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

28 November 2007


In this issue:
-------------------------
* Montenegro: Momentous Actions Taken at Winter Meetings
* Estonia: Music Seminar Elates and Elevates
* England: God Makes the Difference
* England: Small Acts of Kindness
--------------------------

MOMENTOUS ACTIONS TAKEN AT WINTER MEETINGS...[TED News Staff/TED
News]

Budva, Montenegro - For several reasons the Winter Meetings of the
Trans-European Division (TED) this year could be called "remarkable".
This year's annual gathering of the 13 unions and 3 attached fields
in the TED saw momentous actions taken in stunning surroundings by
the Adriatic Sea. A programme including worships, committees, board
meetings and full sessions with the participation of approximately 90
representatives of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Special guests from the North American Division, President Don
Schneider, and Secretary Roscoe Howard III - speaker at the Sabbath
service, took part in the pastoral ordination of Raafat Kamal, TED
Field Secretary and Adventist Mission Director, in a moving, personal
service, where all were invited to rededicate their lives to God.
Raafat was welcomed by fellow Field Secretary Paul Clee; and Raafat's
wife, Heidi, by Shepherdess Co-ordinator, Anne-May Wollan.

The meetings were held in the seaside village of Becici, near the
town of Budva in Montenegro. Using the Adriatic Sea's close
proximity, President of the TED Dr Bertil Wiklander in his keynote
address reminded his hearers of the Biblical history of the sea. From
it, he spoke on the theme of the world church for 2008, "Signs of
Hope". He pointed out that in the Bible there is no neutral
expectation, hope is always rooted in God. Using the Bible as his
reference point, he reminded his hearers of several texts,
culminating in Colossians 1:27 "Christ in you, the Hope of glory". He
showed how the TED's strategic plan is aimed at implementing this
hope.

TED Executive Secretary Harald Wollan presented an illustrated report
on the membership statistics of the TED, as of 30 June. He rejoiced
over the 3,212 persons baptised in the twelve month period, and with
regret he reported that just over 500 persons had been removed from
the Church lists. He asked that each territory take steps to improve
the retention rate, and develop a strategy to maximize the keeping of
children and youth in the Church. Furthermore, Wollan emphasised the
need for accurate reporting of statistics.

TED Treasurer Johann E Johannsson made a pictorial presentation of
the work of his department; and later using pie charts and
PowerPoints clearly illustrating the challenges and successes of the
finances of this diverse division.

The findings of the Valuegenesis study, in which many challenging and
encouraging facts on how young people view the Church, ethics and
standards was presented to an enthralled audience. Tor Tjeransen,
President of the Church in Norway said, "It has been very interesting
to hear some of the findings from [this] study. It will help us to
work intelligently with the task of helping young people to form a
personal faith. One of the things that struck me was the finding that
the role of adults outside the family circle is so low in shaping the
faith of the youth. It really tells us that we have to make sure we
have meaningful interaction between youth and adults in the church."

Extending the TED's outreach in new ways was discussed. It was voted
to request funding to develop and extend outreach work on the
internet, and for special emphasis on children and youth. Funds for
the production of Arabic TV programmes was also requested.

Amongst the financial items discussed was the implementation of a new
salary scale, to be introduced by at least 2013 as a packaged system
or as a new salary scale, bringing the TED into line with the World
Church's recent recommendations. Richard Elofer, President of the
church in Israel said, "It is crucial for the future of the church to
have this meeting, to hear reports from the TED officers and
departments; to listen to the reports of the various fields of our
division and also to be aware of the decisions taken by the General
Conference in order to stay one church united through the world."

Following an introduction by TED Treasurer Johann E Johannsson, a
major decision was made: to support Newbold College with a £1,000,000
grant. In his introduction Johannsson explained how several factors
have affected the financial situation of the college. The primary
factor has been the weakening of the US dollar, causing a drop of
students affected by the unfavourable exchange rate. An additional
factor is that appropriations from the TED have been static for
several years. "We need Newbold for our young people especially for
the training of pastors in Europe" said Johannsson. One speaker,
echoing the comments of others, said that this is a "clear vote of
confidence" in the programme of the College. At the same time, it was
voted that a special commission be set up to work on a sustainable,
long-term programme for the continued success of Newbold.

"This is a long - term commitment to education for the work of the
Lord" stated Dr Bertil Wiklander, President of the Trans-European
Division of Seventh-day Adventists (TED), and chairperson, at the
vote of the Executive Committee.

Summing up his impressions of the meetings, Dr Bertil Wiklander said,
"The decisions made at this meeting will have far-reaching
consequences for the church. I think especially of the decisions to
create a project for the European N-generation, combining innovative
work for children and youth with various uses of the Internet, to
develop Newbold College, and to produce Arabic TV programmes.
Supporting and encouraging new generations of young Adventists who
love to share their faith must be our primary focus. They are our
future. I am also very pleased with the way our Division Plan is now
being led forward by teams at the Division office working closely
with the local fields."

"As usual, we have had a profound sense of the presence of God and a
wonderful fellowship, and this time in a most beautiful and relaxing
setting. I feel grateful. It is impossible to express what a
privilege it is to lead this division. I have strong hope for the
future. We will overcome our challenges, because the Lord is with us
and is working through us", concluded Dr Wiklander.


MUSIC SEMINAR ELATES AND ELEVATES...[Lauri Beekmann/TED News
Staff/TED News]

Tartu, Estonia - Pastors, department leaders and lay members in the
Adventist Church in Estonia gained a new in-depth understanding of
worship, church service and music, from a seminar held in Tartu on 2
- 4 November.

The team of educators and performers at this music seminar included
Ken Burton, an international conductor, performer, composer and
educator from Britain; together with Paul Lee, Music Director of the
South-England Conference, Trevor Johnson, London Adventist Chorale
Project Manager; and Dr Miroslav Pujic, Trans-European Division
director of Worship and Music Ministries, who presented the
historical background for worship services and music in the church.

A strong emphasis was made during the seminar on the role each church
member plays in any church service. Worship involves not only the
pastor and a few other persons at the front; it includes every single
member sitting in the pew.

On Saturday evening the Tartu Adventist church was packed with church
members and their friends attending a worship concert. Acclaimed
musicians Ken Burton, Trevor Johnson and Paul Lee introduced music
such as the local church had never heard before. The response from
the congregation was overwhelmingly positive. Clapping, a very rare
expression of delight in the Adventist church in Estonia, was
unstoppable.

Being interviewed by the Estonian Christian Radio, Paul Lee commented
that he was impressed to see that not only young people played
different instruments and sang, but that people from the older
generation also participated in the music worship.

The concert may be found at: http://www.advent.ee/materjal.php?id=77


GOD MAKES THE DIFFERENCE...[Ian Lorek/TED News Staff/TED News]

Bracknell, England - On 24 October members of the South England
Conference (SEC) administration of the Seventh-day Adventist church,
together with ministers in Britain, met at Newbold College to share
reports from Church Planting projects throughout the provinces.

Without exception, accounts on how individuals and communities have
been changed because of the church's presence there were conveyed in
encouraging and heart warming reports. These also included the theory
and organization of the various projects, and how to lead and mentor
people towards Christ, upholding Christian principles. Testimonies of
how God has worked through individuals to reach individuals, often
through daily life situations, were the highlights of the reports.

Honest Christian living is a witness that can make a tremendous
difference, as seen in one area where the neighbours were initially
hostile to the young people living nearby. No amount of friendliness,
including sharing homemade food, seemed to make any difference, until
the honest confession of one of the team members who bumped a
neighbour's car improved relations.

A number of the projects have resulted in baptisms, and it was
reported that the individuals involved continue their journey growing
in faith.

The reports concluded that Church planting needs long term commitment
from the team and from the church organization; and emphasized the
importance of meeting the needs of the local community.

"It is encouraging to see new Church Planting initiatives taking
place not only in London but also in the Provinces. God's Spirit is
moving in various ways and using willing hearts and minds to reach
out in our communities," said Pastor Aristotle Vontzalidis, Church
Growth Director of the SEC.

"Above all, plans must be put before God, who makes the difference,"
commented Pastor Ian Lorek.


SMALL ACTS OF KINDNESS...[BUC News/TED News Staff/TED News]

Watford, England - Tuesday morning, 13 November saw a container
filled with 5,200 shoeboxes leave ADRA-UK headquarters in Watford,
for Madagascar. Packed with small presents for orphaned children, the
Adventist Development and Relief Agency in the UK decided to focus on
the needs of Madagascar for the 2007 Shoebox Appeal.

The gifts have come from all over the country. Dundee members in
Scotland packed almost 50 boxes and made a donation towards shipping
costs, and 100 shoeboxes were donated by the Middlesbrough church.
The local Adventist church there made it a real community project
with contributions from other churches, schools and members of the
public.

Newbold College's School of English were also involved. Under the
theme, 'Small Acts of Kindness', 40 students and their teachers
gathered on Tuesday, 6 November to fill shoeboxes with an abundance
of donated pens, colouring pencils, t-shirts, caps, flip-flops and
small toys.

Erica Hole, Head of the School, says: "I was delighted with the
students' response. There was a real buzz among them as they put
together the packages. Additional donations were arriving until the
last minute".

Former ADRA worker and current Newbold Business student, Berline
Ravaoarimino, spoke to the students about the situation in
Madagascar, her home country. "Madagascar is a nation struggling with
poverty. There are children who have lost both their parents and have
no one to take care of them. Even the children who have surviving
parents do not have enough resources for their basic daily needs."

Even past the deadline shoeboxes are still coming in and it is
anticipated that another half-container with over 2,000 more boxes
will be sent before Christmas.

___________________________________________________________________
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
E-mail: tednews@ted-adventist.org
Website: http://www.ted-adventist.org

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