BUC News #586 (2 May 2008)

Transcription

1 BUC News #586 (2 May 2008) Newsletter of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland Contents: AGNES POULTON SCORES A CENTURY FAITH IN ACTION LEADS TO CHARTERED INSTITUTE AWARD FIRE, PUPPETS AND PRAISE AFFIRM CHRIST - IRISH MISSION YOUTH URGED 'MAD' DAY AT WELLINGBOROUGH WINNING CHILDREN SEC CHILDREN'S OUTREACH & MINISTRY TRAINING DAY PASTOR GEOFF DENNIS RETIRES NEW CHURCH GROUP STARTS IN CORBY THIS WEEK'S "IN CONVERSATION" AGNES POULTON SCORES A CENTURY [June Coombs] A Stanborough Park trio provide positive evidence to back up the recent BBC 'Horizon' broadcast, 'How to Live to be 101' which featured Seventh-day Adventists amongst other groups known for their longevity. The church currently has two members and a third honorary whose membership is still in Poland, who are part of our own current 100 Club with another hoping to join them in October. The latest recruit is Agnes Poulton who celebrated her 100 th birthday on Friday, 25 April. Agnes has been a member at Stanborough Park since 1975 when she moved to a flat near the church after the death of her mother. Before that she had been a regular member of Watford Town since joining the church at the age of 13. Now 'housebound' she has been a resident at The Fairway in South Oxhey for nearly 5 years where she celebrated her special day with a small tea party with some of the other residents, family members, friends and fellow church members. Born in Plumstead, South-east London, her father was a policeman working initially at the police station in Lee Green (near Lewisham) and then moved to Willesden Green where Agnes lived until she was 13. Unable to obtain Sabbath privileges after joining the church he found employment in the Granose Foods factory on Stanborough Park. They set up home in a church-owned wooden building originally constructed for soldiers in the First World War on part of the church-owned Kingswood Estate and farm where they remained until the estate was sold to developers following the construction of the London North Orbital Road through the farm which rendered it no longer viable. Leaving school at 14 she went to work on the Kingswood Farm, looking after the milk churns, until she was 16 when she joined her father at the Granose Foods factory, initially working packing food products. Later she moved to the despatch department where she eventually took charge of organising and despatching the factory's orders and liaising with carriers. During this time she spent 20 years working as a volunteer with the St John Ambulance helping out on the wards at the Watford hospitals. Agnes never married remaining in the family home. She left Granose after 40 years, taking early retirement to care for her elderly mother who had been injured in a road accident. After her mother's death in 1975 she moved to a flat in a tower block near Stanborough Park then five years ago into residential care in South Oxhey. Although still mobile and in good health, she is a bit unsteady on her feet now but is delighted with visits from church members and the few relatives who live locally. Requesting that no great fuss be made of her special day, staff at the home organised a tea party with fellow residents of the home and a few friends, relatives and church members. However, she thoroughly enjoyed her special day which saw a succession of visitors including a posse of five deaconesses who had visited her over the years, Pastor Don McFarlane, President of the British Union Conference, cards (including one from the Queen), presents and, finally, the tea party. Her special event also featured in a large article in the 'Watford Observer' published that morning. She is quite proud of her achievement and was determined to make her 100 th birthday. "I don't feel as if I am 100", she says.

2 "I can't believe it myself". However, she also found the event a day for reflection and commented how reassuring it is to be able to hold onto the Adventist view of death. One last and unexpected tribute came the following day during Divine Service when her former deaconess, Amanda Powell, took the Children's Story and told them all about Agnes, her life and the party and then asked the children to turn round and wish her a happy birthday and give her a wave to the cameras recording the service. A copy of the DVD will find its way to her shortly so that she can share the service with and witness to her fellow residents. FAITH IN ACTION LEADS TO CHARTERED INSTITUTE AWARD Pam Millington, neighbourhood contracts manager at Moat and an elder at Stratford Seventh-day Adventist church has won the Chartered Institute of Housing South East Excellence Award. The award honours excellence for the work that individuals in housing make to their field and the impact of their contribution to the lives of local people. Pam was presented with the award at a gala awards ceremony in Brighton as part of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) South East regional conference. "My role can be a very dangerous one from shutting down crack houses with the Police to going into some seriously nasty homes where you wipe your feet on the way out!" Pam states. However, her belief system gives her an advantage. "My faith is extremely important in my job and I know that the Lord has protected me whilst carrying out early morning raids and visiting people in their homes." Moat is a charitable housing association based in the South East of England. Pam was appointed as the neighbourhood contracts manager for Moat at Stanhope in January 2007 to take overall responsibility for the housing management contract in the area, to work with other stakeholders to contribute to the overall quality of life and develop sustainable community safety and cohesion for the neighbourhood. Working at the neighbourhood office based on the Stanhope estate, Ashford, Kent, she has overall responsibility for 11 staff who perform the customer services, housing management and community development functions. She said: "It is indeed wonderful to have been recognised in this way and in the past also. I have a real burning passion to help people out of their situation. I do not hesitate to go in where other people may be scared to go and my God works a miracle every time! I work with gang members who are on crack and those who are persistent young offenders - as young as 10. I really enjoy what I do and I want to publicly thank my team for all of their fantastic efforts." Pam's work and church life seem tied together. Providing workshops at church youth events and conferences she knows firsthand the kind of pressures that church teens come under with peers and with what is happening around them. She works with them, discussing the alternatives and positive ways forward. She can often be seen lecturing at events like the South England Conference Youth Leadership Convention. "This helps to strengthen my faith as I see God in action in these lives and I also realise and appreciate how He is blessing me in abundance everyday with my family, friends and church family," she says. For Pam the award is just recognition for something she really enjoys doing. "I love my job and it really helps me to 'keep real' in a world where we see young people dying for frivolous reasons and the increasing gang culture and anti-social behaviour." FIRE, PUPPETS AND PRAISE [BUC News/Geert Tap/Kirsten Oster-Lundqvist] In a busy weekend at Newbold Church Centre their FOCUS teen church moved worship to a bonfire to share the story of Moses with unchurched teens, the puppet ministry performed for those with learning difficulties at South Hill Park Arts Centre in Bracknell, and church musicians joined together in concert to raise 2,136 for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency, ADRA-UK. The monthly FOCUS church is normally run in Newbold School hall and attracts a large number of teens, almost half of them school friends of teens in the church. The last few months they have been working through the great men and women of faith in Hebrews chapter 11. To bring the Moses story to life they chose to hold the Friday, 25 April service around a bonfire on

3 Newbold Farm. Hot chocolate, marshmallows and baked potatoes added to the social atmosphere that is vital to these services. Music, games and a skit are also important. Recently baptised Nick Barclay made his debut as a skit writer with a conversation between God and Moses at the burning bush. Victor Hulbert, father of Newbold Youth leader, Steven Hulbert, then shared the principles of what made Moses a man of faith focusing particularly on Moses pleading with God to forgive what he called "his stiff-necked people" (Exodus 34:9). On Sunday afternoon teens, children and young adults, all part of the Newbold 'Alive!' puppet team put their skills into practice witnessing through music and skits at Bracknell's South Hill Park Arts Centre. Newbold church member, Mirna Zestic invited 'Alive!' to be part of "Shake, Rattle & Roll", a special programme organised by volunteers and South Hill P ark staff for people with learning disabilities. For thirty minutes 'Alive!', under the leadership of Geoff and Rebekah Muckle, shared lively songs and even more lively puppets, with a programme which got most of the audience out of their seats. They really enjoyed "I will follow Him" and even after it was all over the visitors were invited to come and meet the puppets and their 'masters'. "Boy, did they love it!," states Geert Tap, whose daughter is one of the performers. "Everyone wanted to have a puppet and even some got really into it as the music started once again. 'Alive!' really came alive this Sunday afternoon." The previous evening Newbold Church concluded this year's ADRA Annual Appeal with a Fund-raising Concert. Newbold College Choir opened the concert, and was followed by a variety of outstanding vocalists and musicians. The repertoire moved from Opera, Piano, and String Quartet to Irish and French folksongs, and included previous Berkshire Young Musician of the Year, Philip Dimitrovsky as well as several young performers. Newbold School pupils brought smiles and laughter to the congregation with their high quality poem recitals. The evening was organised by Pastor Kirsten Oster-Lundqvist and featured ADRA-UK director Bert Smit, who presented the appeal. Newbold church was filled with members and visitors and the evening saw 2,136 raised, adding to the almost 400,000 currently deposited in the ADRA-UK account from this year's appeal. For more on Newbold Church Centre visit their website, < For more on the Teen FOCUS church visit < A small selection of pictures from the weekend are available in the BUC picture gallery, < AFFIRM CHRIST - IRISH MISSION YOUTH URGED [Willie Tafadzwa Chinyamurindi] Anticipation was high for the Irish Mission Youth Day of Fellowship, held in Clondalkin, Dublin on Sabbath, 19 April. Dublin weather disappointed but young people in the Irish Mission are resolute and came in droves from as far as Belfast and Galway to grace the event. This day of fellowship could not have come at a more appropriate time, especially with the insurmountable challenges young people are facing in their communities with problems ranging from drug and alcohol abuse, teenage delinquency and pregnancies and a sudden shying away from religion. Challenging times call for a unique response that will stop young people from being swept away by this tide. Thus the theme for the day: to "AFFIRM Christ" Pastor Colin Stewart, South England Conference Youth Ministries director, challenged the young people to become the catalyst for change in their communities, not by efforts of their own, but to first affirm Jesus Christ as the solution to the problems and challenges of this sin laden world. Colin cemented the ground work which had been prepared all week long as young people in a number of the churches through Ireland had been conducting Week of Prayer revivals. This included the Dublin church where the youth committee had organised revival meetings on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "It is encouraging to see young people going through the word and engaging in prayer, two tenets that are important in the Christian walk," remarked one young man. The message by Colin Stewart then urged young people to AFFIRM Christ in all they do. Colin reminded young people of the verse in John 14:6 where Christ makes some bold claims, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." "Young people are looking for ways and paths out of the many problems they face," he said. "Young people yearn for truth in a polarised world young people are looking for life, not just any life but eternal life." He challenged the youth to commitment. "By affirming Christ we become ambassadors for Him and we become excited for Jesus," he stated.

4 Irish Mission President, Pastor David Neal and Youth Sponsor, Pastor Adam Keough joined in the day, bringing justice to the word "fellowship" as a potluck lunch was served coupled with a Bible quiz and praise and worship. Colin then rapped up the day by giving the charge that young people should not be afraid to be change agents in their communities. Above all they should not forget to AFFIRM Christ in all they do. This then becomes the number one priority for victorious Christian living. 'MAD' DAY AT WELLINGBOROUGH [Audrey Balderstone, President, ASI-UK & ASI Europe] "Are you 'MAD?'" was the intriguing theme for the ASI-UK Day of Fellowship held at the Wellingborough church Sabbath, 26 April. Business and Professional members of the Association were inspired and challenged as in his sermon, Brian Davison, Vice President of ASI-UK, denounced apathy and told his listeners that if they wanted to 'walk on water' then they had to get out of the boat! Andrew Millsop, in the afternoon meeting, interviewed 'MAD' people who had indeed 'got out of the boat.' By volunteering to 'Make a Difference' Beth Romeo started and supports a school in Kenya; young and attractive Becky Millsop spends Saturday evenings, not in having fun with her friends, but in helping keep our streets safe by working as a Special Constable and David Balderstone's 'hobby' is giving all of his spare time to ADRA. None of them felt that they sacrificed anything by volunteering to help others. On the contrary their lives are enriched by 'Making a Difference.' ASI-UK offers free membership to students in full-time study at college or university and a number of these students enriched the Sabbath worship by their participation. Superbly organised by Charles Bramble, the Day of Fellowship was a great blessing to all who attended. The Wellingborough members opened their church and their hearts to their visitors, making them welcome and providing excellent food in abundance. ASI-UK is a chapter of ASI-Europe and in June (18-21) they will join with other chapters at a Convention in Romania. Jose Rojas lively, energetic and inspiring will be the special speaker and there will be thrilling testimonies of how ASI members live out their motto of 'Sharing Christ in the Market Place.' Details of the Convention are available on the websites: < and < Why don't you join us? It could make you 'MAD!' WINNING CHILDREN SEC CHILDREN'S OUTREACH & MINISTRY TRAINING DAY [Karen Holford, SEC Associate Children's Ministries Director] "Sit on a table facing a blank wall while listening to a sermon in Chinese for an hour and a half, once a week," the 30 participants at the 'Winning Children' workshop on Sunday, 27 April were told. This is what church can be like for many children for the first ten years of their life. Stanborough Park church was the venue to explore creative approaches for reaching out to children in the communities around their churches, and to discover fresh ways to evangelise and win the children who already attend our churches each Sabbath morning. The day began by using dozens of black and white postcards of children to help the group explore different aspects of most children's experience of church today, and then what God wants them to experience as an active part of a spirit-filled community. Several groups who are actively involved in children's outreach projects shared some of their experiences and prayer requests. Learning about messy church, creative ways to encourage children to pray, creative storytelling, using parachutes and flags in worship, child protection, how children learn, how to access community funding for children's events, ways to involve children in a church service, and how to run small groups where children can explore the Bible and develop their faith in a loving God all made for a very active day. People left the Stanborough Centre at 5.00 pm buzzing with ideas to enrich their ministry, and comments such as "This should be a regular event, for it is very important... I wish that as leaders/teachers in Children's Ministries, we get more help with support so that we can help children know Jesus. They are not only the future church; children are also the church of today... If we don't value the children today, they won't be here tomorrow... We need to do all we can to include the children in our church services and ministries, and help them to discover and use their spiritual gifts." The day was coordinated by Karen Holford, Associate Children's Ministries director at the South England Conference, together with Heather Haworth, Pastor Aris Vontzalidis, Ian and Romolà Lorek, Rosemary Lethbridge, Heather Hanna, and

5 Linda Green. The next Children's Ministries training day will be at the Advent Centre on Sunday, 11 May, where people will have an opportunity to attend creative seminars, experiment with crafts, discover how to encourage children to interact in class, make visual aids, and have an opportunity to purchase resources and network together. If you would like to attend this day, please contact Anna McLarty PASTOR GEOFF DENNIS RETIRES [John Surridge, Welsh Mission President] At the end of April Pastor Geoff Dennis retired after 31 years of service to the church. His first years of ministry were spent in the South England Conference where he worked in an evangelistic team with Pastor David Currie. Very long hours and virtually no holidays didn't discourage him, and to this day Geoff remains an evangelist at heart. Geoff first came to the Welsh Mission in 1988 and it was here that he spent the larger part of his ministry. His final posting was in the North Wales district where he cared for the Rhyl church as well as the Llandudno Junction, Bangor and Wrexham groups. On Sabbath 19 April Geoff and his wife Nancy arrived in Wrexham to take the service, but they were surprised to find that Pastor Clyde Moore and Mission President Pastor John Surridge were also there. Other members, as well as Karen, the manager of the hall where the group meets, also turned up to pay tribute to Geoff and Nancy and to wish them well. Revealing something of a hidden talent, Clyde sang an appropriate solo, "Where do I go From Here", and Geoff preached an evangelistic sermon based on the story of Peter healing the crippled beggar at the Gate Beautiful, recorded in Acts 3. Members commented that although it was his last sermon as their official pastor he had been "on fire" for the Lord! The following day Geoff and Nancy were invited to the Welsh Mission Executive Committee in Shrewsbury. Here, formally during the meeting, then informally over a restaurant lunch, BUC President Pastor Don McFarlane, and Welsh Mission Secretary-Treasurer Victor Pilmoor paid warm tribute to the work Geoff and Nancy had done over the years. The Welsh Mission pastoral team will not be the same without Geoff but we are glad that Geoff and Nancy plan to remain in North Wales for their retirement. We wish them all God's blessings in this new phase of their lives. NEW CHURCH GROUP STARTS IN CORBY Pastor Adrian Broome reports the good news that a new church group will start worshipping in Corby, next Sabbath, 10 May starting at am. Visitors and members are welcome at the West Glebe Sports Pavilion, Cottingham Road, NN17 1SZ. For further information call Pastor Broome on THIS WEEK'S "IN CONVERSATION" Well-known in the UK from his preaching and leadership seminars, Freddy Russell, senior pastor of Miracle Temple church in Baltimore, USA, brings his wit and prayer focus to the programme. While telling his life story he also emphasises that success is very much due to the power of prayer. Learn his story on "In Conversation" on the Hope Channel at the times listed below or view on demand at < Friday 2 May: 4:30 am and 8:00 pm: Miriam Wood Sabbath 3 May: 12:30 am and 3:00 pm: Miriam Wood Monday 5 May: 3:00 am and 7:00 pm: Freddy Russell Wednesday 7 May: 8:30 am: Freddy Russell Friday 9 May: 4:30 am and 8:00 pm: Freddy Russell Sabbath 10 May: 12:30 am and 3:00 pm: Freddy Russell "In Conversation" is an interview programme produced by the BUC's Media Centre and broadcast on Hope Channel Europe. Each week a different story will challenge your faith and thinking, giving you insights into how God changes lives and works with people.

6 Hope Channel Europe is available on satellite and online. North American and International versions of Hope Channel are only available on the internet here in Europe. To find out more and to watch Hope Channel online please visit: < BUC News is a weekly news bulletin produced by the British Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and edited by the Communication Department. Victor Hulbert, director; Mary Kapon, secretary. Items for inclusion should be sent to <bucnews@adventist.org.uk> and need to be received by 6.00 pm on Wednesday, preferably as simple text. All unattributed stories written by the editorial team. Coming Events and Small Ads should be kept short and preferably be submitted via the on-line form at: < The editor reserves the right to modify articles received to make them suitable for inclusion. The views expressed by individuals cited in this bulletin do not necessarily reflect the views of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, though we try to ensure that they do. You are free to re-print any portion of this bulletin without the need for special permission. However, we kindly request that you identify BUC News or other sources whenever you publish these materials. Back issues and an RSS feed including photographs are available on our website at < You can manually unsubscribe from this mailing list by clicking on reply and including the word 'unsubscribe' in the subject line. You can subscribe to ANN (Adventist News Network), the news bulletin of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, on the GC website at: < You can subscribe to TED News, the news bulletin of the Trans-European Division, by sending your name and address to: <tednews@ted-adventist.org>. The British Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church accepts no liability to any party for any error, omission or mis-statement by any contributor in any material published in this newsletter.