BUC News #462 (14 October 2005)

Email Newsletter of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United Kingdom and Ireland

Contents:

ADRA-UK LAUNCHES SOUTH ASIA EARTHQUAKE APPEAL
SEC AND BUC PROGRAMMES ON THE HOPE CHANNEL THIS COMING WEEK
IPSWICH GOSPEL EXTRAVAGANZA: "WHY WE SING"
FIRST CARERS' WEEKEND FOR ADVENTIST SPECIAL NEEDS ASSOCIATION
BAPTISMS CONCLUDE HOLLOWAY CAMPAIGN
MORE THAN 1,400 "CONNECT ONE MILLION" APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
FIRE TRAINING AT THE BUC OFFICE
COMING EVENTS
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ADRA-UK LAUNCHES SOUTH ASIA EARTHQUAKE APPEAL

Following the earthquake tragedy that has struck South Asia, ADRA-UK has launched an appeal to raise funds to bring immediate relief to the victims. ADRA-UK is coordinating its efforts with other donor offices and ADRA Trans Europe to respond to this major disaster.

The ADRA network is focusing efforts on Pakistan, which has been most affected by the disaster. ADRA has had a long-term presence in Pakistan, providing development projects in the affected regions since 1984. The ADRA Pakistan office has already commenced relief activities with the provision of food, medical supplies and shelter.

The ADRA network was mobilised into action within hours of the earthquake, which occurred at 8:50 am on Saturday 8 October 2005, and measured 7.6 on the Richter Scale. ADRA-UK acting director Mark Castellino was in contact with ADRA International and Trans Europe (which covers Pakistan as one of its field territories) by the same evening to commence the process of responding to the emergency.

ADRA is working on a network-wide strategy to respond to this disaster, with funds already donated by a number of countries. In Pakistan ADRA is coordinating with the Commissioner for Rehabilitation for Kashmir to focus aid on the areas that require the most immediate attention, and has been granted authorisation to work in the Bagh District, where they have already established a field office, and are bringing in emergency supplies. The situation in Bagh is dire, with initial estimates that 95% of the buildings in the area have been destroyed by the earthquake.

In addition to ADRA's own resources, the Karachi Adventist Hospital has agreed to dispatch two medical teams to Kashmir consisting of doctors, nurses, assistants and paramedical staff to aid with the distribution of medical supplies and attend to the health concerns of those injured in the earthquake in coordination with the relief efforts of ADRA.

Due to the nature and location of the South Asia earthquake disaster ADRA-UK will not be sending containers filled with aid supplies to the region. The supplies that are needed are available locally and it is far more cost effective to send funds and then request the local ADRA offices to purchase these items. This procedure will save money and, more importantly, will enable the victims to receive aid as quickly as possible. ADRA supporters are therefore being requested NOT to collect any aid items or send them to the ADRA-UK office or warehouse in Watford.

For those unable to use the web donation system on the ADRA-UK website <www.adra.org.uk>, cheques for the South Asia Earthquake Appeal can be sent to: ADRA-UK, Stanborough Park, Watford, Herts, WD25 9JZ. Make your cheques payable to "ADRA-UK" and if possible, Gift Aid your donation by including a signed note saying "Please Gift Aid this donation". Alternatively, you can send your gift through the regular Church channels. In all cases, please indicate that the gift is for the "ADRA-UK South Asia Earthquake Appeal".


SEC AND BUC PROGRAMMES ON THE HOPE CHANNEL THIS COMING WEEK

We are hoping that sometime this coming week an hour long programme on the South England Conference's "East and West London Day of Fellowship", which took place at the Wembley Conference Centre back in May, will be shown on the Hope Channel. As yet we have no firm scheduling details but believe that it may first be shown on the North American Hope Channel on Sunday 16 October. This is only available here via web streaming, but the quality is quite good. It should also be shown later in the week on Hope Channel International and we would urge those wishing to view the programme to keep checking the online schedules at: <http://hopetv.org/schedule.php>.

This coming week should also see the first broadcast of the BUC's "In Conversation" interview series. So far ten half-hour programmes have been recorded and sent to the Hope Channel and we will give you further details on the scheduling as and when we receive them.

For information on how to receive the Hope Channel, which is the Seventh-day Adventist Church's satellite television service, see our webpages at: <www.hopetv.org.uk>.


IPSWICH GOSPEL EXTRAVAGANZA: "WHY WE SING" - Paul King

On Saturday evening 8 October "The Advent Singers" along with other special guests thrilled a capacity audience with a Gospel Extravaganza in Ipswich. This witnessing event was entitled "Why We Sing!", and followed on from last year's outstanding concert in a packed-out Ipswich church. This year the concert was held in the Grand Hall of the centrally located Ipswich School, where funds were raised for a local charity, East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH), which operates hospices in Ipswich, Cambridge and Quidenham in Norfolk.

"The Advent Singers", under the leadership of Tricia Evelyn and Nicky Saunders, is made up of members of the Ipswich church, originally from many different countries. During the concert they performed many new songs as well as some well-loved gospel favourites interspersed with brief testimonies, telling the audience "why we sing". Also taking part in the Extravaganza were "Sisters in Christ", Nicky Saunders, and a Christian dance group from Colchester called "Sublime". Afterwards the concert received many positive comments, with many people asking about future performance dates for the choir.


FIRST CARERS' WEEKEND FOR ADVENTIST SPECIAL NEEDS ASSOCIATION - Sophia Nicholls

ASNA's first Carers' Weekend took place from Friday 30 September to Sunday 2 October at the wonderful and peaceful venue of Highgate House, in Creaton, Northamptonshire. Forty residential delegates and seven day delegates enjoyed the beautiful weather, company and well executed workshops.

The weekend aimed to provide social, spiritual and physical support for people in a challenging caring role. Workshops included: Managing Your Health, Stress Management, Managing Your Money, and Developing Strong Relationships with God and Man.

We thank God for the volunteers who ran the children's programme, ensuring that parent carers of children with disabilities were able to attend the weekend. We are also grateful for the workshop leaders who included Heather Haworth, Elsie Staples, Tony Perkins and Martin Avis from Oxfordshire council, Sonia Munroe, Iris Johns, and Joan Barrett. Medical support was provided by Dr Sarah Morris who not only provided her expertise but also stated that she had "gained a wonderful experience and had learnt so much from the delegates and workshops."

All those who attended commented on the excellent food, accommodation and organisation. We thank God for His leading and guidance as we continue to work for Him in this much needed ministry. Thanks also to our sponsors ADRA-UK, SEC, and the many volunteers and donors over the year.


BAPTISMS CONCLUDE HOLLOWAY CAMPAIGN - Roy Smith

The Holloway and Muswell Hill outreach programme came to a close at the end of August with a total of 32 new converts being brought into the Adventist Church. Most of the new members will be attending the Holloway church while others will be members of the Muswell Hill, Stoke Newington, Chingford and Haringey churches.

The evangelistic campaign had been planned for many months and was originally going to be held in September. However after the dates and details had been approved by the church board various factors led to a change of date and the campaign was brought forward to the month of August.

Finsbury Park was chosen as the venue, and the meetings, which ran from 6 to 27 August, were held under a marquee. The guest speaker for the series was evangelist, psychologist, pastor, US Navy Chaplain, lecturer, teacher and consultant Dr Philip Willis, from Chicago. His captivating and Spirit-filled presentations held the audience spell bound for three weeks, and the 1,000 capacity marquee was nearly full each night. On the Sabbaths it was full to capacity, and many had to stand outside in order to listen to the sermons.

One aim of campaign was to build good relationships with the local community and this was achieved through various health checking and stop-smoking clinics. These were carried out under the leadership of Andrea Philip, health leader of Holloway church, and SEC Health Ministries director Elsie Staple. Many people took part in these activities and a number were referred to their GPs and hospitals for further checks. The community benefited not only from the checks on their health but also from listening to the presentations on relationships.

A number of practical challenges were encountered during the campaign but, with nearly a third of the church membership praying and fasting, these were all overcome. As an example of this, on Sabbath 13 August the Lord stopped the rain, allowing the Pathfinders to march around the park with their drums as the members sang and invited the park users to come to the evening's meeting.

DVDs of Dr Willis' lectures are now available from Pastor Emmanuel Osei. Phone: 020 8581 8311.


MORE THAN 1,400 "CONNECT ONE MILLION" APPLICATIONS RECEIVED

In last week's BUC News we reported that 932 applications had been received for the "Discover" Bible course as a direct result of the Adventist Discovery Centre's "Connect One Million" mass distribution campaign. This morning that total has risen to 1,422 applications.

Adventist Discovery Centre director Pastor Dalbert Elias is thrilled at the results. "There has been a wonderful response to this campaign," he says, "both from our members, who have put a great deal of effort into distributing the million cards, and also from the public. It goes to show that even in our increasingly secular world, when church attendance in most denominations is falling, there is still a hunger for the Word of God. I would like to say a big thank you to those who have helped to fund the operation, from individual donors to Conferences and corporate sponsors. I would also like to commend the ADC team members who have been working very hard to process all of the applications. I'm proud to say that we have managed to respond to all of the applications very quickly - the vast majority being dealt with the same day that they arrived."


FIRE TRAINING AT THE BUC OFFICE

On Wednesday 28 September staff at the BUC office were given a two-and-a-half hour fire training course as part of their on going health and safety programme. Most of the time was spent attending lectures on subjects such as the causes of fire, different types of fire, evacuation procedures, and appropriate use of fire extinguishers. However the most enjoyable, and probably most educational part of the training was a forty minute practical session where different types of extinguisher were used on real fires. A chip pan fire was simulated and extinguished with a fire blanket; a simulated petrol-spill fire was quickly and noisily extinguished with a carbon dioxide extinguisher; and a real dustbin fire was extinguished with a pressurised water extinguisher.

"Although health and safety issues are often considered burdensome, they are extremely important in the modern work place," said BUC Executive Secretary Pastor Eric Lowe. "Training like this is very good practice but there is a lot that we can do simply by using common sense. With a few simple measures, like turning off electrical appliances, making sure exits are clear and emergency signs are in place, we can make our workplaces, and our churches, much safer places for our members and guests to be in."


COMING EVENTS

A full list of coming events is located on the BUC website at: <www.adventist.org.uk>. Only brief details are listed below.

EVANGELISTIC SERIES - BARRY. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until 4 November. Contact: Clyde R Moore <clydermoore@hotmail.co.uk>. Phone: 02920 731935.

PROPHECY SEMINAR - GREENWICH. Each Sabbath morning until 29 October. What's happening to our world? Only one book has the answers - the Bible. Venue: Greenwich church. Contact: Isaac Ogunlana <sanctuary@greenwichsda.org.uk>. Phone: 01322 270492.

EXPERIENCE THE POWER SATELLITE TV SERIES. 6:00 pm every Tuesday until 6 December on Revelation TV, Sky Digital 676. Speaker: Walter L Pearson. Website: <www.bolministries.co.uk>. Contact: Steve Thomas <revsathomas@aol.com>. Phone: 07932 722753.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH PRESENTATION - CHISWICK. 7:00 pm on Friday 14 October. Speaker: Pastor Clive de Silva. Contact: Denzil Baisden <area6dcoordinators@hotmail.co.uk>. Phone: 07940 317176.

'PLAY IT FORWARD' - HACKNEY YOUTH DAY. 9:30 am till very late on Sabbath 15 October at: All Saints Church, Haggerston Road, Hackney, London E8. Speaker: Pastor Bobby Bovell. Lunch and a social included. Contact: Adrian Blake <blake_adrian@hotmail.com>. Phone: 07903 941662.

BRING BACK THE GLORY - BATTERSEA EVANGELISM. 7.30 pm Saturday 15 October to Saturday 5 November. Speakers: Pastor Simeon Esson, Pastor Don McFarlane, and Pastor Charles Brevitt. Contact: Pastor Simeon Esson <smesson@aol.com>. Phone: 07985 408699.

LEWISHAM ADVENTIST CULTURAL WEEKEND. 9:30 am on Sabbath 15 and 2:00 pm on Sunday 16 October. Contact: Monica Hadden <phionabarnett@hotmail.com>. Phone: 07985 602401.

HEALTH MINISTRIES DAY - CAMP HILL, BIRMINGHAM. 3.30 pm on Sabbath 15 October. Speaker: Dr Nganunu. Contact: Christine Burt <kcburt@aol.com>. Phone: 01827 283855.

INCUBATORS - LEEDS. 10.00 on Sunday 16 October. Second of the Church Planters' training workshops. Contact: Paul Haworth <haworth6@tiscali.co.uk>. Phone: 0121 3512188.

ICC MULTIMODAL WORKSHOP - LONDON. Series starts Sunday 16 October at the Advent Centre. Fee: £150 per person. Contact Josee-Marie Penner <jpenner@newbold.ac.uk>. Phone: 1344 407419.

'ANOTHER LEVEL' YOUTH CAMPAIGN - PECKHAM. 7:30 pm every night from Sunday 16 to Saturday 22 October. Speaker: Pastor Greg Nelson. Contact: Phillip Mapoma <nosizwe@aol.com>. Phone: 07930 363385.

THE BEACH LECTURES - NEWBOLD. 7:30 pm on Monday 17 and 11:00 am and 4:00 pm on Tuesday 18 October. Theme: "God, Jesus and Dialogue". Speaker: Professor Paul G Weller of the University of Derby. Contact: Gifford Rhamie <giffordr@newbold.ac.uk>. Phone: 01344 407483.

STANBOROUGH SCHOOL SPEECH NIGHT. Thursday 20 October. Contact: Steve Rivers <srivers@stanboroughpark.herts.sch.uk>. Phone: 01923 673268.

LAY BIBLE WORKER'S COURSE - EAST SUSSEX. Friday 21 to Sunday 23 October at Ashburnham Place, East Sussex. Cost £120. Contact: Vivienne Evers <vevers@secadventist.org.uk>. Phone: 01923 232728.

MORE THAN A CONQUEROR - SMETHWICK. 7:00 pm on Friday 21 October at the Birmingham Breath of Life church. Fellowship with young people across the West Midlands. Contact: Donna Palmer <wmya_1@yahoo.co.uk>. Phone: 07947 227208.

SPONSORED 24 HOUR BADMINTON - WATFORD. Saturday 22 to Sunday 23 October at the Stanborough School Gym. STOP International Charity <www.stop-intl.org.uk> is raising funds for an Adventist Children's Village for orphans in India. Contact: Kish Poddar <kishpoddar@onetel.com>. Phone: 01923 673987.

WEEK OF PRAISE - STOKE NEWINGTON. Every night except Thursday, starting at 7:30 pm on Saturday 22 and finishing on Saturday 29 October. Contact: Communications Department <stokeysda@hotmail.com>. Phone: 07889 857636.

EAGLES WINGS & FRIENDS SHOWCASE - GREENWICH. 5:00 pm on Sabbath 22 October. Singing, drama, poetry and mime at the Greenwich church. Contact: Shirley Grant <shirley_grant59@hotmail.com>. Phone: 020 8691 9619.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT DAY - MANCHESTER. 10:15 am on Sabbath 22 October at: St Peters House, Oxford Road, Manchester M1 6HF. Speakers include: Costa Vaggas, Kaye Sudeene, and Ike Anurukem. Contact: Mgcini or Del <sdass1@aol.com>. Phone: 07979344372.

STANBOROUGH SCHOOL ALUMNI REUNION - WATFORD. Sunday 23 October. Meet up with friends, classmates and teachers. Tickets, including a two course meal, £15, or £20 for two, pre-paid booking. Contact: John Butters <jbutters@stanboroughpark.herts.sch.uk>. Phone: 01923 673268.

NEC YOUTH CONGRESS 2005. Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 October at Cefn Lea, Wales. Speakers include Dr S K Pipim and Pastor Brian Neumann. Contact: Alan Hush <ahush@necadventist.org.uk>. Phone: 01159 606312.

SMALL GROUP TRAINING WEEKEND - LANCASTER. Friday 28 to Sunday 30 October near Lancaster, teaching the principles and practise of Small Group Ministry. Cost: £80.00. Contact: Paul Haworth <haworth6@tiscali.co.uk>. Phone: 0121 351 2188.

STEPHEN HURD IN CONCERT - LONDON. Doors open at 6.30 pm on Saturday 29 October at the Holborn City Temple. This event is the culmination of Stonebridge church's five-year anniversary. Tickets from £15.00. Contact: Clive de Silva <clivede_silva@hotmail.com>. Phone: 0208 384 1710.

LUTON GOSPEL COMMUNITY CHOIR CONCERT. Doors open: 6:45 pm on Saturday 29 October at the High Town Methodist Church, Luton. Tickets: £5.50 for adults. Contact: Gail Windrass <lutongospelcommunitychoir@yahoo.co.uk>. Phone: 01582 513359.

EDUCATION AFTERNOON - ILFORD. Sabbath 29 October. "Be the Best You Can Be" at the Ilford church. Contact: Valrie Gittens <gittensvalrie@aol.com>. Phone: 07958 215254.

FAMILY MINISTRIES DAY - STRATFORD. Saturday 29 October. Theme: Our Children are Watching. Venue: Stratford Church, 58 Janson Road, Stratford, E15. Speaker: Isaac Amo-Kyeremeh. Contact: Ros Farrell <mamaf@aol.com>. Phone: 07940 776147.

GOSPEL ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC AWARDS - BIRMINGHAM. Saturday 29 October at the Bethel Convention Centre, West Bromwich. Two Adventist groups are in the final: Blessed Voices and the London Adventist Chorale. Tickets: £18.50. See: <www.gemawards.co.uk>. Contact: Susanne Kirlew <susanne.kirlew@virgin.net>. Phone: 0207 3665511.

TED PRAYER GUIDE. For the week commencing 16 October we are praying for ISRAEL. Pastor, we are very sorry to inform you that we have to end our Sabbath services at ten thirty this morning because we received information that the Israel deportation police are searching the city for undocumented foreigners. This phone call came to a pastor from one of our church elders in Tel Aviv one Sabbath morning.

It is a sad fact that we are losing our church members, not because of apostasy or death but because of deportation of foreign workers who make a living in this country. A once alive, happy and strong church is now a quiet, lonely and weak church. It is a discouraging picture. But we always believe that our awesome God can do wonders even in this pressing situation. He who can turn the tide and calm the angry sea can make this situation into a blessing. Like a tree after it is cut, it grows and forms new branches making rich foliage, a shelter and refuge for the birds in the sky.

Israel, with 7 million people, has only 1000 or less Seventh-day Adventist members. This is a gigantic and challenging task for each church worker. To be able to reach out to this number of people whose land is known to be holy, one must be filled with a double portion of the Holy Spirit and be in one accord as in the days of old if one is to see great results in the spreading of the message of salvation through the Only Way, the Truth and the Life - Jesus Christ. Israel Field keeps the objectives of the 13th Sabbath offering to plant 12 churches by God's help for this year 2005. Please pray:

? That God will intervene in the deportation of foreigners.
? That our Field will have financial stability.
? For the success of the 12 church planting project in this Field. [Mila Mendez, Sabbath School Director, Israel Field]

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SMALL ADS

ROOM TO LET. Single, professional female with small furnished room to let in the London N1 area. Ideal for single female student or professional. Area zone 1 with good access to the City and West End. Email: <ladyden68@hotmail.com>. Phone: 020 8233 6671.

ADVENTIST CARER. Elizabeth is an experienced and qualified Adventist carer from Hungary. She is looking for a live-in job, caring for an elderly Adventist in a British home. References available. Email: <attilandi@freemail.hu>.

AU PAIR. Rosalie, a lady from the Philippines, would like to work as a carer or au pair in the United Kingdom. She has lots of experience of working in both professions in different countries, and speaks several languages, including English. Contact her via Pastor Julio Mendez, Executive Secretary of the Israel field. Email: <jmendez@netvision.net.il>. Phone: +972 2625 1547 109.

STUDENT VOLUNTEER NEEDED FOR ROUNDELWOOD HEALTH SPA, SCOTLAND. A young lady student volunteer is urgently required at Roundelwood Health Spa operated by the Church in Scotland. Her duties will include simple treatments and supervision of the hydrotherapy pool. All training will be given on arrival. The successful candidate for this volunteer position will receive a stipend of £150 per month, plus free accommodation and meals, and will also have the opportunity, when off duty, to enjoy the swimming pool and gym facilities. Accommodation is in a very pleasant flat and shared with our current young lady volunteer from the Ukraine who speaks good English. For further details, or to apply, contact Roundelwood at: <administrator@roundelwood.fsnet.co.uk>.

CHANGE OF DATE FOR MEN'S WEEKEND RETREAT. The NEC Men's retreat, which was originally scheduled for 11 to 13 November will now take place from 18 to 20 November 2005 at: The Robinson Centre, Wyboston Lakes, Bedfordshire. Contact Cyril Sweeney at the NEC office.

OPEN DAY ADVENTIST RUN CARE HOME. A purpose built residential care home in Bury, Lancashire, is almost ready for occupancy. There will be an open day at 2:00 pm on Wednesday 19 October. For more information phone Stan Hensman on: 0161 723 5756. Email: <hollybankdualreg@btconnect.com>.

ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE. Light and airy double room available immediately in comfortable flat in trendy Crouch End, North London. Share bathroom and kitchen with one other female Adventist professional. Contact Rebecca on: 020 83407644 or 07768 766088.

ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE. Double room in a modern, Adventist home, situated in a nice residential area in Bristol BS5. Close to M32, Tesco, other shops, and a large park with open fields. Ideal for an Adventist student. Phone: 07737 056275, or 0117 902 3185 after 5:30 pm.


BUC News is a weekly news bulletin produced by the British Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and edited by the Communication Department. Items for inclusion should be sent to <bucnews@adventist.org.uk> and need to be received by 6.00 pm on Thursday, preferably as simple email text. Coming Events and Small Ads should be kept short and preferably be submitted via the on-line form at: <www.adventist.org.uk/news>. The editor reserves the right to modify articles received to make them suitable for inclusion. The views expressed by individuals cited in this bulletin do not necessarily reflect the views of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, though we try to ensure that they do. You are free to re-print any portion of this bulletin without the need for special permission. However, we kindly request that you identify BUC News or other sources whenever you publish these materials. Back issues are available on our website at <www.adventist.org.uk>.

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