This year-end marks the end of another quinquennium in the life of the BritishUnion Conference and half a decade in the twenty-first century.It seems like yesterday when some were concerned about the millennium bug

and others the probability of some kind of apocalyptic event. What we have experi-enced since the turn of the millennia is an increase in the scale of internationalterrorism, and in the incidence and scale of disasters, tsunamis, hurricanes andearthquakes. They seem to have dominated the media and our attention. The outpouring of grief on continents and islands could fill an ocean with tears.

The image of hurting men, women and children and the painful gait of thousands of refugees on the march to nowhere fill us with horror as to the fragility of human life and the likelihood of a secure future.

Hope amid despairWe had our share of horrors and fears in the July suicide bombings. If disasters were to define 2005 then we would have lost hope. Our strategic intenthas been made clear – of increasing our focus on evangelism and humanitarian outreach.

Calamities notwithstanding, we have reason to trust God’s providence. The wordsof Jeremiah affirm, ‘ “For I know the plans I have for you,”declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plansto give you hope and a future.” ’ (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV.)

It is through his unfolding plans to bless us and do us good thatwe reflect on the good news of the year. There has been a spate ofevangelistic initiatives, record numbers of new church plants,Bible study groups, and public and personal outreach projectsresulting in many accessions. Many of our churches have also been

>8

One month afterthe South Asia

Earthquake, ADRA-UK continues to assist thousands of people affected by the catastrophe.According to the latest United Nations report thedeath toll currently stands at 73,276, with thenumbers rising each day.

The ADRA network has mobilised to bring reliefto the survivors, in a race against time to meetthe basic needs of those who have been affected.The harsh winter of the Himalayan region is themain cause of the increasing cost to human life,and as the weather conditions worsen the inter-national humanitarian agencies are expecting thenumbers to increase rapidly.

ADRA is providing relief supplies, includingblankets, jerry cans for water and emergencymedicines, to inhabitants of the Bagh district, anarea which has suffered significant casualties.ADRA-UK, together with a partner British charity,Blythswood Care, is putting together an airlift ofbulk emergency supplies including blankets,sleeping bags, winterised tents and water purifi-cation tablets. An emergency ADRA medical team,supported by partner Karachi Adventist Hospital,provided basic health services to thousands ofinjured people immediately following the disaster.

For now, the most pressing need is shelter.The demand for winterised tents to house theestimated 3 million homeless far outstrips worldsupply, and humanitarian organisations inPakistan are finding it extremely difficult to findany. Other types of shelter are being considered,and ADRA-UK is prioritising funding raised fromits Special Appeal, launched on 13 October, for

this purpose. To date ADRA-UK has raised over£26,000 specifically for this disaster, in additionto the general funds allocated. However, muchmore money is needed to address the great and immediate needs that have been identified.ADRA-UK is requesting its supporters to continue to give generously to this lifesavingappeal.

Speaking from Pakistan, Conrad Vine, ADRA-Pakistan acting director, highlighted the extent ofthe disaster in the Bagh district: ‘Ninety-nine percent of government and public buildings havebeen destroyed, together with 75% of all privatehousing. Gangrene is appearing in the clinics aspeople are arriving after almost two weeks with

open wounds, and Bagh town smells of rottingbodies.’

The mission of ADRA is to reflect the characterof God through humanitarian and developmentalactivities. Donating money helps to fulfil this mission, and allows more people to be touched by this ministry. Credit card donations can bemade via the website www.adra.org.uk andcheques by post, ADRA-UK, Stanborough Park,Watford, Hertfordshire, WD25 9JZ. Make yourcheques payable to ADRA-UK and, if possible, GiftAid your donation by including a signed note say-ing, ‘Please Gift Aid this donation’. In all cases,please indicate that the gift is for the ‘ADRA-UKSouth Asia Earthquake Appeal’.

Messenger 3

£30 billion was spent by the British populationon celebrating Christmas last year.

On average 7,000 calories were consumedby Britons on Christmas Day alone.

The average cost per head of Christmaslunch in the UK was £12.

£12 is also the cost of a month’s supply ofgrain for a family in drought-hit Malawi.

£50 is the annual per capita income inEthiopia.

Arguably the most significant gift from theBritish public in the Christmas season 2004was the £350 million they gave in response tothe appeal following the Boxing Day tsunami.

Response to the even more disastrous 8 October South Asia earthquake, affectingPakistan and Kashmir, has, so far, not beennearly as generous. There is talk of ‘compassionfatigue’. It has been suggested that the tsunamiresponse was conditioned, in part, by the feel-ings of generosity generated by Christmas.

What accounts for the stingy response of theBritish government? HMG gave £35 million tothe first phase of tsunami relief and £35 millionto the second phase. Thus far only £10 millionhas been forthcoming for the South Asia earth-quake. The public’s response has been, in relative terms, stingy, too. Those interested inthe result of the ADRA Appeal (MESSENGER, 4November) will want to read Mark Castellino’supdate and compare the figure he indicateswith the quarter of a million pounds Adventistsin Britain and Ireland gave after the tsunami.Perhaps it will take a shot of Christmas com-passion to provoke proportional giving.

The very first Christmas was certainly acostly business. It cost Heaven God’s Son.

Wonderful pictures of grace smouldered inthe Old Testament. The narrative books con-tained stories of grace. There were passages inIsaiah where it was hard to miss the messageof grace. Hosea was a thinly disguised parableof grace. But most didn’t see it.

They not only missed the God of grace in theOld Testament; they used some passages in itto build up a picture of a God who was King andJudge, true enough, but who was driven bywrath and vengeance and whose holiness drewhim aloft and held him apart from happeningson the surface of Planet Rough and Tumble.

When Heaven gave God’s Son, Heaven’sGovernment was making himself absolutelyclear. He was coming to Rough and TumblePlanet in Person. He was saying in quiet butdetermined tones: ‘This is me. This is who I am.No misunderstandings from now on.’

Immanuel. God with us.God in sharp focus.God as Son of Man born into an underclass

family and laid in an animal fodder container.Raised down a street like ours, in a town likeours, right here on Rough and Tumble Planet.

He ‘emptied himself, taking the form of a servant,

Christ is Saviour andRedeemer.

If your need is forfreedom, Christ isLiberator. If yourneed is for renewal,Christ is Resur-rection and Life.

If your need is forcourage andempowerment,Jesus is LORD.

If your need is for aMentor, Jesus was thesuffering Servant, the all-gracious One. Yourhostility, high-handed arrogance, vengeful pride found no echo in his character. Those characteristics – ungraciousness – you have from the adversary.In Christ was no ungraciousness at all. Gracewas his sum total, and the sum total of God.

A Greek philosopher said, ‘Never man andGod can meet.’ To the ancient world Godseemed to be at an infinite distance, utterlyunknowable.

Jesus came to remove all distance. He wasGod come to be among men and women:accessible, reachable, intimate. ‘The wordbecame flesh and blood, and moved into theneighborhood.’

4

The God who came to Rough and TumblePlanet could never again be a Stranger.

Even when Rough and Tumble Planet is alsoCrumbling Planet, God is, in Christ, reaching out to reconcile, heal and enhearten: with hispeople, even to the end.

In God is no unchristlikeness at all.God so loved, that he gave.How much do we love? How shall we

respond to his grace?What are the demands of grace as we face

the problems of Planet Crumbling?

References:1Philippians 2:7, 8, RSV.

2John 1:16-18, NRSV.

3Colossians 1:19; 2:9.

4John 1:14, Message.

being born in the likeness of men.And being found in human formhe humbled himselfand became obedient unto death,even death on a cross.’

1

In Bethlehem God poured himself into ababy who grew to be a Man who poured out hislife at Golgotha to win salvation for the peopleof Rough and Tumbledom. God’s revelation toman. In a word: Grace.

William Barclay wrote this: ‘When we see Jesus healing the sick, feeding

the hungry, being a friend of outcasts and sin-ners, this is God saying: “I love you like that.”

‘When we see Jesus still refusing to do any-thing but love, even when men betray and insultand revile him, this is God saying: “I love youlike that.”

‘If Jesus had stopped before the cross, itwould have meant that there was some pointbeyond which the love of God would not go. . . .God in Jesus Christ says: “You can betray me;you can hate me; you can misjudge me; youcan scourge me; you can crucify me; and nothing you can do can alter my love.” ’

In God there is no unchristlikeness at all. Ifyou think you have found unchristlikeness inGod, you have misunderstood God.

‘From his fullness we have all received,grace upon grace. . . . No one has ever seenGod. It is God the only Son, who is close to theFather’s heart, who has made him known.’

2

The Word who was with God and who was – is– God.

The word John uses for fullness is pleroma.It means: the sum total of all that is in God.Paul said the pleroma dwelt in Christ: that inChrist the pleroma of deity dwelt in bodilyform.

3

From that fullness ‘we have all receivedgrace upon grace’. God is the personification ofgrace and Christ the personification of God.

All our needs are supplied in Jesus.All our ideals are realised in Jesus.If your life is one long search for knowledge,

Jesus is the supreme Revelation.If your need is for pardon and restoration,

with Richard J. B. Willis, BUC Health Ministries directorused by consumers.

Researchers are worried that thepotential for harm has not beeninvestigated. The effects of othercomponents of milk – antibodies,enzymes and nucleotides (mol-ecules of nitrogen, sugars and phosphates) – have not been considered even, while cruder measures like fat content have been in place for many years.

As if these concerns about milkare not sufficient, an Australiancompany (Wicked Holdings Pty Ltd)planned to bring out a new drink foryoung people – Moo Joose. Thedrink is a skimmed milk and 5.3 percent alcohol mixture with milkshakeflavours: banana (Banana Smash);chocolate; coffee; and strawberry

(StrawberryRush). It was tohave been mar-keted in supportof the commonlyheld belief thatlining the stomach with milk willreduce drunkenness. However, theproduct licence was refused, butthe company are free to try theirluck elsewhere.

Considerably more research isneeded concerning all the possibleeffects of milk drinking before itcan be stated absolutely that milk is harmful to our health.Meanwhile, the maxim that ‘cow’smilk is for little cows’ should be kept in mind. They really appreciate Moo Joose!

Moo Joose!Two-thirds of the milk in the UKcomes from pregnant cows, and isnaturally formulated to feed theircalves. What was intended for animal consumption is used byhumans without regard to the possible harmful consequences.

The pregnant cow’s ovariesproduce high levels of proges-terone while the placenta producesequally high levels of oestrogen.These and other hormones, suchas prolactin, corticosteroids andgrowth hormones, stimulate themammary gland and bring on lactation. Used regularly thesechemicals may affect humanhealth:

� cortisone (and other adrenalsteroids) have been linked toendometrial and breast cancers

� IGF – 1 growth hormone(Insulin-like Growth Factor) todiabetes

� leptin to obesity� oestrogen to colon cancer� oxytocin to cardiovascular

disease� progesterone to prostate cancer� prolactin to allergies, and� thyroxine and triiodothyronine to

acne and pubertal development

Many of the hormones listedabove have peak production towardsthe end of the cow’s pregnancy. The amounts are not monitored for effect in the milk bottled and

2 Messenger

with David Marshall

When God came to Rough and

Tumbledom

ADRA-UK responds to Unfolding South AsiaEarthquake Disasterby Mark Castellino

3 MILLION HOMELESS

Healthwise, MESSENGER 25LUPUS: Clarification The second sentence of paragraph two was inadvertently omitted by me and should have read: ‘The nameLupus – proper name Lupus Vulgaris – describes the facial rash (once associated with the condition but now rarely seen)resembling a wolf’s bite; and lupus Erythematosus, the form most commonly encountered in the UK and described below.’

I trust that this omission has not caused any anxiety to Lupus sufferers or their families. Richard J. B. Willis

4 Messenger Messenger 5

People came from Canada, France,Serbia and Switzerland to celebratesixty-five years of history for one

Watford school. On Sunday 23 October onehundred and fifty ‘Old Stanbroughians’ – former students of Stanborough School inGarston – gathered at the school to meetfriends and former teachers, and to reminisce. The day’s programme also gavethem the opportunity to meet some presentstudents and see the latest developments in the school plant.

Among the group were four couples whohad met at Stanborough School and latermarried. The youngest of the couples wasSamuel and Amy (Swain) Neves who attended the school in the 1990s. Amy is an accountant at the SEC and Samuel istraining to be a minister.

One of the oldest present was 80-year-oldSelma Herrington of Worthing, who attendedStanborough School in the late 1920s when itwas housed in three rooms in a building inSheepcote Lane,Garston.

Among the formerstaff present was PeggyAppleyard-Mason whotaught English at theschool in the late 50sand 60s. Mrs Mason,widow of Derrick Mason,a former Head ofStanborough School(1975-1984), and anaccomplished pianistand choir director, ledthe former students inthe singing of the schoolsong. Her rendition ofthe Grand March fromAida – traditionallyplayed during pupils’entry to school prize-givings – was greeted with applause and foot-stamping!

Stanborough’s present head, Mr Steven Rivers, toldthe former students: ‘Stanborough School is an independ-ent school. We like being independent because it gives usthe freedom to develop our unique curriculum with itsemphasis on personal values and Christian standards.’He introduced the former students to Nick and Adam, two of twenty-five students going to Albania for the half-term break to build a youth centre there. ‘Even thoughStanborough School itself needs money,’ he said, ‘part ofour unique ethos is never to forget that there are peopleless fortunate than ourselves.’

Chris Young, a student from the 50s said:‘Stanborough gave us a sound foundation on which tobuild our lives.’HELEN PEARSON

The Gospel Entertainment Music(GEM) Award ceremony isdesigned to highlight the diverse

talents of numerous UK gospelartistes. Now in its third year, thisprestigious event seeks to honourthose who have excelled in theirarena of gospel music.

This year’s event took place onSaturday evening 29 October in theimpressive Bethel ConventionCentre, West Bromwich.

Nominees were entered in tencategories with their respectivesponsor. These were: Best FemaleNewcomer – supported by BBCLocal Radio; Best Male Newcomer -supported by G-Force Radio; BestGroup Newcomer – sponsored byThe Voice; Best Established Female– supported by Barclays; BestEstablished Male – sponsored byMoneyGram; Best Established Group– sponsored by Premier Radio; BestEstablished Choir – sponsored by Talk Gospel; Best Album – sponsored by Str8up; Best Single –sponsored by Spread the Word; BestDJ/Radio Presenter – sponsored byGospel Revue.

Throughout the evening theAdventist presence was strong.Firstly, the theme music for theevent was a dramatic piece of musicwritten and arranged by CarlanceParnell from Stafford church. Thisbeautifully arranged piece helped set the ambience for the evening.

Then there was the exceptional

for bringing the choir this far.Equally, when Blessed Voices

were declared winners of the BestAlbum category, the response mirrored that of the Chorale.However, when Blessed Voices were asked for a live rendition oftheir song ‘Relations’ written bygroup members Cameron andMeshach, the atmosphere was electric as the audience stood totheir feet in deafening applause andvocal expressions of appreciation.Cameron, in his acceptance speech,gave a glowing tribute to God for hisleading in their lives and his hand in their current success.

This event attracted extensivemedia coverage and we extend our congratulations to all the winners and pray for their continuedwitness as they seek to share theGospel through the medium ofmusic.

� Early Bird ReflectionsTony Spearing’s devotional

� Home From the Sea Bob Smart’s astonishing stories of God’s providence

Both books are hard cover, colour illustrated, £7.95 each, and can be ordered via the ABC sales line: 01476 539900, Mon-Thurs. Have your credit card details handy!

Stanborough School 65th anniversary

Henley Green Visitors’ Day by Simba NdukuIt was visitors’ day at Henley Green church, Coventry, on21 May, and more than 200 people were present. Peoplefrom the local community were welcomed and made tofeel at home. Visitors were invited to stay behind for apotluck lunch, which they enjoyed very much.

Inspirational music from the groups Joy Bells andUnlimited Praise lifted our thoughts heavenward. We weregreatly encouraged by Pastor Stephan Burton-Schnull’ssermon, ‘We will reach the other side.’ The theme of themessage was, ‘With Jesus in the vessel we can smile atthe storm.’ In the afternoon, the Bible study on ‘Fruits ofthe Spirit’ was led by Adriel Lowe.

Adventists shine at 2005GEM Awards by Sharon Platt-McDonald

Moving onOn Sabbath 24 September Stanborough Park churchmembers were very sad to say goodbye to assistantpastor, Russell Montague, and his wife Marie. Russelland Marie came to us two years ago and are moving onbecause Russell is taking on the responsibility of minis-

tering to Harrow and Hemel Hempstead churches.Voicing our formal farewell, church elder Richard

Poulton said, ‘We have enjoyed your time with us.You’ve helped so many of us and have run so manychurch programmes.’ Because we hadn’t known aboutthe move for long, Richard presented Russell with acheque as our leaving gift to the couple. Marie was also

presented with a bouquet.In reply, Russell thanked the

members and said, ‘I’ve had a greattime here. It’s been a great experi-ence. Thank you for your support.’ Iwonder if he was thinking about hischarity abseil which was reported inan earlier MESSENGER? Certainly amemorable experience arising out ofhis work here!

Later on, the couple were sur-rounded by members and visitors anx-ious to say their own goodbyes, andsorry to part from such caring youngpeople. Hopefully, we’ll see them whenHarrow and Hemel can spare them fora visit to us. BRONWEN ATKINSON

performance from Jeharna Southfrom Pendeford church inWolverhampton. As performing guestartiste, this outstandingly talented11-year-old demonstrated a maturity beyond her years. The audi-ence was wowed by her stunningrendition of ‘When You Believe’ for which she received a standingovation and thunderous applause.

When the London AdventistChorale was announced winner forthe category of Best EstablishedChoir, there was a rapturous outburst of applause from the audience. A significant percentage of the excited response came from a large contingent of Adventists,whose beaming faces, hand waving,feet stomping and exuberant cheersdemonstrated their degree of supportand appreciation for the Chorale.The award was picked up by Chorale member Denzle McDonald,second tenor. In his acceptancespeech Denzle thanked the audience and sponsors for their support and gave credit to God

town centre. Each of the twelveevenings was well supported by thechurch members, who brought theirfriends, family and neighbours.

One young lady who came to theseries was Asha. Coming to Englandjust over a month before from India,Asha works as a nurse. She firstheard of the meetings while chattingto her work colleagues about whatthey did during the weekend. Hearingabout the Hope for Today series andthe previous evening’s messagewhich was ‘War! Terror! And hope foryou!’, and how an Indian pastor waspresenting the messages, Ashaasked if she could come along andlisten. She came, and made friendswith us immediately. She waspleased to meet Pastor Gill and hearthe message for that evening, andalso join us for several more afterthat.

One gentleman walked by thechurch one evening and saw thehuge invitation banner displayedoutside the church building.Subsequently he joined us for theevening, enjoying the vibrant singingwith the praise team and the musicians.

In total over fifty new contactswere established from the Hope forToday seminar. Many have come tothe meetings out of curiosity or bypersonal invitation from friends andfamily, and others from a pamphletpushed through a letterbox. Nightafter night the church was filled asPastor Gill led the congregationthrough the Bible. Each evening hespoke of how God dramaticallychanged his own life. He told hisexperiences of meeting people fromall walks of life and sharing Christwith them. Following an altar call onthe closing Sabbath the entire con-gregation came forward surrenderingtheir lives to Christ.

The final event of this seminarseries was the Sabbath evening con-cert. New faces were spotted amidthe large crowd gathered thatevening, many of which were youngpeople whom we welcomed into ourcelebration as the Micklefield andSands churches led a lively songservice followed by exceptionallygood gospel music from talentedperformers from both churches.

One high point of the eveningwas a testimony from Sonia, whotold of her move to the area earlierthis year. Not long after, the formerowner of her house invited Sonia tothe Adventist church and soon shemade friends with the church family.

Now, with regular home Bible stud-ies, Sonia is involved in churchactivities and service and is com-mitted to following Christ. A baptismin High Wycombe is planned in thenear future.PATSY THOMAS

Camp for unchurchedFor the last three years FishpoolCommunity church in Bury, justnorth of Manchester, have had ayearly camp at Aberdaron. The aim has always been to encourageour unchurched friends to find arelationship with Christ within afriendly and loving setting.

The first couple of years saw astyle developing, using, in the firstyear, an Alpha course Holy Spiritweekend led by Pastor BryanWebster. The second year found usencouraged by Dawn Bailey fromWilmslow, who led us through aDaniel seminar she has developed.This year saw the practice begin tobear fruit.

The writer, a former pastor of the church, returned as the mainspeaker at the October camp. Hedramatised the book Now written byMerikay McLeod – a story outliningsome of the events just before the

July 1990. He had a very positive approach tolife and never had a bad word to say aboutanyone. Whenever you were to ask him howhe was feeling, his answer was always thesame: ‘Marvellous.’ We extend our deepestsympathy to all the family – son Stan (Biff),daughters Janet, Sally and Angie, grandchil-dren and great-grandchildren. Stan is nowfree from pain and awaits the call of the Life-giver: he who promised and will return totake his children home. PETER WALLER

MABEL HALLS (1915-2005) – d. 19October. The Bournemouth church is sad toreport the death of Sister Mabel Halls. MissHalls was 90 when she died, having spent herlong retirement in the Retired Nurses’National Home in Bournemouth. She wasborn in West Ham, London, and she and her

mother are remembered attending theWalthamstow and Edmonton churches overforty years ago. Mabel remained close to herparents and cared for them into old age.Indeed, her chosen profession was one of caring, specialising in midwifery/paediatrics,in which she excelled, rising to a senior posi-tion and receiving commendations for herwork. She retired to Bournemouth and faith-fully attended the local church until ill healthprevented her, and in recent years her eye-sight also failed. The writer conducted the funeral service at Bournemouth crematorium,paying tribute to a very private but caring andfaithful lady. The service was attended by MissHalls’ family who travelled from Essex, as wellas members of the Bournemouth church. MayGod grant comfort and hope to family andfriends at this time.PASTOR IAN B. LOREK

The Advent Singers and special guests thrilled acapacity audience with a Gospel extravaganza inIpswich on Saturday evening 8 October.

This witnessing event was entitled ‘Why WeSing’, and followed on from last year’s outstand-ing concert in a packed-out Ipswich church. Thisyear the concert was held in the grand hall of thecentrally located Ipswich school. A total of £500was raised for a local charity, East Anglia’sChildren’s Hospices (EACH) which operates

hospices in Ipswich, Cambridge and Quidenham inNorfolk.

The Advent Singers, under the leadership ofTricia Evelyn and Nicky Saunders, consists ofmembers of the Ipswich church, originally fromseveral countries. The choir performed many new songs as well as some well-loved gospelfavourites interspersed with brief testimoniestelling the audience why we sing.

Also taking part in the extravaganza wereSisters in Christ,Nicky Saundersand a Christiandance group calledSublime fromColchester.Afterwards theconcert receivedpositive com-ments, with manypeople askingabout future per-formance datesfor the choir. PAUL KING

High Wycombe’s ‘Hopefor Today’ campaignFrom Sunday 4 September to Sabbath 17September the High Wycombe churches hosted acommunity evangelistic seminar entitled ‘Hope forToday’. The speaker for the series was PastorThomas Gill from the North India Union whoseministry has so far taken him across India, USA,and the Caribbean, as well as to England.

Born and brought up in the northern State ofPunjab, India, Pastor Gill comes from an Adventistfamily and is the eldest of three brothers. Aftergiving his life completely to Christ, Thomas Gillwas called to the ministry. He completed his studies at Spicer Memorial College, India. PastorGill, along with his wife Ritu and their 3-year-olddaughter Reignel Beth, now serves the church inthe city of Ludhiona in India where there is agrowing community of Adventists. He also minis-ters to medical students at the Christian MedicalCollege in the city and gives Bible studies to Hindichildren in a school for the blind.

Here in High Wycombe, Pastor Gill was calledto speak at the ‘Hope for Today’ series held at theSt John’s church. Chosen for its suitability, it isideally located just a five-minute walk from the

Church leaders, civic dignitaries,friends and fellow members joinedus to fill our recently renovatedchurch building. It was a service ofrededication because it has been aplace of worship for over a hundredyears – most of those as a RailwayMission Hall, which explains itsclose proximity to the main station.

Purchased by us in 2002, it wasa Grade 2 Listed building in need ofmajor renovation; one of an elitegroup of ‘tin tabernacles’ in thiscountry. Local historian and formerRailway Mission member, GloriaAbbott, gave an engrossing accountof the life story of the building. Amember of the Bury Society, GeraldTravers, shared with us how, as ayoung lad, he had sung in it and nowmany years later had been able toassist us in getting approval for ourrenovation work.

Once the project was completedin May this year, the membersplanned and prepared thoroughly forthe big day. We were delighted tohave representatives from theConference, the Union, the Division

and the General Conference, with DrJonathan Gallagheras our main speaker.The Deputy Mayor ofSt Edmundsbury,Councillor PaulHopfensperger, aRoman Catholic, toldus that he had per-sonally met thepresent Pope inGermany when hewas still CardinalRatzinger. After look-ing at our beliefs onthe Internet, Paul feltwe had much incommon and hewished us well.

Appropriatemusical items wererendered by the Advent Singers from Ipswich, and our ownRuby Pierce sang ‘Bless this House’.

Pastors Jonathan Gallagher andRobert Surridge were involved inestablishing an Adventist presencein Bury in 1985. Jonathan spokeabout the early days and reflected

that although people are oftenunwilling to discuss religion they areoften happy to talk about their viewof God. He encouraged us to talk toneighbours and friends about theloving, gracious God whom we knowand worship.

The service was followed by deli-cious refreshments, which providedan opportunity to renew old friend-ships and make new ones. Then weclosed the day with a praise service,led by David Andrews with Nicky,Tricia, Jose and Steven.

6 Messenger Messenger 7

Bury St Edmunds:Rededicationby Robert Buckley and David West

Ipswich Gospel Extravaganza

STAN GOSSIP (1923-2005) – d. 17October. Pilot, pugilist, publican and, lat-terly, parishioner, Stan Gossip was a much-loved member of the Hull church, which hefaithfully served both as local treasurer anddeacon for several years. Stan trained inCanada as a fighter pilot during the SecondWorld War but saw active service in RAFBomber Command as aircrew and became aphysical training instructor. After the war,Stan pursued his career as a professionalboxer and, in 1948, fought for the BritishFeatherweight Championship, finishing run-ner-up after losing narrowly on points despitea broken wrist. For many years Stan was awell-known local publican and then one daya VOP card came through his door. After visitsby Pastor Paul Haworth and attendingRevelation and Daniel seminars run by thepastor and the writer, Stan was baptised on 14

Second Coming. The co-ordinated programmesaw Pastor Felix Jackand Dawn Bailey eachcontributing to the programme using arts,crafts and early morningworships and prayertime.

Games, walks andplenty of time to talkencouraged the friendlyatmosphere to develop.The food – plenty of itand very tasty too –helped the forty or soguests to feel relaxed,safe and in a mood togrow closer to God.

The closing momentsof Earth’s history, asseen by a teenager, were accompanied byimpromptu thunder andlighting effects – andearthquake percussion.An emotional finale sawnine young people fromaround the Conferencemake decisions forChrist.PASTER PETER JEYNES

NEC STAFF VACANCIES The North England Conference has twovacancies at its Campsite at Aberdaron,North Wales.Site Manager – responsible for carrying outthe plans of NEC for, and management of, the campsite and its operation.Assistant to the Site Manager – responsi-ble for the day-to-day domestic issues ofthe campsite under the supervision of themanager. Contact Pastor Paul Lockham,North England Conference of Seventh-dayAdventists, 22 Zulla Road, Nottingham, NG35DB. Email: plockham@necadventist.org.uk. Closing date: 14 December.

Hackney 25th AnniversaryBanquetSunday 1 January 2006, 5pmat Resurrection MinistriesChurch Banqueting Hall100 Amhurst Park, London N16 5ARCost: £25 (adults)For tickets and more informa-tion ring one of the following:Margaret Brooks – 07944 148954Adrian Blake – 07903 941662Michelle – 07949 760663

LETS Festival of LaitySabbath 3 December

Clarendon College, Pelham Avenue,Mansfield Road, Nottingham NG5 1AL

PERSONAL MINISTRIES and SABBATH SCHOOLLeadership Training Weekend

24-26 February 2006.For NEC Personal Ministries and Sabbath School, contact

Pastor R. Morgan on 0115 9606312The Advent Singers

8 Messenger

enriched by the inflow of immigrantmembers from overseas.

LIFEdevelopment.infoThe Life Development evangelisticinitiative, launched four years ago,has produced the Mind the Gapseries – the second batch ofresource materials designed to connect with postmoderns. Thereception of the LIFEdevelopment.info concept/process may be slowbut more and more people areshowing interest in it both in thiscountry and abroad.

General Conference year This was the year of the 58

thSession

of the General Conference. Hundredsof our members attended the meet-ings in St Louis to hear riveting stories of the expansion of the globalchurch and its mission in more than200 countries. Our world member-ship has exceeded the 14 millionmark. Twenty million, including visitors and unbaptised members,attend our churches worldwide everySabbath. With this report comes theuniversal call for the church at alllevels to make as priority the following:� Unity in the body of Christ� Quality of spiritual life in Christ� Growth in the body of Christ

The overarching theme of theworld Church for 2006 will be‘Journey of Hope’.

Lights Across London We are pleased that London hasbeen chosen as one of the thirteencities around the world for thelaunching of a special initiative toestablish new church plants amongthe different people groups in megaurban centres. The South EnglandConference is on its way to makingtwenty new church plants.

Throughout the year we facedmany challenges in operating ourinstitutions and nurturing thechurches but God has been faithfulto us. We thank our workers whocarry out their duties, both on thefront line and behind the scenes, fortheir loyalty and faithfulness to thetask.

MembershipMembership at the beginning of theyear stood at 24,502 but is likely tobe over 25,000 based on growthtrends at the end of the secondquarter. Thanks must go to our

faithful members and volunteer missionaries who have been socommitted in their support of thechurch spiritually and financially.Despite the slow down in the coun-try’s economy the church has beenable to meet its many commitments.The trend of our giving – in tithesand offerings and gift aid – is a signof God’s blessings upon his people.

ADRAADRA has experienced record donations from its appeal throughIngathering. In the Tsunami Appealover £278,000 was collected. Manyother humanitarian projects metwith a healthy response. Suchdemonstration of love and compas-sion as seen in the outpouring ofhelp for the victims of poverty anddisasters will not go unnoticed byGod.

ChangesThere were changes of leadership inthe South England Conference andIrish Mission. Pastor Don McFarlanewas succeeded by Pastor HumphreyWalters, and Pastor Curtis Murphyby Pastor David Neal.

Departmental changes also took place at both levels of theorganisation.

At Roundelwood the batonpassed from Pastor Martin Bell toMalcolm Hayles. The former director,after twenty years of service, goesinto semi-retirement with the brief ofoverseeing the retirement properties.I am grateful to God for the quality ofleadership in the Conferences,Missions and institutions.

The Publishing work has beengiven a new lease of life by theappointment of a new Publishingdirector. The Stanborough Pressstands in the vanguard of the pro-duction and distribution of our litera-ture. Thanks to the leadership at thePress for their successful financialmanagement in the face of stiffcompetition in the marketplace.

More could have been said of themany blessings we have experiencedthis year. We have come this far byfaith, knowing that God has led usall the way.

The Seventh-day AdventistChurch in this country has nothing tofear for the future unless we forgetthe way God has led us in 2005. Our mission is wrapped up in theimperative, ‘Go Tell the World’, andwe are encouraged to use all meansat our disposal to give to the worldthe good news of the Lord’s love and

ABC BOOK SALESDecember

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Wishing all our members a blessed Christmas and a

prosperous New Year

MessengerVolume 110 • 26 – 2 December 2005

EDITOR: D. N. MARSHALLCOPY FOR No. 1 – 30 November 2005

Copy should be sent to the Editor, MESSENGER, TheStanborough Press Limited, Alma Park, Grantham,

Lincolnshire, NG31 9SL. Tel: (01476) 591700.Fax No: (01476) 577144.

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Published fortnightly on Fridays by the British UnionConference of Seventh-day Adventists.

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ISSN 0309-3654

SunsetSunset times are reproduced with permission from

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Lond Card Nott Edin BelfDec 2 3.55 4.07 3.51 3.43 4.02

9 3.52 4.04 3.48 3.39 3.5816 3.52 4.04 3.48 3.38 3.5823 3.55 4.07 3.51 3.41 4.0130 4.00 4.12 3.57 3.47 4.06

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soon return to restore harmony tohis universe.

We at the British UnionConference wish you a well-deserved break this year end.Remember our senior members who may be lonely and infirm.

God has given us his greatestgift, Jesus Christ. We can make him

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God’s leading in 2005

On Sabbath 17 September PastorTelemaque heralded the ‘Better Daysare Coming’ campaign with powerand conviction at the Brixton church.The title was fitly chosen as a starkreminder that, in spite of our pre-occupation with a world that is rifewith disaster, disease and death,there are better days a-coming.

Pastor Telemaque came to usfrom the Caribbean Union College,Trinidad, where he serves as thePersonal Ministries and SabbathSchool director. He is also the Prayerco-ordinator for the Caribbean UnionConference.

Pastor Telemaque’s emphasis onprayer ministry formed an integralpart of the campaign and was evi-dent in the training of, prior to thecampaign, and dispersal of severaldedicated prayer warriors throughoutthe service each night. Their mainfocus was to pray for the outpouringof the Holy Spirit on the service andon those who attended. He firmlybelieves in the power of intercessoryprayer.

He was assisted in his ministryby a singing evangelist, PrethaGarnett-Radlein from Ontario,Canada. Her singing ministry andgolden voice proclaimed the Gospelof Christ to all who had the privilegeto hear her. The Brixton Praise Teamaccompanied her.

Sabbaths were special days dur-ing the campaign, not only becauseit was Sabbath but also because weveered from our usual programme toone of an inspirational prayer con-ference. This involved celebratingGod’s goodness and mercy throughprayer, renewed commitment andanointing. It was an awesome experience for all present.

At the end of the three-weekcampaign, fifty-two candidatessolemnly declared their commitmentto serve the Lord through baptism,

real to others by extending kindnessand compassion to the vulnerableand supplicating God on behalf ofthe socially and spiritually needy. Do not forget that God’s plans areformulated to do us good.

Have a blessed New Year as wetake together the ‘Journey of Hope’into 2006.

signalling a new life with Christ.Bible readings, as well as songs of praise and thanksgiving, wererendered by various individuals insupport of those baptised.

Pastor Telemaque presented ashort message of hope and encour-agement to the candidates as wellas to the church in general. Heespecially encouraged the youth toget involved in a ministry in thechurch and keep heaven in viewthrough prayer.

The baptism was performed byPastor Hamilton Williams assistedby Pastor B. Akakpo, pastors of thechurch. JOAN REID

Brixton campaign: Fifty-two baptised