BUC News Edition #766 (3 February 2012)
Email Newsletter of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Contents:

'KIDULTHOOD': JEREMIAH AT THE TEENS' DAY OF FELLOWSHIP
NOT 10 BUT 30 FOR LONDON GHANA CHURCHES
SECMEDIA ACADEMY LAUNCHED
'THE GIFTIE GIE US' EXPLORED IN SCOTLAND
LEADERSHIP TRAINING WITH GHANAIAN CHURCHES
'JUST AS I AM'
BUC YOUTH MINISTRIES – JOIN US ONLINE, STAY IN TOUCH!
ROBERT SURRIDGE MEMORIAL SERVICE
LATEST MESSENGER ONLINE
PROGRAMMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK
COMING EVENTS

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'KIDULTHOOD': JEREMIAH AT THE TEENS' DAY OF FELLOWSHIP [SEC Communications with Luke Whyte, SEC Teens' Advisor]

Can you believe it? Only 9:30 am and a mass of teenagers are queuing to get into church! It must be something really special. And it was! The first Teens' Day of Fellowship for 2012 at St Mary's Church, Westminster. It was Sabbath, 28 January, and over 1,200 young people joined what one young lady from the London Ghana church called the "spiritual vibe" was something that captivated her as soon as she stepped in the room.

South England Conference Teens' director, Dejan Stojkovic, was overjoyed at the numbers that came together to worship. "It was a surprise!" he exclaimed. "700 registered in advance and on the day we had over 1,200. We almost ran out of food." Fortunately, the catering team, who sourced its members from the SEC Treasury department, was literally able to feed the 5000. Food had been prepared for 900, already 200 more than expected, and God allowed the food to stretch further still to cover the teens that came.

The Teens' department was amazed at the figures that had registered beforehand, but to see the numbers visually represented before them on Sabbath morning was an incredible sight. One of the support staff for the day mentioned that it was "something that hadn't been seen for ages."

The theme for the day and for the Teens' department for the entire year is 'Representing Only Christ's Kingdom'. ROCK Music ministers, Clive Shepherd (North Wembley church) and Kadeem Clarke (Stratford church), arranged the praise team and praise band, who reminded us through their ministry that our gifts, talents, even our very voices, when committed to God, can be used to bring glory to Christ's Kingdom.

Pastor Ian Sweeney may be President of the Adventist Church in the UK and Ireland, but his message spoke to teenage hearts. Playing on the title 'Kidulthood', he spoke of how a young Jeremiah faced more than his fair share of the world at such a young age. He highlighted how many young people today are more and more involved with the harshness of the world but, the great news is, they can still have God leading their lives.

"I'm a father of three teenagers; it's not always easy to communicate with each other!" commented Pastor Sweeney. "But, I have a belief that the Bible demonstrates how issues haven't changed from generation to generation, using Jeremiah as an example, and that we need to recognise and portray how relevant the Bible still is today."

The afternoon service was the highlight of the day for Luke Whyte. "To see that so many teens had stayed with us the entire day was special. With the sun setting early and with so many other activities for young people to get involved in, it was exciting to see so many young people choosing to stay." He adds, "Their choice to stay was rewarded by a heart-warming message from our Teens' director Dejan Stojkovic, who taught us that we must have each other's back, look out for one another, as we all aim to represent Christ's Kingdom in our day to day lives."

One element that had the Teens' department working hard for days after the event, was the submission of hundreds of commitment cards. The teens were clearly enthused by and committed to the day's programme with 54 requesting Bible study and 27 committing themselves to baptism. The commitment cards displayed a range of requests: 'for God to direct my life', 'guidance during exams', 'for friends and family to get to know God', and even 'to guide my call to ministry'. The honesty and sincerity expressed in these cards truly touched the youth leaders.

Dejan states, "The Teens' department has only one aim; everything we run is about commitment. We want the teens to commit to Jesus Christ in whatever way is possible, just like Jeremiah did thousands of years ago."

A selection of photos from the day is available in the BUC picture gallery.


NOT 10 BUT 30 FOR LONDON GHANA CHURCHES [Nana Sifa Twum]

"From the day of Pentecost, there has not been one great spiritual awakening in any land which has not begun in a union of prayer, though only among two or three; no such outward, upward movement has continued after such prayer meetings have declined." [A T Pierson]

Those words were taken to heart by members of the London Ghana and the Lee Valley churches. For them, the beginning of the year gave a great boost in respect of their spiritual growth and preparation for the coming of the Lord. Led by the two pastors, Fergus Owusu-Boateng and Lewis Quaye, a month-long prayer and fasting for the two churches was declared for the month of January.

The two churches were packed to capacity with both members and non-members very much participating in the well-designed prayer and fasting events. For four continuous Sabbaths, well prepared and tailored messages were added to by soul-inspiring songs, fervent prayers, praises, testimonies and thanksgiving as well as fellowship and sharing. The programme from the London Ghana church, which was streamed live online, also attracted over a hundred viewers from around the globe.

"A Closer Walk With God" was the chosen theme based around the life of Joseph. The two preachers urged members to live the dreams the Lord has provided them. "For sure the Lord who led Joseph to live up to the dream will also lead you to fulfil your dreams." The well-presented sermons provided the impetus and the zeal for members to face the challenges of the future.

"When all around you is evil, people targeting you for no apparent reason, with fierce hatred working for your downfall, the Lord will overrule as He did for Joseph." Pastor Quaye shared. He encouraged members that the Lord will do something new in their lives as they employ a closer walk with Him and also have the expectation that the Lord will answer all their prayers. In his words, "yesterday is gone, another day has come, do something new in our lives Oh Lord."


SECMEDIA ACADEMY LAUNCHED [SEC Communications]

Over 120 people attended the first SECmedia Academy day, on Sunday 29 January, at Newbold church. The day was an initiative run by the South England Conference's Media department to, "equip and train local church members and leaders so that they can use media to communicate the story of Jesus in their local churches and communities," explained SEC Media director, Pastor Kirsten Øster-Lundqvist.

To use the National Basketball Association's lingo, the 'starting line-up' of speakers and workshop leaders included: John Beckett, Director of Global Software & Internet at Adventist World Church Headquarters in Washington; Travis Fowler and Randy Schornstein, Media Producers in Simi Valley, California; Daryl Gungadoo, Researcher and Developer at Adventist World Radio; Willa Sandmeyer, a journalist and TV reporter in Los Angeles; along with the SEC Media team, Kirsten Øster-Lundqvist, Stefan Stanciu and Karl Johnson.

The presentations and workshops were packed but still managed to maintain a balance of practical and theoretical teaching and advice. Monique Simpson, from Willesden church, commented on Daryl Gungadoo's Photography workshop: "I was simply amazed. Daryl presented so thoroughly, keeping his talk easy to follow and understand. It was so helpful to see, first-hand, the practical side of photography – and try it myself!"

Attendees of all ages came from a range of churches across London and the provinces, with people arriving from Bristol, Norwich and even Birmingham before the first talk at 10:00 am, keen to learn more about how to support their churches with new, or improved, tools and skills.

Tak Hakata, from Colchester Community Church, spoke highly of the Camera Operation workshop. "It's great to be given such practical advice on how to do technical things in our own churches. Our church is only starting out in the media side of things and, just from today, I feel more confident about how our church can progress with technology. The workshop leaders have a wealth of knowledge and are so helpful!"

One attendee, Ian Sabadin from Bristol Central church, even challenged John Beckett to consider an added function for the netAdventist sites. He proposed that, as people can already submit prayer requests, they find a way for people to be contacted through their prayer requests, something which John Beckett had not previously considered but took as a great suggestion.

The day ended with an enthusiastic presentation from journalist Willa Sandmeyer on how to create impacting news stories. Having interviewed individuals such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bill Clinton, Willa was more than qualified to explain how to work with what you have and to push yourself for the best product you can possibly achieve.

Attendees unanimously considered the day to be a great success. Kirsten states, "fortunately there are three more to come to if you missed out!" Visit <www.secmedia.org/academy> to find out more about the next SECmedia Academy training days and to ensure that you get registered in time.



'THE GIFTIE GIE US' EXPLORED IN SCOTLAND [Bernie Holford/Elizabeth Iheoma]

"I wish every church member could have heard Victor Hulbert's presentation" exclaimed Crieff church elder, Shirley Froude. He quoted from Scotland's national poet, Robert Burns 'O would some power the giftie gie* us, to see ourselves as others see us,' as a stepping stone to help leaders from across Scotland to look at their own churches through the eyes of others. The plenary session at the start of the Scottish Mission Church Officer Training Day at Cardiff on Sunday 29 January 2012 led to active discussion across the church family and left every leader with a short communication audit to work through with their churches. Moses Sichalwe, a Youth leader at Faifley church said, "I thought it was brilliant. Sometimes we're blind to our own environment so it was an eye-opener for me. We can chase people away from our church by the things we do or don't do."

This main plenary session was followed by focused seminars for church officers and leaders ranging from elders to youth. The Scottish Mission departmental sponsors connected with their local counterparts and exciting plans were made for 2012. The elders spent some extra time learning the strengths, weaknesses and challenges of working with TV, radio and print media before focusing on leadership. Virginia Dube, leader of the Paisley company enthused that the Elders' session was "a brilliant way of making sure the leadership in the Scottish Mission churches are included in discussing the way forward for the churches in Scotland. Being consulted and given the platform to contribute was really good."

"Participants spontaneously told me of the impact that the devotional thoughts of Pastors Eglan Brooks and Nathan Stickland (BUC) had on them," said Pastor Bernie Holford, Scottish Mission President. Pastor Brooks is passionate about church growth and evangelism, but basing his devotional on Luke 5:4-5 he claimed that there are two imposters in the church: success and failure. We can be so concerned about these two things that we "fail to see the great things God is doing". He added, "We may set so many goals and strategies that if we don't achieve we find ourselves devastated by our doubts." While planning is important it is essential to ask what God wants us to do. Pastor Brooks told his attentive audience that they are the cream of the crop, the future of the church in Scotland. As such he challenged them to "commit to something different".

Closing the day, BUC Youth director, Pastor Nathan Stickland, talked about being catalysts – change agents – influencing our communities for the better. Leaders were struck by the great analogy that Adventists can improve our environment without being contaminated as Christians.

"I appreciated the calibre of the contributions of so many presenters, and that over 50 local leaders came from the churches," Pastor Holford stated. That is roughly ten percent of the Scottish Mission's membership. He added, "The feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive. We are inspired and equipped and now look forward to seeing how God is going to guide us to lead our churches throughout 2012."

A selection of photos from the day are available in the BUC Picture Gallery.

*translate: gift to give


LEADERSHIP TRAINING WITH GHANAIAN CHURCHES [Nana Sifa Twum]

The President of the South England Conference, Pastor Sam Davis, recently stated that "the Church has an even more enormous responsibility of spreading the word of God now than ever." He added, "the world now appears to be heading towards a wrong direction but has woefully failed to turn onto the right direction." Pastor Davis was speaking at the annual leadership training for elected leaders for all the Ghanaian churches within the Conference.

The training session was aimed at orientating the leaders towards evangelism activities for the year. Highlights of the day focused on helping to meet the Conference soul-winning goal and also the Church's plan to 'capitalise' on the forthcoming London Olympics for soul-wining and promoting the Church. Over one hundred church leaders from all the Ghanaian churches and also members of the Becton church joined ten departmental leaders from the South England Conference to lead highly educative discussions in all aspects of the Church's operation.

Cataloguing disastrous events from around the world, including the Eurozone crisis, the unpopular London riots in the summer of last year, the high level of internet pornography among the populace, the Conference President remarked, "the world is completely going in a wrong direction and is obviously lost and in absolute darkness and we have to show them the light." He re-echoed the Lord's word that the Spirit of the Lord is ever present to provide and lead His people to preach the gospel to all generations. "Even though the world is blinded to the light of God, members must make it their responsibility to spread the word of light and not to relent on the efforts."

The Ministerial Secretary of the Conference, Pastor Emmanuel Osei stated, "The Lord has called you to His office and will therefore prepare and empower you for the task." He encouraged the members that the Lord shall be with them in every situation because He has called and also promised. "Like Joshua, embrace the promise and work hard with the directions of God and victory will surely be ours," he emphasised. Count yourself privileged of the greatest accomplishment of spreading the gospel "because it will be done with or without you, therefore let us be part of it."


'JUST AS I AM' [A practical devotional thought from Taylor Bajic, first published in Scottish Mission News]

As I am still fairly new at my workplace, my colleagues and I are in that lovely process of getting to know one another and forming friendships. One recent Sunday morning as I arrived at work, one of my workmates and I greeted each other and started chatting as we prepared for the day to start. He asked me how my day off was and what I generally do on my days off every week. I replied, 'Well, I go to church in the morning and get to spend some time with family and friends and…' Before I finished answering his question, his eyes became quizzical and he said, 'Huh, church on a Saturday…? I used to go to church, but I don't really anymore. I can't be that perfect all the time.' He chuckled a bit ashamedly and my heart ached for him and his view of God's love.

I said, as casually as possible, 'Oh, well no one can be perfect. I'm definitely not. But that's not…' I wanted so badly to continue our conversation right then and there, but we both had to begin our shifts and get to work. I wanted to say something like, 'But that's not the point – of church or God. No one has to be perfect to come to Him.' But I felt that even that simple statement wouldn't be enough, and coming from little me. I didn't know what to say that would truly show him how much God wants him – all of us – to come to Him, and that He loves us, just as we are.

This short conversation got me thinking hard and was on my heart the entire day, and still is. As the famous hymn goes, 'Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bid'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.' The Bible is full of evidence that God longs for us to come to Him, just as we are. We don't have to be perfect to come to Him or to have a relationship with Him. Matthew shares Jesus' wonderful words with us in this story:

'While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'" [Matthew 9:10-13, NIV] There is no one else who could love us enough or even be able to help us in our darkest hours and to become the people He wants us to be. We can't do it on our own. Paul encourages us in Romans 5:6-8, "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

He loves us just the way we are – too much, in fact, to let us stay that way. What wonderful promises! I am so grateful for God's love and mercy. But the saddest thing is, not everyone knows of it! I hope that I can have the chance to talk with my friend again and to really discuss things together, both of us coming to understand more of God and His love for us and to know that, no matter where we've been and or what we've done, we are free to come to God, and He will be waiting for us with wide open and loving arms. May God's Holy Spirit guide us in our interactions with each other and lead us all to His perfect heart.


BUC YOUTH MINISTRIES – JOIN US ONLINE, STAY IN TOUCH! [Natalie Davison]

What's new in 2012? Visit the refreshed <www.adventistyouth.org.uk> website to find out more – there's something for everyone! Bookmark it today!

MORNING WATCH 2012: Download a reprint of the 1912 morning watch calendar. A personal devotional aid for youth and young adults.

DISCIPLES IN ACTION: Starting over or just taking a bold step? Disciples in Action, the youth and young adult discipleship curriculum will help you on your journey toward an authentic walk with Jesus. Series 1 available to download now.

YOUTH WEEK OF PRAYER 17-24 MARCH: The readings are available to download from the website – choose from the Senior or Junior readings. They include notes, discussion starters and advice for running Youth Week of Prayer meetings at your church.

BUC PATHFINDER CAMPOREE: It's the camping event you won't want to miss this summer (and it doesn't clash with the Olympics)! The Camporee is taking place in the West Midlands from 13-19 August, and all the information you'll need is on the website (club leaders will need to register).

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING? Find out what short-term or long-term positions are available not only abroad, but also in the UK. Can't see anything that suits you? Contact us via the website and we'll see if we can help.

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: Anyone in higher education (university level or beyond) is entitled to a free copy of the Dialogue Magazine four times a year. Find out how by visiting the student page on the website.

ENCOUNTER MAGAZINE: We've just published the first edition of the year and we hope that you have picked up a copy from your local church. But if you missed out, don't worry as you can read it online on the website. We'd love some feedback from you, the Encounter readers. Contact us and let us know what you think!

YOUTH EVENTS CALENDAR: All the dates for youth events happening up and down the country have been loaded in the youth events calendar online. Check it out and subscribe for updates using the iCal link.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! We've set up a group BUC Youth Ministries on Facebook. Like us via the link on the website or directly on Facebook and you'll be kept up to date with the latest news, info and resources (plus some fun stuff too).

We'll have more updates coming soon, but for the best way to keep up to date, join us on Facebook or visit www.adventistyouth.org.uk regularly. The BUC Youth Ministries team, Pastor Nathan Stickland (Director), Mrs Natalie Davison (Secretary), welcome your input and involvement.


ROBERT SURRIDGE MEMORIAL SERVICE

While British pastor, Robert Surridge passed to his rest just before Christmas and was buried in California, his many friends and relatives wish to gather this side of the Atlantic to remember and celebrate his life. Robert's wife, Dawn will be joining the British family at a Memorial Service on Sunday, 5 February at 2:00 pm at Newbold Church Centre, St Mark's Road, Binfield, RG42 4AN.


LATEST MESSENGER ONLINE

'It's here...' proclaims the front page of the 3 February Messenger, the official journal of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the UK and Ireland. The 'it's here' refers to 'The Great Hope' book, now available for members to purchase, read and share. Meanwhile it seems Pastor John Ferguson has his eye on a Cornish pasty, Patrick Boyle is getting passionate about preaching and the Sabbath School lesson, and Heather Haworth takes seriously Jesus' command to 'Feed My Lambs'. All this and more in a church near you or for free download on the BUC website.


PROGRAMMES TO WATCH THIS WEEK

A choice of UK produced Adventist programmes are available for you to watch this coming week.

On Revelation TV (Sky 581 or Freesat 692) watch the following two programmes:

Searching for a God to Love, Monday, 6 February, 8:30 pm. Part of a series of presentations by Dr Chris Blake during the Newbold Week of Prayer. This week's title: 'Why I don't Abstain' – the discussion. This series now also airs on Hope Channel Europe each Friday at 8:30 pm.

'Adventists In Conversation', Thursday 9 February, 8:30 pm.

On Hope TV you can watch a wide variety of programmes on the satellite and website. Next week's schedule includes the following UK produced programmes among its much larger international output:

Friday 3 February: 8:00 pm: Viewpoint: Organ Donation,
8:30 pm: Searching for a God to love
Sabbath 4 February: 12:00 am & 9:00 am: Viewpoint: Organ Donation,
7:30 pm: Searching for a God to love
Monday 6 February: 12:30 am and 9:30 pm: Ken Burton – The music just flows
Wednesday 8 February: 8:00 am: Sharon Platt-McDonald – Roots of joy in faith
12:00 midnight: John Wilby – Ambulance chief finds something better.
Friday 10 February: 8:00 pm: Viewpoint: The King James Bible
8:30 pm: Searching for a God to love
Sabbath 11 February: 12:00 am & 9:00 am: Viewpoint: The King James Bible


COMING EVENTS

FAMILY EVENING VARIETY CONCERT. Saturday, 4 February. Saturday evening 4 February at 7:00 pm. Admittance is FREE but a collection will be taken for the charity STOP. Refreshments will be on sale. Stanborough Centre, 609 St Albans Road, Watford, WD25 9JL. Contact: Pat Walton <walton@groats.co.uk>. Phone: 01923 672500.

AWARDS EVENING - "EXCELLENCE FOR HIS EXCELLENCE". Saturday, 4 February. Recognition of educational and community achievements throughout 2011. This programme will highlight personal achievements and thank those dedicated educators who have gone that extra mile for their students. The evening will conclude with a vegan buffet. Contact: Sandra Anderson <smonica.anderson@googlemail.com>. Phone: 07746897433.

NEC SABBATH SCHOOL LEVEL 1 TEACHER TRAINING. Sunday, 5 February and Sunday 19, February. Presenter: Beulah Plunkett Sabbath School director. Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. The event will run for two Sundays: 5 & 19 February 2012. Lunch is provided. Venue: Newtown Church, Lichfield Rd, Aston, Birmingham, B6 5SX. To book a place: Call NEC Sabbath School Dept on tel: 01159606312. For course information: Call 07961643597. Learn the art of teaching and facilitation; Improve your communication skills; Plan interesting and interactive lessons; Make your Sabbath Schools classes a place of learning; Help students get the most out of Bible and lesson study. Contact: Orlene Dunkley <odunkley@necadventist.org.uk>. Phone: 0115 9606312.

FEBRUARY DIVERSITY SEMINAR. Tuesday, 7 February. 'Wash me and I shall be blacker than coal' Faith, Ethnicity and Identity in British Seventh-day Adventist Discourses. A lecture by Dr William Ackah Birkbeck, University of London. Dr Ackah has been described as, 'British Adventism's leading authority on ethnicity issues'. Venue: Smith Centre, Newbold College, St Mark's Road, Binfield, RG42 4AN. Time: 19:30. Everyone welcome! Contact: Helen Pearson <helenpr@newbold.ac.uk>. Phone: 07775-612610.

ASI UK CONVENTION. Friday, 10 - Sunday, 12 February. 'Evangelising Secularised Britain'. Venue: Staverton Park Hotel, Daventry Road, Staverton, NN11 6JT. Whether you are a student, recent graduate, unemployed, self-supported ministry, entrepreneur, however you categorize yourself, come and learn from God's Word and from each other how we can reach the people around us. Be Inspired and Empowered by the Holy Spirit as you hear how God has used people just like you and me to reach our secular community. Booking form and details on the website, http://www.asi-uk.info, or from Christine Manners Smith. Weekend or day rates available. Contact: Christine Manners Smith <christinemanners_smith@yahoo.com>. Phone: 07790 452920.

LOVE SAX AND ALL THAT JAZZ2 (DA MANS DEM). Saturday, 11 February to Sunday, 12 February. Focus Arts Promotions Presents 'Love Sax and all that Jazz 2' (Da Mans Dem), the sequel to the hit comedy play. Written by Alan Charles, Da Mans Dem takes an informative and humorous look at men and relationships exploring those age old questions of what do men want? Why do men cheat? And what defines a man? In chapter one the girls were explosive in chapter 2 Da Mans Dem will get their say. Valentine Special: Sat 11 & Sun 12 February, Doors 7 pm – Show 7.30 pm. Tickets £17.50 Adv or £20 at the door. Broadway Theatre - Rushey Green, Catford, London, SE6 4RU. Box Office 020 8690 0002 – www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk. More info 07989 574 066 or focusarts.co.uk. Contact: Alan <focusarts@yahoo.couk>.

'THE BLACK AND WHITE BALL'. Sunday, 12 February. Holloway Pathfinders cordially invites you to their annual banquet 'The Black and White Ball'. An evening of fun, food and entertainment. Hosted by Joshua Roberts and Rumbi Sithole with DJ Nana Kay. Sunday, 12 February at the Advent Centre, 39 Brendon Street, London, W1H 5HD. Dress code: Formal - Black or White or Black & White. Come and enjoy a three course meal plus a night filled with prizes and surprises. Doors open at 4:00 pm with a drinks reception for early comers. Tickets: £10 Adults and over 7 yrs, £7 for 7 yrs and under. To purchase tickets please see Angeline Barclay and Hadassah Holder or contact 07403 136129 or email pathfinders@myholloway.org. Contact: Holloway Pathfinders <pathfinders@myholloway.org>. Phone: 07403136129.

SEC PRAYER & BIBLE CONFERENCE (TEENS MINISTRIES). Monday, 13 February to Friday, 17 February. Our Teens Prayer & Bible Conference is BACK! This is a life changing experience for many teenagers from around the Conference and Europe. Come and join with your friends and experience the power of God's blessings through prayer, fellowship and socialising. Date: 13-17 February. Speaker: Pastor Ryan Simpson (Associate Youth Director, Southern New England Conference). Venue: Stanborough Park School, Watford, WD25 9JT. Price: £60.00 per person (places are limited so book early to secure your place). Application deadline closes on Friday, 20 January 2012. See website for more details. Contact: Dejan Stojkovic <dejan@secadventist.org.uk>. Phone: 07919172176.

TUESDAY TALKS. Tuesday, 14 February. Presented by Patrick Boyle. You are invited to share in these friendly discussions. The issues matter. The answers make sense. A light supper will be served at 7:00 pm followed by the talks at 8:00 pm on the subject "What Jesus said about Himself". Stanborough Centre, 609 St Albans Road, Watford, WD25 9JL. Contact: Pat Walton <walton@groats.co.uk>. Phone: 01923 672500.

YOUTH DAY OF FELLOWSHIP. Sabbath, 18 February. 18th February is the Youth (18-35+) Day of Fellowship. Theme: Use Me Lord. It is our intention to offer every opportunity for God's children to be able to be used for God's Kingdom work. We are ambassadors for Christ. We are the ones to work for God, in the ministry of reconciliation. God was in Christ, reconciling Himself unto us and has given us the Ministry of Reconciliation. "Now we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5:19-20. Venue: The Rock Tower, 49 Tufnell Road, London, N7 0PS. Time: 10 am - 6 pm (lunch will be at 1 pm). Speaker: Dr Rupert Bushner (USA), supported by gospel artist, Maurette Brown-Clarke. (Maurette will sing during the Praise and Worship service as a taster. For more songs, get your concert ticket). Contact: Steve Thomas <sthomas@secadventist.org.uk>. Phone: 01923 232728.

"GIVING MY BEST" CONCERT. Saturday, 18 February. "Giving My Best" Fundraising Concert at New Life Adventist Church, 5:00 pm. Hosted by Pastor Hypolite. Artists: New Life Choir & Friends, Mark Bunny, Steadfast & Friends (from Birmingham), Alicia Charles. Address: 8-10 Lennox Road, Finsbury Park, London, N4 3NW. Contact: Louanne Sampson <music@newlifesda.org.uk>. Phone: 020 7272 0449.

A NIGHT OF GOSPEL LOVE. Saturday, 18 February. Soulful Enterprise and Kainé Management in association with Stoke Newington High School present a night showcasing gospel talent. An inspirational and elevating evening of gospel song featuring performances from Cari Stewart, The Projekt, Adaneekay Forbes-Cooke, Ray Patrick II, Soulful and many more. Hosted by Lyrical Soldier. Tickets: £6 in advance; £8 on the door. Soulful Enterprises: Tel 07508 502 310; soulfulent@hotmail.co.uk; www.soulfulenterprises.com. Kainé Management: Tel 0116 2616840; info@kainemanagement.org.uk; www.kainemanagement.org.uk.

MADISON ADVENTIST ACADEMY CHOIR TOUR. Saturday, 18 February. The Madison Adventist Academy Choir from Nashville, Tennessee, USA, will be touring the London area in February 2012. Comprised of about thirty high school students sharing the gospel through music, they are currently accepting invitations to perform at churches, schools, etc for their tour, tentatively scheduled for 18 to 25 February 2012. Please contact Michael Santos at misantos@madisonacademy.com for inquiries.

BIBLE LANDS TOUR: 20-27 FEBRUARY 2012. Monday, 20 February to Monday, 27 February. Trip of a lifetime. Walk where Jesus walked. See the Bible come alive. Mount Carmel where Elijah won the battle against Baal, Mount of Beatitudes, Mount Moriah where Abraham took Isaac, Har Megiddo (Armageddon), Valley of Elah where David defeated Goliath, Nazareth, Cana, Lake Galilee where Jesus walked on water, Bethsaida where Jesus fed 5000, Lazarus' tomb and house in Bethany, Jericho where the walls came tumbling down, Jesus' baptismal site, Capernaum, Jesus' empty tomb, Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, the Kidron Valley, Hezekiah's Tunnel, Garden of Gethsemane, the Pool of Bethesda where the paralytic was healed, the Pool of Siloam where the blind man was healed, the City of David, the Upper Room, Caesarea where Paul witnessed to King Agrippa, and Peter baptized Cornelius, Joppa where Peter had the dream of unclean animals and Jonah boarded the ship to Tarshish, Masada, the Dead Sea, Qumran, En Gedi. You would visit these and other places and be blessed. More details from Pastor O P Chackochen. Email: <chacko@onam.co.uk>. Phone: 07748 417 460.

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MARIJTJE VAN RIESEN, an Adventist 19-year-old from Grünstadt, Germany is searching a kindly Adventist family in the UK or Ireland with whom she could stay between April and August this summer for 1 - 3 months. She is happy to care for children and to do light housework or gardening. She speaks German, English, French and basic Spanish and would like to improve her English skills. For more details email Marijtje at m.van-riesen@gmx.de.

JOB VACANCY. Harper Bell Adventist School requires a chaplain. Full details on the Job Vacancies website.


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