BUC News #437 (8 April 2005)

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

Contents:

ENCOURAGING RESULTS FOR INGATHERING
MATTHAN-ROGERS FAMILY WITNESS IN LINCOLNSHIRE
MOOR CLOSE MEMBER ASSISTS WITH TSUNAMI RELIEF
RELIEF AS ABDUCTED ADRA WORKERS RELEASED IN SUDAN
NEW WORKER IN BUC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
COMING EVENTS
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ENCOURAGING RESULTS FOR INGATHERING

"The ADRA Annual Appeal has reached its final weekend in most of the United Kingdom, with only the Metropolitan area of London still having more than a week to go," says BUC President Pastor Cecil Perry. "One would have expected to detect a certain degree of donor fatigue with the public because of the outpouring of giving to the tsunami appeals. Instead many of us have found a very satisfying response to our appeal at the doors. Donors have been generous. We are aware of the momentous events of the week: the burial of Pope John Paul II and its religious significance; the intended marriage of Royalty on Sabbath; and the proroguing of Parliament in preparation for the general election. Yet we are invited to put forth every effort to exceed past collections. The poor and needy are depending on us. May I offer my thanks to all who are doing their best for the charity, both by giving and by collecting."

The latest Ingathering bulletin put out by the North England Conference reports a total collected so far of £28,835.52, which is some £7,800 up on last year's equivalent report. Two very small churches have done tremendously well: Wilmslow has raised £5,607, and Worcester has raised £3,048. Of the six areas in the NEC, Area Five, which includes all the churches in the West Midlands, has the highest total with £8,375, though Area Two, the North West, is a close second with £7,132.61.

In his letter to collectors NEC President Pastor Egerton Francis commented on the encouragement he had received as householders remembered him from previous years. "It is good to be remembered by the people we meet as we go out collecting each year. It does make collecting easier, encouraging and enjoyable. In fact, you look forward to meeting these special friends... One of the secrets of making friends in this way, and being remembered by those from whom you collect, is to return and collect in the same area each year. In most cases you meet the same people. They get to know you and to have some idea of the work you are doing. They learn to trust you; and so when you call they are usually ready and prepared to give their donations."

Every year there is a considerable but inevitable lag between Ingathering money being collected and the totals been reported. The only figure we have for the SEC at present is £17,953.87, though the actual amount is bound to be much higher. Similarly for the Missions the figure we have is just £3,001.15. The position will become clearer as time goes by but we would encourage all collectors and agents to do their best to return canisters, count the contents, and report the results, as quickly as possible.


MATTHAN-ROGERS FAMILY WITNESS IN LINCOLNSHIRE

On Good Friday, 25 March, the Matthan-Rogers family (Chris, Susanna and Asha) joined other believers on a "Walk of Witness" in their village of Billinghay, Lincolnshire. They stopped at various Billinghay landmarks to read scripture and sing songs of praise, and, as Susanna reports, "it was a beautiful time of witness to the many people who had to slow down as we walked the streets". Billinghay is a little village in the middle of Lincolnshire, and Susanna and Chris believe that God is preparing it for a spiritual revival.

The family has also been featured recently on BBC Radio Lincolnshire because they took up an innovative challenge to use "Cash for a Month". This is a campaign aimed at breaking the current "debt dependency" trend which is affecting many families, and was recently launched by Rob Parsons (Care for the Family) outside the Bank of England in London. Susanna was interviewed twice on Dave Bussey's Radio Lincolnshire morning show. "The whole experience was a tremendous personal success for us as a family - and we are still using cash! As Christians who believe strongly in family values we can set a very positive example in society by our lifestyle. Breaking the burden of debt is very important for many people and I hope we have been able to encourage some of these people in a practical way."

As a third form of witness Chris was recently involved in leading a small string section at Spring Harvest in Skegness under the leadership of Chris Bowater. Spring Harvest is a well-known Christian festival attended by thousands of Christians from far and wide and Chris was part of the Grapevine Worship Team each evening from 31 March to 4 April. "It was an amazing experience," he says. "The daily Big Top celebrations were wonderful times of creative worship - including music, painting, drama, dance, poetry, prayer, praise and teaching - for thousands of people. I felt personally blessed that through this experience I was able to praise God through His gift of music, and was able to bless the congregation in worship at special times of prayer and praise through improvisation on the violin."

Like many Adventist families throughout the UK and Ireland the Matthan-Rogers family are using their spiritual gifts and their time to spread the gospel message of hope in their local community. "We praise God and thank Him for the amazing opportunities for witness that He has brought our way since moving to Lincolnshire in 2002."

For further information see: <www.themoneysecret.info>, <www.care-for-the-family.org.uk>, and <www.springharvest.org>.


MOOR CLOSE MEMBER ASSISTS WITH TSUNAMI RELIEF

Kirsten Øster-Lundqvist, a member of the Newbold Moor Close church, is currently working for ADRA as part of its tsunami relief operation in Indonesia. Kirsten is a Danish citizen but has lived in many different countries. She has a ministerial and communication background and has worked for the Church for the past ten years in various different capacities and ministries. In 2002 she was called from Norway, where she had been the director and manager of a local Adventist Radio station, to join AWR's Global English language team as the executive producer in 2002.

It was while working at AWR's office in Binfield that Kirsten and her husband became members of the Moor Close church. Previously they had been involved in the original Café Church in Copenhagen and the Norwegian Cornelius church plant in Oslo, so they were used to contemporary worship and churches geared for the un-churched. They found Moor Close to be similar in its mission to provide a contemporary worship experience and became actively involved.

When AWR closed down its English programme production at the end of 2004 Kirsten found herself at something of a loose end and was therefore available to react at a sort notice to any opportunity that might arise. The previous Christmas she had been sent by AWR to Thailand to cover a global youth conference and during her four weeks in the country she got to know many people, including some from ADRA. When the tsunami hit Kirsten began to feel moved to do something to help and eventually she sent an email to one of her contacts, as well as one to ADRA-TED director Roy Richardson. Within a few days she had been called to go to Indonesia and a week later she left the UK.

Since then Kirsten has been serving as the communications and liaison officer for the Tsunami Response Office in Indonesia. Because the office is short of staff she also does many other things, such as arranging visa extensions, assisting in procurement, and organising travels. One particular success was facilitating and hosting the Danish TV News team on Denmark's Radio TV Avisen (equivalent to BBC news in Denmark). She made it possible for them to visit ADRA projects in Meulaboh which had been sponsored by DANIDA (Danish Government), and thus secured considerable positive and primetime coverage in Denmark.

Kirsten's work sometimes takes her into the difficult region of Aceh, still rated by the UN as having security level four (where five means evacuation). In this area sensitivity is important, and, with the government being very cautious about procedures, requirements and conditions for foreigners staying in the region, it is a challenge for her to keep up with the administration required.

Kirsten will shortly be returning to her home in Wokingham and to her Moor Close church family. In the meantime she would appreciate your continued prayers, for her and the ADRA team she works with, and for those still suffering from the devastating effects of the tsunami.


RELIEF AS ABDUCTED ADRA WORKERS RELEASED IN SUDAN

Over the last few months a number of churches in the UK have been praying for the three ADRA workers who were abducted back in December on their way to West Darfur, Sudan. There was relief this week when the Adventist News Network reported that they had been released and are now safely back home with their families. According to the ANN report, "The three men, all Sudanese nationals, were held in the Darfur region along with the equipment and supplies they were taking to West Darfur to construct water wells to benefit 80,000 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and host community members. Most of the project equipment has also been returned to ADRA's office in Sudan."


NEW WORKER IN BUC EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

On Monday 4 April Mrs Cheryl Blake began working in the Education department at the BUC office as an Associate director with Dr Keith Davidson on a part-time basis. Originally from Guyana Mrs Blake is married to Pastor Wilfred Blake who cares for the Peckham and Bethel churches in South East London.

Mrs Blake has spent all her working life in education, both in the public and Church sectors. She has worked across three continents, starting as a teacher in Guyana, then progressing to teaching in schools in other countries, including the Bahamas and the United States, and lecturing at West-Indies College in Jamaica. For the last fifteen years she has worked in the state education sector here in the UK. After serving as a headteacher for seven years she became one of Her Majesty's Inspectors (HMI) of Schools across England, working in both primary and secondary schools.

Mrs Blake has always had a sense of mission and, after recently feeling a calling to serve more directly in the cause of God, gave up her work in the state sector to support the Adventist education system. Speaking this morning she said, "I look forward with great anticipation to this new challenge where I can use my experience in the Church system. I hope that the things I have learnt over the years will continue to improve the quality of education provision offered by the Seventh-day Adventist Church here the UK and Ireland."


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.

ADRA-UK ANNUAL APPEAL. Continuing until Sunday 10 April, extending to Sunday 17 April in London Metropolitan area. For further information on how you can be a collector contact the Personal Ministries leader or Ingathering Local Agent at your local church.

WOMEN OF GOSPEL II - LEICESTER. Saturday 9 April. Following the success of last year's event, Women of Gospel II brings more female gospel artists to the fore. The event takes place at the African Caribbean Centre in Leicester and starts at 7.00 pm. Tickets £6.00 or £5.00 (concessions). Family or group discounts available. Contact: Maxine Chambers <info@kainemanagement.org.uk>. Phone: 01162 616840.

CAREER WORKSHOP. 11.00 am to 2.00 pm on Sunday 10 April at the Advent Centre, London. Hosted by the London Youth Federation with speaker David McQueen. Contact: Ranette Prime <rai118@hotmail.com>. Phone: 07817 713050.

DEVELOPING SELF AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS. Sunday 10 April at Forge Mill Farm near Birmingham. This is a day-long seminar that costs £35.00 (with traditional Caribbean lunch included). All places must be booked in advance. There is a discount of £15.00 (per 5 places) if you book before 28 March. Contact: Joan Saunders <joan.saunders@talk21.com>. Phone: 0121 686 4118.

"INCUBATORS" - CHURCH PLANTING TRAINING EVENT. 10 am to 1.00 pm on Sunday 10 April at the Sutton-in-Ashfield church. Contact: Paul Haworth <haworth6@tiscali.co.uk>. Phone: 01213512188.

FREEZINGHOT - HACKNEY YOUTH DAY. 9.30 am to late on Sabbath 16 April. Speaker: Pastor Eglan Brooks. AYS programme and evening social. Food, prizes etc. Contact: Adrian Blake <blake_adrian@hotmail.com>. Phone: 07903 941662.

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION SERVICE - SHEFFIELD. On Sabbath 16 April the Sheffield Carter Knowle church is celebrating 50 years worshipping in the current building. The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress will be joining us for a Celebration Worship Service from 11.00 am to 1.00 pm, then at 4.30 pm we will be having a Celebration Jamboree with music, drama, memory lane slots and much more. Contact: David Bussue <bussue_david@yahoo.co.uk>. Phone: 07903 321144.

HYLAND HOUSE SCHOOL AY AT LEYTONSTONE. At 5.00 pm on Sabbath 16 April the Hyland House School will be hosting a special AY programme at the Leytonstone church. Come and support Christian education. Contact: Donald Yearwood <donald_yearwood@yahoo.com>. Phone: 07947 272999.

SCOTTISH MISSION WOMEN'S MINISTRIES RETREAT. Friday 22 to Sunday 24 April. To be held at Scottish Churches House, opposite the Cathedral in Dunblane, Stirlingshire. Speaker: Carlene Rafferty. Theme: "Draw Me Nearer Precious Lord". Cost for the weekend including meals is £70. Booking essential. Contact: Carole Peacock <sdascotland@onetel.com>. Phone: 01764 653257.

WOMEN'S RETREAT - SEC AREAS 1 AND 2. Sabbath 23 April at the Thistle Hotel, Queens Road, Exeter. Theme: "The Essence of Woman". Speaker: Mrs Audrey Balderstone. Cost: £23.00. Subsidy may apply. Contact: Vivienne Evers <vevers@secadventist.org.uk>. Phone: 01923 232728.

BRIDGING THE GAP - TEENS AYS - WILLESDEN. 4.00 to 7.00 pm on Sabbath 23 April. The London Youth Federation present Bridging the Gap - a teens AYS. Dynamic praise and worship and singing. Speakers: Paul Boldeau, Andrew Fuller and Naomi Osei. Contact: Luke Whyte <secretary@londonyouthfed.org.uk>. Phone: 07709 803033.

FAMILY LIFE COUNSELLING - LEICESTER. 2.00 pm on Sunday 24 April at the Leicester Central church. Run by Rainbows, the official counselling service for the North British Conference, together with the local women's ministry group. Free entry. Open to all. Contact: Georgia Dacres <denwithgeorgia@supanet.com>. Phone: 0116 277 8950.

POSITIVELY HEALTHY - GREENWICH. Every Thursday evening 7:30 pm for four weeks starting 28 April. A series of lectures on reducing health risks. Speaker: Richard J B Willis MA MSc FRSH. Venue: Greenwich church. Terry Messenger <terry_messenger@yahoo.co.uk>. Phone: 07879 454267.

NEC PRAYER WARRIORS 9 CONFERENCE. Friday 29 April at Alton Castle. Youth Prayer and Bible Conference. Speaker: Pastor Ron Halvorsen Senior. Contact: Alan Hush <ahush@necadventist.org.uk>. Phone: 01159 606312.

NEWBOLD COLLEGE ALUMNI SPRING GATHERING. Sabbath 30 April at Newbold College. Morning speaker: Dr Laurence Turner. Music from the Alumni choir, lunch, concert, time to meet old friends and think new thoughts. RSVP to: Pat Dyckhoff <pdyckhoff@newbold.ac.uk>. Phone: 01344 407583. Or: Sandra Rigby Barrett <srigby.barrett@newbold.ac.uk>. Phone: 01344 407479. Website: <www.newbold.ac.uk/alumni>.

2 HOT 2 HANDLE YOUTH DAY - BIRMINGHAM. Saturday 30 April at the Birmingham Windsor Street church. Guest Speaker: Darren Ross. Contact: Shanda Reid <shandaphillip@yahoo.co.uk>. Phone: 01214751883.

CHRISTIAN COMEDY JAM - LEYTONSTONE. 8.00 pm on Saturday 30 April. An evening of fun and laughter in the Christian sense of the word. Contact: Stephen Weekes <dciweekes@hotmail.com>. Phone: 07946 103629.

GET HIGH ON JESUS - LEYTONSTONE DRUG AWARENESS. Sabbath 7 May at the Leytonstone church. Theme: "Get high on Jesus". A programme for youth of all ages hosted by Pastor BUC Health Ministries director Pastor Richard Willis. Contact: Donald Yearwood <reds32uk@yahoo.com>. Phone: 07960 838335.

ALL NIGHT PRAYER MEETING - LEICESTER. From 8.00 pm on Saturday evening 7 May, to 6.00 am on Sunday morning 8 May, at the Leicester Central church. Groups, choirs, soloists, powerful speakers and inspirational testimonies, special prayer sessions and requests for prayer. Contact: Jeanetta Liburd <pj.liburd@virgin.net>. Phone: 0116 2101376.

TED PRAYER GUIDE. For the week commencing 10 April our prayer theme is PUBLISHING. Paul was a great officer in the army of the Lord, a man of intellect and influence but he never stopped being a foot soldier who constantly witnessed through one-to-one contact. His methodology included house-to-house visitation (Acts 20:20).

Today, the Church has more tools than ever for accomplishing its mission to the world but personal faith-sharing still tops the list when it comes to effectiveness. For every Christian book published for the unconverted, hundreds of books are written for Church members. Why? Because religious publications don't sell well in the secular book stores. Books about God's love for all people need dedicated heavenly ambassadors to maximise their distribution. Thirty-seven thousand Church members around the world are already participating in this ministry. If you would like to join them, please contact your local field headquarters. Please pray:

? That God will increase His army of literature evangelists around the world.
? That many more (in addition to the 67,000 literature evangelist contacts who joined the church in 2003) will find their way to Christ.
? That more culturally-sensitive materials can be prepared so as to enhance the communicational effectiveness of literature. [John Arthur, Publishing Department Director, Trans-European Division]

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SMALL ADS

ACCOMMODATION WANTED. Two Italian students, aged 22 and 26, would like to spend two weeks or more in London during the month of August. They are willing to pay an Adventist family for their stay. They are brothers and the younger is a brilliant university student in Rome. He is also blind. Their goal is to practise English. To contact them phone: 0039 6 4396341. For more information email Pastor G Irrera <gianfrancoirrera@tiscali.it>.

ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE from June this year. Two single rooms in a large terraced house, shared with an Adventist and another Christian. Catford, South East London. Contact: Kojo on: 020 8461 5857. Email: <montrosetownsend@yahoo.co.uk>.

AU PAIR NEEDED. Full-time, female, experienced au pair needed in the Poole area to help with child care and general housework in an Adventist home. Children aged 4, 2, and 1. Mother is homeschooling the children. Phone: 01202 731517. Email: <darren@hilburn.wanadoo.co.uk>.

ACCOMMODATION AND WORK WANTED. Young male Adventist IT student from Poland would like to visit England from 5 July to mid-September. Willing to do any work in exchange for accommodation and an allowance. Hopes to travel round and visit different churches with a view to learning more about Adventist youth work. Contact: Mateusz at: <mateusz@zaufanie.pl>.


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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