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

8 October 2008


In this issue:
-------------------------
* Sweden: Relay Arrives in Sweden
* Hungary: A Very Special CFLE Seminar
* Latvia: New Church Dedicated in Latvia
* Lebanon: Lebanese Kid's Peace Camp
* Croatia/Slovenia: Celebrating the 100th Anniversary
* England: Baptism on the Church Hall Steps
* Cyprus: Sun, Sea and Salvation
-------------------------

RELAY ARRIVES IN SWEDEN...[TED News Staff/TED News]

Ekebyholm, Sweden - Twenty-six enthusiastic participants, mainly
young people, arrived at the Church's Junior College in Sweden on
21st September, for two weeks of training and practise in the essence
of Adventism.

The module taught during the first week aimed to introduce the
students to the best practice of Christian leadership, management and
discipleship. It also offered the students practical leadership tools
and discovery of spiritual skills. Lecturers during this week was
Janos-Kovacs Biro, Trans-European Division (TED) Evangelism Director
and Paul Tomkins, TED Youth Director.

Jan Barna, lecturer from Newbold College and Paul Clee, Communication
and Health Director at the TED, led out the second week. In the
mornings, the students learned about the way the Bible is a revealed
story from Genesis chapter three through to the earth made new.
Presented with many drawn illustrations and examples, the audience
were led to a new understanding of the cohesive whole of the Bible
narrative. Training was given and put into practise in the afternoons
with the implementation of a health expo at a community centre in
Norrtalje, a nearby town, where approximately 100 visitors came for
free evaluations of their health and lifestyle, and some stayed to
attend an evening lecture given by Dr Hans Lofgren.

"Members of the public expressed their gratitude and admiration for
this free service given by volunteers, and went away with literature
and a positive attitude to the Church," said Pastor Clee, "I was so
proud of the way all the volunteers worked so hard and cheerfully."
Christian Karlsson and Elin Karlsson, both involved in the health
expo, expressed how nice it was to meet the public, and what a
natural way this was to make friends for the Church.

Following the course, one attendee said, "I would not have missed
this for the world!" Another participant said, "I have really grown
in my relationship with God! Discipleship is very important, and we
need to learn more about this." Many also expressed their interest in
the follow up programme that is scheduled for the first part of 2009.


A VERY SPECIAL CFLE SEMINAR...[Paul Tompkins/TED News Staff/TED News]

Szeged, Hungary - This year's Certified Family Life Educator's (CFLE)
course, from 6th-13th September was very special in a number of ways.
Firstly, a further ten participants completed their training, having
completed the 11 modules that make up the course, making a total of
23 CFLE graduates in the Trans-European Division (TED) of the
Adventist Church.

Secondly, Bernie and Karen Holford, from South England Conference,
were presented with the Arthur and Maud Spaulding Commemorative Award
in recognition of their outstanding contribution to Family
Ministries. Ron and Karen Flowers, Family Ministries Directors of the
World Church, presented the award and recognized the role that they
have played in furthering Family Ministries both within Britain and
further afield. Bernie and Karen have also been at every TED CFLE
programme either as participants or guest lecturers. Their
contribution has been much appreciated and they are the second TED
couple to receive this award - last year Ole and Birthe Kendel were
also similarly honoured.

Finally, an additional feature of this year's session was
the Marriage Seminar training conducted by Bryan Craig, the recently
retired South Pacific Division Family Ministries Director. Bryan also
gave the participants other very practical training in the
'Beginnings', a pre-marital preparation course, making this session
particularly practical in these two very important areas of marital
enrichment.

The course director, Paul Tompkins, TED Youth and Family Director,
commented that he was "delighted to see the CFLE course go from
strength to strength with new participants joining each year".

The next CFLE course will be held in Krakow, Poland from 6th-11th
September 2009.


NEW CHURCH DEDICATED IN LATVIA...[TED Staff/TED News]

Smiltene, Latvia - On Sabbath, 13th September, a new church building
was dedicated in Smiltene, a city close to the eastern border with
Belorussia where the history of Adventism is partly tragic, but
ultimately reassuring.

The dedication service was conducted with participation of about 100
church members, leaders of the Conference, Union and Division,
pastors Viesturs Rekis, Valdis Zilgalvis and Bertil Wiklander.
Special guests were leaders of other Christian churches in the town
of Smiltene. The new church building was financed by the local
church, the Latvian Conference and a substantial grant from the
Trans-European Division. It is a separate building in a strategic,
central position and the love and dedication of the church members in
preparing the building is evidenced everywhere.

The first Seventh-day Adventist church was organised in 1929. Before
the world war, in 1937, however, the Latvian government decided to
protect the national religious heritage by making a law that
prohibited church organisations with fewer members than 50. The
Adventist church was therefore disbanded and members travelled a long
distance to neighbouring churches with more than 50 members. In the
Communist era, 1944-1991, many Adventists suffered persecution for
their faithfulness to God. In 1994, however, the church was
re-established with 16 members. Later on, evangelistic campaigns were
held and the church grew to about 70 members. In 2006, the current
property was purchased and the church was built by its members.

Today, the church congregation is led by retired pastor Arijs
Glazers. The church is run by its members, young and old. Pastor
Glazers has succeeded in making the Adventist Church a highly
respected and loved place of refuge in the town. All representatives
of other churches praised the Adventist presence in the town and
testified to an appreciation of the Adventist church that resembles
what was said about the first Christians: "They praised God and
enjoyed the favour of all the people".

The Trans-European Division President, Dr Bertil Wiklander, who
preached and dedicated the new church said: "I have been enormously
encouraged by what I have seen and experienced here. The deep
spiritual fellowship in the congregation and the popularity of the
Adventist church in this town is a wonderful testimony to God. I am
grateful that I have been part of this event that has brought glory
to God."


LEBANESE KID'S PEACE CAMP...[MEU News/TED News Staff/TED News]

Beirut, Lebanon - In the serenity of nature and in sight of the
glittering Mediterranean Sea, the Seventh-day Adventist owned, Middle
East University on 12th-14th September opened its hillside campus
gates to more than thirty children for a 'Peace Camp'. The theme of
the weekend camp 'Peacemakers' was based on the Bible verse found in
Matthew 5: 9, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
the children of God."

The young campers excitedly set up their tents on Friday afternoon,
after which they joined the adults for a vespers programme in the
university's chapel. "A wonderful exclamation of worship and praise
filled the air," says Susan Barsamian, one of the several Sabbath
School leaders supervising the camp. "The children were happy and the
adults were blessed by their presence among them," she adds.

On Sabbath morning the children started the day with their morning
drill and devotional. The devotionals were designed to enhance the
camp theme by exploring different Bible characters; Abigail, who
demonstrated her hospitality and wisdom, was also a peacemaker; Amos,
who served justice was a peacemaker; and Micah, who made way for the
world's greatest peacemaker ever, Jesus Christ. The children learned
that ordinary people were called to service and it needed ordinary
people to focus on peace and keep hold of it. Along with the
devotionals the children played many organised games, which all led
to the same theme, 'peacemakers'.

"The selection [by the camp organizers] of the 'peacemaker' theme is
not at all surprising," says Aranka Bajic, Children's Ministries
Director for the Adventist Church's Middle East Region. "It is a
poignant reflection of what is foremost in the minds of the resilient
people living in Lebanon, a country with a sad history of violence
and ethnic division. It is my earnest prayer that these kids will now
become young 'peace ambassadors' as they return to their homes,
schools and communities."


ADVENTISM 100 YEARS IN CROATIA AND SLOVENIA...[TED Staff/TED News]

Maribor, Slovenia - On the 27th of September, the church in Croatia
and Slovenia celebrated 100 years since the first organised church
was established. In the morning, a service was held in Maribor, where
the first church was organised in 1910. In attendance were nearly all
550 church members in Slovenia.

The celebration service was held with the participation of the
Minister of Religious Affairs, and the National Television in the
country. An emotional moment occurred when retired pastor Mihael
Virtic, son of the first convert in Slovenia, spoke about his
father's life and commitment to the faith. The daughter of the
pioneer, pastor Albin Mocnik, who brought the Advent message to
Slovenia, was also in attendance.

The Division President, Dr Bertil Wiklander, gave the sermon for the
occasion, and asked on national TV what his message was to the
members, he said: "We have been here for 100 years. The work has
brought the Advent message closer to the people of Slovenia and it
has brought us closer to the day of the coming of the Lord. Today, we
must avoid what some see among Christians, namely that we don't have
time for God. We are so busy with a time-consuming life style, that
we neglect our spiritual growth and our mission. We must give in to
our longing for God and be filled with his presence. Then the mission
will come automatically and more people will know the life-changing
experience of walking with God."

In the afternoon, in Zagreb many different representatives were in
attendance and brought greetings and good wishes--among others the
special representative of the President of Croatia, and various
evangelical churches. A remarkable guest was the leader of the Muslim
community in Croatia and Slovenia, who in his speech brought his
congratulations, and wished God's blessing on the Adventist Church.
The programme was framed by beautiful music, and the event was
covered by national television.

In his sermon, Dr Wiklander directed his hearers to the need for the
Holy Spirit who will enter our lives when we open our hearts in
humility and recognise our own weakness and God's power. Pastor
Bistrovic, the Adriatic Union President and Pastor Stanisa Margaric,
President of the Croatian Conference, reviewed the history of the
church and directed the attention to the coming of the Lord. They
also acknowledged the many visitors and the offices and organisations
they represent with whom the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Croatia
has established excellent and cordial relations.

The membership of the Croatian Conference is about 3,500. In recent
years new approaches to evangelism are engaging young people in
church planting and many young and well-educated pastors have entered
the work. This year, the number of baptisms in the Conference will
reach the highest level for many years.


BAPTISM ON THE TOWN HALL STEPS...[BUC News/TED News Staff/TED News]

Sheffield, England - Baptisms are public events but the North England
Conference (NEC) Pathfinder Rally Day brought new meaning to the word
'public'. As banners waved in the bright sunlight, and 2,000 voices
cheered, three Pathfinders were publicly baptised on the steps of
Sheffield City Hall on Sabbath, 13th September. This was the first
time in Britain the Adventist Church has ever held such a public
baptism, but the three youth, Kenan Mackenzie-Grey, Larissa Andrews
and Cargill Webley were delighted to demonstrate their love to God
and of Pathfinders to the thousands assembled in Sheffield city
centre.

Pastor Ian Sweeney, NEC President stated, "the NEC Pathfinder Rally
Day is one of the largest public events we do in this Conference and
I am extremely proud of our young people and the public witness that
they are bearing for Christ today." The main speaker for the day,
Pastor Jonatan Tejel, Pathfinder Director for the World Church, in
his address challenged parents and Pathfinders alike to "be loyal to
Christ and to the mission to which He has called you. Make yourselves
available to God at all times".

At 14:00 the procession of 2,000 led by three marching bands set off
under the guidance of the local police for their parade through the
City Centre. Pastor Mike Simpson and those not in uniforms
distributed over 5,000 Discover Bible cards and over 1,000 Pathfinder
information leaflets in less than 30 minutes. The procession climaxed
outside of the City Hall, where the watching crowds were treated to a
drum display by the West Midlands Drum Corps. Pastor Tejel then
baptised the three Pathfinders. "I had the privilege of baptising
three Pathfinders outside the Hall," he said, "this being the biggest
evangelistic moment of the day because we did it in front of the
people of Sheffield".

Trevor Thomas, NEC Pathfinder director, is excited: "The NEC
Pathfinder and Adventurer Rally Day gets progressively better. I am
going home tired and worn out but extremely happy at the success of
the day especially, as many other Pathfinders came forward asking to
be baptised including my own son, James."


SUN, SEA AND SALVATION...[Alex Elmadjian/TED News]

Limassol, Cyprus - A two-floor ministry centre named 'Meeting Point'
has been opened in Limassol, with its mission to attract the
cosmopolitan inhabitants of this seaside resort town to
community-oriented programmes and socially affirming activities.

At the packed dedication service on 13th September, Pastor David Cox,
leader of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cyprus, emphasised the
purpose of the centre. "Today we are dedicating both this building
and the Limassol church members to service for the Kingdom of God."
He added that 'Meeting Point' would be a place where people could
drop in without feeling threatened by "heavy religion". Rather it
will be a place where they can meet new friends, share fresh ideas
and ultimately encounter God.

While the venue will facilitate the local congregation's regular
Sabbath worship services, Pastor Cox says that the former seafront
taxi office will not resemble a church in the conventional sense of
the word. Religious activities will be combined with parenting
seminars, music and art workshops, kids clubs, and a resource library
with Internet access. "Our purpose is to meet the needs of the
surrounding people, many of whom are immigrants and tourists," says
Pastor Cox. "We want it to be a hub of belonging in the heart of the
tourist area," he adds.

In the near future, 'Meeting Point' members are keen to attract local
professionals to donate their services in an effort to strengthen
community spirit. Currently they are seeking to invite a local lawyer
to provide weekly drop-in, legal advice related to employment and
abuse issues. Nutrition specialists and exercise instructors are also
being sought.

In a personal message to the Limassol members, read at the dedication
service by Richard Novlesky, Secretary-Treasurer for the Adventist
Church in the Middle East region, Kjell Aune, President, greeted the
congregation and expressed the following sentiments on the behalf of
the region's church administration. "We are pleased that the Limassol
members have a strong mission focus and are anxious to connect more
effectively with the wider community through service ministries and
evangelism. As you begin to utilise this building we wish you God's
blessings in all your plans and activities. May God grant you the
wisdom, energy and finances needed to operate this centre."

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

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