Palm Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church September-October 2011

The Link Newsletter

F.O.C.U.S. Mission Trip Several young people, chaperones, and Pastor Andre Campbell traveled to Trench Town, Jamaica, to help paint and restore a Seventh-day Adventist church in the town.

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In This Issue

1 Living With Hope

2 F.O.C.U.S Mission Trip

2 True

T.A.L.E.N.T.S. Inc.

4 Recipe Corner

4 In Loving Memory

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday to all of our members who celebrated another year of life over the summer months. May God continue to bless you with many more. As the Communications Staff continues to build our newsletter, we will begin to acknowledge members individually.

Living With Hope The Palm Bay Church is hosting the “Living with Hope Bible Seminar” crusade October 1-22 at the Palm Bay church. Services will take place nightly, except for Thursdays. An October 1st concert will kick off the crusade, with plans for a community children’s choir singing that evening. All interested children and their parents are invited to participate; please contact the Children’s Ministries staff (Gloria Hutchinson, Jennifer Clarke, Kim Pennington) for more information. Health screenings will also be available Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. during the crusade. How can you help this evangelistic effort? There are several ways the Personal Ministries department is calling for your support and assistance. Firstly, commit to praying for the services daily. Secondly, fast for only one meal, once a week, and use that meal time to pray fervently for the effort. Thirdly, call five friends, co-workers, family members, or acquaintances and invite them to attend. Finally, take flyers to locations where you normally conduct business: doctor’s offices, supermarkets, restaurants, dry cleaners, et cetera and ask management/owners of those businesses to hang flyers in their windows. See Sis. Arline Farquharson or Pastor Andre Campbell for flyers. This evangelistic effort cumulates our church’s yearlong focus on evangelism. Several ministries throughout the church have been involved in outreach efforts in the greater Palm Bay community all year. Continue to pray for these evangelistic efforts.

Bible Crusade Seminar

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Palm Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church

September-October 2011

F.O.C.U.S. Mission Trip A Success

It is often stated that the Adventist world is small. At times, Adventists seem to be ubiquitous. The trip to Trenchtown was no different. As the group painted the outside of the church, a police officer happened

upon the scene and asked what kind of project was taking place. This

police officer was not only an Adventist, he was the brother of our own Bro. Vinroy Pennington. Officer Pennington stopped and fellowshipped for a while with the group before returning to his police duties. The group traveled from June 26-July 3rd and brought back a wonderful report to the church. Enjoy the photos that are included in this issue of The Link.

Several young people, chaperones, and Pastor Andre Campbell traveled to Trenchtown, Jamaica, to help paint and restore a Seventh-day Adventist church in the town. Sponsored by several church members, fundraising efforts, and the Southeastern Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, the young people saw firsthand a level of poverty most of them had never imagined. Besides working on the church building, they participated in church services, toured the area, and met many residents who begged them for things we here in the U.S. take for granted: food, drinking water, clothing, diapers, and the like. Chaperone Dorrett Alleyne commented to Communications Department staff that a woman begged some of the girls in the group to take her infant child with them when they return to the U.S., in the hopes that the child would have a better life than the woman was able to give it in Trenchtown.

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in church, he is also active with the local alumni chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. He holds a bachelor’s of science in criminal justice from Florida International University, and a master’s of science in justice and security from the University of Phoenix. He is currently at work on a doctoral degree in public service leadership at Capella University. This year, Ra’Mone founded TRUE T.A.L.E.N.T.S., Inc., a nonprofit organization geared

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Ra’Mone Fluellen is no stranger to the Palm Bay church. His grandparents, Amanda and Lawrence Fluellen, are two of the founding members of the church, which was established in 1984. In fact, Ra’Mone holds the distinction of being the first child born to a family of the Palm Bay chuch. Ra’Mone has been active in the church for his entire life; he also was a member of the 1995 National Bible Bowl Championship team. Today, he is a part of the church’s youth group F.O.C.U.S., and is a member of the youth choir. In addition to all of his involvements

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toward mentoring young men. To date, TRUE T.A.L.E.N.T.S. has held monthly mentoring sessions, several fund raising events, and its first annual Enrichment Project, a day-long conference helping students prepare for life after high school.

Palm Bay Church Member Begins Non-Profit Organization

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Palm Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church

September-October 2011

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How has being involved in the Adventist church helped you with your organization thus far? It has allowed me to have certain resources and support at my disposal. It has instilled certain values and standards in me that I can pass on to other young males. Where do you see True T.A.L.E.N.T.S. in the next 5 years? Within the next 5 years, TRUE T.A.L.E.N.T.S., Inc. will have become a prosperous and effective non-profit organization by enhancing minority males with the tools, awareness, motivation, and resources to be able to defy the odds and the statistics, develop a vision for themselves, and serve as a role model for future generations to follow. TRUE T.A.L.E.N.T.S., Inc. will have assisted in the development of a safer, more harmonious community by assisting disadvantaged minority males with acquiring the education, skills, and resources necessary for self-sufficient prosperous lives. How do young people sign up to become a part of the organization? Young people interested in being involved with the organization can go online to the website www.ttalentsnonprofit.com and provide their contact information under the "Contact Us" section. There are various events and activities that they can attend; at these events and activities we keep sign-up sheets where interested individuals can provide their contact information. How can folks volunteer to aid True T.A.L.E.N.T.S. in its mission? A person can contact me at talentsnonprofit@yahoo.com and provide their information along with any specific means (if any) that they'd like to volunteer doing. They can also go online to the website www.ttalentsnonprofit.com and provide their contact information under the "Contact Us" section.

Editor’s Note: TRUE T.A.L.E.N.T.S. has recently expanded its mission to include mentorship of young ladies, as well as the young men it has already been servicing. It also has begun offering internships for young people who need community service hours for Bright Futures funds and other scholarships. Ra’Mone Fluellen can be reached at talentsnonprofit@yahoo.com.

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prosper mentally and physically to become active members of their community.

What advice do you have for young people coming up today? Every day is a good day as long as the bridge is not your address and a garbage can is not your kitchen. No obstacle is too big. I am no different than you. I have trials that I’ve overcome and still are dealing with, but I refuse to let it drive my “car” of life. Pressures are not here to break you, but to mold you and form you, just like a diamond. Not all obstacles are easy to handle, but we are all each strong enough within to overcome them.

What types of programs/services does True T.A.L.E.N.T.S. offer? We are involved in the following: two $1000 scholarships to be given annually in the spring semester, sponsorship of athletic teams from schools and city leagues with limited resources, working to enrich the community by feeding the homeless, providing food to low income families, providing clothes, shoes, and other necessities for minority males from less fortunate families, a manhood conference entitled: "Men with Purpose. The purpose of the conference is to deal with the transition of young boys to manhood and all the pressures, issues, responsibilities, and opportunities as a result. We are also planning workshops on preparing students for college and the workforce. We are collaborating with the Kappa League and Guide Right Program of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in mentoring young males, preparing them for manhood, and enhancing their skills and potential. We are also collaborating with community programs and initiative (i.e. Police Athletic League, Athletic Amateur Union, Brevard Family Partnership, Grant Street Community Center, local churches, and others) to ensure that young males in the community have positive outlets, resources, and arenas to express themselves, be adequately educated, and be able to engage in non-illegal activities.

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Recently, he participated in an e-mail interview with Communications department staff, telling us more about his organization and endeavors. What is True T.A.L.E.N.T.S., Inc.? TRUE T.A.L.E.N.T.S., Inc. is a state registered non-profit organization that was officially incorporated on February 7, 2011. Its name stands for “Tools, Awareness, Liberties, and Everything Necessary to Obtain Success.”

What led you to start this nonprofit? Males are a pivotal piece in our community; they are born to be the leaders and the back bone. However, many have been born into situations that they feel they cannot rise beyond. Many have become a product of their circumstances, and due to a lack of self-worth, awareness, and resources they have become complacent in continuing to perpetuate the negative cycle. Too many times in society, when our young men come from disadvantaged homes or get in trouble with the law, resources and opportunities are withheld; a negative stigma from society is placed upon them. The focal point of TRUE T.A.L.E.N.T.S., Inc. is also to provide minority males with an outlet and a muse; along with enhancing their sense of direction and a strong support network, which will aid them in achieving a future that is sufficient to their full potential and needs.

Was it easy for you to start your nonprofit? As far as paperwork, it was easy to start my non-profit, but it was a bit tedious. From a nontangible aspect, it wasn’t as easy to stop initially because of doubts and being anxious. However if I can help one person my efforts would not have been in vain. Once those doubts left I knew that my experiences/resources, confidence, and faith would lead me to success.

What is the mission of True T.A.L.E.N.T.S., Inc.? Our mission is to provide disadvantaged and delinquent minority males with a sense of stability and hope to enrich their self-worth. Through guidance, encouragement, and resources these youth will maximize their potential,

Palm Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church

September-October 2011

In Loving Memory On Sunday, September 11th, the Palm Bay church

celebrated the life of one of its pioneers, Elder Edric Lambert Weeks-Sealy. Elder Sealy was a fixture of the

Palm Bay church for many years. He was born in Trinidad and raised in Trinidad and Barbados. He was

first introduced to the Adventist message in 1937. He was an educator for many years, working both in the

Adventist schools in the South Caribbean Conference and the public school system in Trinidad.

Upon his retirement, Elder Sealy and his wife, Doris

Phillpotts, relocated to Florida and joined the Palm Bay church. He served as a Sabbath school teacher, chorister,

and first elder for many years. He was known to passionately support the children and youth in the church.

Even after his wife’s death, he remained active at the Palm Bay church. He departed his earthly home on August 31, 2011, at the age of 93. He will be sorely

missed by his nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, as well as the Palm Bay church family.

For those wishing to honor Elder Sealy’s memory,

donations may be made to the University of the Southern Caribbean Alumni Association, NA, P.O. Box 11277,

Takoma Park, MD 20913-1277. Checks in the memo line should read: Weeks Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Recipe Corner DIABETIC EGGPLANT AND TOMATO CASSEROLE Yield: 8 servings Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes via The Diabetic Gourmet Daily Recipe Mailer Ingredients: • 1 large eggplant (2 pounds), peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes • 1/2 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs • 1/3 cup chopped onion • 3 cloves garlic • 1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves, divided • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves • Salt and pepper, to taste • 2 eggs • 3 medium tomatoes, sliced • 1/4 cup grated fat-free Parmesan cheese

Directions: Cook eggplant in 2 inches simmering water in covered medium saucepan until tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain well. Mash eggplant with fork. Mix in breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, 1 teaspoon oregano, basil, and thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix in eggs. Spoon eggplant mixture into 11x7-inch baking dish. Arrange tomatoes in rows over eggplant. Sprinkle with cheese and remaining 1/2 teaspoon oregano. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees, until hot through, about 20 minutes. Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 98; Protein: 5.1g; Sodium: 245mg; Cholesterol: 53.3mg; Fat: 1.9g; Carbohydrates: 16.9g

Announcements Calling all former and current members of the Palm Bay SDA Youth Choir! Plans are underway for a reunion concert Thanksgiving Weekend to be held on

November 26th, 2011. For more information, please send an e-mail to communicationdir@palmbaysda.org.

Those who are interested in working with the Communication Department should send an e-mail to communicationdir@palmbaysda.org. The department is specifically seeking

individuals who are comfortable working with computers and social networking. Assistance is needed for the church newsletter and the upcoming edition of the church directory.