Cayman Islands Conference

Trapped Chilean miners find light of Word in ‘mini-Bibles’

Greg James — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:38:11 +0000

Seventh-day Adventist pastor Carlos Parra Diaz (left), shows one of the miniature Bibles sent down a supply shaft to the 33 trapped miners in the Atacama desert. Parra is serving as chaplain at the rescue site, local church leaders said. photo courtesy South American Division

Adventist Church is ‘spiritual reference’ for miners, families at site

31 Aug 2010, Brasilia, Brazil
Magdiel Pérez Schulz/Adventist Review staff/ANN staff

The arrival of miniature Bibles to 33 Chilean miners trapped some 2,300 feet underground is bolstering their hope of rescue.

“Give thanks to those who sent us the Bibles,” a miner identified as Renan told a Brazilian weekly newsmagazine last week. The Bibles “gave me so much faith that I will leave here,” Renan said.

Seventh-day Adventist officials in Chile say the Bibles they provided the miners are supplying spiritual light as the group awaits rescue. Local media outlets have labeled the miners’ survival so far a miracle, and their reports have highlighted the church’s initiative.

The miners — who have been trapped since the August 5 collapse of a tunnel at the San Jose mine in Chile’s Atacama desert — rationed what would have been two days’ worth of food to stretch until they were discovered some 17 days later. Now, they await rescue, which mining experts say could take up to four months.

The Associated Press on August 31 reported that preliminary drilling has begun to liberate the miners. While they wait, food, water, medical supplies — and now, miniature Bibles — are arriving through a supply shaft.

Carlos Parra Diaz, an Adventist pastor who oversees the northern Chilean district of Copiapo, secured approval from Laurence Golborne, the country’s mining minister, to send Bibles to the trapped miners. Each volume is approximately three by five inches to fit into the device that is transporting supplies to the miners. Each Bible was personalized with a miner’s name and included specific scriptures to encourage them.

“We have always been available to help our brothers who are suffering both outside and inside of the mine,” Parra said. “Now we have prepared … these mini Bibles so the miners, in their confinement, can read the Word of God.”

A magnifying glass accompanied each of the mini Bibles to make reading easier, the Brazilian newsmagazine reported. Each Bible is labeled with the words, “We are praying for your return.” The magazine also said that Psalms 40 is highlighted in each Bible. The passage reads, in part, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit … and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.”

The church also gave a copy of the Bible to the ministers of health and mining, as well as to each of the families at the rescue site. Parra is acting as the camp’s chaplain, local Adventist leaders said.

“If God has kept them alive, he will continue taking care of them,” Parra told the Brazilian newsmagazine. “Before, the prayer was for our [countrymen] to be alive. Now, we pray that the final rescue [will] be long before they expect it to be. We are asking for another miracle,” he said.

As a result of the Bible distribution, the church has established a presence in the mine area and is now a “spiritual reference” for the camp, local Adventist officials said.

Cayman Conference Workers Meeting 2010

Greg James — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:10:00 +0000

The day began on a high spiritual note with some of the teachers leading out in song service. The President gave the devotional message using Deuteronomy 6:1-12. He emphasized four points out of the text, called the Shema. 1. The Lord our God is one Lord. 2. Love the Lord with your body mind and spirit. 3. Share Biblical teachings with your children. 4. Do not forget where the Lord has brought you.

A special dedicatory prayer was offered by Evangelist Vaughn Henry for Cayman Academy and the Conference family.

Introduction of new workers were presented by the Executive Secretary and the Principal. The time of sharing was coordinated by the President and each person had to find others to sign off on their papers. They had to find persons who had studied the Sabbath School lesson today, someone with their favorite color, someone excited to begin teaching, someone being met for the first time, someone who drink 5 glasses of water, etc

Congratulations were extended to the Mcdonalds on their 39^th. wedding anniversary and the Drackets for 27 years of marital bliss.

The Principal shared her vision for Cayman Academy for the ensuing year and Ms. Alleyne was invited to share insights into the commendable CXC results.

Mrs. Woods, Conference Treasurer informed the workers on financial, medical and travel insurance matters.

Pastor Dracket provided updates on policy and other pertinent areas.

Pastor McDonald, Ministerial secretary, chaired the pastoral reports segment. Reports from the Pastors came from each church including Elder Vaughn Henry from the Creek church in Cayman Brac.

Pastor Powell chaired the 15-minute concert segment and Mrs. Gordon enthusiastically received donations on behalf of the school. Music was provided by Elder Norman Battick, Pastor Al Powell, a Ladies Quartet, Pastor Wilton McDonald begin_of_the_skype_highlighting end_of_the_skype_highlighting, Pastor Cyp Collado, a Pastoral Quartet, and Sister Patrice Clarke.

President Clarke gave concluding remarks reminding workers that the Shema had 246 words, similar to the amount of bones in the normal human body. When the Israelites repeated the Shema from Deuteronomy 6, they declared that every body part believed in God and that He is able to hold all those who trust in Him.

The day ended with lunch provided for all workers. Pastor Sethres Dixon, the musician for the day and Academy chaplain pronounced the benediction and blessed the meal provided.

The spirit of love and unity was felt in the atmosphere as the workers pledged themselves to let Jesus lead.

The President’s Schedule August – September, 2010

Greg James — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 03:13:00 +0000

August 2010

31 — Creek Church Rededication / Pomare’s final Sabbath [July]

01 — Bethel Baptism [2] and Concert [@ Filadelfia]

02 — Minister’s Meeting

07 — Preach at Maranatha Church / Evangelist Campbell [5 baptisms]

09 — Cosmic Conflict Campaign – David Campbell [1 baptism]

10 — Love 103.9 FM – Radio broadcast – 7-9 p.m.

11 — Cosmic Conflict Campaign – David Campbell [2 baptisms]

13-15 — NCU Graduation Weekend

14 — Preach at Ephesus Church

15 — Funeral of Naomi Evans

16 — Auditor, Elder Ezra Fider arrives

16 — Return from Nassau

17 — Minister’s Meeting @ 9 – Noon

17 — Office Dedication – Cindy Jones @ 1 p.m.

17 — School Board Meeting @ 5 p.m.

18 — Teachers’ Devotion @ 8:30 a.m.

18 — Executive Committee meeting @ 5 p.m.

19 — Record Update

19 — Nassau via Florida

20 — Auditor Exit Meeting

20 — Megan’s last day @ ABC

22 — Sharon and Gardel Wedding

22-28 — Cayman Academy HSA Week of Prayer

26 — Record Update [Pastor Dracket]

27 — Return to Cayman

28 — Maranatha Education Day / Cayman HSA Week of Prayer

30 — Workers Meeting

September 2010

01 — Orientation for new students

02 — School Reopens for all Students [Thursday]

02 — Record Update

04 — Ephesus Prayer and Fasting

05 — Groundbreaking for West Bay Church [Sunday] @ 4 pm

10 — Travel to Cayman Brac

11 — Preach in Cayman Brac

12 – 16 — Chief Julio @ Savannah Church

12 — Adventist Risk Management – Detroit, Michigan- [12-17]

18 — World Pathfinder Day

18-25 — Conference Health Emphasis Week

19-23 — Northeast Jamaica Conference Session

24-26 — Kings Anniversary – Fritz Henry

First blind doctoral student graduates from Adventist seminary

Greg James — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 05:52:58 +0000

McAllister learned Hebrew by feeling letter shapes

23 Aug 2010, Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States
Keri Suarez/ANN staff | Source: ANN

Ray McAllister is awarded a Ph.D in Religion from the Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary on August 1. McAllister is the first blind student to graduate with the degree from a church-run seminary. photo: Katelin Mitchell

A decade after he embarked on doctoral studies, a blind student has graduated with a Ph.D in religion, marking the first time such a student has earned the degree from a Seventh-day Adventist theological seminary.

Ray McAllister, 35, who graduated this month from the Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, was born with a degenerative eye condition. At age five, one eye was removed; at age 12, he lost sight in the other, resulting in complete blindness.

Before enrolling in doctoral studies, McAllister earned a bachelor’s degree in Theology and a master’s degree in Divinity.

McAllister’s doctorate emphasis, Old Testament Exegesis and Theology, meant he faced intensive use of Hebrew, Greek, Cuneiform and other Biblical languages. The Society of Biblical Literature and the National Federation for the Blind speculate that McAllister may be the first blind doctoral student ever to tackle a degree so heavily dependent upon such languages.

While studying Cuneiform, McAllister’s friend, Sally Ann Trottier, whom he later married, created the impressions of Cuneiform letters on note cards so he could feel and memorize them, much like Braille. Toy magnetic Hebrew letters helped him learn their shapes, and a Braille Hebrew bible let him read letters directly with his fingers. He scanned documents so his computer, equipped with a computer-generated voice, could “read” their contents to him.

When the Michigan Commission for the Blind learned of McAllister’s efforts, the agency upgraded his laptop with a new voice as well as a Braille display.

Teaching classes — mandatory for doctoral students — posed additional challenges. In 2002, when he taught a summer intensive on the Old Testament, McAllister couldn’t see his students raise their hands for questions. Using skills he’d learned as an amateur radio operator, he asked students to call out their names if they had a question or comment.

McAllister stored lecture notes in a talking laptop, to ensure he covered the right material. Once, he felt impressed to memorize the following day’s lecture. When the next day his laptop keyboard quit working, McAllister lectured from memory.

Now that he has graduated, McAllister looks forward to finding a job. “I would like the opportunity to teach or in some way serve the blind community,” he said. “If all else fails, I’ll go to massage therapy school.”

Shirley Burton, Former Adventist Communication Director, Dies

Greg James — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:15:46 +0000

Shirley Burton, a former Adventist Church director of Communication, died Monday. She was 83. photo: courtesy Archives and Statistics

Public Relations pioneer sought positive image for church in community

Source: Adventist News Network

18 Aug 2010, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States ANN staff

Shirley Burton, former Seventh-day Adventist world church Communication director who helped shape church public relations, died August 16 at the BryanLGH Hospital in her native Lincoln, Nebraska. She was 83.

According to a family spokesperson, Burton died of complications following a massive stroke she suffered at home the previous Friday.

Burton’s denominational service spanned more than four decades, including stints as professor, dean, editor and director of Public and Media Relations before her appointment in 1988 as Communication director for the world church, a post she held until 1994.

Burton was a “genuine pioneer” in print-oriented church public relations and, with M. Carol Hetzel, among the “most prominent women in church communication” at the height of her career, said Robert Nixon, who preceded her as Communication director.

Burton earned a bachelor’s degree from Adventist-run Union College in 1949, shortly after which she began teaching English, journalism and speech at Oak Park Academy in Nevada, Iowa. Another education post followed — this time, at Laurelwood Academy in Gaston, Oregon. Colleagues said she was influential in shaping the church communication careers of many of her students.

In 1961, Burton earned a master’s degree in Communication from Southern Oregon College. Afterward, she studied at the University of Oregon under a fellowship from the Wall Street Journal.

An advocate for better communication between the church and the community, Burton in 1963 accepted a job as director of Public Relations for the Oregon Conference. Six years later, she served in the same capacity for the Pacific Union. While there, she also acted as managing editor of the Pacific Union Recorder, which saw an increase in subscriptions to some 54,000 homes during her watch.

In her final editorial for the Recorder, Burton envisioned church communication solidifying an Adventist presence in the secular media, writing that Adventists should be known as leaders in humanitarian outreach and mission work and seen as “happy, rejoicing Christians.”

In 1985, Burton accepted a post as associate director for Communication at world church headquarters. Three years later, she was elected director of the Communication department at headquarters, which at that time moved from Takoma Park, Maryland to Silver Spring, Maryland.

During retirement, Burton volunteered for Adventist-laymen’s Services and Industries.

A memorial service is set for Sunday, August 22 at 11 a.m. at the Piedmont Park Adventist Church.

From The President’s Desk

Robert Lynch — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 01:19:56 +0000

Pastor Eric D. Clarke, M.A., J.P. President of the Cayman Islands Conference

Update August 14, 2010

Greetings & salutations

Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord that delighteth greatly in his commandments. His seed shall be mighty up earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed. Ps.112: 1, 2

Cosmic Conflict
The Cosmic Conflict Campaign with Evangelist David Campbell continues at the Cayman Academy Auditorium. Please continue
to pray for the campaign. To date they are rejoicing with 9 precious souls for God’s kingdom.

Giving Thanks at The Academy
Cayman Academy thanks God for a full compliment of teachers, all of whom will be in place for August 18, two weeks before school reopens for the students. This new school year promises to be an exciting one for the school. Both the Ministry of Education and its inspectorate unit, ESAU, have expressed approval for the direction the school is taking.

Is Your Child Registered for school ?

The Academy continues to enroll new students daily. Please feel free to call Cayman Academy at 949-7190 and register your child while space is available. Twenty (20) new students have already registered. The Administration has already completed classroom assignment for the teachers.

Teacher & student Orientation
The teachers begin school on Wednesday, 18th August, 2010. Please note that orientation for new students will be held on September 1 and classes begin for all students on September 2.

HSA WEEK OF PRAYER Details

Cayman Academy’s HSA will be hosting a conference-wide Week of Prayer, August 22 – 28, 2010. The HSA is inviting the Conference family to come together to intercede on behalf of the school. God is the only one that can guide and protect the school through these challenging times.

The Week of Prayer will convene on Sunday through to Sabbath evening. Topics will focus on Education with a lot of youth participation. A lively nightly singspiration will greet you and on Friday evening and a teacher’s consecration service. Sabbath will be prayer and fasting and in the afternoon there will be a dynamic AY program focusing on youth development.

School Board Meeting
The Cayman Academy School Board will meet on Tuesday, August 15 at 5 p.m.

Pastors meeting
The Pastors will meet on Tuesday, August 15, beginning at 9 a.m.

Executive Committee Meeting
The next Executive Committee Meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 18 at 5 p.m.

Bodden Town Personal Ministries

The Personal Ministries Department of the Bodden Town Church will culminate its training session this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. sharp on the church grounds. Everyone is invited to attend.

Ground Breaking service
The West Bay church invites us to their church ground breaking service on Sunday 5 September, 2010 at 4 p.m.

Sons of the Call
The young men enrolled in Seminary and studying for Pastoral Ministry are Andrew Campbell [Kings], Carlon Nyack [East End], Norman Williams [West Bay], Donald Hall [Kings], Rohan Palmer [Kings] and Wendell Davis [Savannah]. We pray for them.

VBS Graduations
Congratulations to all the churches that have already completed their vacation Bible schools. The Savannah Church had its VBS graduation this past Sunday evening. Over 110 students registered for VBS this year, under the theme “High Seas Expedition”. Special commendation to all the staff members who worked in the program.

A Focus On the Word
“He [Jesus] did not consent to sin. Not even by a thought did He yield to temptation. So it may be with us. Christ’s humanity was united with divinity; He was fitted for the conflict by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. And He came to make us partakers of the divine nature. So long as we are united to Him by faith, sin has no more dominion over us. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 123.

Praying for the sick amoung us

Woodley Scott
George Chollette
Dale Savory
Anna Kay Miller
Sis. Inez Mendez
Sis. Berthalee Kelly
Sister Dorman, Sherree Riley’s Mother

NOW AVAILABLE AT THE ABC!
The ABC has lots of new stock availbale. Books, CD, DVD’s, Vegetarian products, and much much more. Stop by the store at 209 walkers road and try something new.

Hurricane Tip
Prepare to bring inside any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants, and anything else that can be picked up by the wind.

Health Nugget – Get enough Sleep
A lack of sleep puts at risk our productivity, safety, and health. Research shows that sleep deprived people increase their caloric consumption by as much as 15%. Chronic loss of sleep may increase the risk of diabetes since the insulin secretion can be impaired by up to 30%. Sleep deprivation also contributes to mental depression; increases the risk of colds and infections; and decreases the ability to handle stress. Sleep debt has a harmful effect on endocrine function similar to that seen in normal aging.

In South Africa, 22 dead as fire destroys church-owned nursing home

Greg James — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 02:26:48 +0000

Pieter Wessels Home burned to the ground Sunday night

4 Aug 2010, Nigel, Gauteng, South Africa
Ebrahim Ishmail/Transvaal Conference

The death toll has risen to 22 in the wake of a nighttime August 1 fire that destroyed the Pieter Wessels Frail Care facility, owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s Transvaal Conference. The Wessels home, which serves low-income elderly, is in Nigel, about 40 miles (60 kilometers) southeast of Johannesburg.

Initially, 17 were reported dead at the scene, officials said. Another person died from an apparent heart attack following the blaze. Media reports in South Africa on August 4 indicated an additional four people died while hospitalized.

By the time the night staff stumbled upon the scene of the fire just before 9 p.m. local time, the heavy smoke overwhelmed them, curbing efforts to douse the fire. The fire soon spread via curtains to the ceiling, setting the roofing timbers ablaze. Local emergency services were immediately summoned.

The 102 residents, many in their nineties, who have been in 24-hour care were the focus of the rescue effort. Staff and rescuers managed to carry out 84 residents who could save only what they were wearing. When firefighters brought the fire under control round about 11 p.m., 17 bodies were carried out.

Local volunteers and churches from other denominations stepped forward and offered temporary shelter for the survivors.

The fire destroyed all the residents’ possessions, including medication and personal documents and patient records.

Some of the staff, who number 80, were gathered outside the premises this morning and were visibly affected by the traumatic event.

Provincial government officials were on hand quickly to offer their assistance in managing many aspects of the tragedy. Rescue officials were still on the scene the following morning, along with forensic experts who sifted through the ruins for evidence of how the fire was started.

The Transvaal Conference is deeply affected by this tragedy, officials said. A recovery plan has been implemented to develop immediate plans to re-house residents and find alternate employment for staff.

From the President’s Desk

Robert Lynch — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 20:34:37 +0000

Pastor Eric D. Clarke, M.A., J.P. President of the Cayman Islands Conference

Update August 7, 2010

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Our Deepest Sympathies

We extend sympathies to the family of the young lady (FederAnn Faustino, 24) who died tragically in a traffic mishap last week. She was from the Philippines and to know that she will not see her loved ones again, reminds us to live in readiness of the coming of the Lord.

Congratulations

Special congratulations to a group of young persons who make us proud each year by their international contributions to the world church. The Authors of Lesson 7 – “Victory over Sin” in the Collegiate Sabbath School Quarterly are: Audia Johnson, Abigail Parchment & Trisha Long 0f West Bay, Katie Euter, George Town and Jodian McLeod, Ebenezer

our Sons answering the call

The young men enrolled in Seminary and studying for Pastoral Ministry are Andrew Campbell [Kings], Carlon Nyack [East End], Norman Williams [West Bay], Donald Hall [Kings], Rohan Palmer [Kings] and Wendell Davis [Savannah]. We pray for them.

Cosmic Conflict

The Cosmic Conflict Campaign with Evangelist David Campbell continues at the Cayman Academy Auditorium. Kings and Ebenezer have combined to share Jesus with the nation in this powerful series hosted by Pastor Shian O’Connor. You are invited to join them and take a friend with you. On Wednesday, they had a baptism as a first fruit to what the Lord will do for them this weekend.

10 Souls Son in Bethel

The Bethel church concluded a two-week evangelistic series this past weekend with youth Evangelists Carlon Nyack and Andrew Campbell. The West Bay and Filadelfia and Bethany Churches joined with the Bethel family in this campaign which concluded with a concert on Sunday, August 1 at the Filadelfia church. We praise God for the 10 persons baptized in the campaign.

Atlantic Caribbean Union Mission

The new officers of the new Atlantic Caribbean Union Mission [ACUM], which include the Cayman Islands, Turks and Caicos, the Bahamas and North Bahamas Conference are Dr. Leonard Johnson, President; Pastor Peter Kerr, Secretary, and Elder Roderick Sands as Treasurer.

CREEK CHURCH RE-OPENS with tribute service

The members in Cayman Brac celebrated the officially re-opening of the Creek Church on this past Sabbath, 31 July. They joined the Conference in paying tribute to Pastor Pomare for his ministry to the church and the community.

Praying for 2nd regional campaign

We continue to pray for the second regional Tent Campaign with Pastor Powell, slated for September 12, 2010. The churches involved are Savannah, Newlands, Bodden Town, North side and East End. The venue is Lookout Gardens, Bodden Town.

REGION 2 campaign meeting

All Elders, Board Members, Personal Ministries leaders and other interested persons involved in combined Eastern Region campaign are asked to attend a planning meeting at the Savannah SDA Church this Sabbath afternoon at 4:00 p.m.

youth week of prayer in east end

The East End Church’s Youth Ministries Department will conclude their Week of Prayer and spiritual emphasis on Sabbath August 08, 2010. An invitation is extended to all to share in this special time of inspiration and dedication.

Cayman Academy WEEK OF PRAYER

Cayman Academy will be holding a week of prayer for God’s guidance and protection over the school for the 2010 – 2011 school year. This will be held at the George Town Church from August 22 to 28. All churches are kindly invited to attend and show their support for God’s school.

Cayman Academy Enrollment

Cayman Academy continues to enroll new students daily. Please feel free to call the school at 949-7190 and register your child while space is available.

Something to think about

Jesus died over 2000 years ago. Nobody has ever referred to him as the late Jesus, not even the heathens. Nowhere in history. Nowhere has He EVER been referred to in the past tense! He is the Living God! When Jesus died on the cross He was thinking of you! Thank God that on that blessed resurrection day, He rose again! He is in heaven now and He is still thinking of

you! You are so blessed! We are so blessed! “May God smile on you today!”

Spreading “the word”

Cayman welcomes five Literature Evangelists who are here during the summer to share and spread the printed pages to our friends and neighbors. They are Corrine Stewart, Denville James, Dwayne Thomas, Nellie Johnson, and Marlet McGhie. Please assist these Colporteurs in their efforts to share Jesus throughout Cayman.

praying for the sick amoung us

Sis. Inez Mendez Sis. Berthalee Kelly

Dale Savory – Maranatha Church, surgery and in the US for treatment.

Anna Kay Miller- Savannah Church, eye surgery.

Hurricane Tip

Keep a family emergency kit stocked and handy. Include items such as flashlights and batteries, battery-operated radio, first aid supplies, essential medications, canned food and a can opener.

Health Nugget – Family Meals

Family meals are a comforting ritual for both parents and kids. Children like the predictability of family meals and parents get a chance to catch up with their kids. Kids who take part in regular family meals are also more likely to eat fruits, vegetables, and grains, less likely to snack on unhealthy foods, less likely to smoke, use marijuana, or drink alcohol. In addition, family meals offer the chance to introduce kids to new foods and to act as a role model for healthy eating.

Adventist World Radio selects its financial officer as new president

Greg James — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 19:48:24 +0000

Chow to lead radio ministry of denomination
30 Jul 2010, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
ANN staff

Dowell Chow is the new president of Adventist World Radio. He first joined the ministry in 2005 and has served as its vice president for finance photo courtesy AWR

The Adventist World Radio board yesterday selected the ministry’s vice president for finance, Dowell Chow, to serve as its new president.

Chow replaces Benjamin Schoun, who last month was appointed a general vice president of the Seventh-day Adventist world church. In his new role, Schoun will still serve AWR as its board chair.

Chow, 66, has served as AWR’s vice president for finance since 2005, and previously served in several roles as an Adventist Church finance officer and administrator.

AWR provides thousands of hours a day in broadcasting in 107 languages over AM, FM, shortwave, Internet and podcasting. Based at the church’s world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, AWR employs 31 people, including staff in offices overseeing operations in Europe, Africa and Asia. Most of the hundreds of local studio and engineering staff worldwide are employed by local church entities.

“My aim is to build on what Ben has done in the field and keep moving ahead,” Chow said. “We want to continue to strengthen our partnerships and partner with other media ministries. This ministry is about using technology to spread the gospel.”

Before joining AWR, Chow served as treasurer of the church’s Columbia Union Conference, the Maryland-based administration for the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region, and president of the church in the state of New Jersey. He also served as a pastor in Puerto Rico and an administrator of a publishing house in Venezuela.

Chow also currently serves on the boards of the Takoma Park, Maryland-based Washington Adventist University, Washington Adventist Hospital, and Rockville, Maryland-based Adventist Healthcare.

Chow said some of AWR’s key operations include its extensive network of FM radio stations, training for local partners and the ministry’s offerings of podcasting — last month the organization launched a website with podcasts in more than 80 languages.

For more information, visit awr.org.

Adventists monitoring possible Sunday business-closing law in Europe

Greg James — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:08:36 +0000

European Parliament member wants to promote time with family
27 Jul 2010, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States
Ansel Oliver/ANN

Seventh-day Adventist religious liberty proponents are monitoring a proposal from a European Parliament member who wants businesses in Europe to close their doors on Sundays.

Parliament member Martin Kastler of Germany is urging for the passage of continent-wide laws similar to those of his home country, which encourage employees to take a day off work to be with their families, the New York Times reported.

Though parliamentary rules bar most members, including Kastler, from introducing legislation, a recently enacted citizens petition function would require the 736-member body to draw up such legislation if supporters raise 1 million signatures from across member countries, the Times reported.

While many Adventists in Europe now live and worship in countries with similar laws, the church has traditionally opposed such laws, citing possible religious discrimination.

“We agree that people need a day of rest, but we want to be sure those who don’t have Sunday as a designated religious day of rest will be respected and accommodated,” said John Graz, Public Affairs and Religious Liberty (PARL) director for the Adventist world church and secretary-general of the International Religious Liberty Association.

“We hope that those behind the proposal will understand the pluralistic dimensions of European society today and the importance of respecting different religious beliefs,” he said.

Church officials in the denomination’s Switzerland-based Euro-Africa Division said they are monitoring the situation. This autumn they plan to hold consultations with local leadership regarding a possible response to any progress on Kastler’s initiative.

“If [it] was just this question of shops opening on Sunday, our members would not see it as a problem,” said Karel Nowak, PARL director for the church in Euro-Africa. “This is [already] the current situation in many West- and Central-European countries.”

Nowak’s key concern is the possible arguments supporting the initiative. He said some people want to “strengthen ‘traditional European values,’ meaning ‘traditional Christian’ values and lifestyle.”

“In my opinion this development is concerning and could lead to escalation of tension among different groups,” Nowak said.