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August 2008
WELSH MISSION TRIP TO ROMANIA - A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE - by Jeremy Tremeer
It's amazing what can happen when you are taken away from the comfortable surroundings of your home environment. The 20 volunteers that went over to work at an orphanage in Romania all experienced things that had a great impact on them. Firstly all of the volunteers, most of whom were new to each other, quickly showed a willingness to work together as one, and took each challenge that came with determination and an impressive spirit of love and unity. We all shared a house which was across the road from the ICC Romania Project. This is a project which provides a stable environment for orphaned or abandoned children, and which also aims to make a difference in the community in which it is based.
To help them develop their project there our volunteers spent just under two weeks working in the hot summer sun, clearing a building site for a new bakery that ICC plans to open. We also learnt a lesson about how far removed we are in the UK from the food chain, as we spent 2-3 days harvesting potatoes in the fields surrounding the project. It certainly is different from just going down to the local supermarket, and it gave us all a taste of what life is like for many who need to do this to survive.
We were also able to spend time interacting with the children. These children, ranging in age from from 5 to 13 years, were loving and open, and quickly attached themselves to our volunteers. They wanted to borrow our cameras and take pictures of us and the other children, and loved having piggy-back races! We all grew fond of them quickly and it was hard to say goodbye to them.
As well as working at the project there were also visits into the local community and hospital. As we visited families and mothers with new babies, we gave them gifts of clothes and toiletries and so on, gifts that were donated by the volunteers themselves and their churches.
Throughout the time we were there, we took time each morning and evening to spend with our creator God, and in song and prayer we were touched and inspired by Him, by His love and care for each of us. As a group leader it is my prayer that our time in Romania will be not just a collection of memories, but an experience that will open up new possibilities for each of us to understand God's grace and how He can work through us.
More than 120 pictures from the trip can be seen in our gallery section.
On Sabbath 9 August Pastor Jovan Adamovic attended his first service in the Swansea church, together with his wife Hajdi and one year old daughter Hana.
During the special installation service Pastor Adamovic was accompanied on the platform by Swansea elders Mary Latchman and Lil Saunders, as well as Welsh Mission President Pastor John Surridge. In his introductory address Pastor Surridge described the process that the Seventh-day Adventist Church goes through to find new ministers, and the chain of events that led to Pastor Adamovic being called to the Welsh Mission from his native Serbia.
Pastor Adamovic will be taking the place of Pastor Ed Sammons, who is now ministering in California. He will also be caring for the Carmarthen and Lampeter churches during Pastor Mike Logan's illness. As part of the morning service three members of the congregation - representing the young, the established members and the visitors - presented Pastor Adamovic with three candles - representing his three new churches. It was now his responsibility, said Pastor Surridge, to keep the flames alight.
Already an experienced minister, Pastor Adamovic also has considerable expertise in youth ministry and is keen to work with the young people in the West Wales area. Judging from the enthusiastic response he received and the conversations during the fellowship lunch, it is clear that all the members in Swansea are keen to work with him.
July 2008
SARALINN FRAZER BAPTISED IN RHYL CHURCH - Sabbath 26 July 2008
On Sabbath 26 July Saralinn Frazer was baptised in the Rhyl church by Pastor Geoff Dennis. Witnessing the event were her mother Sandra and grandmother Edith; three aunts - Maureen, Edith and Yvonne; her three sisters - Anita-Zelina, Carina and Sharlene Heidi; and her uncle, Villy. Although it is not usually surprising to have many family members present at a baptism, in this case three had come from Norway and two had travelled all the way from California to help make Saralinn's day special.
Another key person at the baptism was Malcolm Turner, elder of the Rhyl church. Back in the late 1960s when he was a student at Newbold College, Malcolm gave Bible studies to Sandra and Edith Frazer - Saralinn's mother and aunt respectively - at the farm manager's home where the family lived. They were subsequently baptised by Pastor W Frazer. Many years later, and now living in Rhyl, Sandra invited Malcolm to study with her daughter Anita-Zelina, and she was baptised by Pastor Geoff Dennis in December 2005. After witnessing her sister's baptism Saralinn made no secret of that fact that she too wanted to be baptised, and once again Malcolm Turner was invited to conduct the Bible studies. These studies culminated in Saralinn's baptism, which Malcolm shared in by assisting Pastor Geoff Dennis in the baptismal pool. "It has been a real privilege to share in this sacred work for our Saviour," he said. "It is such a joy to see the Spirit move in a young person's life week after week as they are drawn nearer to Jesus."
In his sermon Welsh Mission President Pastor John Surridge spoke of the wonderful celebration there is, both on earth and in heaven, when someone makes a commitment to Jesus. In the case of Saralinn, whose positive attitude, infectious happiness and zest for life make her a joy to know, this is especially true.
Some pictures from the day can be seen in our gallery section.
WELSH MISSION BIBLE CONFERENCE - CARDIFF, SABBATH 19 JULY 2008
"The Assurance of Salvation" was the theme for a special one day Bible Conference held at the Cardiff Seventh-day Adventist Church on Sabbath 19 July. Guest speakers were BUC President Pastor Don McFarlane and Pastor Ivan Milanov, who is currently researching the book of Daniel for his PhD thesis at Newbold College. An estimated 170 people came from all over South Wales, filling the church to capacity.
Although Pastor Milanov was not previously known to most of those in the congregation, they soon warmed to him as he spoke on the theme, "Let the Justice be Done" in the first morning session. Starting with the Old Testament he explained the close relationship between the Hebrew concepts of 'righteousness' and 'justice', and showed how a misunderstanding of God's nature can come from the Greek view of justice as 'punishment'. In contrast the biblical view of justice and righteousness includes victory, covenant and deliverance.
In the divine service Pastor McFarlane spoke on, "A Matter of Holiness". Starting from Revelation 22:11 and the characteristics of those who will be saved, he reminded the congregation that holiness is vitally important for our salvation. However, he then went on to show that there are actually three types of holiness: generic holiness, obtained by association; personal holiness, a process of maturing obtained by walking with Christ; and God's holiness, which can only be received as a gift, through faith. Important as the first two are, it is only the last one of these that can save us.
This theme was developed further in the afternoon by Pastor Milanov, who asked the question, "Once Saved Always Saved?" Sadly, Pastor Milanov pointed out, not all Seventh-day Adventists have the assurance of salvation - or at least many of them feel uncomfortable expressing their assurance. Salvation though, has three components: past, present and future. Now we are saved from the power of sin, but not the presence of sin. It is a matter of both 'moment' and 'process', but all the time it is a 'relationship' with Jesus.
The day concluded with numerous practical illustrations of what "The Assurance of Salvation" means in day to day life. "Those who are saved will produce good works," said Pastor Milanov. They will do good, not out of guilt or the desire for a reward, but simply because it is good.
Pastor McFarlane drew on his long experience of pastoral and administrative ministry to illustrate how we should present the gospel to people today. "Condemnation destroys relationships," he said. However, responding to questions on church discipline and standards he explained that there are some cases where discipline is still necessary. "The people we need to discipline are the rebellious, the haughty and the hypocritical," he said, "but not those who are struggling. We need to be an encouraging and affirming church, where sinners can come and know that they will not be condemned… The highest standard of the church is the standard of love."
Many people worked hard to make the Bible Conference a success. Overall coordinator was the local pastor, Jan McKenzie, but he was assisted by the Cardiff elders, deacons, musicians and singers, among others. Those present were particularly grateful to the highly efficient catering team who provided a full meal for around a hundred people at lunch time.
Those familiar with the Cardiff church were pleasantly surprised by the recent facelift that the building has received. New railings and paint in the car park have secured and brightened up the rear of the church, and a great deal of cleaning and tidying by members during a recent workday have much improved the interior as well.
Around fifty photos from the day can be seen in our gallery section.
LINDA JOINS YSTRAD MYNACH CHURCH FAMILY THROUGH BAPTISM, 12 JULY 2008
On 12 July 2008 members of the Ystrad Mynach church went down to Cardiff to see the baptism of Linda Knight. Linda was born in Watford, and although she doesn’t come from a church background, always believed in God. In her teens she moved to South Wales, and made occasional visits to Newport church with her sister Val. After some difficult times she moved to Trelewis, and later attended a reunion at Ystrad Mynach, where she was made to feel welcome. She began attending the church, and also a small group with Erica, Jane, Val and Pauline. Through this small group and the church as a whole she describes the love she experienced as 'overwhelming'.
Summing up her day, Linda said, "The happiest day of my life was when I gave my heart to Jesus at my baptism."
Pictures by Marrick Schoonraad
SHREWSBURY AND TELFORD DAY OF FELLOWSHIP AND ORDINATION SERVICE, 5 JULY 2008 - by Clyde Moore
Cytûn is the ecumenical Christian organisation of Churches Together in Wales so it was in that spirit that members of Shrewsbury, Telford and Wrexham [part of the Welsh Mission] organised a Shropshire Day of Fellowship for Sabbath 5th of July. Despite the intermittent showers and the local Abbey’s annual fair the sanctuary was almost full. Sis Anette Moore led out in the children’s Sabbath School, whilst the adults were led in a study of Paul by Shrewsbury’s first elder, Peter Bayliss. It was engaging and members enthusiastically participated. Peter Bayliss closed with a challenge for everyone.
The Tuckley twins had kindly accepted the invitation to minister in song which they did to the glory of God. Pastor Clyde Moore, the district minister, also rendered a solo entitled “A Sinner Saved by Grace.” Sis Anette Moore caused the congregation to gasp as she created a visual representation of what Satan had done to God’s creation. Each child was given a personal model to take away, some adults also asked for their own copy!
The speaker for the day was evangelist Costa Vaggas, although unheard of before by many of the members, he will be certainly remembered for his enthusiastic, zealous and timely sermon. He is an internationally renowned speaker having conducted campaigns, in Bermuda, South Africa and all over Britain. He was accompanied by his wife, Nadia, a native South African.
His theme for the day and the title of his sermon was simply “Hero.” Basing his sermon on 2 Corinthians 5:21 Elder Vaggas related the story of the Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac in 1982 and the unselfish but fatal act of saving five others by Arland D. Williams Jr. He drew several parallels from that tragic story to the cost of the life of God’s only Son in rescuing humanity. It was a very powerful image that was created in our minds. He reminded us sincerely that we need to focus on Jesus Christ who is out true hero. One member stated that “it was a sermon that needed to be preached!”
After a picnic fellowship lunch for which the sun came out and children and adults alike were able to stretch their legs, we commenced the afternoon elder ordination of Sis Elva Brooks, serving first elder of the Telford Seventh-day Adventist church. The church was again almost full to capacity as Sis Elva’s close family members witnessed this special service; her mother, a brother and three sisters, two daughters, two sons, three grandchildren and nieces, together with the Telford church family. Again we were blessed with the singing and songwriting talents of the Tuckley Twins. Pastor Clyde Moore delivered the homily entitled Servant Leadership, where he reminded members and ordinand alike of the ingredients of true leadership. Sis Elva was invited to kneel at the front of the church and Pastor John Surridge, Welsh Mission president gave the prayer of ordination.
The day concluded with a fellowship supper at the home of Sis Brooks who closed the Sabbath by reading the passage Romans 5:1-11 which contains her favourite text “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8 KJV) We give God thanks for this day and look forward to next year’s Day of Fellowship which will be in Telford.
Fifteen pictures from the day can be seen in our gallery section.
June 2008
CLUB CREATION CAMP ON THE GOWER
The Gower peninsula, with its rugged beauty, idyllic beaches and good accessibility, is a popular destination for outdoor types and has a long history of hosting Adventist camps. For many years the South England Conference ran its summer youth camps at Oxwich bay, a sheltered spot on the southern coast of the Gower. In contrast the western end of the peninsula faces directly into the Atlantic making the beaches of Rhossili and Llangennith a mecca for surfers.
Surfing wasn't one of the activities on offer at this year's "Club Creation" camp, which for the second year running was held at the St Madoc Christian Youth Camp, just a few minutes walk from Llangennith beach. The camp was held over the weekend of 20-22 June, but the forty mile per hour winds would have made it challenging even for that elite band of surfers who brave the waters year round. Instead the five senior staff and twenty-five youngsters who attended the weekend camp spent their time doing indoor games, crafts, cooking, and attending worships.
Club Creation is a youth and children's club run by members of the Ystrad Mynach church. Although primarily aimed at the children or grandchildren of members it also attracts their friends - particularly at camp time. A number of those who attended the camp had very little knowledge of the Seventh-day Adventist church, or even of Christianity for that matter. This led to a few complaints about the lack of bacon sandwiches but it didn't stop them joining in enthusiastically with the singing and other worship activities.
Singing was an important part of the camp. For some time the Club Creation leaders had been looking for musicians who could lead out and their prayers were more than answered when no fewer than six guitarists got together and formed the camp band.
The St Madoc Christian Youth Camp is, shall we say, in transition at the moment. It has a beautiful new dining hall and well equipped kitchen, but the sleeping accommodation is rather basic. A great deal of building work is currently underway however, and it is hoped that by next year facilities will be even better.
For details of the Welsh Mission's youth and camping programme contact Jeremy Tremeer on: 02920 832559.
CARMARTHEN MALE VOICE CHOIR VISITS CWMFFRWD
On Tuesday evening 3 June the thirty-strong Carmarthen Male Voice Choir returned to the Carmarthen Seventh-day Adventist Church in Cwmffrwd to give a charity concert. The choir first performed in the small chapel just over a year ago when they managed to raise £235 for the Cardiac Unit at the West Wales General Hospital. This year they did even better, raising more than £350 for the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team.
The choir was supported by the young solo soprano talent of Carys Davies, who performed two pieces in the first half, and two in the second, all of which were in Welsh.
The concert was well attended by local residents and church members alike and the choir, singing in both Welsh and English, received enthusiastic support. Particularly well appreciated were "Amen", "Eli Jenkins' Prayer" from Under Milkwood, and the ever popular "Calon Lan". The choir demonstrated their versatility by singing "Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika", the national anthem for a number of African countries.
During the interval Mr Lawrence Richards described the work done by the Cardiac Rehabilitation Team for local cardiac patients. Once on the receiving end of their treatment Mr Richards told of the how the team members help people who have had heart attacks get back to health and fitness.
Throughout its one hundred and fifty year history the Seventh-day Adventist Church has had a keen interest in healthy living. Currently it promotes the Coronary Health Improvement Programme (CHIP) around the world.
May 2008
'PARABLES OF LIFE' AT BRECON CAMP
The bank holiday weather was described as "a washout" - first by weather forecasters, and later by newspaper headline writers, as in some parts of the West Country and Wales nearly a month's rain fell in a couple of days.
There is no question that the Brecon Family Camp, which ran from Friday 23 to Monday 26 May, was wet. It rained as people arrived on Friday evening and it rained as they left on Monday morning, but it was what happened in between that was important.
The Brecon Camps have been popular for over thirty years now and they have a dedicated following. Over the years they have attracted families and young people alike. However, as the camps are self-catering and require a fair amount of equipment, they can be a bit of a struggle for young people who don't have much camping experience. So this year Jeremy Tremeer, the Welsh Mission Youth Sponsor and camp director, introduced a few changes to try to make it easier for young people to attend:
Firstly he arranged for a catering tent to feed any young people who did not have cooking facilities. This was run by volunteers Jane Toft-Bayliss, who lives nearby, and her sister Metti Toft-Zumbuhl, who came to the camp all the way from Switzerland.
Secondly Jeremy brought in a youth speaker who was known to the young people from the recent "Three Missions Weekend" in Scotland. Pastor Robert Hines had not been to a Brecon Camp before but went down well with young and old alike. Over the weekend his theme was "Parables of Life" and in each of the worship services he presented two parables - one for the children and one for the older ones. Many people commentated on Pastor Hines' energetic and animated style, as well as his graphic illustrations. Few will forget, for example, the story of how his father gashed his hand with a machete while cutting a length of sugar cane!
A third activity designed to appeal particularly to young people was a trip to a nearby climbing centre. Here, for nearly three hours on a grey and drizzling Sunday afternoon, twenty-four campers, ranging in age from under ten to forty-something, tackled caves, rope bridges and twenty metre vertical walls - and had a great deal of fun in the process.
Other innovations at the camp included a larger marquee, possibly the largest the camp has ever had, and extra portaloos - a total of eight - though it was something of a guessing game to work out which ones were working at any given time!
Some observers believe that this year's Brecon Camp was the best attended ever. During the Sabbath service there were about 170 people in the marquee and even on the final day, when quite a few had already left, there were still about 100 in for worship. Altogether well over 200 people passed through the camp at some time or other over the weekend.
It's true that the weather dampened some spirits, but Pastor Hines told a very fitting parable that went something like this:
An old lady lived in a small house in the middle of a yard where her various animals lived. She felt cramped in her small house so went to a wise man and asked him what she could do about it. He advised her to bring all her animals right into the house with her. This she did - though with some effort - and ended up with a cow in the bedroom, sheep in the kitchen, chickens in the living room, and a pig in the bathroom. With so many animals in the house the old lady could hardly move and eventually she went back to the wise man to tell him that his plan hadn't worked. He advised her to move all the animals out of the house and back into the yard where they came from. This she did - and she never complained about her small house again.
As the rain-lashed campers left the field on Bank Holiday Monday they took with them memories of good food, new friendships, excellent worship music, and thought provoking talks. They also took a renewed appreciation for the everyday things we have been blessed with, but sometimes take for granted.
Notes:
Approximately 100 pictures from the camp can be seen in our gallery section.
For an audio visual presentation see www.adventistpictures.org.uk/gallery/2008/Brecon/index.php.
Those who enjoyed learning Matt Redman's song "You Never Let Go" can hear him performing it at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIAdgLR1ZGw.
April 2008
At the end of April Pastor Geoff Dennis retired after 31 years of service to the church. His first years of ministry were spent in the South England Conference where he worked in an evangelistic team with Pastor David Currie. Very long hours and virtually no holidays didn't discourage him, and to this day Geoff remains an evangelist at heart.
Geoff first came to the Welsh Mission in 1988 and it was here that he spent the larger part of his ministry. His final posting was in the North Wales district where he cared for the Rhyl church as well as the Llandudno Junction, Bangor and Wrexham groups.
On Sabbath 19 April Geoff and his wife Nancy arrived in Wrexham to take the service, but they were surprised to find that Pastor Clyde Moore and Mission President Pastor John Surridge were also there. Other members, as well as Karen, the manager of the hall where the group meets, also turned up to pay tribute to Geoff and Nancy and to wish them well.
Revealing something of a hidden talent, Clyde sang an appropriate solo, "Where do I go From Here", and Geoff preached an evangelistic sermon based on the story of Peter healing the crippled beggar at the Gate Beautiful, recorded in Acts 3. Members commented that although it was his last sermon as their official pastor he had been "on fire" for the Lord!
The following day Geoff and Nancy were invited to the Welsh Mission Executive Committee in Shrewsbury. Here, formally during the meeting, then informally over a restaurant lunch, BUC President Pastor Don McFarlane, and Welsh Mission Secretary-Treasurer Victor Pilmoor paid warm tribute to the work Geoff and Nancy had done over the years.
The Welsh Mission pastoral team will not be the same without Geoff but we are glad that Geoff and Nancy plan to remain in North Wales for their retirement. We wish them all God's blessings in this new phase of their lives.
FAREWELL AND DEDICATION IN NEWPORT - by Vera Machell
Sabbath 12 April witnessed a special day of celebration in the Newport church. Local pastor Jan McKenzie spoke on the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and during the children's time he answered a little girl's question: "Who made God?" A nine-year-old's comment on God being indestructible brought the second advent vividly into focus when he said, "When I see God in heaven I'll ask him about it."
The day was about endings and beginnings. Sybil Robinson and her daughter Carmen Oliver spent their last Sabbath with us before retiring home to Jamaica after 40 years membership in Newport. A gift and cards were presented to them with added congratulations to Sybil for her 80th birthday on 16 April.
We have been blessed by the addition of three baby girls to our congregation during the past few months. Kiana Marise Da Costa Sharpe, Waruguru Gachuba and Alma Olayse Mbvundula were all dedicated to the Lord and welcomed into the church family.
The ceremony was rounded off by an unaccompanied quartet singing"I will lift up mine eyes to the hills", followed by a fellowship lunch with special cakes for the occasion. We thank the Lord for His blessings in providing us with a diverse and expanding membership to fill our newly refurbished church building.
FAREWELL TO ED AND SHANA SAMMONS
On Sunday 13 April around one hundred members and friends gathered in a hall at Singleton Hospital, Swansea, to say farewell to Pastor Ed Sammons and his wife Shana. Just four days later they were on a plane to California…
Ed grew up in the Newport church and then returned to Wales as a minister after completing his studies at Newbold College. He began his ministry in September 2000, serving his internship with Pastor Geoff Dennis in the Swansea, Port Talbot and Carmarthen churches. After completing his internship Ed stayed on as the district minister and was ordained on Sabbath 27 August 2005.
In addition to his pastoral duties Ed also took on the role of Welsh Mission Youth Sponsor - a role that made good use of his many talents and was well suited to his extrovert personality. Over the years he organised many youth programmes and events, and his skills in this area helped to bring many young people into a living relationship with Jesus.
Ed and Shana were loved and appreciated by the members in their district and by the youth throughout Wales. This appreciation was demonstrated at their farewell party through gifts, flowers, speeches, and a large cake! Mary Latchman, an elder of the Swansea church, spoke of how Ed and Shana had been adopted by the Swansea members and of how they had enjoyed watching them grow and develop over the years. Ed's ministry had also helped the church to grow and develop spiritually during that time.
Ed is now taking up a pastoral position in the Santa Barbara church in southern California. Although he and Shana will be missed, everyone's good wishes for the future go with them - especially as they are expecting their first baby this summer. There is no doubt that God will use them to bring a blessing to their new district just as He has done in Wales.
A number of pictures from Ed and Shana's leaving party can be seen in our gallery section.
ADVENTIST MUSLIM RELATIONS SEMINAR IN CARDIFF
Over the weekend of 12 and 13 April the Cardiff church hosted a special Adventist Muslim Relations seminar. The main speaker for the weekend was Petras Bahadur, though he was assisted by his colleagues Emil Shelufumo and James Asif. Currently serving on the pastoral team in the Willesden church Petras was called to Wales for the weekend especially because of his knowledge and understanding of the Muslim faith.
Interest in the lectures was surprisingly high. Following the Sabbath morning service around sixty people stayed for the afternoon lecture, and for the two Sunday lectures more than thirty were present. This high turnout can perhaps be accounted for by the fact that the Cardiff church has many Muslim neighbours, but it may also be because Adventists throughout the UK are becoming increasingly aware of the necessity of interacting with and relating to their multi-cultural and multi-faith environments in a proactive way.
The approach that Petras uses in encouraging Adventists to relate more positively with their Muslim neighbours is radical: he teaches from the Qur'an! In the Cardiff church this raised more than a few eyebrows, especially when the Welsh Mission President joined in the action and read several passages that Petras had chosen to illustrate particular points.
Explaining his use of the Qur'an Petras said, "If we are to have a genuine dialogue with our Muslim neighbours we need to start where they are." He also pointed out that a good percentage of the biblical themes are already in the Qur'an and most Adventist teachings can be found there. Demonstrating this surprising fact Petras found texts relating to angels, prophecy, Jesus, the final judgment, and the Sabbath, to name just a few.
Much of Petras's time was spent underlining the importance of cultural understanding. "An average Muslim associates the word 'Christian' with general western culture - people who drink wine, eat pork, have a loose and immoral lifestyle, and are therefore unclean… We have to understand that the word 'Christian' carries all the baggage of western culture and an unclean lifestyle, which most Muslims would rather disassociate themselves from." Because this view is almost impossible to change, the traditional, confrontational approach used by many Christians in trying to relate to Muslims will not work. Instead Christians need to adapt their language and behaviour, and try to see things through their Muslim neighbours' eyes.
"As Adventists we have a number of advantages over other Christians in this task," Petras said. "We don't drink, we don't eat pork, and we have high moral standards… We are ideally placed to lead the world in building bridges between Christians and Muslims."
During the lectures practical advice given for helping to build bridges with Muslims included: using the word 'Adventist' instead of 'Christian', 'Movement' instead of 'Church', 'Holy Books' instead of 'Bible', and pointing out that as a people who study the Holy Books we consider ourselves to be 'True Believers'. Changing our language like this is not compromise; it is simply recognising that words and terminology that carry a positive meaning for us may not carry the same positive meaning for others. If our terminology becomes a stumbling block to others then why should we continue to use it? Simple steps like these can help to break down barriers and bring us to a position where we can have genuine friendships with Muslims.
Note: Petras Bahadur's "In Conversation" interview, recently broadcast on the Hope Channel, can be seen at: <www.hopetv.org.uk>.
Pictures from the Adventist Muslim Relations Seminar can be seen in our gallery section.
February 2008
BIG FACE GRACE - YOUTH SERIES STARTS IN CARDIFF
On Friday evening 22 February Pastor Ed Sammons, Youth Sponsor for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Wales, led a group of about 20 young people in an evening of fun and praise at the Cardiff church on Cowbridge Road East. Following a social time with "eats" in the kitchen, Ed himself led out in the singing - perhaps best described as 'animated' - accompanied by Chris Kidwell on acoustic guitar and Eiddon Paul on Cajun drum. Elisa Alvarez sang a solo, accompanying herself on the guitar, and then Jeremy Tremeer, minister of the Ystrad Mynach church, gave his personal testimony.
Like a number of Christian ministers Jeremy has had an 'interesting' spiritual journey. In his talk he spoke of how he was brought up in different countries, due to his father's career in the airforce. He also spoke of how his mother became a Christian and of how he, after initially following the Christian path, went somewhat 'off the rails'. Due to lack of time Jeremy was only able to give part of his story and it is hoped that he will give 'part 2' at the next Big Face Grace evening on Friday 14 March.
MICROCHIP - HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAMME FOCUSSES ON LIFESTYLE CHANGE
Lil and Irving Saunders are both healthcare professionals. They are also the Health Ministries Sponsors of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Wales. Together with the Adventist Church across the UK Lil and Irving are promoting the CHIP, or the Corony Health Improvement Project, to church members as well as members of the general public.
On Sunday 10 February Lil and Irving began a series of MicroCHIP programmes in the Port Talbot church. MicroCHIP is a cut down version of the full programme, which is easily accessible and can be run by lay people.
Approximately twenty people attended and guests were treated to a selection of healthy food as well as a video lecture from Dr Hans Diehl, principle author of the CHIP programme.
This MicroChip series will continue until Easter 2008 but more will be scheduled across Wales over the months and years to come. For more information see the CHIP website at: <www.adventistchip.org>.
