Cont inued on page 2

The exact historical origin of the Thanksgiv-ing Day is uncertain. Alt-hough the Americans commonly believe that thanksgiving first took place at Plymouth Plan-tation, in Massachusetts, in 1621. In Canada, also, there is strong evidence for earlier celebrations in 1578 and in 1565 by Spanish explorers in Flor-ida. Moreover, Thanksgiving Day is also observed in Leiden, the Netherlands. In the island of Grenada, there is a different holi-day however which is celebrated at a similar time of year using the same name. Continued on page 4

2011 CONSTITUENCY REPORTS

TT he month of Septem-

ber 2011 will long be

remembered for unusual events. Those

events proved once again that no one

really knows what is going to happen at

a Conference Session. The best laid

plans of…

On these occasions Christians rest com-

fortably knowing that all things are in

the hands of the Lord. What

He does not ordain, He does allow.

As you read these reports I pray that you

will do it prayerfully. We must always

remember that this is the Lord’s work

and the way we handle it has eternal im-

plications.

SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE CON-

STITUENCY

The South Atlantic Conference elected

the Secretary, Elder William Winston to

fill the office of president. Elder Vanard

Mendinghall, previous president, did

not stand for re-election. Elder Winston

comes from a family historically active

in denominational service. They have

distinguished themselves for genera-

tions in a diverse number of positions in

the Church. He simply is the latest in

that family tradition.

The South Atlantic conference serves

the predominantly Black congregations

in the States of Georgia (with the excep-

tion of a few counties in the south of

that state), North and South Carolina.

They have a membership that ap-

proaches 40,000.

That conference followed what seems

to be an emerging pattern in that the

people rejected the initial recommenda-

tion coming out of the Nominating

Committee in two other Regional

Conference Sessions this year. El-

this issue

2011 Constituency Reports P.1

Things You Should Know About Retirement P.3

Historical Origins of Thanksgiving Day P.4

Something to Think About... P.5

Fourth Quarter 2011

THE NEWS LETTER FOR

REGIIONAL CONFERENCE RETIREES OF

THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST

ISSUE

04 FO URTH Q UARTE R 2011

The Vote...

“Elder Mendinghall’s service in that

office will go down as one of the best

in the history of that conference...he

will have few if any peers.”

der Winston was the

second name out of

the Nominating Com-

mittee and was ap-

proved and voted over-

whelmingly. Elder

Mendinghall had

served the conference

as president for 14

years. He notified the

members that he would

not stand for re-

election in a letter

weeks before the Ses-

sion. In that letter he

revealed his plan to

retire from active full

time ministry during

2012 which would be

far short of serving a

full new term.

Elder Mendinghall’s

service in that office

will go down as one of

the best in the history

of that conference. In

terms of baptisms,

church growth, finan-

cial stability and camp

ground development,

not to mention im-

proved local church

construction, he will

have few if any peers.

Soon we will welcome

him into the ranks of

retired workers. His

distinguished service

will be celebrated

larger than that of any other larger than that of any other

Union Conference in the Di-Union Conference in the Di-

vision. vision.

Elder Smith, who holds aElder Smith, who holds a

PhD in Psychology, has PhD in Psychology, has

served the Church success-served the Church success-

fully as a pastor in the North-fully as a pastor in the North-

eastern conference which eastern conference which

includes serving the historic includes serving the historic

Ephesus SDA Church in Ephesus SDA Church in

Harlem New York and Editor Harlem New York and Editor

of the Message Magazine of the Message Magazine

before being invited to serve before being invited to serve

the Southern Union as Sec-the Southern Union as Sec-

retary in 2006.retary in 2006.

among us for

years to

come.

SOUTHERN SOUTHERN

UNION UNION

CONFERENCE SESSIONCONFERENCE SESSION

Ron C. Smith, the Union Secre-Ron C. Smith, the Union Secre-

tary was elected President of the tary was elected President of the

Southern Union. The Southern Southern Union. The Southern

Union serves the eight local con-Union serves the eight local con-

ferences in the Southern States ferences in the Southern States

of Alabama, North and South of Alabama, North and South

Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Ken-Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Ken-

tucky, Mississippi and Tennes-tucky, Mississippi and Tennes-

see. It is the largest Union in see. It is the largest Union in

membership in the North Ameri-membership in the North Ameri-

can Division and has a tithe base can Division and has a tithe base

In a regular In a regular

constituen-constituen-

cy meeting cy meeting

held in At-held in At-

lanta, Geor-lanta, Geor-

gia he be-gia he be-

came the came the

first minister from the first minister from the

Black community to Black community to

serve that great union serve that great union

as its leader. He is the as its leader. He is the

ninth person from the ninth person from the

Black community to Black community to

serve as the president serve as the president

of a Union Conference of a Union Conference

in the history of the in the history of the

North AmeriNorth American Divi-can Divi-

sion.sion.

“His election is especially significant

in that this Union is located in the

American South...the Old South has

become the New South.”

William Winston

To page 6

Vanard Mendinghall

2

The Vote...

Want a Bigger Check? Go Back to Work… Most people within ten years

of age 62 have already started doing the Social Security math problem: How much do I get if I wait one year to take pay-ments? How much if I wait two years? To get the biggest bump in payments? How much if I wait two years? To get the biggest bump in bene-fits, workers have to delay their benefits beyond full re-tirement age—around 66 for people born before 1957, clos-er to 67 for people born after. (to find your exact date, see Social Security Online. For every additional year you wait,

you’ll get an 8% increase in pay-ments until you hit age 70. Some-one who earned, on average, $50,000 per year over their work-ing life would get $1,900 per month at 66, but $2,505 if he waited until age 70 — a 32% boost. “You’ll get a bigger benefit amount for the rest of your life,” says Dennis Marvin, a financial planner in Cleveland.

If you’ve already started collecting benefits and you’re under full re-tirement age, it’s not too late to get a raise. One strategy: Go back to work. If you earn more than $14,160, the Social Security Admin-istration will dock $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn.

But once

you reach full retirement age, your benefits will be recalculated to account for the mon-ey you didn’t get while working. So, for ex-ample, someone who took their benefits at 62 — at a 25% reduction compared to full benefits — but went back to work from ages 63 to 66 and earned enough to zero out his entire Social Security check could end up collecting close to full benefits at age 66. SOURCES FOR THIS ARTICLE: Smart Money and Forbes Magazine On-Line September, 2011

Some Things You Should Know About

Retirement And Social Security

manage your retirement plan around

that possibility since you may not be

able to sell exactly when you want

to. Keep in mind that if you rent,

you can still benefit from the

$250,00 or ($500,000 if you are mar-

ried filing jointly), capital gain tax

exclusion if you lived in the home

two of the previous five years.

The More You Make,

the Less You Get Back

It’s common to think of Social Secu-

rity as an individual account of sorts;

what you pay in, you get back, more

or less. That’s far from accurate. By

design, the Social Security Admin-

istration says, the system is tilted in

favor of lower-income workers who

have fewer resources to save for re-

In the not so distant past I went to a retire-

ment presentation by the NAD Retirement

Office, One of the cornerstones of the

presentation emphasized the importance of

having your home mortgage free. Just

incase you did not achieve that very desir-

able feat consider the following:

Your Home Won’t Sell

Along with home prices being

down, there may be the similar is-

sue of not being able to sell the

home at all. Hindsight is twenty-

twenty, and I am sure there are

plenty of homeowners who are

kicking themselves for not selling

their homes when they could have

instead of waiting for the perfect

time or the perfect price. If your

retirement plan is contingent on

being able to sell your home, make

sure you also have a plan B and

tirement. In practice, that means that

the more money you make, the less

you get back, at least as a percentage

of your salary. For example, a sin-

gle, 66-year-old man who earned

$50,000 per year on average and

retired in 2011 would get an annual

benefit payment of about $22,800,

or about 45% of his annual salary.

If he had earned $150,000 per year,

he would get annual benefits of

about $30,670 — just 20% of his

annual salary. “People act like the

percentage of benefits of your salary

you get is the same for everyone and

it really isn’t, “ says Jo Anne Barn-

hart, former Social Security Com-

missioner.

To page 6

3

Origins of Thanksgiving Day in the Origins of Thanksgiving Day in the

United States:United States:

Thanksgiving has been an annual tradition in the United Thanksgiving has been an annual tradition in the United States in thanking the Lord for all His blessings. Modern States in thanking the Lord for all His blessings. Modern Thanksgiving celebrations are primarily identified as a Thanksgiving celebrations are primarily identified as a secular holiday. Thanksgiving dinner consisting of baked secular holiday. Thanksgiving dinner consisting of baked or roasted turkey is usually the main highlight of the holi-or roasted turkey is usually the main highlight of the holi-day. day.

MassachusettsMassachusetts—— The celebration that occurred in Massa-The celebration that occurred in Massa-chusetts, particularly in Plymouth Plantation in the year chusetts, particularly in Plymouth Plantation in the year 1961, was believed to be the traditional origin of the mod-1961, was believed to be the traditional origin of the mod-ern Thanksgiving in the United States. ern Thanksgiving in the United States. This festive gathering occurred early in history and was This festive gathering occurred early in history and was practiced after harvest festivities.practiced after harvest festivities.

FloridaFlorida—— According to Robin Gioia and Michael Gannon, According to Robin Gioia and Michael Gannon, Author and teacher at the University of Florida the earliest Author and teacher at the University of Florida the earliest “thanksgiving” celebration in the United States was first “thanksgiving” celebration in the United States was first celebrated on September 8, 1565 by the Spaniards . celebrated on September 8, 1565 by the Spaniards .

Thanksgiving Observance Around Thanksgiving Observance Around

the Worldthe World

CanadaCanada —— Thanksgiving in Canada, is a special holiday to Thanksgiving in Canada, is a special holiday to show gratitude to the Lord during the closure show gratitude to the Lord during the closure of the harvest season. While the actual Thanksgiving holi-of the harvest season. While the actual Thanksgiving holi-day is on a Monday, Canadians might eat their Thanksgiv-day is on a Monday, Canadians might eat their Thanksgiv-ing meal on any day of the threeing meal on any day of the three--day weekend, though day weekend, though Sunday and Monday are the most common.Sunday and Monday are the most common.

NewfoundlandNewfoundland—— In Canada the history of thanksgiving In Canada the history of thanksgiving was after Martin Frobisher, who is a traveler trying and was after Martin Frobisher, who is a traveler trying and searching a way to find a northern passage to the Pacific searching a way to find a northern passage to the Pacific Ocean, thus, when he returned after his voyage safe and Ocean, thus, when he returned after his voyage safe and sound, he then conducted a ceremony in thanksgiving for sound, he then conducted a ceremony in thanksgiving for surpassing the long journey.surpassing the long journey.

New FranceNew France—— In the early 17th century, French settlers In the early 17th century, French settlers celebrated their successful harvest and had their food celebrated their successful harvest and had their food shared with the natives, setting up the well known Order shared with the natives, setting up the well known Order of Good Cheer.of Good Cheer.

The NetherlandsThe Netherlands—— Thanksgiving Service is held annually at Thanksgiving Service is held annually at Pieterskerk, a Gothic church in Leiden, on the morning of Pieterskerk, a Gothic church in Leiden, on the morning of the American Thanksgiving Day, to honor the kindness and the American Thanksgiving Day, to honor the kindness and generosity the Pilgrims enjoyed had on their way to the generosity the Pilgrims enjoyed had on their way to the New World. New World.

Grenada Grenada —— In Grenada’s West Indian Island, there is a holi-In Grenada’s West Indian Island, there is a holi-day celebrated on October 25, known as the Thanksgiving day celebrated on October 25, known as the Thanksgiving Day. It marks the anniversary of the invasion by the United Day. It marks the anniversary of the invasion by the United States in the Island in 1983, in response to the deposition States in the Island in 1983, in response to the deposition and execution of their prime Ministerand execution of their prime Minister..

Historical Historical

Origins of Origins of

Thanksgiving DayThanksgiving Day

Homestead Thanksgiving ...Homestead Thanksgiving ... 4

Something to Think About…Something to Think About… What Happens When a Conference President Is Not Returned to Office?What Happens When a Conference President Is Not Returned to Office?

I t happens to all who serve in elective offices in our Church. It is inevitable.

The day will come when a re-placement is chosen no matter how long the position is held. The elective office that gets the most notoriety is the office of the conference president. It is also the office that carries the heaviest responsibility and suf-fers the most from public and private disappointment, even embarrassment. Feelings of rejection, a sense of absence of appreciation for honest ef-forts, and the simple pain and loss of approval and confi-dence follow in its wake.

One day the reins of leadership are in your hands, the pull of the horses is real, powerful and present and, the next day the reins are in the hands of anoth-er. The horses are hitched to another wagon the surge of power is gone and you are left alone with your thoughts. One former president was heard to remark that he felt alone, unin-volved, unneeded and unap-preciated. When in office your opinion seems to count with everyone.

People want to be near you, they want to know what you think about everything and suddenly it is gone. The fel-lowship with other leaders is significantly altered — no more Black Caucus, General Con-ference Fall Council, Division Year-end Meetings or Media Center, Health System, Pub-lishing House Board meetings. There are no more Conference Executive or Union Committee meetings. No more Camp meetings to plan, pastors to install, church openings to at-tend, housing project opening ribbons to cut, Workers’ Meet-ings to manage or constituen-cy meetings to plan. The list seems endless and takes us back to our point of departure — not returned to office. What shall we say to these things? We all know and re-member that one should not develop a sense of entitlement or forget that we are called to life-long minister and not life-long office. What shall we say to these things? Some holding offices have been heard to ex-claim that they would “go back up to pastoring any day.” I was around when some were not returned to office and sum-marily sent “back up to pastor-ing” only to discover that any day was that day and they were not ready for it.

Two wonderful examples of how to leave office after long tenure are known to this writ-er—the legendary Elder George R. Earle of the North-eastern Conference in St. Al-

“...no more Conference Executive or Union Committee meetings.”

bans, NY who voluntarily left the of-fice of President after 18 years in the 1980’s. Just last month, Elder Vanard J. Mendinghall of the South Atlantic Conference in Atlanta, GA voluntarily left office after 14 years. So, what shall we say to these things? Here is something to think about:

1. What about a transition period of at least 60 days to facilitate an orderly change in administration with an official beginning date for the new administration and an inauguration?

2. How about a lifelong privilege-to-attend all meetings of the Con-ference for him and spouse at conference expense including General Conference Sessions.

3. What about a home office privi-

lege complete with clerical sup-port to work on his Presidential Papers (official documents and papers) to be placed in the Con-ference Presidential Library to be housed in each of the Nine Regional Conference offices for their own previous presidents.

4. Finally, a formal well-planned appreciation event to be held shortly after the new president has assumed his new responsi-bilities.

Continued on page 6

5

“...embarra

ssment….re

jection...

the simple pain and lo

ss of

confidence…

”

His election is especially signifi-His election is especially signifi-

cant in that this Union is located cant in that this Union is located

in the American South. It is a fur-in the American South. It is a fur-

ther signal that the Old South has ther signal that the Old South has

become the New South. One become the New South. One

unsubstantiated report of the unsubstantiated report of the

Session is that the support of one Session is that the support of one

predominantly white conference predominantly white conference

was pivotal in his election. Only was pivotal in his election. Only

three of the eight conferences three of the eight conferences

are historically composed of are historically composed of

Black members. Black members.

Additionally he is reported to Additionally he is reported to

have had the unequivocal sup-have had the unequivocal sup-

port of one of the large institu-port of one of the large institu-

tions in that Union.tions in that Union.

Another emerging trend for 2011 Another emerging trend for 2011

saw the Union President declare saw the Union President declare

his intention to retire long before his intention to retire long before

the day of the Session. It fol-the day of the Session. It fol-

lowed the events of the South-lowed the events of the South-

west Union headquartered in west Union headquartered in

Texas where its president an-Texas where its president an-

nounced his retirement before nounced his retirement before

the Session began the normal the Session began the normal

electoral processes.electoral processes.

We pray God’s blessings upon We pray God’s blessings upon

Dr. Smith and Yolanda’s service Dr. Smith and Yolanda’s service

to the faithful members of the to the faithful members of the

Southern Union, these next five Southern Union, these next five

years.years.

Dr. Ron and Yolanda Smith

From page 3

That’s particularly true for the high-

est earners. Benefits are calculated

on a maximum average salary of

$106,800, which means anyone who

made that much or more —whether

by a few dollars or by a few hundred

thousand dollars — gets the same

annual Social Security payment.

To be fair, earnings over that thresh-

old aren’t taxed, either, and the agen-

cy spokeswoman says benefits

are meant as supplemental retire-

ment income, not full freight.

SOURCES FOR THIS ARTICLE:

Smart Money and Forbes Magazine On-Line,

September, 2011.

Surely there are a multitude of “what ifs” that will follow Surely there are a multitude of “what ifs” that will follow these suggestions. Let each conference be persuaded in it’s own these suggestions. Let each conference be persuaded in it’s own mind. There is at least one conference that has done some of the-mind. There is at least one conference that has done some of the-se things already. Who will be next? The major obstacles to these se things already. Who will be next? The major obstacles to these things are to overcome the worse case scenario syndrome and the things are to overcome the worse case scenario syndrome and the tendency to allow envy and jealousy to rule the day yet again. Too tendency to allow envy and jealousy to rule the day yet again. Too often they lead to inactivity and lost opportunities to do justly, act often they lead to inactivity and lost opportunities to do justly, act honorably and celebrate good works. The Regional Conference honorably and celebrate good works. The Regional Conference Retiree community is small and perhaps has little if any influence, Retiree community is small and perhaps has little if any influence, but the fervent prayer of a dedicated retiree community may avail but the fervent prayer of a dedicated retiree community may avail much.much.

From page 5

6

Have a LOOK…

NAD Year-End Meeting - October 27— 31 G.C. Headquarters, Silver Spring, MD

Retirement Application Processing Personnel Training— November 1—3 Bradford-Cleveland-Brooks Leadership Center, Oakwood Univ. Huntsville, Alabama

CALENDAR EVENTS:

Seasoned Mashed Potatoes Cranberry-orange Relish French –cut Green Beans with slithered almonds or crispy onions

Homemade Dinner Rolls Roasted Turkey with gravy

Cornbread Stuffing Mashed Turnips

Pumpkin or Sweet Potato Pie Apple Spice Raisin Cake

The Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner...

T hanksgiving meals vary

around the globe. Most families

use this time of year to call family

from far and near. From simple

to the elegant spread…’family

and friends’ remain the real rea-

son behind the dietary logic of a

‘traditional’ Thanksgiving dinner.

Most families put in their orders

for fabulous ‘sides’ to compli-

ment the 12 pound turkey and

dressing and pumpkin pie with

whipped cream topping. Every-

thing seems to taste better with

family, good friends and neigh-

bors. It’s a time of peace, joy,

and thanksgiving to God for providing not

just food but the blessings associated with

family, good health, and being together yet

one more year around the table of bounty.

This year why not add dishes for diabetics

and vegetarians, making for an even more

joyous occasion. Something for everyone!

Vegan or vegetarian recipes are available

on-line. Vegetarian turkeys, non-dairy

frozen desserts , pies and cakes are found in

your local natural food stores.

Menu

7

Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin Tofu Pie

Pumpkin Custard

Pumpkin Chili

Pumpkins are rich in calci-

um, iron, magnesium, po-

tassium, zinc, selenium, nia-

cin, folate, and vitamins

A,C, and E.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tech Times Issue 00 Month Year

CREDITS EDITOR: Joseph W. McCoy ASSISTANT EDITOR: Judith B. McCoy LAYOUT/DESIGN: Paula E. Thompson

Laugh Out Loud…

TURKEY DAY HUMOR —

T’was the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn’t sleep. I tried counting

backwards, I tried counting sheep. The leftovers beckoned — The dark

meat and white, but I fought the temptation with all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation...The thought of a snack became

infatuation...So I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door, and gazed

at the fridge full of goodies galore. I gobbled up turkey and buttered

potatoes, pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes. I felt myself swelling

so plump and so round, ‘till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground!!

I crashed through the ceiling. Floating into the sky...with a mouthful of

pudding and a handful of pie, but I managed to yell as I sored past

the trees…

HAPPY EATING TO ALL!! PASS THE CRANBERRIES PLEASE!!

7000 Adventist Blvd Huntsville, AL 35816 256.830.5002 off 256.830.5078 fax www.regionalretirement.org