to another to get the benefit ofall three. One said, ‘All the speakerswere preaching about grace.’A beautiful motherIt is a blessing from God to live toreach your 100th year. On Sunday 2February, one day before her birthday,a seemingly endless stream of guestscame and went to celebrate withSister Victoria Ruth Clemonds thiswonderful event.Sister Clemonds came to Englandin 1976 to live with her daughter RubySantineer. It was a lovely tribute toSister Clemonds that her son Leonardand her two daughters, Ruby andFlorence, plus three of her grandsons,Herschel, Hugh (better known asDavid), and Howard were present toacknowledge the Christian influence ofSister Clemonds in their lives. Herdevotion, to her family, her friends,and her sons-in-law, comes from herChristian faith. Born into the home ofa Methodist minister in India on 2February 1903 she has maintained hercommitment to her Lord unceasingly.Though a member of the Riverway6The theme was further emphasisedby Newbold graduate Ed Sammons,whose intention as one of the Back 2Back preachers was to allow the peopleto meet Jesus. He and his wifeShana brought with them a group ofyoung people from Wales to introducethem to Newbold.‘ACTS is a really great social event.It offers something that people from allover the United Kingdom can come to,and see people that they haven’t seenfor a long time,’ said Shana.In the afternoon, the visitorsSpiritual Vibes, youth from Slough churchchurch she is housebound but continuesto support the Lord’s work faithfullyand generously with her tithesand offerings. Many tributes were paidto our sister by, among others, her sonand the writer. One took the form ofverses written by her daughter Ruby. Itwas a sincere and beautiful tribute toone who is a true mother in Israel.PASTOR PATRICK J. BOYLEScarborough witnessOn 11 December 1977 John andNorma Kent were united in marriageby Pastor Alan Conroy in the HullBoulevard Adventist church. Twentyfiveyears later the same minister,armed with his notes from the originalservice, listened as the happy couplerenewed their marriage vows. In thepresence of over fifty witnessesgathered together in our WorshipStreet church, they received a blessingfrom Pastor Conroy.were offered different workshops onpersonal growth and various aspectsof a Christian lifestyle. One of themost popular workshops, attractingabout 200 people, was Men andWomen Communicating TheirDifferences.For some visitors, the climax of theday was the evening concert in theCollege gymnasium where artistesfrom Korea, Russia, USA, London andBirmingham entertained an audienceof one thousand until 11pm. Top of thebill was Blessed Voices, winner ofChannel 4’s Gospel Singers of the YearAward in 2002. The energetic masterof ceremonies for the evening wasEddie Hypolite, pastor of theKennington church and chaplain ofJohn Loughborough School.We were there, not only to sharewith one another this happy occasion;not just to reaffirm the sanctity of themarriage bond, but in the content ofthe order of service to bear witness tothe never-failing love and concern ofour Saviour for his children.It is testimony to John and Norma’swillingness to bear witness, thatamong the seventeen non-Adventistspresent, nine were from theScarborough area who had beenbefriended in the relatively shortperiod that John and Norma have livedin Scarborough. This was the firstoccasion that most of these peoplehad set foot in an Adventist church.Tony, John and Norma’s foster son,paid a moving tribute to his parents ashe recited a poem he had speciallywritten for the occasion. Finally, ourthanks to the Malawian Choir fromYork for their tribute in song.PETER WALLERMeshach of Blessed VoicesThe Trans-European Division is seeking anoffice secretary to the Communication/PublicAffairs & Religious Liberty director at the internationalheadquarters of the Seventh-day AdventistChurch covering Northern Europe, the Middle East,part of Africa and Pakistan. This is a full-time positionin a busy and varied department. The successfulapplicant should be able to work well underpressure and on their own initiative, and wouldneed to have an excellent command of Englishtogether with some writing and editorial skills. Agood working knowledge of Microsoft office anddesktop publishing is essential, together with databaseand website management. For an applicationform, please apply in writing with full CV to:Harald Wollan, Executive Secretary,Trans-European Division, 119 St Peter’s Street,St Albans, AL1 3EY.Closing date 21 April 2003.Ellen G White-SDA Research Centreat Newbold College is seeking a part-timesecretary/research assistant. This is along-term appointment. The successful candidatewill possess computer skills in Microsoft Word,Access and Excel, and have good people skills.Some knowledge of library science and the abilityto work independently is important. Salary is inline with denominal pay scale. Please send CV to:Roland Karlman, Newbold College, Bracknell,Berks, RG42 4AN or email: rkarlman@compuserve.comor fax: 01344 484993.Closing date 14 April 2003.Dreams come trueThis month a dream came true for ayoung man visiting Watford fromBrazil. Samuel Neves is no stranger toWatford. Seven years ago, at the ageof 14, he was sent to StanboroughSecondary School as a boarder. Hisfather is a colonel, and Samuel hopedto become a diplomat, so he wasexcited at the thought of coming hereand learning English.His mother, Regina, was thedaughter of Italian immigrants toBrazil. At first her marriage was childless.Three years had passed whenshe met an Adventist friend, PastorJulio de Melo, who offered Bible studies.Samuel’s father had studied withJesuits as a young man and foundPastor Julio’s studies inspiring.Hearing the biblical story of Hannah,Regina prayed, ‘Lord, I have oftendoubted your existence, although Iwant to believe in you. If you do exist,do to me what you did to Hannah, andif so, I will also dedicate my son toyour service. Amen.’Samuel was born and named afterHannah’s son. But Samuel Neves hadone leg shorter than the other, so anoperation was booked. It would be thefirst of many, and he would have towear leg braces until the age of 19.Regina asked the surgeons to delaythe operation for one week, and prayedagain. Her prayer was: ‘My God, youhave proved that you exist. . . . Ifthese Adventist people are your chosenpeople for the end of time, pleaseprove it by curing my son and makinghim whole again.’ After a week, theysaid an operation was no longer necessary.During the three years Samuel wasat school in Britain, two very importantthings happened to him. The first wasthat he met a fellow pupil called AmySwain. The second was that hechanged his mind about becoming adiplomat and reverted to his childhooddream of becoming a minister. Sittingin the boarders’ seats up in the galleryat Stanborough Park church, he wonderedwhat it would be like to bepreaching down there in the pulpit. Hedreamt that one day he would.Eventually he returned to Braziland started studies at the SouthAmerican Adventist TheologicalSeminary in São Paulo. In December2001, Amy joined him for six monthsand they became engaged – onedream come true. On 18 January,Samuel preached at Stanborough Parkchurch – another dream come true!He asked us to imagine what it waslike to be a first-century Christian andasked, ‘What difference does it make ifwe know that Jesus is coming again?’Later he urged us to pray that the HolySpirit will come so we’ll proclaim in aloud voice that Jesus is coming soon.Samuel plans to go back to Braziland complete his BA in theology, thenmarry Amy and study further atNewbold. Of course Regina is delightedthat her son is planning to become apastor.BRONWEN ATKINSONBournemouthhelps RomaniansSabbath 9 November saw a wonderfuldisplay of 211 shoeboxes inBournemouth church, all wrapped incolourful paper and containing toys,sweets and useful family items, andbound for families in Romania.For the third year running ourchurch has been involved in thisscheme through Link Romania, part ofPartnership for Growth – an interdenominationalcharity based atWorthing.This year, because we were one ofonly three area collectors in Dorset,the boxes were brought to the churchfrom several groups includingBrownies, Guides, WI groups and otherchurches, as well as from our ownchurch members and Mother & ToddlerGroup.Let’s praise the Lord for this generosityshown towards our brothersand sisters in Romania.J. ELLIOTTBaptism atBoltonOn Sabbath afternoon 8 FebruaryBolton church was packed to its fullcapacity as friends and relatives gatheredto see Hilda Lawrence and MarkPrescott make public the declarationof faith in Christ their Saviour. PastorBarry Stokes from Liverpool preacheda sermon entitled, ‘Adoption’.Inspirational music was provided bythe Zion Singers from Preston, andCharles Ngandwe and Ruby Dyer fromManchester. Hilda, who comes fromChorley, has been acquainted with theChurch since the 1960s. Mark hasbeen attending the Bolton church sinceApril 2002. The members welcomethem into the family and wish themboth God’s richest blessing on startinga most glorious journey.COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENTAnother churchfor BristolDuring the last seven years, under thecare of Pastor Ron Edwards, BristolCentral has witnessed a steady growthin numbers. Our family has beenblessed with increase in adults,approximately eighty children underthe age of 12, and thirty young people.As a result of this, for some months avideo link has been set up in the backroom so that everyone can fit in. Onbaptism days people even cram intothe foyer just to be part of what ishappening!After much prayer and consultationwith the members, it was decided thata sister church should be created inan unentered area of Bristol. The areachosen was Horfield, and the UnitedReformed Church has kindly allowedus to rent one of their halls. So on 5October, approximately fifty peoplewillingly left the family to branch outon their own. It is hoped that this willjust be the beginning of more churchesin Bristol and will finally culminate ina church plant.This change is the most importantevent to happen to Bristol for a numberof years. It is also the result ofPastor Edwards’ vision to establishanother church in Bristol before heretired.LISA SABADINMembers of the sister church set up in the Horfield area of Bristol7

Teenagers commitReading district experienced awonderful baptism at Centralchurch on 7 December. The HolySpirit reaped a bumper harvest of sixteenprecious souls. It was a very joyfuland exciting occasion. The churchwas packed with a large number offriends and relatives who came towitness the special occasion.Pastor Gifford Rhamie, first elder ofthe church and a lecturer at NewboldCollege, preached a wonderful sermontitled ‘Wade in the Water’. PastorEverett Picart, Reading district pastor,and Pastor Aaron Turyo, a memberfrom Whitley church, baptised thecandidates.It was inspiring to see how theplant for this baptism was initiatedfrom the time a young man, TomLumanyasi, who had been seeking theLord, asked for baptism a short timeafter our pastor arrived in the district.The pastor had studies with him forseveral months. At the same timeother candidates were being prepared.It was marvellous to see so manyteenagers commit their lives to theLord. Among the candidates were acouple who were going to tie the marriageknot a few days later. Another ofthe saints baptised, Claire Constant-Shields, saw that at every turn shemade in life an Adventist was present,and she felt this was a sign from Godto join the church. There was a marvellousand inspiring testimony byVaughan Keir of how the Lord had ledhim to his decision for baptism afterhe had delayed it for many years. Heremarked on the thoughts of hisparents, and how proud and happythey were when he broke the goodnews to them.When Pastor Picart made his prebaptismvisit to Charles and ReginaDwamema’s home he found three oftheir four children wanting to be baptised.He noticed that the oldest one,who had been missing on the day ofthe altar call, exhibited much interest8in what was being said. After goingthrough the baptismal vows, andAkuamoah’s mother, Regina, hadspoken some encouraging words, heasked for a baptismal certificate andsigned it there and then. The pastorremarked that he would never forgetthe pride and joy that came over theparents, Charles and Regina. When thesister and three brothers went into thepool together, it was another specialand emotional moment for everyone.At the end of the service the candidatesreceived with their baptismalcertificates and Fundamentals of theSeventh-day Adventist Faith, a giftfrom the church.Also on 23 November, ElizabethKasimba was accepted on professionof faith into the fellowship of Whitleychurch, making another day of celebrationfor the family, as she is themother of Brian and Sarah, two of thenewly-baptised members.Candidates were Clover Wilkinson,Tom Lumanyasi, Philomina Yeboah,Daniel Kangethe, Claire Constant-Shields, Verah Harper, VictorDwamema, Benedicta Dwamema,Sarpong Dwamema, AkuamoahDwamema, Vaughan Keir, SarahKasimba, Brian Kasimba, PamelaAlexander, Leonard Wangabo, DuduzileMcube.FLOYD FELIXSongs of joy atLancasterAs is customary each year, membersfrom the Preston church joined thosefrom Lancaster to sing songs of joy tothe residents of Oakfield NursingHome in Lancaster.The staff, residents and theirfamilies were equipped with songsheets and all took an active part in avery lively service. The programmeincluded the Bible story interspersedwith songs and poetry. At the requestWomen’s prisonwitnessWhen Pastor Roger Neal asked themembers of York church what theythought about ministering to the peopleof Askham Grange Women’s OpenPrison, there was a very encouragingresponse. Unfortunately, there wereonly twelve places available and theproper authorities had to be notified aweek in advance.New converts at NottinghamDr Patrick Herbert (left) and ministerial intern Pastor Solon Kyriacou (right) ofNottingham Central pictured with new converts who have given their lives toChrist. These members have completed extensive Bible studies with dedicatedBible scholars of Nottingham. They are Pauline Smith (seated left), Valerie Forbes,Leslie James (standing left) and Luckymore Masanzu.Story and photo by MARVIN PATTERSONof the matron, a few members of thegroup went to sing some songs to abedridden resident who was over 100years old. She was so thrilled andwelcomed us with open arms.JENNY JEFFERSMembers and friends of the Preston and Lancaster churchesThe main item in the service wasthe Malawi Group, comprised ofPierson Ntata, his wife Leah, his sisterGloria, with her husband and son,Richard and Michael, and Pierson’sbrother Harry, with his wife Joyce.Norma Kent sang a solo, and theservice finished with ‘Crown Him’ inat least two languages (it has beendone with five!).Around fifteen people turned up,but we made sure we were heard bymany more!ANDREW PUCKERINGChurches with heroes valiant for ChristPresident: Llewellyn EdwardsRecently I attended a small group discussionthat drew our attention to the passage in 1Chronicles 12:1-22, where a list is made ofheroes who backed the small but valiant efforts ofthe future king of Israel – David. How like thechurch in Scotland this passage is! We are small butas I go from church to church I hear of the heroes ineach church – valiant for King Jesus.This report inevitably will not list every name –indeed just as Hebrews 11 fails to list all – but wecan read that roll of faith as types of all the unsungheroes whom God himself will commend with his‘well done’. My sincere apologies go to each of theseheroes of whom I am not personally informed – theyare all, in modern parlance, stars!There are Pathfinder leaders like JosephineEikum, Andrew McKie, Malcolm and Angela Logan,Claudette Ghioalda, and Ophelia Herman, who giveso much time, patience and huge doses of love towin the hearts of our youth to the King.There are the leaders of small groups like EleriQuinn and Shirley Froude, John Wilby and JudithMartin, who provide ministry within their groups andsearch for that deepening fellowship that marks thefamily of God. There are children’s Sabbath Schoolleaders in each of our churches like Muriel Logan,Jane Walton, Margaret Lesar and Jennifer Oroko,pouring information, time and energy into the lives ofteachers and the children.There are mighty prayer warriors like Edith Perry– typical of individuals and groups, gathering togetherto call upon the name of the Lord. And of coursethe leaders of church companies like Grace Bull,Andy McKie and Margaret Edgar, rallying the heartsof God’s children to faith each Sabbath.There are also those like Audrey Ogilvie andCarole Peacock who add their expert touch and createattractive bulletins each Sabbath that keep thechurch informed and in communication – such animportant part of fellowship. I saw recently the workof some unsung hero who had created a commendationcertificate for their pastor to express the churchfamily’s appreciation for his work. These little thingsillustrate the truth that big doors turn on little hinges.There is the quiet work of people like SteveLogan, who prepare recordings of sermons for distributionto isolated and shut in folks that keeps themestablished in Christ. Oh, yes, and folks like AlanMcGurk, who will teach a football class for kids.And I cannot forget people like Judith Martin –rallying women to faith and courage in the Lordthrough Women’s Ministries.And I must mention people like Rudolf Berki,distributing thousands of pieces of literature fromhouse to house and doing house-to-house surveys;and discovering, only later, that the area in which hechose to work was the area where the church couldfind a new location.Then there are folks in our churches like ChristineHall, making sure that the fellowship lunch isorganised and sumptuous, that all may eat their‘bread’ with gladness each Sabbath and visitorsmade welcome.What of folks like Beverly and Owen Andersonand Muriel Logan and Karin Edwards, giving theirhomes and cooking talents for Friday night youthBible studies – so that the Kingdom be established.Then there are those with compassionate heartslike Ruth Farrer, Mike Thompson and Harry Wilby –working, appealing and collecting for the poor inother lands.My mind sees too the excellent work of communicationsecretaries like Lynn Retallick who preparesinformation packs for university chaplains forFreshers’ week, and Pastor Bob Rodd, who continuesto work tirelessly keeping the church and its ministrybefore the attention of the local community.What more can I tell? I could write of work withDiscovery Bible School contacts; of fellowship groupsin Aberdeen; of Net videos; of deacons who give thatessential welcome each Sabbath; of faithful elderlylike Crissie Lorek and Nora Myles, who continue tovisit and encourage others; of folks like Bernard andAgnes Howard, Charlie and Martha Irvine, who arethere each Sabbath building the Kingdom in theClockwise from top left: Charlie and Martha Irvine.Pathfinder fun. Pathfinder group. East Kilbride ladies.Shirley Froude with church kids2,000 shoeboxes for God by Chantal AlenADRA-UK is launching its biggest shoebox appeal yetfor orphaned children living in Albania. We are aimingto send 2,000 shoeboxes in the first week of July2003 to benefit orphans 2-14 years, demonstratingto them God’s love and compassion. ADRA-UK’spast shoebox appeals were a great boost to theirmorale and our hope is to continue this positiveimpact and bring smiles to their faces.Information on how to pack the boxes has beensent to all Personal Ministries Leaders.The ADRA-UK truck will be parked at the followingvenues for collection of your shoeboxes:●●Membership figures*BUC: 21,490Scottish Mission: 291* 30 September 2002hearts of all they see; of the many church officerswho give their time and best efforts to the smoothand pleasant running of the churches; of SabbathSchool teachers and preachers; of Ingatherers; ofencouragers; of musicians; and of course the wonderfulpastors of our churches and their wives –Brian and May McCormac; Russell and Linda Bryan;Andrew and Ella Willis; Clifford and Ophelia Herman,and Marcel and Claudette Ghioalda.As I think of these, my thoughts go to a verse ofthat Chronicles passage – it seemed like ‘it was agreat host, like the host of God’. (Verse 20.)Stanborough Park Church, WatfordSunday 15 June - 10am to 1pm.Thursday and Friday, 26 - 27 June, 1pm to 5pmCamp Hill Church, BirminghamSabbath, 28 June, 3pm to 5pmIf you are unable to bring your shoeboxes to thesevenues, please arrange either through your ministeror other contacts to bring them to the BUC office inWatford, by 12th June at the latest.For enquiries telephone the ADRA-UK office on01923-681723 or email calen@adra.org.uk9

Wimbledon’s GoldenAnniversaryby Asha WijeJohn Wilson was the first baby to bededicated in the ‘new’ churchOUT NOW!all enquiries:Dalbert Elias, 01923 672251ARE YOU GETTING CONNECTED?Sabbath 12 October 2002 was one of the first bombs to fall onmarked the Golden Anniversary London and it hit Stanley Hall, comoftheWimbledonAdventist church buildingwhich was rebuiltafter being bombedduring the SecondWorld War.The original brickchurch, known as‘Stanley Hall’, waserected in 1924 followinga series of publicmeetings conductedduring 1923 by theevangelist Pastor W.Maudsley, as a result ofwhich approximately150 people were baptised.This was a timerest of theFor thewhen one could walkwar and upsafely acrossto the end ofThe present Wimbledon church was dedicated on 12 January 1952Wimbledon Common and1951, theonly one person in themembershipchurch, a dentist, owned a car. pletely destroying the sanctuary. David worshipped in a building belonging toElliott, a former member of Wimbledon the Second Advent Church inBlitzed!church who now lives in Devon, was Montague Road. Members were madeLife in England dramatically changed 10 when the church was bombed. He very welcome there. At the time,said that he took the day off church membership was approachingschool and spent the whole day 150 and there were enough Adventistat the bomb site. His mother children to run a small school in a hallbrought food for the workers at the rear of the Second Adventthat day. David said that memberscould not believe that thechurch had been bombed andhe himself could not imaginelife without the church – it wasthe centre of his life. The nextday was Sabbath and a blackboardwas placed outside thechurch with the words, ‘Ourchurch is down, but our spiritsare up.’Malcom Parr (head elder)accepts a plaque for longservice and contribution in thechurch on behalf of his father,Richard Parr (elder)with the onset of the SecondWorld War and, for Wimbledonchurch, life would never be thesame. On Friday 6 November1940, Stanley Hall was blitzed.The target had beenWimbledon train station whichis located only a few hundredyards from the church. This10Wimbledon elder Arthur Campbell, (left), and SEC president Pastor D. W. McFarlane (thirdfrom left) with Wimbledon ministers past and present: Pastors Ashwin Somasundram, DavidCox, Vlado Godina and Brian MartinThe old Wimbledon church, blitzed on 6 November 1940Church. There were two teachers: MissThomas and Miss Uffindell and, for atime a third teacher, Miss D. Hearn.There were about 25 pupils in totalfrom 4 to 11 years old. Unfortunately,despite strenuous efforts by staff,church and conference, increasedgovernment requirements made itimpossible to continue to finance theschool and, in 1955, it was closed.Help from Sir CyrilThe members continued for over tenyears to raise funds for rebuilding.Pastor Don McFarlane, Sidney Rose,Arthur Campbell. Sidney Rose waspresented with a plaque for his invaluablecontribution to Wimbledon ChurchHowever, finances were not the onlyproblem. It was also very difficult toobtain planning permission immediatelyafter the war. The sympathetichelp of the local MP, Sir Cyril Black,was enlisted, and finally, in 1951,rebuilding commenced. Sidney Rose,chief elder of Wimbledon church for anumber of years, who was also achartered surveyor, together with anWimbledon has an international choirarchitect friend, worked on the plansfor the church.Sidney Rose supervised the buildingof the new church at the sametime as doing a full-time job. Whencompleted, local papers reported thenew structure as having been built ‘onfar more imposing lines’ than the original.Compliments were made in thebuilding trade on the clean, modernlines and first-class construction ofthe new church.A dedication service for the newchurch was held on 12 January 1952,attended by Pastors W. W. Armstrong(BUC president), J. A. McMillan (SECpresident), A. C. Vine (resident pastor1932-1942) and G. M. Hyde (residentminister). The service paid specialtribute to Sidney Rose for his particularefforts towards rebuilding thechurch. In the words of Pastor Hyde hehad ‘done so much to make this buildinga reality’. Also praised were HubertCowen, head deacon, for his untiringefforts in helping to rebuild the church,and all the members and friends fortheir faithful support and prayers.A triumph of freedomAt the dedication ceremony AldermanC. W. Black JP, MP (later Sir Cyril) gavean exhortation to the church on theimportance of freedom of worship‘which’, he stated, ‘was one of theessential freedoms for which thedemocracies had fought in the war’.They had been opposed by a nationwhich did not believe in freedom ofworship and he stated that he believedthat, in a very true and significantway, the great principles for which thedemocracies had fought were beingvindicated in the rededicationceremony.Fifty years later, AshwinSomasundram, pastor of Wimbledonchurch, welcomed past and presentmembers and friends to mark thegolden anniversary of the new building.Special guests included formerpastors of Wimbledon church: DavidCox (1979-1986), Brian Martin (1986-1994) and Vlado Godina (1997-2002).Another very special guest was SidneyRose himself, who spoke in the afternoonof his childhood memories ofattending the evangelistic campaignconducted by Pastor Maudsley and hisinvolvement with the construction ofthe new building. Also in attendancewas John Wilson of Canterbury church,whose parents, Adriel and Mary, werethe first to be married in the newbuilding. John was also the first babyto be dedicated in the new buildingand he was also baptised and marriedin the church. Robin Cowen ofStanborough church, a former pupil ofStanley Hall whose father HubertCowen was head deacon at the timethe church was dedicated in 1952,also attended, bringing with him acollection of memorabilia including acopy of MESSENGER which reported thededication service in 1952!Additional greetings were sent byformer pastors of Wimbledon churchincluding George Crutchfield (USA),James Collins, Robert Surridge (USA)and Drene Somasundram (Australia).Freda Spearing, daughter of formerWimbledon pastor F. A. Spearing alsosent greetings.MemoriesMargaret Campbell, a member ofWimbledon church and a former pupilof Stanley Hall School, provided muchof the detail as regards the history ofthe church for the anniversary celebration,including photographs of theformer building. She said, ‘Everyoneenjoyed the fellowship and worship ofthe anniversary celebration. Those ofus who go back a long way reallyenjoyed meeting old friends again andreminiscing.’The new church building was constructedupon the foundations of theoriginal building which had remainedrelatively intact after the bombing.This experience was used as a basisfor the message by the guest speakerfor the day, Pastor Don McFarlane,who said that the original foundationhad been securely built and that weshould likewise build our hope and oursalvation on the firm foundation ofJesus Christ.God has blessed Wimbledonchurch with musical brilliance and hisname was praised at the goldenanniversary celebration of the church’smini-orchestra as well as its wealth ofvocal talent. The children also made avery special contribution to the daywith their own orchestra, special readings,songs and items. The afternoonprogramme, which followed a sumptuouslunch, was entitled ‘WimbledonChurch Through the Ages’. SidneyRose and Richard Parr (elder) werepresented with plaques for their contributionto Wimbledon church throughthe years, and the day ended with thecutting of a specially iced anniversarycake in traditional style, with thanks toGod who says: ‘I know the plans Ihave for you . . . plans to prosper youand not to harm you, plans to give youhope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11.Do ministers really retire?Members and friends of Bristol Lodge Causeway church gatheredtogether on Sabbath 21 December for the last official service oftheir (allegedly) retiring minister Pastor Ron Edwards.Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Pastor Edwards grew up in an Adventistfamily. He attended church school and went on to Heldeberg College to studyfor the ministry. He came to England to visit, initially for only a year, but met ayoung lady called Sandy. In 1965, at the Walthamstow church, she becamethe other half of a very successful team.Pastor Edwards spent two years at Newbold as a mature student beforebeginning his ministry in Cornwall, the family home for the next six years.Serving as president of the Albanian Mission was the next challenge, ahuge task which called on all their resources, but they spent four very fruitfulyears there. Then they came back to England, this time to the Bristol area topastor five churches. Time management skills were of the essence, and in duecourse a plant church was opened too. Pastor Edwards also undertook theresponsibility of Area 2 co-ordinator.We shall miss our very busy pastor and his wife. For seven years we haveenjoyed their guidance, Christian fellowship and friendship. The church presentedthem with a picture of the Bristol Suspension Bridge and afterwards ameal was enjoyed in the church hall.Do ministers really retire? Well, not this one! After a long and welldeservedholiday we understand some dates have already been filled in hisdiary. May God be with Sandy and Ron and richly bless them as they continueon life’s journey.MRS S. HATCHER11

Musical launched inOxford StreetAfter months of planning, weeks ofrehearsing, days of fretting and hoursof praying, ‘We only have a few moremiles to go’ was finally brought to anexcited audience. On 28 DecemberRegent’s Hall in Oxford Street wasfilled with people from all over Londonready to see the musical production.Some had even travelled from as faraway as Manchester. This is what theproduction team had hoped for as theyhad not only advertised in church butintended to reach a wider audience byplacing ads about the musical inboth The Voice and New Nationnewspapers. The title of the musicalcoincided with the theme for the lastyouth day of the year at Hollowaychurch. This was specially planned byyouth leader Tabitha Cummins.The production started with thesong, ‘We only have a few more milesto go’ by Take 6, playing softly in thebackground as we were introduced tothe six main characters. There weremany highlights in the musical. Onewas when the cast performed a danceto the Jackson 5 song, ‘I want youback’. There was a rousing cheer fromthe audience as the song began, and alot of foot-tapping and singing alongas the cast danced. Another memorablemoment was when Jane Rowe,who played Pastor D. T. Sakes, andNathaniel Peat who played Kai,performed their version of the KirkFranklin and T. D. Jakes’ song ‘911’.There was another rousing cheer asthey began the song and an evenlouder one when they had finished.The second half started with AlenaHerel who played Faith performing theclassic ‘Somewhere over the rainbow’.There were also more gospel songslike Richard Smallwood’s ‘Faith’ whichwas led out by Alethea Fletcher whoplayed elder Surgetta Sivvy. And therewere songs to pull at your heartstringslike ‘Bended knee’ by Boys II Men,which was performed by NathanielPeat to his fiancée Maya, who wasplayed by Olivia Cummins. The lastsong was a love song, ‘Spend my life(by Eric Benet), sung by Olivia andNathaniel, the ‘engaged’ couple.The production ended with all thecast members performing a dance tothe Destiny Child’s song ‘Happy face’which received the loudest cheer ofthe evening.TABITHA CUMMINSStevenage rejoicingThere were three baptisms atStevenage during 2002. On 4 MayPastor Volney Ham-Ying baptisedSam Hearnden. Sam is the motherof three daughters, one of whom12was baptised eleven years ago.On 29 September two teenagegirls were baptised. They were IngridBryant, 17, and Rachelle Lee-Dow, 13.Both girls are from Adventist backgroundsand were baptised by PastorAndrew Leonce.SAMANTHA LEECommunity supportafter arson attack onoldest churchSeveral outreach programmes havebeen organised and run in the villageof Ulceby recently, but none has beenattended by non-Adventist villagers. Atchurch services on Sabbaths parentssend their children, but the only non-Adventist visitors that we have inregular attendance are the children.Each year we have a Christmasprogramme planned and organised byAudrey Williams. She can never rely onwhich children will attend but that isnever obvious to the congregation.Audrey uses the opportunity as anevangelistic outreach to teach thechildren about Jesus: that he was bornlike us, grew up, became a man – butsacrificed his life for us so that wecould be with him for ever.This year for the first time adultsand teenagers from the village cameto support their children. Everyoneagreed that this was by far the bestChristmas programme ever. There wasassent from all when the elder, ColinHawken, said ‘The Spirit was here.’One week before the Christmasservice the elder and his wife arrivedto find that there had been an arsonattack on the shed belonging to thechurch. The shed had been totallydestroyed. Flames could so easilyhave engulfed the church, which isoak-lined, but God protected it. Satanmust see that there is life in thevillage and wants to destroy that lifebut our God is always the victor.JULIA SMITH-SAMUELSLove in any languageThese were the opening heartfelt lyricssung by all who attended the ‘WhereLove Abounds’ series held by the HighWycombe churches. From 7-12September the Sands church wasfilled with eager listeners; churchmembers from the Sands andMicklefield churches, family, friendsand members from our communitywho couldn’t help but notice thebanner above our church doorsgiving an invitation for all to see.Our speaker for the series was thedynamic Pastor Jeremiah Bonner, whoministers at our neighbouring Area 5churches in Slough and Watford Town.Even though he was in the middle of amove he came early to the meetingsand joined the ‘Prayer Warriors’, askingGod to lead, and for the Holy Spiritto touch the hearts of those who wouldcome.Each evening Pastor Bonnerportrayed Jesus as our PersonalCompanion, Sustainer and ForeverFriend whose grace knows no bounds.Titles of the sermons included: ‘FatalAttraction’, ‘Putting the Giant to Sleep’,‘Guilty as Charged’, and ‘Young, Freeand Single’. Night after night PastorBonner had his own unique way ofbringing each of his sermons alive. Heillustrated in detail the lives of wellknownpeople who, when they had anencounter with Jesus, found that theirlives would never be the same again.Special features of the seriesincluded powerful Praise Worshipteams from Sands and Micklefield,quizzes from Pastor Elliot Williams,and Health features from Dr AlickStevens, including ‘Stress Relief,Hypertension, Passive Smoking andFood Additives. There were inspirationalmusical items every evening,and special guest soloist SophiaNicholls from the Oxford churchbrought the meditation and appealsongs.The series ended with a celebration‘agape feast’ in which the Sandsyouth hall was transformed, bringing alittle taste of heaven down to Earthwith its beautifully arranged evergreenfoliage, exotic fresh fruits and naturaljuices of grape, orange and water.PATSY THOMASChorale at the ParkLast June, before HM the Queen atBuckingham Palace, at ‘Prom at thePalace’, the London Adventist Choralesang a traditional Afro-Caribbeangospel song. On 1 February atStanborough Park church the music of‘Great Getting up Morning’ was heardagain. The choir was giving a fundraisingconcert to offset the cost ofthe church’s new extension, TheStanborough Centre. The centre isused for outreach activities, and membersof the local community were alsoinvited to the concert.The church was packed; £1,000was raised; and many appreciativecomments were voiced.From Mrs Kinhead, a visitor to thechurch: ‘Absolutely beautiful, transportedto cloud nine!’ Church elder DrPeter Bone: ‘They sound like one voice– great ensemble.’ Church memberDaniel Thompson: ‘I thought it waspretty cool, actually.’ From one of theyouth, Peter Cooper: ‘It was a greatconcert.’ Another member, AlainFidelia, wanted to know when they’recoming back. Don’t we all?BRONWEN ATKINSON and NATALIE DAVIDSONPreston HomecomingThe months of planning and waitingwere over on 14 December. HomecomingDay had arrived and, with thechurch bursting at the seams, friendswere reunited after years of separation.Zena Taylor sang ‘Welcome backto Jesus, it’s good to see you home’.Pastor Kevin Johns’ sermon usedthe lost sheep and prodigal son toillustrate God’s love for us. He remindedus that when the shepherd foundthe sheep he didn’t scold or beat it butsimply welcomed it back to the fold.Also when the prodigal returned homeas a beggar, his father did not turnhim away but welcomed him withopen arms. While the Clarke familysang, ‘Lord I’m coming home’, thealtar call was made to come back toJesus to be clothed in his righteousness.There were tears of joy as manypeople responded, and several leftcontact details and requests for visits.The evening programme was in theform of a gospel concert. The MC forthe evening was Louise Clarke, whose‘Ground Force’ and ‘new shoes’ experiencehad the audience in stitches.Items were presented by Zion Singers,Psalms, the children and many others.This time was an opportunity for thesinging group ‘Unity’ to reunite (afterfourteen years). This reunion wasspecial as one of Unity’s members,Yvonne Daly, had travelled all theway from Australia to visit her familyin Preston and was present atHomecoming Day. It was a time forreminiscing and remembering thosewho had made a strong impact on ourspiritual lives. Tributes were made toSister Toussaint (affectionately knownas Aunty Bridgee) and Avril Bernardand Dell Coke.JENNY JEFFERSAdventist schoolcommendedThe Little Eden Primary School andLittle Eden High School, based atHanworth in Middlesex, have beenthe subject of a major feature inJunior, ‘the World’s Finest ParentingMagazine’ (January-February issue).Missionary teacher Miss MarieCader writes, ‘This small, independent,multicultural Adventist schoolaims to implement God’s blueprint foreducation as directed in the inspiredwritings.’Junior’s reporter writes, ‘Foundedin 1995 as an initiative by local parents,Little Eden is an independentreligious school based around theSeventh-day Adventist Church. . . . AtLittle Eden there’s far more to learningthan simply passing your SATs. . . .Health is high on the school’s agenda.Besides opting for a strictly vegetariandiet . . . it is not unusual to spot pupilsdrinking herbal teas and water in theclassrooms.’Miss Cader reports that the schoolhas a manual labour programme forthe pupils and that it has been discoveredthat the consumption of healthyamounts of water boosts the concentrationof pupils.PR OFFICERDrop-in surgeryOn 15 September a half-day drop-inhealth surgery was held in the ParadoxCommunity Centre in Chingford HallEstate, which was sponsored byChingford church.The event was successful, with adoctor and several nurses carrying outhealth checks. Seventeen people fromthe neighbourhood attended the centreand made full use of the services provided.Our vision is to hold more dropinsurgeries in the same centre andother local areas.J. BLACKETTWalsall baptismA baptism took place at the Walsallchurch on 23 November. Leading outwere Pastors Patricia Douglas andDavid Foster. Brother Rattray’s MaleVoice Choir thrilled everyone. Beforethe service began we found the candidateTsitsi Mutezo on her knees intears before God. She said: ‘Now that Iknow the truth, I shall never return tomy previous way of worship again.God is leading me; I shall follow himall the way. Pray for me!’Pastor Douglas led the songs ofpraise, Pastor Foster gave the addressand our church elder Brother T. Kingchallenged the candidate. BrotherMutezo was overjoyed by his wife’sbaptism.M. V. LAWRENCEPrayer for cancersuffererOn 14 September Derek Symons wasordained as a deacon. Although hehad been assisting in the church as anunordained deacon, and playing theorgan each Sabbath, this was the firstopportunity Pastor Sandy Pearman hadto ordain him.Sabbath 21 September wasHarvest Festival. It had been manyyears since this occasion had beencelebrated in the South Shieldschurch. Thanks go to Sister AudreyHush, who had made the suggestion,and to all those members who contributedthe food, which was passedon to some of the older folk in ourcommunity.Prayers were said on Sabbath 9February for Sister Hush who has beendiagnosed with ovarian cancer. She isundergoing radioactive treatment andwe know that with the expert skill ofthe doctors, coupled with our prayers,our Lord will heal her. RALPH E. JACKSONChingford:‘Jesus is the Answer’After a successful four weeks of the‘Jesus is the Answer’ seminar atParadox Community Centre inChingford, five precious souls acceptedJesus as the answer to all theirproblems and decided to walk all theway with him.On 26 October, Hezekiah andPamela Thompson (husband andwife), Glen Ford and niece KassminTong, and Sam Kanu were baptised byPastor G. Scoon, to become membersof Chingford church. Bible workerswere Sisters Scoon and Rutherford.The seminar was started by theevangelist Lynval Beckfford, and coevangelistM. L. Rodney took it throughto the end.J. BLACKETTNew pastor forGloucesterOn Sabbath 4 January the Gloucesterchurch welcomed their new minister,Pastor Stefan Burton-Schnull, his wifeBarbara and their children, Micah andMichae, to our midst. They were introducedto the church by friend CostaVaggas. Pastor Stefan, in his firstsermon as our pastor spoke of thechallenges and excitement of a newministry, and used Psalm 23 toillustrate God’s calm assurance of hispresence when embarking on a newchallenge. We look forward to PastorStefan’s ministry.Pastor Richard Daly, who has pastoredGloucester for six years, movesto Bristol, and we wish him and hisfamily God’s blessings in his newministry.COMMUNICATION SECRETARYWorkshopsMy name is Michelle Rondof and I am amember of Central London church. I runbeauty/grooming workshops in thechurches of the SEC: Central London,Eltham, Peckham. I have also run workshopsfor 2001 Camp Meeting andLeaves of Life (health ministry).I would like to expand to otherchurches for women’s ministry, youthdays or any other fitting event.The workshops have been muchappreciated by women and men alike,who are often left out.Contact me at mobakeng@yahoo.com to arrange this beauty event.Acknowledgement The principal ofthe Adventist Discovery Centreacknowledges with thanks a donationof £300 received from the Manchesterarea (March 2003).Story Feature‘God, give me a wife!’Tom prided himself on being an atheist. At least, that’s how he saw himself.He was in his mid-20s, working in a Birmingham factory after havingfailed a medical for RAF service due to short-sightedness. It was wartime,and life was very uncertain during the Blitz.But doubt still persisted. Could there possibly be a God up there in the sky– and could that God ever be interested in him? There was only one way tofind out. Tom offered up a simple but earnest prayer. ‘God, if you exist, helpme find a wife in the next seven days – and let her name be Betty!’God doubtless smiled as he prepared his answer. Two days later, Tomheard of a new 17-year-old recruit who had joined the staff, and when heheard her name was Betty, he couldn’t wait to meet her. And so Tom Farmerand Betty Furnival began an association which culminated in their diamondwedding anniversary in November 2002, with a letter of congratulation fromthe Palace and a host of cards and calls from their many friends and wellwishersin and outside the church.After sixty years they look back over a host of marvellous memories.Betty’s mother had earlier met an Adventist lady at a bus stop and gotinto conversation, and this led to her and Betty’s baptism by PastorW. McClements. Tom took quite a time to follow her example but in 1948,after studies with Pastor F. Edwards, he was united with her in the faith.In June 1954 the Farmers moved to the south coast, settling inBournemouth where in due course both of them became heartily involved inthe leadership of the local church. They held a host of offices in the next thirtyyears, but look back with special joy to their work with the teenagers andyoung adults who participated in their Sabbath school classes. ‘It wasmarvellous to feel that we could have a real impact on these young lives asthey came to know Jesus,’ they told the writer.Now Tom, at 85, can no longer actively worship with the church familydue to failing health. But their home is a shrine where Jesus still reigns asLord. The Advent hope burns brightly in their thoughts and conversation. TheirGod is as precious as ever to them. The Farmers have sown their seed, andthe harvest will soon be theirs.PASTOR M. L. ANTHONYNEWBOLDCOLLEGENEW 5-weekCertificate CourseTeaching English as aForeign Language16 June-18 July 2003★ Essential training for student missionaries★ Excellent career opportunities for working abroad★ Christian environment★ Residential accommodationApply now as places are limited.For booking or further information contact:Kerry Ferris: 01344 407421 or kferris@newbold.ac.ukMeggan James: 01344 407406 or mjames@newbold.ac.uk13

East Meets Westby Dalbir Masih, Naomi Watson, inter aliaOn Saturday evening 15 February under theauspices of Leamington Spa Mission socialcommittee the inaugural programme ofHELP- (Health, Education, Literacy Programme)India took place. The aroma of Indian, vegetarianfood teased the palates of 100-plus people inThe Mission, George Street, Leamington Spa. Theprospect of culinary delights encouraged attendancethat, unusually but wonderfully, included Caucasianwomen in beautiful, brightly-coloured, borrowed sarisand Indian-holiday-purchased sulwar khamis.Leamington Spa Mission pastor Alan Conroywelcomed everyone, particularly our guests from thelocal Asian community. The youth from the Sikh communitycentre, under the directorship of Pam Nagi,entertained our assembly. The Sikh young men andboys overwhelmed our ears with intricate rhythmicsound from ‘the Dhol’ (Indian drums). The youngwomen and girls entranced the eye with the lithesomebeauty of their ‘Bhanga’ (Indian dance).‘Avenue’, the Mission worship band, added the‘Western’ flavour. The Oxhill Asian Church singerswere the ‘crossover’ band singing in English.East Meets West was also enabled by the loan oftables and a large food warmer from the Hindu communitycentre. The Sikh temple cooked the deliciousvegetable samosas we ate. By these generositiesand the presence of the performers, the level of ‘connectedness’between the Mission and its immediateAsian community was increased.Pastor Malcolm Watson and his wife Naomishared the origin and purposes of HELP-India, whichhas its origin in the childhood experience of NaomiWatson in Pune, India. Her grandmother providedwork and education for a destitute girl. Consequentlythe girl married and raised a family. This memory setNaomi’s determination to help some of the destitutemillions of India, changing the world one life at atime.For over a year she has struggled more or less byherself to create an organisation to help India. LastSeptember Shirley Sharma, a secretary in thechurch’s Salisbury Park complex in Pune, emailedNaomi about a lady from Cork who wanted to openan orphanage in India. Zoe Trevellyan, a member ofthe Cork congregation, Eire, is the second tributary ofthis nascent charity.Zoe is a person of immense heart, convicted thatshe must help India. Having connected, these twoindefatigable ladies, Naomi and Zoe, embarked on afact-finding mission during November and December2002. The trip, covering thousands of miles, mainlyby train, was exciting and exhausting.Naomi says of that trip, ‘The warm breeze at1am as I travelled from Mumbai (Bombay) airport,watching children asleep on the pavements, somehuddled together under trees, reminded me why Zoeand I were in India.’Naomi writes, ‘Every day in any Indian city thefamiliar pungent smell of spicy cooking pervades thestreets along with the laughter of children playingcricket on their pavement pitches. Contrastingly,other children, in pristine school uniform, walktogether to school. Workers in clean, smart clothesrush to work past pavement huts that are as busy asany normal household.‘On my way to a restaurant inBombay a street child cries andholds out her hand to me mouthingthe word ‘amma’ (mother) andlooks pleadingly into my eyes.Probably 3 years old, she has asweet face underneath the dirt andtear stains. Her shorts are torn; hertousled brown hair is dull, dirty. Do Ipass her by or dig deep in my pocketsfor some change . . . and thenwhat? Where will she get her nextmeal, perhaps a shower, a clean setof clothes and maybe an occasionalhug from a mum or dad who say ‘Ilove you’ or just that ‘I understand,but things will get better’. I getsome fruit from my bag and watchthe smile chase the tear cloudsaway from her face.‘I walk away knowing we haveso much more, grateful that wehave the privilege to share a littleof what we have with some of thechildren.’With the aid of power-pointpictures we saw and heard of theprojects for which HELP-India israising funds:Hatkalengle – the construction ofa hostel for 50 girls and 50 boysalong with staff quarters and a bigcommunity hall for training childrenand women in health; purchase of abus to transport school pupils toexisting school; the creation of a goat-rearing unit tosupply goats to widows and economically-deprivedto produce milk and milk products to sell.Operator: Seventh-day Adventist ChurchEstimated Budget: £60,000Pondicherry Orphanage – the construction of ahostel to rehouse the existing 36 orphans andadditional ones.Operator: Adventist coupleEstimated Budget: £15,000Budlapur – improvement to a youth camp groundfor poor city children located between Mumbai(Bombay) and Pune.Operator: SALT & SAND (interdenominationalorganisation)Estimated Budget: £3,000Solapur – a nursery for children under the age of 5with facilities for bathing, two good meals and a playarea.Operator: HELP-INDIAEstimated Budget: £600 per annumMoney is now sufficient to start this project as soonas is practically possible.Besides eating delicious food (mostly cooked byNaomi’s mum Vimal Sable) in friendly company, theprofile and awareness of the plight of orphans, destitutefamilies and women in India were raised considerably.After an appeal by Pastor D. Masih, £700 wasraised on the night and sponsors were gained. Plusmembers had introduced friends and neighbours tothe Mission and its ministry.Dr Albert A. C.Waite reviews InSix Days: Why 50Scientists Chooseto Believe inCreationThe book, InSix Days,seeks toanswer theprovocative questioncoming fromthe evolutionists’ camp: ‘Can any scientistwith a PhD believe in the idea of a literalsix day creation?’ In this 360-page paperbackvolume first published in 1999 –which targets scientifically-minded people– its editor, John F. Ashton, PhD, putstogether the independent responses tothis question, from fifty scientistsworldwide.My first impression, from the trendycover, was that it might not be a seriousattempt to get to the heart of this veryimportant topic. But once I had scannedthe contributors’ list and recognised anumber of them, any doubts aboutscholarship or credibility vanished.PENNYCOOKE, Daisy – d. 19 July. Daisy came toBritain in the 60s, and transferred from Ealing tothe Wellingborough church in 1972. A simple funeralservice at the Kettering crematorium wasshared by Pastor B. K. Robinson and the writer. Itwas a service of thanksgiving for her life; for hertenacity of purpose which would permit no deviationfrom the path of duty; for her hospitality and generosityseen in so many ways, especially the manyhours spent collecting in support of Missions; forher service to God and to his church over manyyears; for her ever continuing study of his Wordwhich she pursued as long as health and ability permitted;and for his protecting care by which shelived a full, long life. The funeral address centred onthe promise, ‘Blessed are the dead which die in theLord from henceforth,’ given especially to those whodie believing in the Lord Jesus and his soon coming.Daisy endeavoured to live her life in the context ofthis hope. It was her acceptance of Jesus as Saviourand her hope in his coming which motivated herservice for the church and her witness to others. Theinterment of her ashes was deferred until 23September, when Daisy’s two nieces from Canadawere able to attend. She awaits the call of the Lifegiverin the beautiful Garden of Remembrance atDoddington Road cemetery, Wellingborough.PASTOR R. E. HULBERTMURPHY, George – d. September. It is with greatsadness and loss that the Bolton church reports thedeath of George Murphy at the age of 82. George wasborn on 31 May 1920. He was the second of sevenchildren, and grew up in Dukinfield near Oldham.As a boy he attended Crescent Road Boys’ School. Heleft school aged 14. According to the head teacher hepossessed ‘good intelligence’. When he attended StMark’s Church in Dukinfield the vicar reported thatGeorge was ‘attentive, well behaved and he believedhe would do his utmost to acquit himself in anywork he took up’. George started work in 1935 as amechanical engineer at Mather and Platt, NewtonHeath, Manchester. There he met Lillian who becamehis wife. His good friend Graham Cabin, whoworked with him, was instrumental not only inbringing George and Lillian together; he also studiedthe Bible with them. On 1 November 1941, Georgeand Lillian were baptised together and becameThe contents of In Six Days are dividedinto two sections: Science and Origins andReligion and Origins. Each section hastwenty-five contributors. The chapters arenot of equal length: the longest being 17pages and the shortest less than two. Theimpact of each chapter, however, has nobearing on its length.The book, on a whole, can be summarisedas the testimonies of fifty highlyeducated and experienced scientists, representingevery discipline of science, givingtheir personal reasons, with examples fromthe rigour of their scientific work, as to whythey believe the earth was created in six literaldays, not too long ago. Only one of thefifty, Ben Clausen (page 252), shows anyresistance to a young age creation.Scientist after scientist gives rigorousscientific evidence to support his stance. Forexample, Howe (page 231) traces the scientificpath, using secular scientific data thathelped him to make the transition from longages to a young earth. He concludes, ‘Thereis nothing in empirical science that compelsanyone to embrace billions or even millionsof years. . . . There is not even one scientificfact that furnishes an unequivocal demonstrationof great antiquity. All the data findmembers of the church in Parkfield Street,Manchester. In 1941 George registered as a ‘conscientiousobjector’. He lost his job because he wouldnot work on the Sabbath. George and Lillian lived inChadderton, Oldham. They had two children,Kathleen and Roger, and in 1957 they fosteredHeather Knowlson. She became part of the familyfor a couple of years and she still keeps in touch.The family moved to Bolton in the late 1950s.George was an active member of the Bolton churchwhere he was the first elder for many years.Throughout this time he was committed to his roleas elder. Many people received practical help andadvice from George. As a lay preacher he travelledaround the northwest. The NEC and BUC valued hisbusiness experience, and he served on executivecommittees for several years. Parkinson’s diseasetook its toll in the last five years. It was hard forGeorge’s family and friends to see him suffering. Heis at rest now, but will be fondly remembered. It wasfitting that the service was held at Bolton church,which George worked tirelessly to establish. Severalpastors, past and present, were in attendance, includingthe NEC president. Our thoughts are withLillian, Kathleen, son-in-law Pastor J. Connell andfour children; Roger, daughter-in-law Ann and threechildren; and his two brothers John and Gordon andtheir families. The following philosophy was foundin his wallet: ‘Keep your heart free from hate, yourmind free from worry. Live simply; expect little; givemuch. Fill your life with love, scatter sunshine, forgetself, think of others. Do as you would be doneby.’P. A. LETTMANREES, Marjorie Mona – d. 21 November. It was duringthe evangelistic campaign of Pastor DonSherman Harris in the 1950s that Mrs Rees met hersecond husband Tom. They were both baptised andlater married in the Calcutta church. Mrs Rees cameto England in 1956. For a number of years sheworked at the old Bowbridge and old NewarkGeneral Hospitals. At church she faithfully carriedout her church offices as treasurer, PersonalMinistries secretary and deaconess. She took herduties seriously and would open the Conservativehall and arrange the hall for worship. Mrs Rees wasa softly-spoken lady who loved to sing the old familiarhymns. Though Mrs Rees was of private andquiet disposition she was strait in her deliberations.She had a kind and generous heart towards her familyand friends. Mrs Rees leaves to mourn her threechildren, Joan, Harold and Patsy and their spouses,grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The funeralservice, held at Grantham crematorium on 2December, was conducted by Pastor John Ferguson.Mrs Rees’s strong faith and love for Jesus was reflectedin one of her favourite hymns. ‘Beyond thesunset.’ ‘Weeping may endure for the night but joycometh in the morning.’ (Psalm 30:5.)H. SAYERSSMITH, Percy – d. 2 December. Percy Smith,founder member of the Chelmsford church, will begreatly missed by members, friends and loved ones.He was a Christian gentleman and someone peoplewere glad to know. Those he knew over the yearswho wanted to pay their respects to a loved brotherin the Lord attended the funeral service in theChelmsford church. The postscript, read by his sonPaul, was as follows: ‘Percy died in hospital on 2December following complications after a fall athome. A thanksgiving funeral service for his life washeld at the Chelmsford Seventh-day Adventistchurch on 10 December. The church was full to paytribute to a Christian gentleman who remainedfaithful to Christ to the end. He will be especially rememberedfor his kindness, integrity and consistency,as well as for his service to the church oversixty years. Among those paying tribute at the service,conducted by Pastor Malcolm Taylor, were hisson and also his daughter who had flown fromAustralia for the occasion. Pastor Desmond Murtaghand church elder Chingalawa Chitambala assistedPastor Taylor. Percy will be sadly missed by his wife,Eleanor, and other family members who lookforward to that great reunion when the Lord Jesusreturns.’COMMUNICATION SECRETARYSTARK, Harry George – d. 21 December. Harry wasborn in Stratford, London, during the final monthsof World War I. His father Henry had fought in theBoer War for Queen Victoria and then became a grocerin the East End. His mother, the former MaggieCollett, came from Great Yarmouth and was afavourable alternative explanations within arecent creation position.’An intriguing aspect of the book is thediversity in style found in the contributors’testimonies. And there is no indication as tohow these fifty were chosen from tens ofthousands who believe in a personal God.Taylor (page 284) informs the questionerthat in the USA alone there are around10,000 practising professional scientistswho openly believe in a six-day recentcreation, while Friar (page 314) commentsthat there are probably more than 25,000scientists in the USA who reject theevolutionary doctrine.The book repeatedly documents thatthe absence of scientific data to supportthe evolutionists’ claim puts the evolutionaryargument within religionclassification.Monty White outlines his intellectualjourney from atheism through theistic evolutionismto a six-day creation (page 239).He explains how the scientific study ofchemical evolution, the fossil record andradiometric dating helped him to consolidatehis faith in the Bible, and notes that theNew Testament supports the historical accuracyof Genesis. He concludes that ‘thestaunch Methodist. When Henry Stark’s businessfailed the children – Alice, Harry, Albert and Philip –had to support the family. Harry earned one shillinga week helping an elderly neighbour after school.Trying to speed up his errands Harry shopped onroller skates. He left school in 1934 and took a clericaljob. At this time he attended meetings at theAdventist church and, after long and careful Biblestudy, was baptised. Losing his job due to Sabbathkeepingled to his decision to be a colporteur. WhenWWII broke out he registered as a conscientious objector.Harry found support in John Benefield, a colporteurin Bournemouth, and soon fell in love withJohn’s daughter Ivy, marrying her in 1941 atBournemouth church. They moved to Portsmouth,where Harry drove ambulances during the Blitz.They had three daughters – Jean, Marilyn andSuzanne. In 1963 Harry and Ivy moved toBournemouth. After twenty-seven years in theLord’s work Harry felt it was time to leave, and becamea clerk at Hamworthy Engineering. He and Ivywere most kind and understanding to their daughtersand three sons-in-law. Natalie, Nigel andSebastian, their grandchildren, brought great joyand have treasured memories of times spent withtheir grandparents. Ivy suffered a stroke in 1991 andHarry cared for her with patience, devotion andgood cheer until her death in 1994. During this timehe began visiting Broadstone Methodist church,helping at coffee mornings, making new friends andsharing his faith. He attended services there onSundays as well as at the Adventist church onSabbaths, and his family playfully teased him thathe had his options covered. Early last year Harrybegan having difficulty walking and had to stop driving.This was devastating for him, but the support hereceived revealed the depth of the friendships hehad with his neighbours and fellow church members.His funeral was packed with family and friendsfrom Methodist, Adventist and other backgrounds.Contributions came from the Broadstone Methodistminister and Pastor Martin Anthony. His faith neverwavered over the years. He believed that death is buta short sleep and that he, with a restored Ivy, willwake to the sight of the Saviour he served so faithfullyall his life.DOUGLAS VINEassumption of evolution is, therefore, themain evidence for evolution.’The reader is likely to find in In SixDays a broader scientific support for arecent creation, than anywhere else. Butthere is one drawback. After I read the firstsection – Science and Origins – I wrote,‘Useful on origins of life, but is not for theperson without a scientific and mathematicalbackground.’ After reading the section– Religion and Origins – I commented, ‘Alittle easier, but it is not a book for beginners.’This is, however, within the expectationof the publisher’s statement: ‘This is amust read for all thinking people.’Having read In Six Days, and consideringthe detailed scientific arguments fromchemistry, biology, physics, biochemistry,astronomy, forestry science, geology, engineering,horticultural science, medicinalscience, geography, meteorology, agriculture,information science, etc, I am somewhatembarrassed for the objective evolutionistwho says evolution is a science.Where is the evidence?Price £10.99This book was not published by The Stanborough PressLtd, but was written, in part, by Adventist scientists.Hence it is available from your Adventist Book Centre.1415

Death of TED ADRA workers. Kaare Lund,53, Norway’s ADRA director, together withtwo co-workers, Emmanuel Sharpolu andMusa Kita, have been murdered in Liberia.Lund’s death was confirmed on 9 March.‘Kaare Lund was fully dedicated to hisduties,’ writes TED’s Harald Wollan, ‘and histragic and untimely death is a blow to theADRA network and to the Church.’Additional information can be found onwww.adra.org.BUC president responds to Rwanda report.On Wednesday of this week a numberof news agencies reported on the convictionof former Adventist administrator,Elizaphan Ntakirutimana, on charges relatingto the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.Specifically he was convicted of ‘aiding andabetting in genocide’. Shortly after these reportswere first received ANN, the AdventistNews Network, released a statement whichis now posted on the front page of theGeneral Conference website at www.adventist.org.uk.On hearing of the report, BUCpresident Pastor Cecil Perry gave the followingresponse:‘We are deeply saddened by this news.It reminds us of the immense human sufferingwhich took place in Rwanda nearly tenyears ago, but it also reflects on the sinfulnature of mankind and the potential for evilwhich exists within each one of us. We knowthat many thousands of Seventh-dayAdventist church members died in theRwandan conflict and, sadly, some werealso involved in the fighting. As a Church wehave always advocated the use of peacefulmeans in settling differences and when wesee members acting in ways that are contraryto the high ideals of the Church it isvery disappointing. However, we serve aGod of forgiveness and reconciliation andalthough we would not want the guilty to gounpunished we rejoice in the fact that theSeventh-day Adventist Church in Rwandahas moved on and church membership hasgrown dramatically. We cannot guaranteethat Seventh-day Adventist church memberswill be unaffected by such conflicts inthe future, but we must hope and pray thatthe lessons we have learnt from theRwandan tragedy will help us to keep ourfocus on being a Church which promotespeace, justice and reconciliation.’New Treasury info on web. The BUCTreasury department has this week releaseda brand new magazine explainingmany of the financial issues which raisequestions among church members. All thetreasury workers in the Conference andUnion offices are listed, along with theiremail addresses, and there is also a list ofthe treasury staff at various church institutions,ranging from the John LoughboroughSchool to the General Conference.In an article entitled, ‘Tithe, How is itused?’ BUC treasurer Victor Pilmoor explainshow inspired counsel led to theprinciple of restricting tithe funds to the employmentof ‘gospel workers’, their ministryand those who support them. He also explainsthe principle of the ‘storehouse’ andABC BOOK SALES 2003April27 John Loughborough 10am-2pmMay11 West Midlands 10am-2pm18 Newbold Graduation 10am onwards16clarifies the practice of ‘tithe sharing’ withinthe BUC.As well as these specific financial issuesthe magazine also presents a numberof related, though more general subjects.These include: ‘Accounts and Accountability’,‘The Treasurer/Pastor Relationship’,‘Making an Appeal’, and ‘Risk Management’.Those who are familiar with Victor Pilmoor’swriting style will appreciate the clarity andsuccinctness of the new magazine. It will beenjoyed equally by those who have a knowledgeof church finances and those who donot.FestivalWembleyArena26th April 2003peopleSpeakersdwight nelson cecil perrymiroslav pujic don mcfarlaneAfternoon Adventist Prom PraiseNewbold College/Ellen G. White EstateBracknell, Berkshire, England are seeking tomake a joint appointment of a Director ofthe Ellen G. White-Sda Research Centre.The successful applicant will spend halftime as director, and half as lecturer, and beexpected to: Direct the activities of theResearch Centre, Travel within the TED toconduct workshops, Carry out research inthe archives, Teach modules on Ellen Whiteand Adventist history, Guide students inresearch, Offer teaching expertise in an areaother than SDA historical studies, preferablyat undergraduate and postgraduate levels.The successful applicant will have a positiveapproach to the writings of Ellen White, anda wish to make them understood, a doctor’sdegree or be close to completion, someexperience of successful teaching. Salaryaccording to denomination scale. Sendletter of application with current CV andnames and addresses of two referees to:Vice Principal, Newbold College, Bracknell,Berkshire, England, RG42 4AN. Tel: +4401344 407401; Fax: +44 01344 407404;Email: mpearson@newbold.ac.uk. A fullerjob description may be obtained fromwww.newbold.ac.uk/newsiteThe deadline for receipt of applications is14 April 2003.Printed versions of the treasury magazinewill be distributed shortly in churchesaround the British Union, but those withweb access can download a pdf versionnow from the Treasury page of the BUCwebsite. Also on this page are new singlesheet documents on the subjects of titheand special offerings. To view any of thesedocuments visit the BUC website at:www.adventist.org.uk, select ‘Departments’from the left-hand menu, then select‘Treasurer’. For this month a link has alsobeen placed on the front page of the BUCwebsite.need the L o r dFull 60-pieceorchestraStarts 10.00am Doors open at 9.30amFor more information, contact the South England Conference:25 St Johns Road, Watford, Herts WD17 1PZ Tel: 01923 232 728Newbold College is seeking to appoint aLecturer In Business Studies. The successfulapplicant will meet most of the followingcriteria: Have a Master’s degree in a relevantarea of Business Studies, Possessqualifications in Accounting, some experienceof teaching, some direct experience ofworking in business. The Department islooking for an energetic colleague to: Teacha range of Business modules in accounting,Offer a range of other modules such as taxation,business finance, economics, investments,Mould young Christians to enter thebusiness world.The College is prepared to consider a permanentappointment or a two-year contract.A fuller job description is available onrequest. The preferred date for the beginningof the appointment is 1 August 2003.Salary will be according to the denominationalscale.A letter of application along with a currentCV and the names and addresses of tworeferees should be sent to: The VicePrincipal, Newbold College, Bracknell,Berks, England, RG42 4AN. Tel: +44 01344407401; Fax: +44 01344 407404; Email:mpearson@newbold.ac.uk.The deadline for receipt of applications is29 April 2003.Annual General Meetings 2003SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST ASSOCIATION LtdNotice is hereby given that the ninety-eighth AnnualGeneral Meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist AssociationLimited will be held on Thursday 19 June 2003 at 2pm inthe Board Room of the British Union Conference ofSeventh-day Adventists, Stanborough Park, Watford,Herts.On behalf of the Board of DirectorsM. K. Taylor (Secretary)SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST TRUST COMPANY LtdNotice is hereby given that the twenty-first Annual GeneralMeeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Trust CompanyLimited will be held on Thursday 19 June 2003 at 2.15pmin the Board Room of the British Union Conference ofSeventh-day Adventists, Stanborough Park, Watford,Herts.On behalf of the Board of DirectorsM. K. Taylor (Secretary)GOOD HEALTH ASSOCIATION LtdNotice is hereby given that the hundredth Annual GeneralMeeting of the Good Health Association Limited will beheld on Thursday 19 June 2003 at 2.25pm in the BoardRoom of the British Union Conference of Seventh-dayAdventists, Stanborough Park, Watford, Herts.On behalf of the Board of DirectorsG. M. Bell (Secretary)GOOD HEALTH ASSOCIATION (SCOTLAND) LtdNotice is hereby given that the thirty-sixth Annual GeneralMeeting of the Good Health Association (Scotland)Limited will be held on Thursday 19 June 2003 at 2.35pmin the Board Room of the British Union Conference ofSeventh-day Adventists, Stanborough Park, Watford,Herts.On behalf of the Board of DirectorsG. M. Bell (Secretary)ADRA-UKNotice is hereby given that the fifth Annual GeneralMeeting of ADRA-UK will be held on Thursday 19 June2003 at 2.45pm in the Board Room of the British UnionConference of Seventh-day Adventists, Stanborough Park,Watford, Herts.On behalf of the Board of DirectorsR. Kamal (Secretary)HHES LtdNotice is hereby given that the twenty-seventh AnnualGeneral Meeting of the HHES Limited will be held onThursday 19 June 2003 at 2.55pm in the Board Room ofthe British Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists,Stanborough Park, Watford, Herts.On behalf of the Board of DirectorsP. Hammond (Secretary)THE STANBOROUGH PRESS LtdNotice is hereby given that the hundred and ninth AnnualGeneral Meeting of The Stanborough Press Limited willbe held on Thursday 19 June 2003 at 3.05pm in theBoard Room of the British Union Conference of SeventhdayAdventists, Stanborough Park, Watford, Herts.On behalf of the Board of DirectorsP. Hammond (Secretary)Volume 108/7 – 28 March 2003EDITOR: D. N. MARSHALLCOPY FOR No. 9 – 2 AprilCopy should be sent to the Editor, MESSENGER, TheStanborough Press Limited, Alma Park, Grantham,Lincolnshire, NG31 9SL. Tel: (01476) 591700.Fax No: (01476) 577144.Email: Editordnm@aol.comABC Sales line: (01476) 539900Mon-Thurs only, 7.30-6pm.The Editor may alter, clarify, précis or expandarticles sent to him if he thinks it necessary.Published fortnightly on Fridays by the British UnionConference of Seventh-day Adventists.Printed by Wayzgoose, Sleaford.Visit the BUC website at: www.adventist.org.ukISSN 0309-3654Sunset times are reproduced with permission fromdata supplied by the Science Research Council.Lond Card Nott Edin BelfMar 28 6.26 6.39 6.31 6.42 6.52Apr 4 7.38 7.50 7.44 7.56 8.0511 7.50 8.02 7.56 8.10 8.1918 8.02 8.14 8.09 8.25 8.32Cost to member supplied in bulk to churches £6.Single copy subscription by post £13.Overseas airmail £27.50