TED News Bulletin
Trans-European Division of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church

09 July 2008


In this issue:
-------------------------
* Norway: Students See Sales Soaring
* Iraq: Women Celebrated in Iraq
* England: Awards Ceremony at Newbold College
* England: Newbold's New Principal Meets Staff
* Hungary: Getting and Keeping Fit
-------------------------

STUDENTS SEE SALES SOARING...[Mavis Le Tendre/www.canvasser.org/TED
News Staff/TED News]

Vik, Norway - The Adventist Publishing House in Norway (Norsk
Bokforlag A/S), realised a 20% increase in their sales in five weeks,
an increase mainly credited to a group of fifty-five hardworking and
motivated students canvassing in Norway this summer.

Norway is one of the few countries in the Trans-European Division, in
which the Adventist Church has permission from their government to
invite students from abroad to canvass in their country. This year
Norway is hosting students from Adventist institutions and
universities from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria, Haiti, India, and
Ghana. Through their ministry these students are sharing the Gospel
of Jesus Christ while securing financial means to support their
studies and take care of their families. Some of the students are
even financing projects to benefit their local communities at home.

This year's theme is 'Take the Risk', based on Dr Ben Carson's book.
Despite the socio-cultural differences and language barriers, for a
period of three months the students are out there knocking on
people's doors.

Lameck from Kenya admits that canvassing is not an easy job, however
he puts his trust in God, that He will bring each faithful worker
through trials, to become more Christ-like.

Obioma Dike from Nigeria, faces challenges with courage and optimism.
He appreciates the saying: 'Champions are not those who never fall,
but are those who never quit'.

The student programme of the Norwegian Publishing House was founded
41 years ago with the purpose of supporting students from developing
countries. During those years, hundreds of students have reached
their goals, and today, many of them have leadership positions in
their respective countries.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.canvasser.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1


WOMEN CELEBRATED IN IRAQ...[B. Nahab/A.M. Wollan/TED News Staff/TED
News]

Baghdad, Iraq - On 14 June the Women's Ministries (WM) Emphasis Day
was celebrated in Baghdad, as thirteen church members fellowshipped
together, enjoying the WM programme "Show Me the Saviour - Then I
Shall See".

In spite of the Adventist church in Baghdad being closed for the last
two years due to being severely damaged by bombs, church members are
still gathering for worship in homes every Sabbath.

"When we think back on how our church was filled to capacity before
the war in 2003, it saddens our hearts that we would end up being
just a small group meeting in private homes. We are praying for
strength and courage until the day when the situation will improve
and our many church members can return to their beloved church, to
their houses and their jobs", said Basima Nahab, Women's Ministries
Director in Iraq. And she adds: "Thank you for your many prayers. I
ask that you will continue to pray for the Church in Iraq...."

The President of the Middle East Union, Kjell Aune, says: "Many of
our members in Iraq have for safety reasons fled to western or
neighbouring countries. I have personally met them in different parts
of the world and know their dedication, their love for Iraq and the
church, and their longing [to return] back to their country. The
Iraqi church used to be vibrant, and we have good church facilities.
We pray for the day when people can return home, where we can meet in
our churches without security risks, and when daily life can go back
to normal without fear of bombs, snipers and kidnappings. I am
inspired by the fact that our sisters in Baghdad could celebrate and
focus on the Saviour in the midst of so many distractions. It reminds
us all of the importance of lifting our heads and look beyond our
problems. As I have done before, I will again urge the world family
of believers to carry their Iraqi sisters and brothers onwards on
wings of prayers."


AWARDS CEREMONY AT NEWBOLD COLLEGE...[Newbold News/TED News]

As the rain poured down and Newbold Church Centre filled to capacity,
Principal David Penner delivered his final public address to the
graduates and their teachers, families, friends and well-wishers.

At the end of July, Dr Penner leaves the College after six years as
principal, to take up his new post as Director of Leadership
Initiatives for the School of Public Health at Loma Linda University
in California. As speaker for the annual Awards Ceremony, his parting
concern was to share his thoughts as a student and teacher of
leadership with the 2008 graduates. 'All of you will, at some time,
be placed in a position of leadership,' he said.

From the 8000 secular theories of leadership, Dr Penner chose five
principles with biblical bases to pass on to the 56 graduates from 31
countries. 'Forget about trying to be a hero. Don't worry about your
own abilities - God chooses for His purposes, not your abilities.
Don't be proud about your own humility but 'do the needful'. Finally,
when everything goes wrong, remember the psalmist's simple word,
"But" as it is used in Psalm 31: 'For I hear the slander of many;
there is terror on every side....But I trust in you, O Lord.'

From the local community, the Rector of Binfield, Revd. Bill Meyer,
and the Mayor of Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Councillor Robert
Edger, also participated in the service. Vice-Principal Dr Michael
Pearson bade a public farewell to Dr Penner, Admissions Officer, Mrs
Josee-Marie Penner and Lecturer in History, Dr Kay Traille, all of
whom are leaving the College. Pastor Don McFarlane, President of the
British Union/leader of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the UK
led in a prayer of dedication for the graduates.

Inevitably, this concluding event of the school year brought
reflections on Dr Penner's own leadership style while carrying out
the role of principal. In bidding him farewell, the Vice-Principal
described Dr Penner's courteous and gentle style of leadership in
this extremely arduous and complex job, his deep love of the Newbold
tradition, his enjoyment of student company, and his open door to all
comers.

Among the well-wishers honoured in the ceremony were Newbold
graduates from a different era who came with their spouses to
celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation in 1958. Pastor
Martin Anthony, President of the 1958 Graduation Class and
subsequently minister and administrator in the Seventh-day Adventist
Church in the UK and Trans Europe said: 'This morning's Graduation
Ceremony was a highlight of the weekend for me. I watched the
graduates and I thought, "What a super bunch! They are just exactly
like we were 50 years ago. What a great heritage!"'


NEWBOLD'S NEW PRINCIPAL MEETS STAFF...[Helen Pearson/TED News]

Bracknell, England - Newbold's new principal, Dr Jane Sabes, paid a
4-day introductory visit to the College. She came to begin to get
acquainted with the College community which she has been appointed to
lead from August 2008. In a two hour initial meeting with staff, she
gave a short presentation sharing her experience since she was
appointed in May.

Dr Sabes told the Newbold staff: "These five things I know: I know
that you know how to build community. I know that you have one of the
most fantastic groups of staff in the Seventh-day Adventist
educational system. I know that you produce what you say you do:
outstanding, thoughtful, productive graduates. I know that you and I
have the same passion for education with strong spiritual
underpinnings. I know that the decline in Newbold's student enrolment
has nothing to do with the performance or lack of performance of the
staff. It is simply God's way of turning our attention more fully to
serve the youth of the 40 nations within the Trans-European
Division."

An hour's question and answer session with staff followed. Dr Sabes
was pressed on various aspects of her vision for Newbold, her
approaches to education and finance, her fundraising plans, her
awareness of the difference between the American and European
educational systems, her concern for the spiritual health of the
staff, the reasons she took the job and the shape of her own daily
programme.

Dr Sabes hopes to receive a work permit for the UK later this month
and plans to return to Newbold mid August. In the meantime, she
reflected positively on her four-day experience. 'During the week, I
enjoyed Newbold's glorious countryside setting, tasted the most
stimulating conversations with staff and came quickly to share in the
passion of Newbold. I eagerly anticipate the start of my adventure
together with both staff and future students.

Quotations from the conversation with staff, and pictures of the
event, can be found on the Newbold website at www.newbold.ac.uk


GETTING AND KEEPING FIT...[Paul Clee/TED News]

Kekesteto, Hungary - For a week in June, a group of 30 church members
of the Seventh-day Adventist church in Hungary, together with their
friends met for a health camp in the beautiful countryside on top of
the Matra Mountain range. Led by Duna Conference President and
Hungarian Union Health Director Erno Osz-Farkas, participants enjoyed
a free and relaxed atmosphere in which to learn about health.

The day began with exercises and a short walk in the fresh mountain
air, and followed by a devotional series by Pastor Osz-Farkas on the
Bible book of Ruth. Pastor Paul Clee, Trans-European Health Director
presented a series of health lectures, and invited people to
participate in blood pressure checks.

There was plenty of time for people to enjoy the fitness centre, take
guided hikes in the woods, or relax in the superb weather. Each day
concluded with a series of lectures on practical Christianity,
presented by Pastor Clee.

Commenting on the week, and the height above sea level, Pastor
Osz-Farkas said: "It was a real refreshing week, being 1000 metres
closer to God. The spiritual emphasis was the most appreciated by the
participants. We got a real and practical training about how to pray
and work for others. It was a great opportunity for witnessing, as we
had guests at every lecture from the neighbour sanatorium. The week
was a practical illustration how the health message can be the right
hand of the gospel, and how it can lead people closer to God".

________________________________________________________________
TED News Staff:
Paul Clee, News Director and Editor
Heidi Kamal Kendel, Editorial Assistant
119 St Peter's Street, St Albans, Herts.,
AL1 3EY, England
Website: www.ted-adventist.org

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