ANN Bulletin - December 18, 2007 - unOFFICIAL ADVENTIST FORUM

Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do.
And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with
– even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department.
Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. Romans 14.1: The Message

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#148236 - 12/19/07 08:46 AM ANN Bulletin - December 18, 2007
magilly46 Registered: 10/29/02 Posts: 140 Loc: BC	Seventh-day Adventist Church Worldheadquarters December 18, 2007 To our readers and contributors: There will be no ANN bulletin for the next two weeks. The bulletin will resume its regular schedule -- Tuesdays at noon U.S. Eastern time -- on January 8, 2008. Thank you for sharing your stories, as well as your hopes for the Adventist Church and the challenges members in your region face. We appreciate your commitment to sending us news from your part of the world. ANN wishes you a Merry Christmas and happy 2008. In This Issue: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- World church president says Christ is 'true hope' of the holidays December 17 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States Paulsen speaks of reconciliation, looking outward Brazil: New record for nationwide Christmas food collection initiative December 18 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Nearly one-third more donated food than expected; church president Paulsen thanks volunteers, celebrities in televised celebration Live communion service to link Adventists across North America December 18 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States Members end the year on a spiritual, united note Azerbaijan: Adventist congregation questioned, told to suspend church services December 14 Baku, Azerbaijan Pastor and church members fined College officials 'regret' confrontation with police on campus December 12 Huntsville, Alabama, United States Sixteen arrested at Oakwood; police, college plan internal investigations Loma Linda University president announces retirement December 13 Loma Linda, California, United States Behrens is institution's longest-serving president Adventists Hope to see Jesus in the New Year December 18 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States Members also hope to minister more, do more in the community Former church treasurer dies December 14 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States Jones was first African-American elected to treasury department Brazil: Church's media center director dies December 13 Brasília, Brazil Souza, 51, oversaw production since 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- World church president says Christ is 'true hope' of the holidays December 17, 2007 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States ... [ Taashi Rowe/ANN ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the Seventh-day Adventist world church, shares a holiday message of hope with church members. Paulsen says the hope that Jesus gives believers is life-changing, affecting "every part of us -- our priorities, our choices, our relationships." [ANN file photo] With a strong focus on the hope that inherently comes from a relationship with God, Pastor Jan Paulsen, president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, recorded greetings for the season for the nearly 16 million church members worldwide. Acknowledging the past year's "fires, storms, earthquakes, and accidents," Paulsen reminded members that "true hope is anchored in something solid and secure -- in the sureness of Christ's victory over death, and in His pledge to return and 'make all things new.'" Paulsen, during his message "The Power & Healing of Hope," prayed that everyone would "experience the peace, love, and hope of our Lord, Jesus Christ." He also specifically prayed for hope in some of the world's most conflict-prone areas, such as "the people of the Darfur region in Sudan; those caught in the turmoil and violence of Iraq and Afghanistan; the many millions of people in many parts of the world who live each day in fear and poverty, and who struggle for the basics of survival." Paulsen also spoke of the hope the Christmas season brings -- a time when many Christians celebrate Christ's birth and life. He said sharing this hope was part of the Christian's responsibility. The hope that Jesus gives each Christian is "a hope that always looks outward; and always looks through eyes of compassion," Paulsen said. "We are His agents of hope -- it's reflected in the choices we make and in the ways that we demonstrate the presence of God in our everyday lives." Paulsen concluded his message by noting "Some things are well left behind as we with hope go into a new year." He recommended that everyone "extend and seek forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing." The message will be broadcast on the church's Hope Channel starting December 22. For a schedule see http://www.hopetv.org. Listen Now (mp3) Watch Now (windows media medium quality) Watch Now (windows media high quality) Brazil: New record for nationwide Christmas food collection initiative December 18, 2007 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ... [ Rajmund Dabrowski/ANN ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Geraldo Alkmin, presidential candidate and former governor of Rio de Janeiro, and his wife, Lu, commend Adventist Church member Sergio Azevedo who created Christmas Mutirão 14 years ago. The program raised 3,200 tons of food this year for local food banks to help Brazilians in need. [photos by Rajmund Dabrowski] National Brazilian celebrities participated in the Adventist Church's initiative to raise donations for food. A children's choir from members of the Rio Youth Choir and Rocinha Favela district perform for the December 15 celebration broadcast internationally on the church's Hope Channel. Williams Costa Jr., left, an associate communication director for the Adventist Church, translates for Adventist world church president, Jan Paulsen, at the Botafogo Adventist Church in Rio de Janeiro on December 15. Paulsen thanked volunteers and church members for their "compassion" and commitment to serving the community. A nationwide Christmas celebration brought tears of joy and shouts of excitement from volunteers and national celebrities during the December 15 culmination of a Seventh-day Adventist Church initiative to help those in need. "Tonight we did the unexpected and broke last year's record of collecting 2,500 tons of food for the needy. The result tonight is 3,200 tons," announced Sergio Azevedo, the creator of "Christmas Mutirão -- Sharing Hope," the 14-year old joint action of thousands of volunteers in local Adventist churches across Brazil. The event was broadcast from Rio de Janeiro's Botafogo Adventist Church to an international audience on the church's Hope Channel. The celebration of local community action across the country involved teams of volunteers in local congregations competing in three areas: writing and performing a brief Christmas pageant, choosing a service project in the local community and collecting food for local Adventist Development and Relief Agency's food banks. A jury comprising community leaders and household names from government, business and entertainment were on hand along with church leaders to serve as the event's judges. Among them was world president of the Adventist Church, Pastor Jan Paulsen. "What a wonderful achievement we are celebrating tonight," Paulsen said addressing the event. "What a testament to the power of working together, with a shared vision for making our community a better place." "Mutirão" is a Brazilian Portuguese expression used to describe a collective service project. "For us, the reward is seeing the smiles of these families and children when we give them the food," says Benivaldo Ramos, a team leader at the Botafogo Adventist Church. "For some families, it may be the only quality food they have all year. Our reward is giving them a Christmas without hunger." The jury recognized a community health project in t Babilonia and Chapeu Mangueira slums in Rio de Janeiro. The initiative has been tested and implemented within the last few months and involves promoting nutrition and seeking the improvement of quality of life. A presentation of the Rio Youth Choir joined by the children of the notorious and famed 20,000 Rocinha Favella in Rio de Janeiro, introduced a social responsibility project involving children reaching out to children. "These children changed the lives of our team," said one of the presenters. The presentations resonated with Paulsen when he commended the church. "Christianity without compassion is empty. ? Without compassion -- that deep, motivating compassion of our Lord -- our religion is nothing." "The most effective Christians are more familiar with the streets of their neighborhoods than with the pews of their church," he said. The celebration broadcast brought numerous declarations of support, pledges of donations and endorsements for the project. Azevedo, the program's creator, introduced each juror, inviting them to share how they had participated. Geraldo Alkmin, a former governor of São Paulo and presidential candidate in recent elections, was joined by his wife, Lu, and said the initiative of Seventh-day Adventists is an example of leadership responding to poverty in Brazil. Entrepreneur and philanthropist Milton Afonso also participated. A contingent of film and theatre stars was warmly welcomed by the audience, and included television actor and comedian Helga Nemeczk. She burst into tears during her testimony, which included an a cappella Christmas carol and an admission of having an Adventist heritage and being proud of "her" church making a stand for the poor. This year's Christmas Mutirão included church leaders from several South American countries, including Peru, Argentina and Ecuador. Church leaders from the former Soviet Union also participated. "We want to see how we could implement this vision in our churches there," said Guillermo E. Biaggi, treasurer of the church's Euro-Asia region headquartered in Moscow. President Paulsen said he wished the initiative would "gain a momentum and strength until it is touching lives in every part of the globe." Live communion service to link Adventists across North America December 18, 2007 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States ... [ NAD Communication/ANN Staff ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pastor Don Schneider, president of the Adventist Church in North America, will lead the first live televised communion service for the church. Seventh-day Adventists will unite in sharing the sacred act of communion through a live televised program that will transcend the boundaries of church buildings and join hundreds of thousands of church members across North America. Pastor Don Schneider, president of the Adventist Church in North America, will lead the December 28 service "From the Heart," to be broadcast on the church's Hope Channel. Church leaders say this is a first such communion service for the church. The service will be broadcast simultaneously across the U.S. and Canada beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern time (7 p.m. Central, 6 p.m. Mountain and 5 p.m. Pacific). The program will be repeated two hours later. It will also be carried live on the Hope Channel's Web site http://www.hopetv.org. In addition to tuning in at home, church leaders are encouraging church members to join other participants for the live service in local churches. For more information visit http://www.nadadventist.org. Azerbaijan: Adventist congregation questioned, told to suspend church services December 14, 2007 Baku, Azerbaijan ... [ Elizabeth Lechleitner/ANN ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Five Seventh-day Adventists and three visitors were allegedly questioned, fined and warned not to meet again after what the small congregation is calling a government "raid" on their meeting hall in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku Saturday. The church members said seven men in police uniforms and six wearing plainclothes interrupted Sabbath services mid-morning on December 8, initially demanding passports of those attending, they reported. The 13 officials searched the premises. They confiscated books and other religious materials and arrested the worshippers, accusing them of meeting without state registration. The incident follows a similar intrusion earlier this year. Norway-based Forum 18 News Service reported from Oslo December 10 that the officials attempted to force the members to sign statements denying their faith. They were held for 5 hours at the local police station, then fined and released. Rasim Bakhshiyev, the congregation's pastor, told Forum 18 the officers threatened imprisonment if the church members continued to meet. Upon release, Bakhshiyev was fined 16.50 manats (US$20) and the others members were fined 11 manats. The Adventist congregation meets in a privately owned building in Baku, which church leaders there said falls under the registration of the city's central Adventist Church. Registration is required in order to hold legal church services in Azerbaijan. Jonathan Gallagher, Adventist Church liaison to the United Nations, said securing individual registrations for church groups in Azerbaijan is a case-by-case process fraught with delays and denials. Other Protestant denominations in the country face similar challenges to religious liberty, he said. "Given all our attempts to develop a good relationship with the government of Azerbaijan," Gallagher said, "we are very disappointed they have chosen to treat our members in such a way." Victor Vitko, director of Public Affairs and Religious Liberty for the church's Euro-Asia region, is planning to meet with government representatives and religious leaders in Azerbaijan at the end of the month. Nearly 700 Adventists worship in the country of 8.5 million. College officials 'regret' confrontation with police on campus December 12, 2007 Huntsville, Alabama, United States ... [ Ansel Oliver/ANN ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Administrators of Seventh-day Adventist-owned Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, United States, say they "regret" a confrontation between students and city police on campus the evening of December 8. Police arrested 14 students and two other people after a crowd surrounded a police car and became hostile, Huntsville Police reported in a December 10 news release. The incident began when an off-duty officer arrested an 18-year-old woman for disorderly conduct after a basketball game and was driving her away in the patrol car. Officers attempted to restore order by directing the crowd to disperse, police spokesman Wendell Johnson said. "Some individuals refused, others tried to incite the crowd," he said. Two officers suffered minor injuries. "We deeply regret that this incident happened on our campus," said Michele Solomon, a spokeswoman for Oakwood College. "We are fully cooperating with the police investigation. We're also going through our own internal investigation of what happened," she said. During a December 11 press conference, college President Delbert Baker said of the alleged violence: "all such actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated or condoned at Oakwood College." Baker said no disciplinary measures will be taken against students until police complete their investigation. The 16 who were arrested have all been released. Baker and Police Chief Henry Reyes are in communication regarding the incident. Oakwood College is offering counseling services to anyone affected. Established in 1896 as Oakwood Industrial School, the college has 1,824 students and will change its name to Oakwood University in January. Loma Linda University president announces retirement December 13, 2007 Loma Linda, California, United States ... [ Loma Linda/ANN Staff ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Lyn Behrens, longtime Loma Linda University president who announced her retirement December 13, was the institution's first woman president and its longest-serving. Behrens's 17-year term was marked by an emphasis on wholistic health. [photo: courtesy Loma Linda] Longtime president of Seventh-day Adventist-owned Loma Linda University Dr. Lyn Behrens announced her retirement December 13 to board members of the Loma Linda, California-based Health Sciences Center. Behrens, who acted as Chief Executive Officer for the institution and presided over the Loma Linda Health Sciences Center, University, and University Medical Center since 1990, said she is planning a March 2008 retirement. "Dr. Behrens' 17-year term as president has been the longest for any president in [Loma Linda's] history," said Lowell Cooper, board chair and a vice president of the Adventist world church. Cooper described Behrens' leadership as "outstanding" and said her term was marked by an "unswerving" commitment to both the "spiritual dimension of healthcare" and the "denominational identity" of the university. During her term, Behrens oversaw a major reworking of the institution's administrative structure. Her leadership also led to university expansion -- including a health sciences university and four new medical centers -- and a number of international outreach efforts, such as developing and upgrading hospitals in China and Afghanistan. Loma Linda conducted the Adventist Health Studies during Behrens' term. Funded by the U.S. National Cancer Institute, the studies explored the relationship between lifestyle choices and longevity. "I believe [Loma Linda] is poised for unprecedented success in our work as educators of health professionals, scientists and scholars; in our ability to impact health care regionally, nationally and globally; and in our commitment to the mission and heritage of the organization," Behrens said after her announcement. Behrens began working at Loma Linda in 1966 as the institution's first and only pediatric resident. She was also the university's first woman to serve as president. The university board has appointed a search committee and expects to fill her position by late February. Adventists Hope to see Jesus in the New Year December 18, 2007 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States ... [ Taashi Rowe ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The beginning of a New Year is seldom without new hopes and dreams. For Seventh-day Adventists, 2008 is no different as they hope for the ordinary such as health, financial wellbeing and safety, but also for more passion to share and tell the world about Jesus. Rajmund Dabrowski/ANN Church and community are on the minds of many Seventh-day Adventist Church members looking forward to the New Year. When Adventist News Network asked what some church members hope for most in the New Year the theme of Advent was also common and not surprising for a movement built on the hope of Christ's soon return. Maike Stepanek, in Koyang City, Kyonggi-do, South Korea, reflects the hopes of church of more than 15 million members. She hopes that the "Lord can come so we can get out of here." Pastor Dan Pabone in Silver Spring, Maryland hopes that Jesus will "give us more faith to be patient and wait for Him and the patience to deal with those who do not understand the hope of His coming." While others also looked forward to Christ's coming, they hoped to spend more time in the New Year introducing Christ to those who do not know him. Alexander Douglas, a London-based musician said he hoped that "more and more people in the world will recognize that it really is pointless to have Christian morality without the Christian God." Ganoune Diop, also in Silver Spring, Maryland, says that in his position as director of the church's Global Mission Study Centers he hopes to help the "Church develop ways to get to know our neighbors from other world religions and philosophies and in a meaningful way share the ever lasting gospel." Others see the New Year as another opportunity to truly embrace God's calling for them to minister to others. "I will try my best not to turn down any invitations to preach in any churches or conduct a week of prayer for the school (which I rejected this year because I felt that I was not competent)," said Caroline Tobing in Bandung, Indonesia. While there is a deep love for the Adventist Church and its future, church members also recognize that the church faces challenges and hope for improvements. Stepanek hopes "our church [would] move away from the big numbers and see souls instead, we are called to be missionaries and witnesses, not accountants." Gina Wahlen in Silang, Cavite, Philippines wanted more unity in the church. "My hope for our world church in the coming year is that we will focus less on our differences and more on what draws us together as a worldwide community of believers who love Jesus," she said. Several church members also shared their passion for the community outside the church's doors. Joy Mliswa, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe hopes community starts in the church. "Most people are wondering if God is still in control with all that is happening [in the world]. I hope our church would reach out to the community and be able to show and tell them that God is still in control. I would like to see a more loving church, a church that is concerned about the welfare of others," she says. Despite the upbeat theme of these thoughts essential to the idea of hope, church members hopes are tempered in reality. Wahlen says, "I wish that in this coming year there would be an end to poverty, to hunger, to disasters and sorrow, but the more I see, the more I realize that while temporary relief may happen from time to time, the only permanent solution comes with eternity." Former church treasurer dies December 14, 2007 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States ... [ Paula L. Webber/ARM/ANN Staff ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Frank Jones served as a treasure at the Adventist Church world headquarters from 1977 to 1990. [photo: Bill Cleveland/OC] Frank L. Jones II, 81, a retired pastor and a former associate treasurer for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, died November 28, 2007, at his home in Huntsville, Alabama, following a brief illness. Jones served at the church's world headquarters from 1977 to 1990. He was the first African-American elected to serve in the treasury department. When the GC decided to move its headquarters from Takoma Park, Maryland, to its present site in Silver Spring, Jones was appointed to oversee the construction of the new building and the transfer of employees to the new facility. Jones had served as a pastor in the southern United States and after retirement acted as a consultant for the construction of new buildings at Oakwood College in Huntsville. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and three children. Brazil: Church's media center director dies December 13, 2007 Brasília, Brazil ... [ Márcia Ebinger/ASN/ANN ] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Milton Souza, director of the Adventist Media Center in Brazil, died December 13. Church leaders say with the death of the 51-year-old the Adventist Church loses "a great leader." [photo: Rajmund Dabrowski/ANN] High Resolution Members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in South America are mourning the December 13 death of Milton Souza, director of the Adventist Media Center in Brazil. Souza, 51, had been receiving treatments at the Hospital do Câncer in São Paolo, Brazil for intestinal and liver cancer since September. "The Church loses a great leader. We will miss him. And now, more than ever, it is time to spread the gospel and tell about Jesus' return to this Earth," said Erton Köhler, president of the Adventist Church in South America. Souza had been director of the Media Center since May 2002. Previously he served as manager of Novo Hamburgo New Time Radio, secretary of the Rio Grande do Sul Conference and director of the Cruzeiro do Sul Adventist Academy. Souza is survived by his wife, Miriam, and two daughters. Services will be held at 2 p.m. December 14 in Rolante, Rio Grande do Sul. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- news.adventist.org ANN World News Bulletin is a review of news and information issued by the Communication department from the Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters and released as part of the service of Adventist News Network. It is made available primarily to religious news editors. Our news includes dispatches from the church's international offices and the world headquarters. Reproduction Requirements: Reproduction of information in this article is encouraged. When reproducing this material, in full or in part, the words "Source: Adventist News Network" must appear under the headline or immediately following the article. The words "Source: Adventist News Network" must be given equal prominence to any other source that is also acknowledged. Ground 7 News Podcast: Ground 7 News is a review of news and information issued by the Communication Department from the Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters and released as part of the service of Adventist News Network. Reproduction of the ANN podcast is encouraged. When rebroadcasting this material, in full or in part, the words "Source: Adventist News Network" must be mentioned before and after the podcast. ANN Staff: Rajmund Dabrowski, director; Ansel Oliver, assistant director; Taashi Rowe, editorial coordinator; Elizabeth Lechleitner, editorial assistant; Natacha Moorooven, proofreader. Portuguese translation by Azenilto Brito, Spanish translation by Marcos Paseggi, Italian translation by Vincenzo Annunziata and Lina Ferrara and French translations by Stephanie Elofer.
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