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Pastoral Letter
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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Last Sabbath, Pastors Bogdan Dumitru and Gabriel Ciocarlan
baptised eleven candidates, with two more voting for future
baptism in Romania. I commend our pastors for the excellent work
and for the baptisms around the conference.
I am also pleased to provide you with an update on the BUC’s
‘Reflecting Hope’ evangelistic initiative, as preparations are
now well underway for campaigns at various locations across the
Union. During this pilot year, we aim to learn and evaluate the
effectiveness of these meetings, with the hope of refining and
expanding participation in this evangelistic effort over the
coming years.
As I have shared with you previously, less than half of the
population of the UK now identifies as Christian, according to
the 2021 census. This is a concerning trend that we cannot
afford to ignore. We pray that the BUC ‘Reflecting Hope’
evangelistic initiative will allow us to connect the
contemporary British mindset with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Several churches within the South England Conference will be
participating this year, and some churches will start their
Reflecting Hope campaigns this week. Let’s remember to pray for
these churches and the success of the entire initiative.
‘Reflecting Hope’ is just a small part of the GC’s ‘Christ for
Europe’ programme, which has expanded since its launch to
include thirty unions, thirty-eight countries, and more than
1,500 sites all over Europe. We praise God for the opportunity
to play our part in what has become the most extensive
evangelistic outreach project conducted in Europe in the history
of the Adventist Church!
Regards,
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Dr. Emmanuel Osei
President of the South England Conference
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Baptism Conducted by Romanian SDA Churches – Pastor
Bogdan Dumitru
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Last Sabbath, on 22nd April, London Romanian SDA Church, East
London Romanian SDA Church and Sudbury Romanian SDA Group held
together a baptism service. Joined by Pastor Gabriel Ciocarlan,
we baptised 11 candidates, and two more will be baptised soon in
Romania. More than that, five candidates were from the Sudbury
Romanian Group, the smallest church in our district. Also,
another candidate who chose to be baptised on this occasion by
pastor Ciocarlan was part of Eden School, where Pastor Ciocarlan
was chaplain two years ago. We had the honour to have with us
the headteacher of Eden School, Mrs Laura Osei, and the pastor
of Heathrow International Church, Pastor Roland Bernados. The
event was a reconfirmation that God is good, and He is leading
our work and efforts.
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SEC Launches Chapter of Retired Ministers – Pastor Hezron
Adingo
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On Sunday, the 23rd of April, 2023, the South England Conference
(SEC) Ministerial Association Secretary Dr. Hezron Otieno Adingo
hosted a launch event at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Watford for
the SEC Chapter of Retired Ministers. The event was attended by
retired pastors from across the SEC and their spouses, as well
as the British Union Conference Ministerial Secretary, Pastor
Samuel Ouadjo.
The launch program provided an opportunity for retired pastors
to interact with one another and with Dr. Adingo, who shared his
vision for the role of retired pastors in supporting pastoral
ministry within the SEC. According to Dr. Adingo, the vast
experiences and ideas possessed by retired pastors could be
tapped into to improve the quality of pastoral ministry. He also
acknowledged the contributions of the retirees in laying the
foundation for the South England Conference and expressed his
gratitude for their service. "As pioneers, you gave your all
amid the challenges of your times in active service to bring our
Conference where it is now. I salute you.”
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SEC Camp Meeting 2023 – SEC Communications
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The South England Conference has a membership of just over
26,700. We are blessed to have members coming from different
parts of the world. During this Camp Meeting, we want to
celebrate our rich cultural diversity. The book of Revelation
portrays God’s final message, the everlasting gospel, preached
to “every nation, tribe, language and people.” Hence our theme
for Camp Meeting 2023 is “The Everlasting Gospel.”
To book your place, please call Hays Wood Centre at 01553 606000
or email.
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SEC President Camp Meeting 2023 Promo – SEC
Communications
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SEC-wide Community Sabbath #2 – SEC Communications
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On Sabbath 17 June, we challenge every church within the South
England Conference to leave the comfort of their buildings and
go out into their communities on our second SEC-wide Community
Sabbath!
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Sovereign: Who is Your King? | Friday Night Worship
X-perience
– Andrea Adams
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Whether you’re a royalist or not, over the next few weeks you
won’t be able to get away from the Coronation of King Charles
III. As the country celebrates the crowing of the new king,
let’s take time to reflect on the King of Kings and Lord of
Lords. Is Jesus King over your life? Do you allow Him to reign
over every circumstance and situation? Join SDA Generation X and
Pastor Ian Sweeney for our online worship service on
Friday, 5th May at 7:30pm (UK time) where we will come
together and celebrate our Sovereign God.
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Newbold Relaunches its English Language Centre in January
2024
– Dr Steve Currow
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Dear Partners and Colleagues,
I am very pleased to announce that the Newbold College of Higher
Education’s Board of Governors voted to recommence operating the
English Language Centre in January 2024. This is a major
development in the process of rebuilding Newbold after the
COVID-19 pandemic. This decision reflects “the unceasing vision
for Newbold to operate as Newbold College of Higher Education
that offers more than just theological education for pastoral
ministry”, said Dr Daniel Duda, the Chairman of the Board.
Since 1935, Newbold had provided an English Language programme
that had equipped many students with great language skills and
significantly contributed to the financial operations of the
College. This programme had operated in a variety of
configurations until the recent disruption caused by the
COVID-19 pandemic that prohibited international students to
travel to the UK and affected Newbold’s ability to deliver an
immersive learning experience.
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Special Coronation _Focus_ magazines now available! –
Andrew Puckering
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If you wish to give your friends, family, neighbours and
community a piece of literature to mark the King’s Coronation,
try this issue of Focus – it’s a gentle, non-threatening
introduction to Bible themes such as creation and
responsibility, and contains several Scripture texts regarding
kingship and prayers for the King, with an Adventist Discovery
Centre advert on the inside-back cover to invite people to learn
more deeply of our beliefs.
Order your copies today!
Call 01476 591700 or visit our website.
Price (plus p&p): 33p each for quantities up to 49; 30p
each for quantities of 50 or more.
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Three Things I Pray – Catherine Boldeau
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For a moment, I stopped breathing. Maybe, in solidarity, shock,
or stupor. The maternal blanket that had covered me since birth
was now ripped to shreds, and I stood in the house room in my
parent’s house and wept internally but outwardly stoic so that
Dad could release his genuine emotions for the woman he had
loved for most of his life. As I write this, I am grieving.
Deeply. I am in a constant state of numbness that has never
subsided. But I am also in a place of peace because of my faith
journey in that period of darkness.
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60 SEC NEWS – Don Roberts
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Watch the new episode.
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Small Church, Big Impact #2 – Pastor Wayne Erasmus
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Small Churches (fewer than 100 members) make up around 60% of
Adventist congregations in the SEC and across the BUC. Sometimes
our smaller congregations may feel like they matter less, are
failing in some way, or perhaps are just not as important in the
wider mission context. Aimed at Church Elders, Group Leaders and
members keen to see the local Church better positioned to offer
a Revelation 7:9 welcome, this weekend retreat seeks to affirm
the ministry of smaller congregations while emphasising
creativity and innovation in the ways through which they are
able to embrace members and seekers alike with the love of
Jesus! Join us as we delight in “Living, and Loving the Embrace
of Jesus!”.
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Back in Time and Into Our Time – Pastor Wayne Erasmus
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Travel back in time on a visit to the British Museum with your
guides Pastor Wayne Erasmus and Pastor Sinisa Horvat. Next visit
14 May 2023. Contact Mavis Bramble for more details.
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Women's Emphasis Day - Milimo Mumbo
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Women's Ministry will host the General Conference Women's
Ministry director in June 2023 at the Dominion Centre on Women's
Emphasis Day. The SEC Women's Ministry Director extends an
invitation to your Church's women's ministry team to join us at
the Dominion Centre on 10 June 2023. Ladies can register
on Eventbrite (link below).
We intend to create a database of all women's groups within the
Church in the South England Conference. We can leverage this
diversity so that each person and group brings their unique
story and gifts to the Master's vineyard. Please do not hesitate
to circulate the poster and reach out to Milimo, the
department's secretary, to give her the contact details of the
women's ministry leader in your Church.
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Family Ministry Department Camp - Milimo Mumbo
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South England Conference Family Ministry Department is
organising the "Family Camp" event on
31 July - 6 August 2023 at Chapel Porth Caravan Site,
Cornwall, TR5 0NS, with guest speakers Ruth and Bryan Maxwell.
The price is £340 per caravan, and it is self-catering. Please,
register by sending an email or calling.
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SEC Health and Wellbeing Fest Extravaganza – Sacha Gillin
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Join us for the SEC Health and Wellbeing Fest Extravaganza in
Stanborough Park! A fun-filled community health festival with
activities, music, food and entertainment for all ages. We also
need volunteers to help make this event a success. If you're
interested, please contact Amos on 07939 774 439 for details.
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Visit Rome and Pompey with Church Growth Department –
Mavis Bramble
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The 1st Century Church and 21st Century People’ Rome/Pompei
trip, guarantees a powerful and meaningful experience; visiting
ancient and modern Rome to think about ministry and mission. The
time there will be jam packed with sightseeing and learning
opportunities. A journey through time and Scripture!
The cost of this trip from the 25th to 30th June 2023 is
£1300 pp sharing. This covers direct flights, outbound from
London to Rome Fiumicino and return from Naples to London, B&B
hotel accommodation in the city + an additional meal per day
(lunch or dinner depending on visiting location), all
entry fees, airport transfers in Rome/Pompei and coach
travel.
Itinerary includes Pantheon, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, St
Peters Square, Catacombs, Appian way, Capitol Hill, Forum,
Colosseum, Reggia, Pompeii and Herculaneum, and more!
Sightseeing is by "walking tours” which will require
participants to be able to comfortably manage 6 hours of walking
in Italian summer temperatures on most days.
To book and secure a place: contact Mavis Bramble with a
completed application form and a non-refundable deposit of £500.
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The Book of Revelation Bible Series – Pastor Michael
Walker
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Brighton-Hove and Worthing SDA District is inviting you to the
online series “Viewing the Book of Revelation Through the
Microscope” by Pastor Michael I Walker.
The Zoom meeting ID is 812 0739 5570.
All are welcome.
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The PDF Newsletter – Anna McLarty
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For those who prefer the old PDF format, you can read, share, or
download it here. Also, note the
newsletter attachments to view other advertised events
within the SEC.
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