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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

November 13, 2014


To: All Pastors, Elders, Leaders and Church Members
Sincere Christian greetings!
Please see important dates, events and communication from the East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists below.

November 11, 2014


To all Pastors, Elders, Board Members, and Elected Members of Local Churches in EJC Constituency.
Fellow Believers in Christ,
Re: Leaders Summit 2014
We have come to serious times in the history of our world and the condition of our nation. In this context, the
Church is called to properly equip its leaders toward effecting the Lords Mission in its constituency.
Of such, Leaders Summit 2014 under the Theme Empowered for Mission, United for Service will be
held at the Kencot SDA Church on December 7, 2014 from 9: 00am -1:30 pm. Please note the following:\
.../ 2

Facts about Leaders Summit 2014

Who should Attend?


All elected officers of local
churches and Board
Members; all Pastors and
Conference workers.
Note: All Assistant
Directors, Secretaries and
their Assistants etc. are
included in the above-all
who are asked to serve in a
position in the local church.

What is Different?
Programme Format/Structure:
Departmental Meetings - 9:00am-10:45am
Business Session- 11: 00am-12.00pm
Spiritual Charge-12:00pm-1:30pm

What are the objectives?


To ensure that church officers
are knowledgeable of their
departmental responsibilities
and are spiritually motivated
toward being diligent in their
duties.
*******

*******
More quality time for Departmental
interaction with directors-(9:00am-10:45am)

To initiate a working synergy


between Conference Directors
and Local Church Directors

*******
Special Business Session toward
Conference Wide Development
Please see Flyer for more information.

*******
Impress a sense of ownership
that will cause officers to go
the extra mile for the proper
and efficient running of the
Church.

Special Information:
The Directory for the departmental meeting locations and combinations at the Leaders Summit will be
posted in the weekly Advisory with repeats, and will also be posted on our website and at the Kencot Church
before the time of the Summit.
Also, in cases where a person at the local church serves more than one department as director, at the Leaders
Summit such person must not unnecessarily plan to move from department to department, skipping from one
to another, getting a little here and there, but plan to attend only one meeting and properly arrange for
local departmental assistant(s) to attend the other(s).
On behalf of our President Dr. Eric Nathan and your Fellow Servants here at Head Quarters, thanks for
accepting to lead out in your church. The Lord equips the willing and blesses the committed.
Looking forward to seeing you at Leaders Summit.

Your Servant,

Meric D. Walker, PhD, JP


Executive Secretary

NB. For a printable copy of this letter please follow this link . Click here.
.../3

(2) Notice from the Stewardship, Wills and Trust Dpt.

2 ) November 15, 2014 will be the launch of the Comprehensive Care Plan (CCP) {also known as
the Comprehensive Growth Plan (CGP)} in all churches in the constituency. At the heart of this
initiative, is a drive to get every member of the church to fall in love again with our loving Saviour
as we spend time in prayer, daily study of the word and full participation in the mission of the church
by using our talents and gifts to win others to His kingdom. Careful attention to our stewardship to
God and members of our church family are pivotal to the success of this plan.
Listen out for more information from your pastor on this Christ centered plan to prepare us for his
soon coming.
Stewardship Week - November 29 to December 7, 2014

(3) Notice from the Ministerial Department

Recognizing the value and the importance of prayer, the Apostle Paul admonishes us to pray without
ceasing. We are further admonished in scripture to pray one for the other and to pray also for those
in authority.
.../4

The East Jamaica Conference joins with the Jamaica Union Conference in observing forty days of
special prayer and devotion under the theme : "Transforming lives through the Power of prayer."
We invite every member of the church to capitalize on this opportunity continue to pray for the Holy
Spirit to take full control of our lives.
Follow this link to see prayer schedule . Look for "JAMU 40 Days Prayer and Devotion" at
this link. Click Here.
(4) Notices from the Childrens and Adolescents Ministries Department
1.

The Arnold Road SDA Childrens and Adolescents Ministries presents their Giants for
Jesus Evangelistic Campaign from Sunday, November 23 Sabbath November 29, 2014.
Come hear the dynamic children speakers.

2.

Kindly complement the Stewardship Department Comprehensive Care Plan (CCP) on


Sabbath, November 15, 2014 when you feed the Lambs, with a story based on stewardship.

3.

All CM Directors of Zone 4 are asked to attend a joint F/L, WM seminar at the Morant Bay
SDA Church on Sunday, November 16, 2014, from 9 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Come share your
vision with President Nathan and the team.

4.

The awards exercise for our missionaries and Bible Spell-a-thon finalists will be held on
December 15, 2015.
All elected 2015 team members are expected to be at officers meeting 2014 at the Kencot
Church. Note that we will meet in our departments from 9 a.m. 10:30 a.m. If you belong to
more than 1 department, you are asked to take along someone who will deputize for you in
the other department.

5.

Failure keeps you humble. Success keeps you glowing. But only God can keep you faithful.
Affirm the positive.
(5) Notices from the Family Life Department

1.

Zone 4 your seminar for directors of Family Life, Women & Children will be held at the
Morant Bay Church on Sunday, November 16, 2014, from 9 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Come share
your vision with President Nathan and our other co-laborers in Christ.

2.

November 29, 2014 is International Singles Day. Remember to plan a special program of

3.

affirmation for all our singles in all the churches. A program guide is provided. Main venue
will be the Constant Spring Church. Kindly send us the name of a male and a female on or
before November 18, 2014 to be affirmed on that day

4.

The Shortwood SDA Church Annual Single's Retreat will be held at Royal Decameron Hotel,
St Ann, November 28-30, 2014. Contact 924 1410, for further details.

5.

The General Conference Family Ministries Director will be in Jamaica February 4-7, 2015.
Details will follow.

6.

Worldwide registration of all couples: Family Ministries Directors we need the full names
and date of marriage of all the couples in your church by December 30, 2014. This data is
needed among other things to meet the registration requirement by the GC. More information
will follow re the couples convocation to be held at NCU Gymnasium on February 7, 2015
that you cannot afford to miss. See form attached.

6.

2015 Family Ministries Theme: Making Home a Place of Peace and Healing. Lets work
at making this a reality in our family.

7.

You are invited to the pre-marital counseling and relationship building clinic conducted
by Dr. Eric Nathan, President and Family Life Specialist, every Tuesday @ 5:30 p.m. Venue
EJC. Note that this is open to anyone.

8.

A meeting of all volunteer personnel in counseling, mediation, social work, reception skills,
etc. from zones 1-4 will be held on November 22, 2014 @ EJC from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. @
EJC. Kindly confirm your attendance by telephone -7811565 or email cgenas@ejcsda.com.

9.

All churches are asked to send the names of two males (under 16 & over 17) with leadership
qualities to be trained as BEAMS representatives for your church. We need this core group to
help plan for the 2015 BEAMS Junior Convention. We commend those churches that have
already responded.
One individual with a backbone will accomplish more than a hundred men with a wish
bone. Shiv Khera

.../6

(6) Notices from the Womens Ministries Department


1.

MOMS in Touch: For the month of November lets pray for our singles. Focus for Week 1Health and wisdom; Week 2- Love for mission; Week 3- Passion for excellence.

2.

HEART NTA Soft Skills Graduation will be held on Sunday December 28, 2014 in the EJC
Boardroom.

3.

All WM Directors of Zone 4 are asked to attend a joint F/L, CM seminar at the Morant Bay
SDA Church on Sunday, November 16, 2014, from 9 a.m. 12:30 p.m.

4.

November 29, 2014 is International Singles Day. Remember to plan a special program of
affirmation for all our singles in all the churches. A program guide is provided. Main venue
will be the Constant Spring Church. Kindly send us the name of a male and a female on or
before November 18, 2014 to be affirmed on that day.

5.

The Shortwood SDA Church Annual Single's Retreat will be held at Royal Decameron Hotel,
St Ann, November 28-30, 2014. Contact 924 1410, for further details.

(7) Letter to the Church from the Education Director Re Special Offering for Kingsway H.S.
November 4, 2014

To: All Pastors, First Elders, Treasurers, Education Directors


Dear Brethren:
RE: Collection of Special Offering for Kingsway High and Preparatory School on
Sabbath, Nov. 29, 2014
Sincere Christian Greetings!
We take this opportunity to register our profound gratitude for your support towards the cause of
Adventist Christian Education since the existence of Kingsway High and Preparatory School
seventy one (71) years ago. In retrospect, the school has graduated outstanding men and women
who have excelled in their various field of studies and are making significant contribution to nation
building not just here in Jamaica, but across the world.
In recent years, the school has shown steady improvement in academic performance with one
hundred passes in at least seven subject areas over the past 2 - 5 years but our student enrollment
over the past two years has seen significant decline mainly due to the discontinuation of acceptance
of GNAT ( Grade Nine Achievement Test) students.
In 2012, Kingsway High School boasted an enrollment of 384 while today the student population
stands at 265. This drop in student enrollment has significantly affected our cash flows and our
ability to meet some of our statutory commitments which have fallen in arrears.
.../7

Kingsway wants to continue its role of providing Christian Education at the highest standard but
needs your support. The school is no longer able to support itself and needs your prayers and
financial assistance as we chart a course out of our financial dilemma.

As the Conference moves forward, one of the pillars that it recognizes is that of ownership of all its
institutions by the entire constituency. Thus we invite you to help us in keeping the doors of
Kingsway opened.
On Sabbath November 29, 2014 during the Divine Hour, we are requesting that a special offering
be collected by each church for the Kingsway High and Preparatory School. In order to achieve
maximum impact, we request that this promotion be done by the pastor or first elder where possible.
The funds collected should be lodged at First Caribbean Bank to account name Kingsway High
School and account number A/C #0065206111. Checks may also be made out to Kingsway High
School and delivered to the Treasury Department at the East Jamaica Conference Office.
We thank you in advance for your generous contribution as together we work at securing a brighter
future for our children and Christian Education.
In the book Education, the servant of the Lord Ellen G. White stated that "Education and redemption
are one." We will continue to do strive to give our students the best education while advancing the
rich Adventist philosophy and heritage that the Lord has entrusted to us.

Respectfully Yours.

...........................
Dr. Eric Nathan
President

....................................
Dr. Donna Brown
Education Director

NB. For a printable copy of this letter please follow this link . Click here.

EDUCATION THOUGHT:
"In the word of God the mind finds subjects for the deepest thought, the loftiest aspirations." Counsels to
Parents, Teachers and Students. pg. 41

(8) Letter from the Sab. School, Personal Ministries & Comm. Services Director
2014, November 11
To: Pastors, Personal Ministries Directors, Church Clerks
Dear Brethren
Good news! We are launching into the Intensive Personal Evangelism Initiative (IPEI), a

programme geared toward involving every church member in full participation in this grand
fulfilment of our divine mission. A Bible School is being established in each congregation.

Already, some churches have been requesting and receiving the lessons necessary for enlisting
persons in the Bible School. Many small groups are being organized. Training and equipping
efforts are also included in this phase of the initiative. Lets get on board!
Kindly take note also of the following important items:
1. We are asking that each church select a special needs leader/coordinator and inform the
Conference of same. This is a requirement coming from the Inter-American Division.
Please observe that the preferred term is special needs (not disabilities). These would
include physical, mental and psychological needs. We are proposing to meet with the
special needs leaders/coordinators on November 27 6:00 p.m. at the Conference office,
where we hope to form an Association, and also at our Annual Leaders Summit to be
held Sunday, December 7, 2014 at the Kencot SDA Church, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
2. The EJC School of Evangelism Mission Week (November 9 15) including the Annual
Symposium planned for the 15th, has been postponed until (tentatively) January 25 31,
2015. We are asking each Church to register all your evangelistic lay preachers now, to
have them included in this Grand Preaching Mission and Evangelistic Symposium.
Kindly remind the Sabbath School Superintendents that part of this quarters world
mission offering will be going to the Good Samaritan Inn and ask them to highlight this
each week when they present the Mission Story.
3. All Community Services Leaders are invited to an extraordinary meeting of the
Federation to be held on Sunday, November 23, 2014 at the Conference office, beginning
at 10:00 a.m.
May God bless you richly as you continue to serve in His Cause.
Yours in Christ

Carl Cunningham
Carl Cunningham, Director
Sabbath School, Personal Ministries & Community Services
( 9) Notice from the Sab. School, Personal Ministries & Comm. Services Dpt.
1.

All Community Services Leaders in Zones 1, 2 and 3 are invited to an extraordinary


Community Services Federation meeting to be held on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014 at East
Jamaica Conference office.

2.

An emergency meeting of the EJC Evangelism Council will be held on Monday, Nov. 17,
2014 at 6 p.m.
.../9

5.

The Inter-American Division is asking that each church select an officer to be in charge of
persons with special needs (known as disabilities). We would like to have such persons
attending a meeting at the Conference office to form an association on Thursday, Nov.
27, 2014.at 6 p.m. More information will be given at this meeting.

(10) Notices from the Youth Department


Pathfinder Festival, Sunday, November 23, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. to 5: 30 pm at the V.H. Percy Centre
and Kencot Grounds. If you want to be educated about the Pathfinder Programme, and if you want
undiluted clean Christian fun this is the event to attend. Activities include, but are not limited to:

Knots relay
Catch the train
Tent-pitching
Fire building
Cook-off
Law race
Drill & march
Water relay

2. Youth Congressoree will be on December 12 - 14, 2014, with services and activities to
strengthen, enrich, inspire, and de-stress, every youth of EJC and beyond. Come as we celebrate the
dedication of the youth, and youth leaders who keep the flame of Youth Ministries in East Jamaica
Conference. Be ready to celebrate God's goodness as we worship Him through rich music, and
heartfelt praise and adoration.
(11) Notice from the Publishing Ministry and Spirit of Prophecy Departments
Publishing Ministry
Vison Statement - To have SDA publication in the hand of all persons, thus teaching the way of
salvation, leading to everlasting life.
Mission Statement To proclaim the everlasting gospel through the printed page to all people in
the context of the three angels messages of Revelation 14:6-12 in order to lead them to accept Jesus
as their personal saviour and prepare them for His coming.
Spirit of Prophecy
Vision Statement To create in us the image of God through the reading of the Spirit of Prophecy.
Mission Statement - Engage every member in the reading and practicing of the instruction given
by EGW by the power of the Holy Spirit and so experiencing transformation and readiness for the
coming of Jesus.

.../10

Notice
1. All Colporteurs are being invited to a special meeting on Wednesday, November 19, 2014, EJC
chapel commencing at 10:00 a.am.

2. The Publishing department is asking all department leaders to use the Spirit of Prophecy
books as their manual for their department to provide guidance and inspiration. The list are:

S/S - Counsels on S/S works

PM Evangelism, Christian Service, Gospel Worker

Education Education (book of the year)

W/M, C/M, Family Life Child Guidance and Adventist Home

Youth Messages to young people

Stewardship Counsels on Stewardship

Health Ministry of Healing and Counsel on diet and food

Community Services - Welfare Ministry

Publishing Counsels on Publishing, Colporteur Ministry

3. Each Sabbath as our visitors come to worship we are suggesting that a book or magazine be
given to them and relevant to the age (children /youth)
4. The missionary book of the year is Beyond Imagination. Cost is $75.00, come and get one
for your visitor.
(11) Notices From Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department

Jamaica Prepares for First Religious Freedom Festival in Jamaica


Published: Wednesday, November 12, 2014 7:43:47 AM

On Monday, November 10, Jamaicas Religious Liberty


leader Nigel Coke and Pastor Everett Brown, Union
President of the Adventist Church in Jamaica, invited
300 pastors and church leaders to the Mandeville
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Manchester,
Jamaica to prepare for the 2015 First Religious
Freedom Festival.
IRLA Secretary General Dr. John Graz, the guest
speaker, gave a report on the state of religious
freedom in the world and the increase of religious
intolerance. Graz called the participants to mobilize
church members from all churches and faiths to celebrate religious freedom in Jamaica.
Click here for more on this story

Adventists Launch Festival For Religious Freedom


Tamara Bailey, Gleaner Writer

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:With talks of the unification of


religious bodies becoming more frequent, members of the
Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) community are putting talks to action
with the staging of a 'Festival of Religious Freedom'.
The launch of the festival was conducted at a SDA Leader's
Conference held at the Mandeville SDA Church on Monday, and
sought to sensitise those present on the need for establishing and
maintaining relationships with other religious groups as well as give a
global view on religious liberty.
Click here to follow this news item.

(12) Notices From The Communication Department


Latest News Update

Adventists Commission Book to Mark 125 Years in Jamaica


Mandeville, JamaicaNigel Coke

The Seventh-day Adventist Church will celebrate


125 years of Adventism in Jamaica in 2015. The
Church, which came from humble beginnings in
1890 via a tract distribution, will commemorate
the historic occasion with the writing of a book to
document its growth and development over the
past years.
The Church, which according to STATIN is the
single largest denomination in Jamaica, has
commissioned Adventist historian Garnett Weir to
guide the process for the completion of the book
by the end of 2015. In compiling the book, Weir
will spearhead a team of previous authors on
Adventist history in Jamaica and gather information from the Seventh-day Adventist Church World
Headquarters in Washington, interviews with individuals, and of course from his rich archive of
Adventist history. Click here to follow this news item.

GSI Bids Farewell to Forsythe


Story by Judith Kirlew - Heroes Circle SDA Church, Photos by Phillip E.L. Castell

Scores of well-wishers turned out on Sunday, November 9, 2014


at the Heroes Circle SDA church for the funeral service of the late
Mr. Iva Charles Forsythe, former Caretaker of EJCs - Good
Samaritan Inn (GSI), who passed away on October 24, 2014 after
a brief illness. He was sixty four years of age.
Forsythe, who lived in the Coronation Market before being given
the job as Caretaker at the GSI, will be sadly missed by most of the persons who use the Inn, as
they considered him to be one of their own. Click here for the rest of the story.

Letter To Communication Leaders Re Live Streaming for Camp Meeting


November 6, 2014

To All Pastors, Elders & Communication Leaders


Dear Brethren:
Re: Preparation For Live Streaming of Camp Meeting 2014
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
By now, you would have known that Camp Meeting 2014 will have a broad appeal from Seventh-day Adventists
across Jamaica, since leaders in almost all the Conferences in Jamaica will be participating.
The Communication Department of our Conference, plans to stream via the internet all of the sermon presentations,
so that members of our church across the country, can benefit from the messages that will be preached. This you
would be able to access from the East Jamaica Conference website at www.ejcsda.com.
While we expect to see maximum turnout at the Camp Meeting venue, we know that many of our brethren will not
be able to attend but would want to see and hear live, the activities taking place at the meetings. This is where
proper forward planning and technology can be of benefit to our brethren, especially those who live out of town and
/ or do not have the wherewithal to attend these meetings.
With this in mind, we encourage communication leaders to work with the church board to have the requisite
communication equipment and resources in place by December 17, 2014 to benefit from this event.
In a practical sense, this means acquiring high speed internet access for the church, if this is not already in place,
and logging on to the internet to view the service from our website. Of course in a church setting, the information
would need to be projected to a screen or wall so a bright projector would also be needed. A large flat screen TV
would serve the same purpose in smaller churches.
For many of our churches, this infrastructure is already in place, but for others, budgetary allocation would need to
be made to facilitate this, hence the letter.
With five weeks before this event, there is enough time to put this in place if your church does not
already have this set up. All that would be needed is the financial resources and determination to make this a
reality.
Feel free to contact us for technical advice if this is required.
It is my hope that in the near future, every church in East Jamaica Conference will be able to participate in other
live streaming events initiated by our Conference and the wider world church organization so that more of our
members may benefit from the messages and information being shared from our church leaders.
Your brother in Christ

Phillip E.L. Castell


Communication Director

NB. For a printable copy of this letter please follow this link . Click here.

Photo Highlights

Click on the image above to be launched into the Symposium 2014 event which was held at the
Mandeville SDA Church last week.
President of JAMU, Pastor Everett Brown spoke under theme "Looking back, reaching forward
with Christ. Click here to listen his sermon presentation.
One of the well kept secrets of the ejc website is the photogallary which contains hundreds of
photographs covering almost every kind of event our church participates in. Some persons are aware
of it and visit regularly. Unfortunately most persons are not aware. Today we highlight this feature
of our website. You can access the photo gallery from the website by clicking on the link below.
Click here to see photo gallery

(13) Notices from the constituency


I.

The Arnold Road SDA Children;s Evangelistic campaign presents Giants for Jesus from
November 23 - 29, 2014 at the Arnold Road SDA Church, 66 Arnold Road Kingston 5.
Come and hear dynamic children speakers that will heal your heart with words of the Lord.
Bring your family, friends and neighbours.

II.

The Rollington Town SDA Church invites you to their first Single's Day service on
November 22, 2014 under the theme "Single and Shining of Christ. Guest speaker will be
Pastor Daren Murphy. See post er below for additional information.

III.

The Adventist Health Professionals Association (AHPA) - East Chapter, invites you to
Health Symposium 2014 under the theme, "Restoring Mind, Body & Soul" as the share
information on the following topics :1. Chikungunya : Managing the Aftermath
2. Ebola: Global Challenges... Local Strategies
3. Health Evangelism: Called to Serve
Interested persons should register to sugnal your attendance by calling 978-8293 / 2813027
See below for more information.
.../14

(14) Schedule of Upcoming Conference Dates and Events


Dates

Event

Nov 15
Nov 22
Nov 23
Nov 29
Nov 29 - Dec 7
Dec 7

Launch of Comprehensive Care Plan


Beams Junior Convention (Postponed)
Pathfinder Festival
International Singles Day
Stewardship Week
Leaders' Summit

Dec 12 - 14
Dec 17 - 20
January 24-2015

Youth Congressoree,
Camp Meeting
Religious Liberty Festival

Location
All Churches
V.H. Percy Centre
Constant Spring SDA Church
All Churches
Kencot SDA Church
Kencot SDA Church
National Arena

Phillip E. L. Castell
Communication Director

../15

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