BUC News #569 (28 December 2007)

Email Newsletter of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland
SPECIAL NEW YEAR EDITION

Contents:

NEW YEAR GREETINGS
THIS WEEK'S "IN CONVERSATION"
COMING EVENTS

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DON MCFARLANE. PRESIDENT, BRITISH UNION CONFERENCE.

It is encouraging to the soul to see the rapid growth in the British Union during 2007. From available statistics it appears that once again the membership of the Union will have grown by over 1000 during the course of a calendar year. Many new members also mean that many more churches are necessary. In order to accommodate the 'burgeoning' membership of the Union and penetrate new areas over 20 new congregations were started during the course of the year. The faithfulness of members in church attendance and in supporting the church financially has been another key feature in the life of the British Union in 2007. No doubt our faithful members have experienced in a variety of ways the bounteous blessings promised by God.

Not all news was good news during the course of the year. The regular shootings in our inner cities, the gradual decline of morals, the pursuit of activities that fail to satisfy and the general sense of hopelessness displayed by many combined to remind us that we live in a sick and broken society. Our society needs Jesus. As we face a new year the focus of our church ought to be on providing hope for those who think there is none. In fact, that is the work of the church. May I urge you to take some time wherever you find yourself each day to share with someone the difference Jesus has made in your life and the difference He could also make in theirs. For a full video report of the church in 2007 visit <www.hopetv.org.uk>

ERIC LOWE. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, BRITISH UNION CONFERENCE.

I am delighted to report that our membership has increased to 27,749 members as of 30 September 2007. This means that we are well on the way to hitting the 28,000 mark by the end of the year. It has been my delight to serve on behalf of each of these members over the last year and to see positive growth and nurture in each sector of the church. It has also been a busy year with one Conference and two Mission sessions. These have involved some constitutional changes to keep in line with the growing size of the church and best practice. We have also spent a lot of time ensuring that our pension provisions are well protected for our pensioners and employees. This includes us recently changing provider to Barnett Waddingham LLP. God has been good. We give Him praise for what has been done this year and look forward to his leading in 2008.

VICTOR PILMOOR. TREASURER. BRITISH UNION CONFERENCE.

"How hard it is, sometimes, to trust the evidence of one's senses! How reluctantly the mind consents to reality." Norman Douglas

Facing reality is the experiential theme of 2007. The first was to face the need for renewal in the Adventist Discovery Centre. Creating an environment that is both efficient and inspiring followed naturally from appointing new leadership.

In February, treasurers from around Europe met in Jerusalem to coordinate fiscal policy and stewardship. Whilst there, one cannot but face up to Gethsemane and Calvary, the Cross and the political realities that derive from being a faith community.

Reviewing our ADRA work in Sudan required that I face up to the reality of poverty and the aspirations of nations becoming. To recognize the dignity of people without the props of material advantage gives cause to reflect on the primacy of our spiritual being. The Annual Appeal raised more than £625,000.

Our service to retirees was revised. We had to face up to the reality of poor service, resulting from a company that valued corporate profit over concern for people. We appointed Pastor Martin Bell as Chaplain to address spiritual need. New requirements for 'Member Nominated Trustees', resulted in the election of 4 new trustees. Erica Hole, Charles Bramble and Louis Aguilar stood down as trustees having offered sterling service over ten years. We appointed new Actuarial advisors, and returned the payment service in house.

During 2006 we added value to our Roundelwood enterprise. In 2007 we had to face the cost of idealism being un-affordable. The scale of loss and paucity of response to our marketing efforts made the sale of the business inevitable. This has been a painful process for many. Not least those who have given their lives to the cause of health improvement.

In June I had the opportunity to attend a Faith and Science field tour in Spain. Visiting 25 sites in the Pyrenees was an exhilarating but humbling experience. When one faces the mountain, one has to acknowledge the Creator who asks more questions than we will ever have answers for. The evolutionary distraction fails to veil the mystery of the divine Creator we celebrate each Sabbath.

Facing up to diversity of peoples was the reality in the Missions. We established the South Wales African Adventist Fellowship, the Faiffley fellowship in Glasgow, and grappled with the needs of Romanian and Filipino's in Dublin among others.

We have had to face up to the cost of excellence in Education, not because we believe in Schools and Colleges, but because we believe in the development of mankind, restoring in each the image of their creator.

Finally, the love of Christ has inspired a generous response in his people for which we are thankful.


EDGERTON FRANCIS. PRESIDENT, NORTH ENGLAND CONFERNECE.

The year has flown by so swiftly and we are almost at its end. What have we done since the beginning of the year? And what of the coming year?

We have so much for which to give thanks to the Lord, as a Conference and in our personal affairs. As we set out, as a Conference, to carry out the mission of the Church we have seen many souls responding positively to the invitation of the gospel and accepting Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. Our members, working faithfully with, and sometimes without, their pastors, but with their pastors' blessings have run outreach programmes, raised up new congregations and in many other ways have made their contributions towards the accomplishment of the mission of the Church. We are grateful to both laity and ministry for what has been accomplished and we give thanks to God.

While we rejoice and give thanks for our accomplishments, we are mindful of those individuals for whom life's circumstances have been unfortunate: They have experienced failures, disappointment, ill health, bereavements; you name it. They find it hard to rejoice and give thanks. We must remember them and give a word of encouragement, as well as present them and their circumstances to the Lord, in prayer. They need our support.

But what of the future? We have learned lessons during 2007 which, I believe, will help us to make 2008 a better, more successful and productive year. Our vision for the future is to build a strong, spiritual, growing, progressive Church. A Church which is relevant, current and meeting needs, both in the church and in the wider community, as well as preparing a people for the coming of Jesus. In 2008 we will continue to work towards accomplishing our objectives and realising our vision.

As the year comes to its close, may you have and enjoy a peaceful and restful Christmas and may the New Year bring many blessings and successes to you and to the Church.


PASTOR SAM DAVIS. PRESIDENT, SOUTH ENGLAND CONFERENCE.

From the officers, departmental directors, and support staff of the south England Conference I wish to bring Christmas greetings and tidings of great joy. The new administration has been in position just over three months. God has blessed us with a great team and we have been energized to serve in the coming months and years ahead.

We serve a great and Mighty God who is in control at all times. A God who never slumbers nor sleeps. As we draw to the close of yet another year we give glory to God for his wonderful providence and leading. I thank God for more than 300 new souls that have been added to the family of God in the last quarter to October. For us, the essential message of Christmas is preached 365 days of the year. The Saviour has come!

The church family across the Conference continues to grow and we are becoming increasingly diverse. Christmas is a time of goodwill and cheer. Let us embrace and celebrate our diversity. May the visitors among us who are seeking refuge, welcome, acceptance and love find it among the family of God's people. The song says, "and they'll know we are Christians by our love."

It is our plan as we move into the New Year to continue with the call to "Tell Southern England". As we meet next year at our visioning meetings we will be rallying the troops to tell Southern England that the Family Matters, Youth are our Future, The News is Still Good, Health is for the Whole Person, etc.

It is our desire as we move forward under God that we will seek to raise the profile of Adventism in the community. May the Christ of Christmas bless you richly and grant to all good health, and every success and happiness for the coming New Year.


DAVID NEAL. PRESIDENT, IRISH MISSION

Edith McNaughten became a Seventh-day Adventist almost forty years ago and has worshipped in Dublin ever since. For over a decade she has served as the local church tithe treasurer. On any given Sabbath she arrives for church early - in her hand a large bunch of tithe envelopes enclosing receipts for distribution to worshippers. At one time the role was relatively easy - return the envelope to the worshipper whom she knew by name. In recent years it has become a more difficult task to identify the person returning the tithe. The name may be on envelope, but who is he? Who is she? New worshippers arrive in Dublin every week. Their membership may not immediately be within the Irish Mission, but their trust in God makes the return of tithe a necessary action. Irish Mission members and worshippers are faithful tithe givers. It is looks likely that by the end of 2007, the Irish Mission will experience a tithe increase of between 15-20% when compared with 2006. I would like to thank all who worship in our Mission for their continuing acts of faithfulness. For Edith Macnaughton it's likely that the challenge to match the receipt to the donor in 2008 will increase.

Anne Wheeler joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 2007. Baptised on 25 August at the Londonderry church, she originates from Enniskillen. She was introduced to the truth about God by Enniskillen member and former school friend Katherine Nesbitt. After leaving school the friends lost contact for a while as Katherine moved to London. But the Holy Spirit stirred in Anne and she wanted to know more about what it meant to be a Seventh-day Adventist. Having grown up in Christian home, the transition to becoming a Seventh-day Adventist has not at times been easy. But Katherine's friendship helped not only answer questions about faith, but real support as Anne's world changed. Today, Anne works as a teacher in County Wicklow. I have been inspired by how Anne has joined our community. I don't believe she would be a member today if it were not for Katherine Nesibt allowing the Holy Spirit to be a witness for Him. See the full story at the Irish Mission website - "Growing Together... Friend to Friend": <www.adventist.ie/video/video.html>.

One in every seven people in Ireland is "New Irish". The impact on the country over the last ten years has been phenomenal due to rapid economic growth. Jobs have been readily available with and the economy hot - some would say too hot. In 2008 economic growth is going to be significantly slower. What will this mean for our church in the Irish Mission? New worshippers currently arrive in the Irish Mission on a week by week at present. In Londonderry, Northern Ireland members have connected and welcomed new worshippers from Poland. The experience in Cork, Ireland's most southerly city, is similar and we are continuing to discover new worshippers in towns and cities week by week.. Will the new political dispensation in Northern Ireland continue in the positive way it is at present? How will changing economic and political times affect our members? We do not know, but one thing we can be assured of - our members and worshippers are faithful people and I thank God for them.


LLEW EDWARDS. PRESIDENT, SCOTTISH MISSION

Its been a good year - our local churches are alive, well and growing. We are experiencing baby booms and Pathfinder investitures in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Crieff plus well attended youth retreats, a camporee and youth days. The new Edinburgh Church was dedicated on 31 March and their choir subsequently invited to sing at the local parish church; a church planted in Faifley [NW Glasgow] with Britius Habwangabwanga taken on as a Bible Worker to help nurture this exciting venture; baptisms in all the churches - including 7 young people on the 07/07/07; a strong emphasis on prayer in all the churches; excellent annual Women's retreat; well attended International & Visitors days at Dundee, Glasgow and Crieff; evangelism emphasis like the Helping Hand programme at Dundee, small groups in Glasgow, DBS outreach in most churches and the Forgiveness Exhibition in Crieff. We look forward to the Spirit-led adventures of 2008 - Maranatha!


JOHN SURRIDGE. PRESIDENT, WELSH MISSION

2007 has been an exciting and challenging time here in the Welsh Mission. It has been my first full year as President of the Mission - as President of anything for that matter - but I'm pleased to say that with the help of the team of ministers and the support of the Sponsors, Lay Preachers and other members, we've made some good progress.

New things that we have tried include a church plant in Pontargothi, near Carmarthen, a new African Fellowship in Cardiff, and a new way of keeping in touch with our friends and members - by sending the Messenger directly to each of them by post. Thanks to a generous donor we've also set up a LIFEdevelopment centre in the Newport church.

Pastor Clyde Moore and his wife Anette have been particularly busy this year. On top of their usual involvement in Family and Children's Ministries - both in and beyond the Welsh Mission - they have recently moved from their former district of Cardiff and Barry to a new one taking in Shrewsbury, Telford and Wrexham. Earlier in the year Clyde conducted the largest baptism we have had in Wales for some twenty years and at a special service in August he was ordained to the gospel ministry.

Pastor George Asiamah is the latest addition to our workforce. Formerly a pastor and Youth director in the Central Ghana Conference, he will be leading out in the African Fellowship over the coming year.

A major challenge for 2008 is building a brand new church in Swansea. This project is being headed by Pastor Ed Sammons, who, in addition to caring for two churches is also the Mission Youth Sponsor. However he has assistance from an excellent building committee and also from Pastor Michael Taylor who, although officially retired, is volunteering his considerable expertise to the project.

To hear about God's leading and His miracles in the Welsh Mission as they happen during 2008, keep an eye on our website at: <www.adventistwales.org>.


DES BOLDEAU. YOUTH MINISTRIES.

Last year the BUC youth department in partnership with the TED and EUD conducted the first on-line value genesis survey. Although the responses were not great, we do have some indicators of trends among our young people within the territory. If you are interested, Please contact the department for more information.

We continued to make progress in partnership with the drug education organisation; Hope UK. Once again we facilitated the training of around 12 Adventists and we are set to run the programme again in 2008.

I guess that the big success for the youth department was the mission project to Kenya. During the summer 28 people travelled to Kajiado, south of Nairobi, to build a two-class-roomed facility for housing an IT computer lab and also to participate in building part of a dinning and kitchen hall for 135 orphaned girls.

Lately, we hosted a conference on Teenagers at the Staverton Park Hotel, in Daventry. It was designed to empower those parents, foster carers, pastors, youth workers and others who are interested in working with teenagers to become more effective.

Next year we will be hosting the BUC Pathfinder Camporee within the SEC's territory. We are expecting to have 1000 on the site. Pathfinders continues to be the flagship of youth ministry and long may it continue. For more details see: <ww.bucpathfindercamporee.org.uk>.

We are also planning to host a 'Core of Adventism' for our young people. The value genesis survey confirmed what some already knew; that our youth do not know the fundamentals of Adventism as we would like them to. We need to do our part in ensuring that the up and coming generations know about their identity as Adventist Christian. This event will be in December and both the youth and Personal Ministries departments will be working partnering on this.

Finally, we are planning to develop in partnership with Newbold College and Valerie Bernard and the Health ministries department of the BUC an approach to the spiritual sociology of the black Caribbean youth against the background of the bi-centenary of the abolition of slave trade. This will take place in April-June.


EGLAN BROOKS. PERSONAL MINISTRIES, CHURCH GROWTH AND LIFEDEVELOPMENT

As 2007 begins to be another marker on the sands of time that draws us closer to the coming of our Lord, I thought it would be good to look at a few memorable events that stand out in my mind.

This years ADRA programme saw the Church raise its highest ever funds. Money that will be used to "Make a difference" in the lives of so many people in need. Some of us were also fortunate enough to go to the Festival of the Laity in the North American Division. The one single message that came to us was that all of us have a part to play in telling others about what Christ has done for us. I would like to put it another way: our experience is not complete until we know the joy of bringing someone to Christ. I will never forget this year's LIFEdevelopment training weekend in Slovenia which saw a multi-cultural group enthused with the idea of reaching people in a practical way.

We cannot close 2007 without remembering the work of Dr Richard De Lisser who gave the SEC and the Union 2 years of solid work as the Personal Ministries Director of the South England Conference. He will be greatly missed. We send our best wishes with him as he continues to be a par excellent Ambassador for the Lord. At the SEC session Terry Messenger then took up his new challenge of being the SEC Personal Ministries Director.

Next year will definitely be a marvellous time to be an Adventist. With the open mindset of people to hear the Gospel this furnishes us with an opportunity to proclaim the message fearlessly to a dying world. There are 3 key things that we will seek to do next year.

Firstly: I would like to encourage every member to get involved in witnessing and bringing at least one person to the Lord. Every Christian believer is called to ministry and in baptism is ordained to ministry. Ephesians 4:11-12 tells us we should view our work for the church as a ministry to which God has called you; it is His will operating in your life.

Secondly: the department has planned a number of essential workshops and seminar events. I am asking that you plan to publicise and attend these events. They include: The Interest Co-ordinators workshop NEC: 27 April 2008; SEC: 9 March 2008; The Core of Adventism, SEC: 10 - 17 May 2008, LIFEdevelopment training weekend; 6 - 9 November 2008 and the The Lay Bible Workers Retreat: 21 - 23 November 2008

Thirdly: next year will see the BUC develop the concept of LIFEdevelopment putting in place more centres and some much needed coaches to help develop our members. It is going to be an awesome year and I look forward to working with you all.

I want to thank you for your support to the departments on behalf of the Personal Ministries, Church Growth and LIFEdevelopment departments.

Let me wish you all a happy and prosperous 2008. May all of your dreams be fulfilled to the Glory and Honour of God. "And this Gospel shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations, and then shall the end come." Matthew 24:14


KIETH DAVIDSON. EDUCATION DIRECTOR

On behalf of all the children and staff at our schools across the UK and Ireland I would like to thank you for the support and prayers that you have given. Education is vital as we prepare children for life, and more importantly, for a future life of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. May God richly bless you in the year to come.


CURTIS MURPHY - PUBLISHING DIRECTOR

In Chapter 24 of Matthew's gospel, Jesus shared with His disciples for all posterity clear indicators of the challenges that the Christian would face as the end of this world approaches. But He made one very simple but specific promise in verse 14 "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come". We are making some progress. Yet even though we might think that cyber-space, Satellite broadcasting, public evangelism and the like is working, there is still the need for real Christians meeting real people and sharing with them the very real certainty of a coming Saviour. And this is where the books and magazines, the CD's and Bible Study lessons etc., that our Publishing House produces comes into its own. But even though we have a plethora of material stored in our store-house, unless they are taken to the homes and families in our community they will lie dormant. Ellen White makes this observation "Sometimes you will find it trying to do this kind of work; but if you go forth in faith, the Lord will go before you, and will let His light shine upon your pathway. Entering the homes of your neighbours to sell or to give away our literature, and in humility to teach them the truth, you will be accompanied by the light of heaven, which will abide in these homes. {PM 312.2}

Over the past year we have recruited over 30 new Literature Evangelists, and we are grateful to God for the increase. I am glad that they have accepted the challenge. I ask that every Church Member be willing to share with our Literature Evangelists the names and contact details of their friends, neighbours and family who need to hear a word from the Lord thorough our Literature. Thank you for your support in 2007. Please be a part of our team in the New Year by continuing to pray for this work, and I wish you God's richest blessings as you serve Him in 2008.


ALAN HODGES. MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION

Two-thousand and seven has been a busy year for the Ministerial Association. We have produced a new Pastor's Handbook, which replaced the former that was out of print and had first been printed over fifty years ago. In April we organised three Elder's Workshops, which were conducted at Camp Hill, Brixton and Newbold churches. Pastor James Cress, Ministerial Secretary from the General Conference and a host of other speakers participated in this event. In the week following, many of our pastors attended a Preaching Congress in Cambridge, which proved a real blessing to all. In September the pastors from the British Union attended a Division-wide Ministerial Council, held at Debron in the Netherlands. This also proved to be an inspiring event that encouraged and uplifted our pastors and enabled them to fellowship with colleagues from across Europe.

The Association has continued through the year to provide Seventh-day Adventist pastors and clergy from other denominations with "Ministry" magazine. Church elders receive the Elder's Digest from the Ministerial Association, and the association provides resources to our pastors on a regular basis.

Plans for 2008 are well underway, with our Union Ministerial Council taking place in February. Further Elder's workshops are planned and the monitoring of new pastors during their internship continues with improvements, which we hope will not only be of benefit to our interns, but also to the church in general.


VICTOR HULBERT. COMMUNICATION DIRECTOR

What a privilege to have been able to serve the church community for the last year. Running workshops and covering events across the UK and Ireland has helped me develop a strong respect for the work you are doing. It has also been exciting inviting people into the studio to record "In Conversation". There are so many interesting people within our church with such life-changing stories. I look forward to recording more in 2008.

The development of our web services has also been encouraging. BUC News on the web now reaches over 27,000 people each month with the website as a whole receiving around 90,000 unique visits. The picture gallery has been very popular and our new site, <www.hopetv.org.uk> has also had an encouraging start. Members have particularly been appreciative of the ability to view and download an increasing range of content including programmes specially commissioned for the web such as "The Adventist church in 2007", the "F-Word" and "Let's Talk Wales."

Thank you for sending us your church news and photos and also for your very many encouraging comments and emails regarding the work of the communication department. May 2008 be a positive and encouraging year for you.


HEATHER HAWORTH. CHILDREN, FAMILY AND WOMEN'S MINISTRIES DIRECTOR.

Children's ministries

KID, kids in discipleship, is the most important ministry we have for our children and parents. In September at the SEC session discussion time those in the children's ministries group shared areas of concern they felt we need to address urgently. KID ministry answered all of them-encouraging all the church to recognise children are NOW a part of the church, mentoring for parents, spiritual support for families, bringing children to Jesus, teaching them the Bible truths, and showing how the family can share their faith. Due to the success of the training in May 2006, training will take place March 6-9 in 2008 at the KID university which is held at the Stanborough church centre in Watford.

Family ministries

In November, so officers are prepared for serving the church on 1 January 2008, we ran part 2 of the BUC family ministries training certification course which can be completed over 2 residential weekends. The Family ministries manual for church leaders "Caring for all Gods Family" will be ready for 2008. It includes how to lead out in the local church, community outreach ideas, a one year programme calendar, an index of resources-seminars, books and leaflets that cover pre-marriage and marriage, parenting and grand parenting, being a single, building family faith and meeting life's family challenges. The Family ministries training course will offered next December at a joint weekend with children's ministries.

Women's ministries

<www.letsconnect.org.uk> is the department's new magazine-style website. It is designed to be a way of reconnecting with those no longer, or on the edge, of the church. To compliment this site an advertising card and leaflet "Are you missing someone from church" will be sent out to the churches in January 2008.

Training across the BUC, retreats, the re-election of some mission sponsors and the election in September of Malika Bediako as the SEC part time director meant there was something going on throughout the year where the BUC director was supporting or leading out. The SEC one day conferences were run to meet the needs not only of women but the teens and men too enjoyed the services and sometimes had their own workshops.

The conference/mission sponsors and conference director met in November for their annual envisioning day where they received new resources, reflected on their events effectiveness, prayed and planned for the future. This included the 2008, March 28-30, joint retreat with the Netherlands Union where H-D Small, Raquel Arrais from the General conference will be the keynote speakers.


SHARON PLATT-MCDONALD. HEALTH MINISTRIES.

Praise God for an exciting and productive year! 22 January 2007 saw my commencement at the BUC working full-time having just left my job as a senior manager in the NHS. Eleven months on I am still enjoying the transition. I am grateful to all of you who have prayed for and given me such encouragement along the way. Thanks also to the wonderful BUC staff for embracing and nurturing me.

The health ministries department registers its thanks to God for blessing the new initiatives this year. With the implementation of the MicroCHIP program we have seen 176 individuals attend this lifestyle change program with many positive testimonies of improved health and wellbeing. As we extend this program across the British Isle in 2008, we hope to replicate the demonstrable health improvements so others too can experience holistic living.

The development of the Special Needs role and the expanding numbers of Special Needs Coordinators has been encouraging as we seek to offer training and raise awareness to embrace the needs of our diverse community and serve with the compassion of Christ.

The acknowledgement within the UK Media in regards to Adventist health lifestyle enhancing longevity, has helped to further highlight and endorse the health message we hold dear. Our forthcoming programs will seek to build on raising the profile of our church through health evangelism.

As we enjoy this celebratory season, may we be true reflectors of Christ disseminating His love and grace to others. My prayer for 2008 is that we will experience the ministry of healing in all aspects of our lives and a deeper walk with Christ."

Good health!


DES RAFFERTY. PRINCIPAL, ADVENTIST DISCOVERY CENTRE

The work of the Adventist Discovery Centre has gathered pace throughout the year thanks to the many thousands of cards distributed, the many hours of service donated by members and the countless of hours of prayer petitions. This has resulted in the windows of heaven opening and many blessings being poured out on the centre. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the wonderful support given to the ADC this year.

Nearly half a million cards have been ordered and paid for by our churches over the year. An additional one million take Jesus cards were made available by GranoVita our partners in evangelism of which over 800,000 have been dispatched to our churches and individual members for distribution. This means that just under 1.3 million cards have left the ADC and have started to have an impact on communities up and down the country. In return the centre has received to date over nine thousand applications for courses and have been blessed with nearly two thousand new students who are actively pursuing a journey of discovery. These numbers will grow in the New Year as more cards and applications filter through.

Through the course of the year we have received many kind donations from institutions and church members who have given their all to God. This has enabled the ADC to extend its outreach. I would like to thank you all for choosing to invest in God's work. The assurance that heaven gives is that the rewards are going to be out of this world.

Earlier in the year essential renovations were undertaken and completed in the ADC office and we thank God for the improved efficiency this brings to the work and outreach of the ADC. Also many church members have pledged to join the ADC in a mid-day prayer session. We have lifted many hundreds of student prayer requests to our heavenly Father and we have grown in faith and confidence as we see and hear of the wonderful answers He gives to all of our human challenges.

We face the challenges of having a small complement of staff but I would like to thank God for the dedication, skills and efficiency of each staff member. We pledge ourselves in service to reach as many as possible in the limited time that remains.

The New Year stands before us like an impossible task. However I look forward to the challenges but most of all to the solutions that God has in store for us. I am reminded that "We have nothing to fear for the future lest we forget the Lord's leading in the past"

I wish you all a peaceful and happy advent season and may the New Year herald new vision, new energy and new successes for God's eternal kingdom.


BERT SMIT. DIRECTOR, ADRA-UK

This year ADRA-UK completed three DFID funded projects in Peru and South Sudan with good results. Replacing these are three new EC co-funded projects in Somalia, Burma and Zambia. ADRA-UK is continuing to increase its portfolio of development work, for instance by focusing on water projects in the Sahel region of West Africa. In addition, whenever a disaster strikes, ADRA is present to help.

We can only do this work thanks to the hard work of our supporters in raising the funds needed. From sponsored walks to charity concerts to the Annual Appeal, the total raised has again increased over 2006.

Our hope it that during 2008 we can continue to 'give opportunities'. Driven by the gospel message, ADRA wants to help where we can so that some of the nearly 1 billion people on this planet that live in extreme poverty will be able to improve their lives. Together, we can!


THIS WEEK'S "IN CONVERSATION"

Following the success of the London Adventist Chorale and AVE, Director Ken Burton is the guest on the Hope Channel programme, "In Conversation", this coming week.

Friday 28 December: 4:30 am and 8:00 pm: Chris Rogers
Sabbath 29 December: 12:30 and 3:00 pm: Chris Rogers
Monday 31 December: 3:00 am and 7:00 pm: Ken Burton
Wednesday 2 January: 8:30 am: Ken Burton
Friday 4 January: 4:30 am and 8:00 pm: Ken Burton
Sabbath 5 January: 12:30 and 3:00 pm: Ken Burton

"In Conversation" is an interview programme produced by the BUC's Media Centre and broadcast on Hope Channel Europe. 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: <www.hopetv.org.uk>.


COMING EVENTS

Due to the Christmas holiday break coming events for this week are only listed on the BUC website. Please check <www.adventist.org.uk> for full details.


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