East Jamaica Conference

Communication Department 74 Constant Spring Road ▪ P.O. Box 181▪ Kingston 10 ▪ Jamaica W.I.

Tel:(876) 924-1061-3, Fax (876) 924-0263. E-Mail: communication@ejcsda.com website: http://ejcsda.com

February 15, 2013 To All Pastors, Elders, Leaders and Church Members Dear Brethren: Sincere Christian greetings ! Please see important dates and events of the East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists below.

(1) Letter from President Cotterell re Partnership with NCU on Annual 'Mission Week' Project Please see letter below from Pastor Adrian Cotterell requesting support for NCU as they embark on their annual 'Mission Week' Project.

(2) Education Rally - Kingston & St. Andrew - Meadovale SDA Church - February 16-2013

The East Jamaica Conference Education Department will host this year's Education Rally at the Meadowvale SDA Church on Sabbath February 16, 2013. Parents, students and members of the church are set for are day of praise and thanksgiving as we highlight the value and benefits of Adventist Christian Education. Come see our children as they sing, read, pray and give testify of the fact that "Christian Education and Redemption are one. The message for the divine hour will be given by Dr. Denton Rhone of NCU. See flyer below for additional information.

(3) Communication Impact and Workshop - Morant Bay SDA Church - Feb 16 & 17, 2013 The Communication Department of East Jamaica Conference invites team members in St. Thomas to join us at the Morant Bay SDA Church from Sabbath School to Vespers on Sabbath February 16, 2013 for "Communication Impact", where members of the communication team will worship and share with the church important information on how we can share the love of God with those around us using technology tools easily available to most of us. - 1 -

Item # Table of Contents Page # 1 Letter from President Cotterell re Partnership with NCU on Annual 'Mission Week' 1

2 Education Rally - Kingston & St. Andrew - Meadowvale SDA Church - February 16-2013 1

3 Communication Impact and Workshop - Morant Bay SDA Church - Feb 16 & 17, 2013 1

4 Letter From The Ministerial Director re Upcoming Elders' Association Meeting 2

5 Letters from Publishing and Spirit of Prophesy Director 2

6 Notices From The Sab. School / Personal Ministries/ Comm. Services Department 2

7 Notices From The Women's Ministries Department 2

8 Notices From The Children's Ministries Department 2

9 Communication Workshop Zones 1 - 3 - EJC Board Room Feb 24-2013 3

10 Request for Churches to submit Church Officer's List Continues 3

11 Schedule of Upcoming Conference Dates and Events 4

On Sunday, February 17, 2013, The Communication Workshop for Communication Leaders and their team members ( including Audio Visual Team members ) will begin promptly with devotion at 9:00 am. The workshop will run until 1:00 pm.

(4) Letter From The Ministerial Director re Upcoming Elders' Association Meeting February 24-2013

Please see letter below from Ministerial Director Pastor Glenville Carr inviting Elders to attend the first Elders Association Meeting for the year.

(5) Letters from Publishing and Spirit of Prophesy Director Please see letter below from Pastor Owen Thomas relating to matters concerned with the department.

(6) Notices From The Sab. School / Personal Ministries/ Comm. Services Department

Please see notices below from the Sab. School / Personal Ministries / Community Services Department

(7) Notices From The Women's Ministries Department

1. Coming soon will be our Mother Daughter Conference. Watch the site for further information and details.

2. I.M.A.P. launch will take place in June. Our speaker will be Dr. Eric Nathan. This is your opportunity to come learn how to build lasting relationships. You are asked to bring a visitor with you.

3. Women’s Ministries team leaders, let’s pray and plan to reap at least one soul per quarter, per church, that is at least four souls for 2013. April is the month of special reaping for our department. Kindly send us the names of the speakers who will be engaged in the crusade in your church, along with a short profile of each speaker. Where possible kindly include a picture. We would like to highlight and pray for our speakers.

4. Leaders Certification Training, levels 1 and 2 will take place on Sunday February 17, 2013 and Friday March 15, 2013 to Sunday March 17, 2013. Venue: Sunday, February 17, is Kingsway School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Venue: Friday to Sunday March 15 – 17 is Golden Acres. Pre- Registration is necessary for the March seminar and should be done by March 8,2013.

5. Soft Skills training continues this Sunday, February 17, 2013. We begin the day with devotion at 9:00 a.m. Classes will end at 12 noon. Please be on time.

6. Team members kindly indicate if you are receiving the notices that are being sent to you via your email addresses.

7. Tips For Parents

Study with and teach your children the value of reading the BIBLE, for it will cause them to ride upon the high places of the earth as they grew in wisdom and statue and in favour with God and man.

(8) Notices From The Children's Ministries Department 1. Jewels Launch will take place on Sabbath April 6, in the afternoon. Our guest speaker will be the JAMU

Children’s Ministries Director, Sis. Lorraine Vernal. Our Jewels as well as our Aunties and Uncles are asked to make ready their pink or blue tops for the occasion.

2. Team members kindly indicate if you are receiving the notices that are being sent to you via your email addresses. - 2 -

3. Children’s Convention ‘Preach Fest’ and baptism will be held at the Stadium Community Church. The dress code is white dresses with pink or blue accessories for the females and black /blue pants with pink or blue shirts for the boys. All CMDs are asked to indicate by the end of March the name(s) of their prospective candidate(s) for baptism. A special package will be prepared for persons who will be baptized during this year of the LAITY.

4. We are in the process of training our speakers for the convention. Kindly send us the names of the speakers to the office by Friday, February 22, 2013.

5. The children’s Spanish group meets at EJC from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. every 1st and 3rd Sabbath. CMD’s who are teaching the songs in your churches please communicate this to us so we can keep you informed directly when we will meet for rehearsal.

6. All CMD’s are asked to use Children’s story time, as one of the avenues to read the weekly parent tips. This is a captive audience to disseminate the information. This tip should preferably be read by a child and should take no longer than 30 seconds.

7. Children’s ministries team leaders let’s pray and plan to reap at least one soul per quarter per church, that is four souls for 2013. May is the month of special reaping for our department. Since our mandate is soul reaping this is a reminder that all CMDs are expected to engage our children in crusade in your church.

8. Leaders Certification Training for levels 1 and 2 will take place on Sunday February 17, 2013 and Friday March 15, 2013 to Sunday March 17, 2013. Venue: Sunday, February 17, Kingsway School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Venue: Friday to Sunday March 15 – 17 Golden Acres.

9. Kindly send us the names of the speakers who will be engaged in the Children’s crusade in your church along with a short profile of each speaker. Where possible kindly include a picture. We would like to highlight and pray for these children.

10. Child preachers training will be held from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on February 23, 2013 at Kingsway School. Kindly send the names of the children to be trained as preachers to the office immediately.

(8) Communication Workshop Zones 1 - 3 - EJC Board Room Feb 24-2013

Communication Workshop for Zones 1 - 3 will take place on Sunday February 24, 2013 at the EJC Conference Board Room. This workshop will begin at 9:00 and will end at 5:00 pm. This workshop will be comprehensive and will cover general communication information as well as cover technical information relating to sound equipment and their maintenance.

(9) Request for Churches to submit Church Officer's List Continues We are thankful for those churches that have responded to this request. We however still have more than 50 % of these records still outstanding. Check the status of your church by clicking on the link below. Click on 'Church Officers List Register'. If your church record is outstanding help us by bringing this to the attention of your church Clerk. To check if your church has sent in its Officers List please follow this link.

- 3 -

(10) Schedule of Upcoming Conference Dates and Events

Phillip E. L. Castell Communication Director -4 -

Dates -2013 Event Location Feb. 16 Education Rally -Kingston & St. Andrew Meadowvale SDA Church Feb. 17 Communication Workshop - Zone 4 Morant Bay SDA Church Feb. 17 Health Ministries Training EJC Board Room Feb. 17 Senior Citizens Summit - Zones 1-3 Kencot SDA Church Feb. 24 Communication Workshop - Zones 1 -3 EJC Board Room Mar. 3 Women's Day of Prayer Mar. 9 Education Rally - St. Thomas Hampton Court SDA Church Mar. 16 - 23 Youth Week of Prayer Everywhere Mar. 23 Vision One Million Celebration Everywhere

East Jamaica Conference Of Seventh-day Adventists

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

February 12, 2013 To: Pastors, Elders, Church Clerks & Departmental Leaders Dear Colleagues: The East Jamaica Conference partners with and facilitates NCU as they stage their annual “Mission Week” project in our city, on Thursday, February 28, 2013. The objectives include:

expanding student life for Christian growth/mission involvement

providing mission experience for students both locally and internationally

being a wholistic community intervention initiative creating positive change The activities for the day will incorporate:

a) a road march from Emancipation Park to Mandela Park b) cleaning of beach front areas, “Hellshire” c) humanitarian assistance to those in need, for example,

i) counselling ii) medical attention

We are inviting our members and friends to volunteer and participate: youth, Master Guides, Adventist Community Services and health volunteers, pathfinders, medical professionals and counsellors. We look forward to your full support. Yours in the Master’s service,

Adrian Cotterell President AC*her-r

East Jamaica Conference Of Seventh-day Adventists

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

February 6, 2013

To Pastors and Elders

Dear Brethren:

Christian greetings!

The Ministerial Department of the East Jamaica Conference is pleased to invite you to its first

elders meeting for 2013. Sunday, February 24, 2013 beginning at 10:00 a.m. This meeting will

be held in the Youth Room of the Andrews Memorial Seventh Day Adventists Church.

Guest Presenter: Pastor Joseph Smith, School of Religion-NCU.

Feature presentation: “Preparation for the Latter Rain”.

Please make every effort to be there and to be on time.

We look forward to seeing you at this meeting and may the Lord continue to bless you all.

Yours truly,

Glenville Carr, Pastor

MINISTERIAL SECRETARY

East Jamaica Conference Of Seventh-day Adventists

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

February 14, 2013

To all Elders and Spirit of Prophecy Directors

Greetings! Thanks be to God for the ministry of the printed page. Firstly, I must say thanks to all those who attended the recently held joint Spirit of Prophecy(SOP) and Publishing workshop. Let me hope that you are doing all that you possibly can to motivate and encourage all those brethren who have not yet started, or finished reading the book "Christian Service" to do so.

By now your congregation should be well on the way reading the above mentioned book or maybe you've already done so. Just in case you have not yet finished reading, please do so by the end of February so you can start the next one. If your congregation is finished reading the first prescribed book, you may now begin reading the next recommended one,"Evangelism" by E. G. White. This book is very appropriate for this year 2013, the Year of the Laity, as it gives tremendous insights into how every member can witness and reach out to his/her neighbour effectively. I strongly recommend that you give each member a certificate for completing each book and study guide. However, you may prefer to give your certificate on completion of one or two books, or maybe at the end of the year when more books are completed. It's a matter for you and your committee to decide how and when you'll have this special service which definitely is an incentive. But please ensure that you have a ceremony by possibly, inviting a guest speaker to address your congregation in recognition of those who have completed the books and study guides. Certainly, this is a means to get more members on board. Please be reminded that you may access ALL the spirit of prophecy books from the E.G.White Estate website. SOP Coordinators, I kindly ask that you assist those members who don't have the book(s) or access to the internet, to assist in any way you can. I'm certain that there is at least one person in your congregation who has access to the net directly or indirectly. It is best to obtain the books in installments as it can be quite bulky and possibly expensive! For those Spirit of Prophecy and Publishing Directors who were not at the workshop at Half Way Tree Church earlier this year, please let me have your e-mail addresses by the end of February so that I can send out the presentations. I beg of you SOP and Publishing leaders to work together as a team in your respective churches, and do all in your power to encourage your members to get on the program and "study to show thyself approved unto God." Yours in the Master's service

Owen Thomas Publishing and Spirit of Prophecy Director

East Jamaica Conference Of Seventh-day Adventists

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

February 12, 2013 To all Pastors, Elders, and Spirit of Prophecy (SOP) and Publishing Directors of Zone 4 Greetings in Christ's name The Zone 4 SOP an Publishing Workshop for all such directors will be held at the Morant Bay Church on March 10, 2013 at 10 a. m. See you then and may God richly bless you as you continue to labour in His vineyard. Yours in Jesus' name Owen Thomas Publishing and SOP Director

East Jamaica Conference Of Seventh-day Adventists

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

Website: ejcsda.com

NOTICES

EJC SABBATH SCHOOL/PERSONAL MINISTRIES & COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Hello Sabbath School friends!

Please be reminded that as at January 5, 2013, and by now all our Sabbath Schools should be on the new or renewed programme:

• 6-8 members in each class • Interactive reading/learning strategy for the bible study/review. • Vertical meditation for each unit member • Horizontal sharing of thoughts, etc.

Please note the following:

February 17 - Big Senior Citizens Summit for Kingston & St. Andrew at Kencot S.D.A. Church 9 a.m. – 12 noon Spanish Ministries

• Spanish Ministries meeting for Thursday, February 14, 2013 at Andrew SDA Church - 6 p.m.

• Spanish speaking Campaign at Andrew SDA Church – February 15-23, 2013, 7 p.m nightly with Pastor Felipe Dominguez from the Mexican Union; all are invited. Please invite all your Spanish speaking friends.

- 1 -

1. February 24 at 10 a.m - Adventist Community Services Federation monthly meeting in the EJC chapel.

2. The Ambassador Search for 2013 has begun, get on board! Please contact the EJC office for more details or see your church’s notice board.

3. East Jamaica Conference partners with and facilitates NCU as they stage their annual “Mission Week” project in our city, on Thursday, February 28, 2013. The objectives include:

• expanding student life for Christian growth/mission involvement • providing mission experience for students both locally and internationally • being a wholistic community intervention initiative creating positive change

We are inviting our members and friends to volunteer and participate: youth, Master Guides, Adventist Community Services volunteers, pathfinders, medical professionals and counselors.

N.B. Sabbath School superintendents and Personal Ministries leaders are reminded of the Sabbath School quarterly report which is due on the 10th of each month following the end of the quarter. Also, all weekly evangelistic reports from your church to be sent to the EJC office

-2-

East Jamaica Conference Of Seventh-day Adventists

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

February 12, 2013 To all Pastors, Elders and Religious Liberty (R/L) Directors Dear brethren, greetings for the New Year Firstly, I wish to thank you all for observing R/L Day 2013. In particular, I wish to thank all those who attended the conference wide R/L Day that was held at Andrews Memorial Church on January 26. I believe that you will take back to your congregations a better understanding of what R/L is all about. I am aware that for some reason or the other your church may not have yet observed this very important day. Please ensure that this is done in your church. By doing so you are assisting your members to get a better understanding of religious liberty from a biblical perspective, and also it is an opportune time to inform them of their religious and civil rights under the constitution of Jamaica. Sometime in 2014 all five conferences in the Jamaica Union (JAMU) will put on a R/L festival at a date and venue which has not yet been finalised. You will be duly informed of such. Remember that we are all our brother's keeper. Therefore whatever we can do now in the time of peace and religious right let us help each other to advance the cause of the gospel before the time when this right we now enjoy will be taken away. Yours in the Master's service Owen Thomas Religious Liberty Director