BUC News #552 (31 August 2007)

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BUC News #552 (31 August 2007)

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

Contents:

PRAYER MINISTRIES "BEST WEEKEND EVER".

GOD IN A BARN.

A DAY TO BE REMEMBERED.

GROUND LEVEL CAMP.

DIVORCE RATES DOWN: MARRIAGE MORE STABLE.

LEICESTER CHURCH ON FAITH BUILDINGS TRAIL.

TWO NEW BUC YOUTH WEB PAGES.

BUC NEWS NEXT WEEK.

THIS WEEK'S "IN CONVERSATION".

COMING EVENTS.

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PRAYER MINISTRIES "BEST WEEKEND EVER" [Vivienne Evers]

"This is the best weekend away I have ever had", Jacquei Johnson enthused. She was back from the South England Conference Prayer Ministries weekend, 10-12 August 2007. She was enthused with the good food, accommodation and friendly staff at the King's Centre in Northampton but the joy of the weekend went beyond that. "The presentations were informative and practical," Jacquei stated. "I particularly enjoyed the workshop on creative ways of praying for children and families." This was a very spiritual time for us all. Ruthie Jacobsen from North America joined us together with a group of eight ladies from the Scottish Mission including Karin Edwards, wife of the Scottish Mission President. We were also pleased that Heather Haworth was able to be with us as well.

Prayer was, naturally, an important part of the weekend. Following SEC President, Pastor Humphrey Walters' keynote address, Ruthie invited several participants to come forward and pray for him and his family. Then Ruthie gave us the first of her talks called "The Power of Practical Prayer" giving many illustrations of her own experiences.

During an early Sabbath morning worship Brenda Edwards shared that prayer can only make a difference when we seek God and we know Him personally, intimately and experientially for ourselves. Pastor Perry took Sabbath School giving us a wonderful Bible study on Samson. Then Ruthie talked on Making Your Church a House of Prayer. In the afternoon Bernie and Karen Holford shared with the members "Creative Prayer with Families and Children".

Sunday morning prayers were taken by Karin Edwards who gave us a wonderful talk on "we must get out of the boat" and we were treated to songs and were blessed by the prayers from the Scottish ladies that came with her.

Ruthie gave us some wonderful spiritual talks during the weekend and we all felt blessed and spiritually refreshed. A good number of ladies and senior youth were blessed by the event but only five men. Next year the Prayer Ministries department would invite more men to join in and experience the power of prayer in this extra special weekend.

GOD IN A BARN

"What kind of God did you bring to camp?" An interesting question to ask a group of campers, some of them non-Adventist, others with a strong Adventist heritage running through their blood. It was the West Country Family Camp. Fellowshipping in a beautiful campsite in the hills above Barnstable and worshipping in an old barn, Pastor Barry Alen challenged his audience with ideas of God's abundant grace in the stories of the lost coin, the lost sheep and the lost son. In each story he showed how God is seeking relationships with each of us. By Monday morning worship he surprised his audience by asking them, "Is your God a party God?" People left the camp with an assurance that God works with and through them and rejoices with them when sinners repent and when saints have good news.

West Country Camp is organised by SEC Area 2 with Pastor Mick Smart as Camp Master and worship leader with Len and Jo Sitton of the Weston-Super-Mare church organising all the financial and practical details. The camp attracts a varied group of members who enjoy fellowship, the beauty of nature, worship and fun. This was evidenced on Sunday night at an "OK Corral" like bonfire in the farm yard with a mixture of anecdotes, songs, recitals and fun. Leaving the site and the warmth of the bank holiday sunshine one regular camper was heard to say, "This is one of the best camps I've been to for years." She will definitely be back next August bank holiday for more of the same. A selection of photos from the event are available on the BUC picture gallery: <www.adventistpictures.org.uk>.

A DAY TO BE REMEMBERED [Nolan Victory, Event Organiser]

Sunday, 26 August was a historic day at Oxford Seventh-day Adventist church. It was the day that the church hosted a special programme to commemorate the bi-centenary of the passing of the Act to abolish the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.

The evening began with a historical display of copies of some of the original manuscripts written by abolitionists such as Wilberforce, Ramsay and others made available by the Bodleian library [Rhodes House] of Oxford University. In addition there was a display of books on slavery from authors past and present. With the arrival of the Lord Mayor and his wife the programme began in earnest. Pastor David Spearing led out in a liturgy with readings on reflection, confession, forgiveness, and thanksgiving.. Among those taking part in the reading was Liberal Democrat Councillor Richard Huzzey.

Richard Reddie, Director of 'Set All Free' of the Churches Together in England was guest speaker. Richard did justice to the title of the programme 'A race had been freed but a society not yet born'. He reminded the congregation that the campaign to end the abolition of the slave trade began in the churches and moved out into the wider society. He also challenged deep thought when he said the church was silent for two hundred years while this ungodly trade in human cargo was allowed to flourish. He brought the point home when he asked what the church is doing today when we have exploitation in places such as the Ghana cocoa industry and other parts of the world where goods are mass produced using cheap labour. A moving rendition of the song 'There is a Balm in Gilead' by a male quartet of the church and collection to assist needy students all made for a truly a memorable and thought-provoking evening.

GROUND LEVEL CAMP - CHAPEL PORTH, CORNWALL [Nalissa Maberly]

South England Conference Youth Ministries broke the Adventist bubble the week of 21 - 26 August as 70 people descended on the Chapel Porth Youth Camp Site for "Ground Level", a camp designed to provide an opportunity for community youth and families to have a week away. The campers came from Dunstable, Kennington, Newbold and St Austell, with the majority travelling down by coach. By design, they were a mix of Adventists and their unchurched friends.

Cornwall put on a show with amazing weather, clear blue skies and sunshine for the majority of the week, enabling the campers to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. The evening programme involved worship, provided by the Focus band from Newbold while Stanborough Park Youth pastor, Dejan Stojkovic regaled the audience with stories that challenged all to consider the source of Joy. "It was awesome to worship with so many different people from so many backgrounds," worship leader Steven Hulbert stated. "This is a camp that makes a difference." The group were also well fed physically with the culinary expertise of Earl and Jackie Ramharacksingh providing generous, tasty meals.

Some of the highlights included a crazy 18-mile bike ride, up and down hills to Pentreath Beach, with a number of people finding more 'scenic' routes. Then there were the beach activities. The highlight activity for many was paintballing Friday afternoon where 40 of the group, donned in head to foot protection, ran around a field completing missions with a few stray balls resulting in some notable bruises.

Saturday afternoon saw the group hike out to nearby ruins. Dividing into teams they organised and performed mini dramas focusing on the theme of Joy. Each drama utilised a different ruin; the sea mist rolling in to provide a dramatic backdrop.

Many new friendships were formed, and, despite a few minor injuries and a lot of tiredness, people left for home glad they had come.

DIVORCE RATES DOWN: MARRIAGE MORE STABLE

Divorce rates in the UK have hit a thirty year low according to figures released by the National Office of Statistics on Thursday. The numbers were down 4.5 percent to 148,141 between 2005 and 2006, the second fall in two years. Within that number one in five divorces are from a second or subsequent marriage. While the number of new marriages is also at a 100 year low in the UK the indications are that those who make the choice to get married are more determined to make it succeed than in the past.

"This is a good sign," says Bernie Holford, Family Ministries director for the South England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. "A stable marriage is the best environment for raising a family. If couples can work through their differences and strengthen their marriage they tend to be happier and more stable then those who give up and try with someone else."

In a world where more and more couples choose simply to live together rather than enter into a more long-term marriage relationship, Adventists believe that the added factor of God in the relationship can help marriages to succeed. "Marriage is much more than romantic love," Heather Haworth, Family and Women's Ministries director for the Adventist Church in the UK and Ireland states. "Marriage involves companionship, supporting each other and sharing common goals and ambitions. It also involves a good deal of tolerance and forgiveness. Having God at the centre can make a real difference."

"Marriages may be made in heaven," Holford states, "but the reality is that they often crash on earth because in our individualistic age people expect too much of each other but are unwilling to change themselves." In Marriage Enrichment Workshops, run for married couples and those preparing for marriage, Holford emphasises that the best marriages may still have quarrels and disagreements, but they succeed because they are based on the principle of all giving love that the apostle Paul expresses in 1 Corinthians 13 and the idea of building up and supporting each other found in Ephesians 5:21-30.

The good news is that there are very professional resources available now for anyone who wants to turn a difficult relationship around. Excellent ways of building a marriage relationship together include attending couple seminars, taking time out together, finding support from a trusted mentor couple, or starting couple therapy. Couples can face the most difficult situations and grow closer. Even one person, with appropriate help, and especially the power of God, can bring healing to almost any relationship.

LEICESTER CHURCH ON FAITH BUILDINGS TRAIL

Leicester Seventh-day Adventist church is just one of the historic buildings across Leicester open to the public next week, 6 - 9 September. It is all part of the town's Heritage Open Days and during the four day period people will be encouraged to visit a whole variety of buildings including the 200 faith buildings that make up the 50 denominations and 10 major religions in the city.

The church will also be on the peace trail, a bus or on-foot tour that will take place on Sunday, 9 September. Visitors to the Adventist church will also benefit from a guided tour, a short musical recital and an interactive display explaining some of the many aspects and activities of the Adventist faith. For more information on this and other Heritage Open Day events visit: <www.heritageopendays.org/ed/leicestershire/leicester/HOD006904E.shtml>.

TWO NEW BUC YOUTH WEB PAGES

The BUC Youth department has launched two new web pages this week with the assistance of Yuneun Carrillo in the BUC Communication department.

The first has full details of the Conference on Teenagers taking place 30 November - 2 December 2007 at Staverton Park in Northampton. This conference will deal with all aspects of working, living with and ministering to teenagers and is open to church leaders, youth leaders, parents, community workers etc. Early bird fees of £100 per person if booked before 30 September. Prices rise to £125 after that date. For details and an application form please visit <www.conferenceonteens.org.uk>.

The other website, <www.bucpathfindercamporee.org.uk>, has information about next year's BUC Pathfinder Camporee which will be held 27 July - 3 August 2008 in Skreens Park, near Chelmsford, Essex. This new site will be updated regularly with more information, so please bookmark it for future visits.

BUC NEWS NEXT WEEK

The South England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be holding its constituency meeting, Thursday 6 to Sunday 9 September in the Great Hall at Exeter University. The BUC Communication department will be joining with the Stanborough Press to help cover this event. In order to give you an update on the progress of the meetings on the Friday BUC News will be published slightly later than normal on the Friday evening.

THIS WEEK'S "IN CONVERSATION"

"In Conversation" is an interview programme produced by the BUC's Media Centre and broadcast on Hope Channel Europe. This week Anthony Opoku-Mensah, a young minister in London tells how serving God is so much more positive then the spiritualistic powers he used as a boy.

4:30 am and 7:30 pm: Friday 31 August: Ron Lawrence

12:30, 1:30 am and 3:00 pm: Sabbath 1 September: Ron Lawrence

2:30 am and 7:00 pm: Monday 3 September: Anthony Opoku-Mensah

8:30 am: Wednesday 5 September: Anthony Opoku-Mensah

4:30 am and 7:30 pm: Friday 7 September: Anthony Opoku-Mensah

12:30, 1:30 am and 3:00 pm: Sabbath 8 September: Anthony Opoku-Mensah

The following week Petras Bahadur shares how following Christ has led him into a special ministry reaching out to his fellow Asian community in England. 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 go to our new website: <www.hopetv.org.uk>.

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.

"ALL IS NOT LOST" EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN. Concluding Sabbath, 1 September. Doncaster Seventh-day Adventist church will be hosting its evangelistic campaign with the theme, "All is Not Lost", focusing on many of the issues such as gun and knife crimes which our young people are facing in the community. Contact: Victor Marshall <jomarvic_9@hotmail.com>. Phone: 07918826874.

THE POWER OF INFLUENCE. Friday, 31 August. Croydon Youth department presents: 'The Power of Influence'. Where is your shadow falling? Where is your example leading others? Can your friends and family see Christ in your life? How can you have the kind of relationship with God that makes your life a sermon? Well, why not come down to Croydon Seventh-day Adventist church this Friday and Sabbath and you will find out. Speakers: Marc Naiken and Max McKenzie-Cook. Come and unlock the potential God gave you to powerfully influence others to the Kingdom. Contact: Vanessa <vsutherland_lord@hotmail.com>. Phone: 09761 586 960.

SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS 3. Friday, 31 August - Sunday, 2 September. Free, free, free, that's right it's free! Free accommodation, food and transport from Birmingham and Manchester. Absolutely no cost. Venue: Aberdaron. Ages: 15 - 30ish. Speaker: Cindy Tutsch from the General Conference, Ellen G White Estate. Theme: "A Call to Stand Apart". This is a no nonsense congress discovering how the writings of Ellen White can make an eternal difference to 21st century youth. Contact: Alan Hush <ahush@necadventist.org.uk>. Phone: 01159606312.

DAY OF FELLOWSHIP AT MIDDLESBROUGH. Sabbath, 1 September. You are cordially invited to this year's Big Day of Fellowship for the Newcastle, Middlesbrough and surrounding churches. A bounty of uplifting messages, music, praise and fellowship, starting promptly at 10:00 am. Guest Speaker: BUC President, Pastor Don McFarlane. Also: Instrumental Music Ensemble and "Lifeline" Choir from Newcastle church; a baptismal service in the afternoon. Soup, rolls and some dessert for lunch. Supplement with your own food. Venue: St Barnabas Church on the corner of Linthorpe Road and St Barnabas Road, Middlesbrough TS5 6JR. Contact: Pastor Peter Jeynes <peterjeynes@talk talk.net>.

MOOR CLOSE NIGHTS. Sabbath, 1 September. Be alive, be a worshipper! Come and sing your heart out as we kick off a new season of praise at the Newbold Church Centre, Binfield, RG42 4AN. Be there for 6.30 pm. Contact: Geert <tapgeert@hotmail.com>. Phone: 01344 407652.

STANBOROUGH PRESS OPEN DAY. Sunday, 2 September. Guest speaker: Roy Adams. All the usual fun, special offers and great bargains. Join us at our Alma Park site in Grantham for a great day out. Contact: Paul Hammond <phammondsp@aol.com>. Phone: 01476 591 700.

SEC AREA 8 SPORTS AND FAMILY DAY. Sunday, 2 September. SEC Area 8 will be having its second annual Sports and Family Day. All members and friends of Area 8 are invited. A day full of Fun and Fellowship. Venue: Gloucester Park, Cranes Farm Road, Basildon, Essex, SS14 3DE. Contact: Pastor Mike Toy <toymiketoy@aol.com>. Phone: +44 (7768) 453617.

SEC SESSION. Thursday, 6 to Sunday, 9 September in the Great Hall at Exeter University. Delegates are reminded they should have booked their accommodation by now. Contact: Paul Lockham <plockham@secadventist.org.uk>. Phone: 01923 232 728.

CHISWICK CHURCH FUNDRAISING CONCERT. Sabbath, 8 September. In aid of Chiswick church "Raise the roof" building project. Appearing: Balham Gospel Choir, Holloway Praise Team, Proclaim, Amana New Generation Choir, Brequelli, New Beginnings, LEGACY, Willingspirit, Personify, Newbold String Quartet and Steadfast. Venue: Action Town Hall (Junction of Winchester Street and Acton High Street). Buses: E3, 207, 266, 607; Underground: Chiswick Park, Turnham Green. Doors open: 6.30 pm for 7.00 pm start. Adults: £8, children (12 or under): £4. Contact: Gilbert John <glbertajohn@yahoo.co.uk>. Phone: 07983343312.

MISSION OF MERCY GOSPEL CAMPAIGN. Sabbath, 15 to Sabbath, 29 September. Watford Town church presents two weeks of inspirational words of encouragement. Introducing guest speaker Pastor Michael Harvey (President of North Jamaica Mission). Venue: Watford Town Seventh-day Adventist Church, 187 Leavesden Road (corner of Diamond Road), Watford, Hertfordshire, WD24 5EG, starting at 7:30 pm on Sabbath, 15 September and continuing nightly at 7:30 pm and Sabbaths at 11:15 am and 7:30 pm. Contact: Richard Henry <threewords@hotmail.com>. Phone: 07788 100130.

NOTTINGHAM CENTRAL MUSIC DAY. Sabbath, 15 September. We invite you to join us on this very special day in the spirit of praise and worship starting at 9:30 am. Guest speaker: Philip Herbert. Theme: 'Enhance, not Entrance'. AYS programme beginning at 4:00 pm when Dr Diana Sinclair, NEC Music Advisor will present a workshop around songwriting/singing and then we will continue in the spirit of praise and worship with a concert in the evening featuring local and area artistes beginning at 6:00 pm. Lunch provided for guests and visitors. Please come and help us to make this day a blessing. Contact: Joan Cornwall <joan.cornwall@ntlworld.com>.

AN INVITATION TO WORSHIP- FUNDRAISING CONCERT. Sabbath, 15 September. A fundraising concert for the LYF Student Fund will be held at the Advent Centre from 7:00 pm followed by a social and hot food. Artists for the night include: Balham Youth Choir, Deimar, Jane Liburd and The Peat Brothers. Come and satisfy your soul and bless the Lord with your worship. Admission is free, but please bring a generous offering! For further details contact Irene Onek on 07830349755 or Ranette Prime <rai118@hotmail.com>. Phone: 07817713050.

PONTON PLOD FOR STOP INTERNATIONAL. Sunday, 16 September. Starting from Great Ponton, Nr Grantham, walk 27 or 17 miles in 10 hours from Great Ponton Community Centre nr Grantham. Scenic routes using footpaths, bridleways, tracks and minor roads passing through several picturesque villages in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire towards the Vale of Belvoir. Start: 8.30 am. Registration from 7.00 am. Ample car parking at or close to start. Home-made refreshments will be provided at checkpoints, hot drinks and sandwiches available at half way point. Home-made soup and pudding at the finish. A certificate will be given to all finishers. Entry form on the STOP International website. Contact: Stuart Ashley <stuartashley47@btinternet.com>. Phone: 01400 281580.

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SMALL ADS

CAN YOU HELP A PHD STUDENT? Jasan Chang has recently acquired an MSc and is looking for commercial sponsors for his PhD in Sino-British Business. He is a member at Manchester Central and would like to make contact with any member from the Adventist church in the UK who works in a company which does business with the Chinese market or is thinking of expanding their business in China or alternatively if anybody knows such people. Please contact Jasan Chang at <jason119best@yahoo.com>.

ROOMS AVAILABLE FOR RENT. Edmonton N18, near IKEA/Tesco. Share home with an Adventist family, two furnished double rooms available, all bills inclusive, available now - call 07958 116893 for more details or email <rogercharles2000@hotmail.com>.

ROOMS FOR RENT. Fully-furnished double bedroom and single bedroom situated in a comfortable and relaxed Stamford Hill town-house. Entirely double-glazed, centrally heated with telephone and fast internet connection. Rent: £75.00 pw and £55.00 pw respectively. The room/s will initially be available for 6 months. Favour will be given to polite, honest and sociable young persons (M/F), who will have access to all above facilities which are inclusive in the rent. Contact Ms D Riley: 0207 502 3196/Mobile: 07722 122 285 or email <deniseriley2001@yahoo.co.uk>.

ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY REQUIRED. The British Union Conference is seeking to recruit a full-time Administrative Secretary to serve the office of the President at the Union office, Stanborough Park, Watford, Herts. Applicants will be members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and have substantial experience working as a secretary or a PA. They should be able to demonstrate high levels of proficiency in the use of office technology, English usage and Microsoft Office software. Successful candidates will need strong organisational and inter-personal skills and be able to work independently without direct supervision, showing the utmost discretion and tact when handling confidential information. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Salary £19,200 - £21,300 pa based on qualification and experience. For a job description and an application form write or email: BUC Executive Secretary, BUC Office, Stanborough Park, Watford, Herts WD25 9JZ, <elowe@adventist.org.uk>. Closing date for applications: Sunday, 30 September 2007.

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. Victor Hulbert, director; Mary Kapon, secretary. Items for inclusion should be sent to <bucnews@adventist.org.uk> and need to be received by 6.00 pm on Wednesday, 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 and an RSS feed including photographs are available on our website at <www.adventist.org.uk>.