East Jamaica Conference Communication Department

74 Constant Spring Road ▪ P.O. Box 181▪ Kingston 10 ▪ Jamaica W.I. Tel:(876) 924-1061-3, (876) 924-0263. E-Mail: eastcon@ejcsda.com

Website: ejcsda.com

January 2, 2015

To: All Pastors, Elders, Leaders and Church Members

Happy New Year and Sincere Christian greetings!

Please see important dates, events and communication from the East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists below.

(1) Notice From the Sabbath School & Personal Ministries Department

TO BE READ IN THE CHURCH (IF WAS NOT READ LAST WEEK)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

ACCENTUATING THE CALL FOR R EVIVAL AND REFORMATION

We greet you in the spirit of the “season of giving” and wish for you a prosperous New Year!

In full support of the Church Leadership’s call for Revival and Reformation and the Day of Solemn Assembly, January 3, 2015, we embrace this opportunity to invite each member to join us in the following revival exercises:

1. Congress for Renewal and Revival of the Role of the LaityThe Renewal and Revival Congress organized by the Jamaica Union, is to be held on Sabbath, January 10, 2015 (all day) at the Hagley Park SDA Church. (Please see attached letter from the Union Director - Click Here).

2. EJC Lay Evangelistic Preaching SymposiumThe Lay Evangelistic Preaching Symposium is called by the Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department, together with the EJC Lay Evangelistic Association to convene at the Half-way Tree SDA Church, January 25 to 29, 2015.

3. Partnership Effort with Amazing Facts Centre of EvangelismThe Evangelistic Preaching Symposium mentioned above will find a fitting climax in our convergence with the Amazing Facts Centre of Evangelism’s (AFCOE) three-part “Edge of Eternity National Rally” which will convene at Sabina Park, South Camp Road, Kingston, beginning Friday, January 30th at 7:00 p.m.

4. Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department Annual Comprehensive Workshop January 25 – 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

All leaders of the Sabbath School, Personal Ministries and Community Services Department, to include the following listed below, are invited to attend and participate in our annual, critical, comprehensive training workshop to be held at the V. H. Percy multipurpose centre, 10 – 12 Osbourne Road, Kingston, January 25 – 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m:

A. Elders assigned to this departmentB. Sabbath School SuperintendentsC. Personal Ministries LeadersD. Community Services LeadersE. Senior Citizens LeadersF. Prison Ministries LeadersG. Special Needs LeadersH. Bible School CoordinatorsI. Membership Conservation LeadersJ. Sabbath School SecretariesK. Personal Ministries SecretariesL. Interest CoordinatorsM. Bible InstructorsN. Graduates of EJC School of EvangelismO. All other relevant persons and interested parties

May the Lord bless you richly as we work together in the Cause of Christ.

Yours in Christ

Carl CunninghamCarl M. CunninghamSabbath School, Personal Ministries &Community Services Director

(2) Notice from the Ministerial Department

TO BE READ IN THE CHURCH ( IF WAS NOT READ LAST WEEK) Dear Brethren:

CALL TO SOLEMN ASSEMBLY, JANUARY 3, 2015Christian greetings!

As we contemplate the soon return of Christ, we sense the need for a deep spiritual revival in the entire church. Consequently the leadership of the Conference is calling the church to a day (24 hour) of solemn assembly, on Sabbath, January 3, 2015. This is a call to repentance and revival, a recommitment and re-affirmation of our faith and a pledge to the mission of Christ.

Later that evening, beginning at 7:30 through to 10:00 p.m. we will climax with a grand prayer session at the Half-Way Tree SDA Church.

A similar grand prayer service for the brethren in St. Thomas will take place from 7:30 pm through to 10:00 pm at the Morant Bay SDA Church. We invite all our church leaders and members to attend this special service where possible.

May God’s richest blessings attend you in this season of peace and good will as we look forward to your full participation in this programme.

Yours in the Master’s service

Linton WilliamsPrayer Ministries Coordinator

(3) Convention 2015

The Annual Convention for Zone 4 (St. Thomas) this year , will be held at the Morant Bay High School, located at 7 Highbury Road, Morant Bay, on Sunday, January 11, 2015 commencing at 9:00 a.m.

The Kingston leg of Convention will be held at the Kencot SDA Church on January 18, 2015 beginning at 9:00 am.

We invite all members of our church especially our local church leadership ( All elected officers ) to attend.

(3) Notices from the Children’s and Adolescents Ministries   Department Theme: Giants for Jesus

1. Kindly assign every child in your church to an ‘aunt’ or ‘uncle’. This is one of the methods to create a culture of care for our children and adolescents and to nurture them for the kingdom.

2. ASI Mission 2000 & beyond crusade will be held in the Dominican Republic. Book your fare early and save.

3. Team members get ready for an energetic, evangelistic, adventurous 2015. Try to engage/train all our children in discipleship ministry. Call the office if you need assistance.

4. Model for your children how to witness to others as they play Bible Spell-A-Word during their spare time. Also get them children involved even at the church level.

5. Get ready the polo pink and blue tops or create your own for our May 2015 Jewels anniversary.

6. Jewels anniversary Step 2: Get children to memorize the Jewels Promise and these 2 passages of scripture – Matthew 19:13-15; Jeremiah 1:4-9

Secrets of Affectionate Children’s Ministries Leaders- They write loving notes to their students. They get the children out of the building for fun and service.They invite children home for fellowship.

(4) Notices from the Family Life Department  

THEME: Making Home a Place of Peace and Healing

1. The Family Ministries Department will convene its monthly meeting this Sunday, January 4, 2015 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. with all Family Ministries Directors. Venue EJC Boardroom. Please be on time.

2. Females we suggest that you add extra intimacy to the session on February 7 by selecting matching colors as a couple to be worn on that day. All couples who are genuinely interested in enhancing their spousal journey are expected to participate in this session. FMDs kindly register all attendees by January 20, so we can adequately prepare a sumptuous physical meal for everyone.

3. All churches are asked to take at least one visitor. Couples with non SDA spouses please provide the telephone numbers so that we can personally invite them to this special session.

4. Dr. Desiree Tulloch Reid, Anthia Muirhead and Geoffrey Marshall who have been commissioned to impact EJC for Christ. We invite you to call/email cgenas@ejcsda.com or 7811565 immediately to be a part of this singles’ group to make 2015 an exciting year. Watch the website for weekly updates.

5. Calling all married couples 5 years and under…Keep the journey exciting. Come be a part of the Couples In Action (CIA) group that will have its genesis as of January 2015 and keep your spousal journey aflame. Your coordinators are Leon & Samantha Ffrench and Marcus & Tamrakay Biggs.

“Coming together is a beginning, Keeping together is a progress. Working together is success.” Henry Ford

6. Having a function! Looking wine and water glass, etc. Call 9241061-3 or 7811565 or send email to cgenas@ejcsda.com

7. Get ready BEAMS your team leader Jerome Miller and Jovan McCook have been called into action. Watch the press for details.

8. We have received the couples list from all churches in districts 1, 2, 5 & 10. Hats off to Pastors Hanson Drysdale, Samuel Lewis, Kevin White and Leabert Williams and the FM Directors. Still awaiting same to complete the request from the General Conference.

Lord, before I tackle the projects of the New Year, distract me with the task of shredding last year’s resentments. Purge (clean out) the old leaven that you may be fresh (new) dough. (1Corinthians 5:7)

(5) Notices from the Women’s Ministries Department

1. All GEMS presidents are asked to send a report to Natalie McKenzie, your EJC GEMS president to be collated and presented for our 5th GEMS anniversary.

2. The EJC will host 2 large retreats between 2014 and 2018. They will be held October 2015 and 2017. Calling everyone from everywhere to send in your first deposit for our October 2015 retreat as of February 2015.. Invite your non Adventists friends and relatives locally and abroad. Pay early and save.

3. Kindly use the month of January to launch /activate your Moms in Touch in the churches. The EJC Moms in Touch launch will be in March.

4. There will be a meeting for all directors and their team members on January 11, 2015.

5. One of the GC vision 2020 objectives is to have ‘established mentoring programs’. Remember that all our young females 12 and over should be assigned a mentor. All Women’s Ministries Directors are asked to send the names of the team member who is coordinating your GEMS mentorship program. Sis. E.G. White and the story of Ruth reinforce the benefits of mentorship.

6. Christian Home & Marriage – ‘The Journey Towards Intimacy’ session will be held on February 7, 2015. All couples who are interested in the longevity of marriage are expected to be a part of this journey. Couples with non SDA spouses please provide the telephone numbers so that we can personally invite them to this special session.

Encourage the participation of your spouse by recruiting and enlisting his or her expertise in some aspect of church life. Remember: There is no growth without challenge, and there is no challenge without change.

(6) Notice from the Publishing and Spirit of Prophecy Department

1. Publishing and Sprit of Prophecy counsels meeting

January 15, 2015 – Executive counsel

January 25, 2015 – Zone 4

February 1, 2015 – Zones 1 & 2

February 8, 2015 – Zones 3

(Venues to be announced soon)

2. Literature Evangelist Recruitment training January 28, 2015 (venue to be announced soon)

Spirit Of Prophecy Quote“God might have chosen unfallen angels as His representatives on earth. Instead life chose us. Every true disciple is born in the Kingdom of God as a missionary.” (Desire of Ages,195)

(7) Notices From Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department

The month of January will be significant for Religious Liberty in 2015. Begin to make plans for your attendance to the biggest Religious Liberty Festival ever to take place in Jamaica. We invite and expect all Religious Liberty Leaders in our churches to be in attendance at the National Arena on January 24, 2015. This will be an all day event from 9:00 am to 8:30pm. See poster below for further details.

See News article below that was published in the Glener on Wednesday December 31, 2014 .

Religious LibertyPublished: Wednesday, December 31, 2014 11:08:24 AM

Jodi-Ann Gilpin, Gleaner Writer

Come January 24, 2015, all eyes will be on Jamaica. That is the sentiment expressed by The Seventh Day Adventist community, which will be hosting the first-ever Religious Liberty Festival at which they see all religious organisations and civic leaders coming together to celebrate freedom.

Pastor Glen Samuels, member of the organising team, told The Gleaner in an interview recently, that the event will be an avenue to thank past and present governments for their contribution in sustaining religious freedom over the years.

"We believe everyone should enjoy religious freedom, even those who do not share the same doctrine. The freedom to believe or not to believe without persecution is the right of every human being, and we are looking forward to that day I know this will get global attention," he declared.

Follow this link for more on this story. Click Here.

(8) Letter From The Communication Diirector

Dear Communication Leaders and Team Members.

REQUEST FOR NEWS ITEMS AND STORIES FROM YOUR CHURCH

Happy New Year Team Members. I hope you had time to be rejuvenated over the holiday, for there is much work to be done in 2015. To those who are new to the department, welcome to one of the most dynamic areas of church ministry. The Lord has called you at this time because He knows your capabilities, even if you don't.

I could have sent this message to you off line, but I chose to make this information public so that both, you and the church will have a good idea of what we need to accomplish together as the year progresses.

This year under the guidance and leadership of the Holy Spirit, the Communication Team from Head Quarters, will try to improve our service to you (members of the church) and the general public by sharing more news items of important events taking place across East Jamaica Conference, and especially what is taking place in our churches.

For Conference events, the news items will come from me and my team here at HQ, but for news from around our churches, I must depend on you for that. Since I can only be at one place at a time, the stories and news items taking place at your location will have to be covered and written by you and your team members.

I therefore would like to encourage Communication Leaders in every church to set yourself a goal of writing and forwarding to us here at the Conference at least one news item per month for now.

This may be something important that took place at your church or it may be a story of a faithful member who has impacted your community in a significant way. It may even be a story of someone in your community that a member of your church is working with towards baptism. In any case, keep the story short (not more than 400 words ) and make it interesting and Christ centered.

It is my intention to share some of these stories and news items on our website to give it wider readership, but first it needs to be on your website. It therefore means that if your church does not have a website, establish one. If you need assistance, let me know. Help is available.

It is my hope that some of these news items will be carried on the JAMU website for even wider readership. I believe that this will help to give you the motivation to start writing to the honour and glory of God and to share with the world, some of the wonderful things that the Lord is doing in His church.

Your brother in Christ

Phillip E. L. Castell Communication Director

(9) Latest News - From the Constituency  

Five Ordained at New Haven Posted on Dec 30 2014Story by Laureen Brown| Photos by Chad Smith

  

The New Haven Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, like many others, is always calling for individuals who are willing to submit themselves and their time and talents to the service of the Lord. On Sabbath, December 27, 2014 congregants bore witness as five

men - Samuel Blackman, Stephen Davis, John Ellis, Derrick Hall andHulson Walters - who answered this call, were ordained as deacons. 

Follow this link for more on this story. Click Here.

L-R: Hulson Walters, Derrick Hall, John Ellis, Stephen Davis and Samuel Blackman being addressed by Pastor W. Cedric McAnuff at a special Ordination Service at the New Haven SDA Church in the evening of Sabbath, December 27, 2014.

North Street Seventh-Day Adventist Celebrates 120!

A committed membership and the grace of God are factors Pastor Leabert Williams has attributed to the North Street Seventh-day Adventist Church's 120 years of existence.

The church, which hosted its special anniversary service on Saturday, saw scores of persons coming out in their numbers to commemorate and celebrate the significant milestone.

Williams said it was important that the body of Christ never stray from the word of God, adding that the

Church must adapt to the changing times.

Follow this link for more on this story. Click Here.

(10)   Schedule of Upcoming Conference Dates and Events

Dates Event LocationJan. 3 Day of Solemn Assembly In every church Jan. 3 Special Prayer Service ( 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm ) Half Way Tree & Morant Bay SDAJan. 4 EJC Workers' Meeting EJC Board Room Jan. 10 Renewal & Revival Hagley Park SDA Church

Jan. 11 Convention - St. ThomasMorant Bay High School, 7 Highbury Rd, Morant Bay

Jan. 18 Convention - Kingston & St. Andrew Kencot SDA ChurchJan. 24 Religious Liberty Festival National ArenaJan 25 - 31 Lay Evangelistic Explosion Half Way Tree SDA ChurchJan. 31 Religious Liberty Day / BEAMS Convention

Feb. 7 Couples Journey to Intimacy VH Percy Center

   

     Phillip E. L. CastellCommunication Director