|
|
|
|
|
Pastoral Letter
|
|
Dear Church Family,
I want to extend New Year Greetings to you all as we, as a
Church, embark on our collective journey in the Year 2026.
May the God who knows the future and our destination better
than anyone else walk alongside His Church every step of the
way. While any of us still have an eye on matters related to
the Church and plans for the year, it would be helpful to
consider principles for establishing church experiences that
are positive for members and visitors, while bringing honour
and glory to our God.
Regarding this, here are 3 very powerful quotes worthy of
reflection:
“The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of
Christ; and through the church will eventually be made
manifest, even to “the principalities and powers in heavenly
places” (Ephesians 3:10), the final and full display of the
love of God....” (Acts of the Apostles, p.9).
Wouldn't it be phenomenal if we could realise the various
keys these words hold to understanding how our churches can
be at their best? Churches that are repositories of Christ's
grace will be churches of love, forgiveness, transformation
and restoration because in them we will see the power of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ at work. They will be a testimony of
how Christ has overcome the world, sin and the enemy. They
will be proof of the effectiveness of God's plan of
Salvation and that living for Him in this dark time in
history is absolutely appealing, completely desirable and
totally possible in Christ.
Imagine how church would be if we, as Ellen White adds here,
could fully demonstrate God's love. His love is redemptive,
and we are told that this is a favoured theme in heaven
(Desire of Ages, p.19). As representatives of God's Kingdom
on earth, this is a powerful testimony to God's glory. Some
of our activities and outreach programmes have proclaimed
and demonstrated the redemptive power of God in both
practical and spiritual ways. What an extraordinary
ingredient to our Church interactions and programmes, all of
this would be in 2026.
As we aspire to new heights in the New Year, here is a
second quote that deepens our understanding of what the
Church should be. “The church is God’s appointed agency for
the salvation of men. It was organised for service, and its
mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the
beginning, it has been God’s plan that through His church
shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His
sufficiency.” (Acts of the Apostles, p.9).
Finally, another well-known quote gives us more to think
about. “The church, even though it has weaknesses, is the
only thing on earth Christ values most. He is always
watching over it and gives it strength by His Holy Spirit.
Will we, as members of His church, let Him guide our
thoughts and work through us for His glory?” Both
encouraging and sobering to note that God is closely
observing us as His Church. These words also reflect many
biblical texts that liken God to a groom and His people to
His bride, whom He holds in the highest regard. In the past,
disrespectful words or behaviour toward a person's spouse,
especially their bride or wife, often did not end well!
How do we view the Church at both the local and wider
levels? Do we recognise that while we belong to the Church,
the Church does not belong to us but rather to Christ? And
how does this recognition influence the way we view the
Church, interact with the Church, and speak of the Church,
living out our roles as we wield our influence?
Yes, we must address our challenges, but in doing so, do we
remember that the Church is the object of God's supreme
regard? When we realise that Jesus holds the Church in such
high esteem and that it is referred to as His own body (1
Corinthians 12:27), showing that Christ and His Church are
inseparable, this will be reflected in how we treat matters
of the Church, including our mission.
John the Baptist and Paul the Apostle, both God’s servants
and last-day messengers, wrote about their roles. In their
writings (John 3:29; 2 Corinthians 11:2), they described
themselves as friends of Jesus the Bridegroom. They looked
out for all things necessary for the good of the church. We
can all play a role in this as well.
Thinking about the good of the Church and our mission, I
hope to see all Churches represented at the annual
Evangelism Expo at Newbold College this Sunday, 11th
January, at 9:30 am. There will be plenaries, departmental
workshops, and more. All events will be based on the theme
"Inspired for Mission" and are intended to encourage us
all.
In other News, please keep the families of Ps David Burnette
and Ps Israel Williams in your prayers as they mourn the
passing of these two outstanding men of God. Ps Wentworth
Seawell and the Plumstead Church closed in 2025 with the
baptism of a mother and son. Ps Andrew Leyland and the
Milton Keynes Central Church finished with 17 baptisms. Ps
Sam Aboagye and the Prince Emmanuel Church plant started the
new year with five baptisms. Congratulations as we continue
the mission!
May God bless His amazing Church in 2026. Let us each commit
to taking purposeful action, praying, serving, and working
together so that our Church may reflect His love and fulfil
our calling this year.
GO SEC! Inspired for Mission!
|
|
Dr. Kirk Thomas
South England Conference President
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEC Evangelism Expo 2026
|
|
SEC Communications
|
|
Join us on Sunday, 11 January 2026, at Newbold
College for a day of inspiration, learning, and
fellowship.
Starting at 9:30 AM, you'll experience dynamic
plenary sessions and hands-on departmental workshops
designed to equip and energise you for mission in your local
context.
Whether you're a pastor, member, local coordinator or
passionate about sharing the everlasting gospel, this event
will provide practical tools and a fresh vision for
evangelism in 2026, under the theme, "Inspired for
Mission".
See you there!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stay Informed with SEC WhatsApp
|
|
SEC Communications
|
|
Get the latest updates, market insights, and regulatory news
delivered straight to your phone. Follow the SEC WhatsApp
Channel for real-time notifications and never miss important
financial information.
SEC WhatsApp Channel: Your direct line to SEC updates
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60 SEC News
|
|
Don Roberts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
connectED25: WhatsApp and the Future of Pastoral
Connection
|
|
SECmedia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Evangelism Across SEC
|
|
Pastor Kwadwo Kwarteng-Ampofo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Evangelism 101: Episode 22
|
|
Pastor Kwadwo Kwarteng-Ampofo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Barnet SDA Church Brings Warmth and Care to Tally Ho
Corner
|
|
Joan Mabb
|
|
|
Barnet Church’s Community Services department, led by Joan
Mabb and volunteers from the church, were ready to give out
free hygiene packs and hot drinks at 10am on 20 December.
Despite weather forecasts two weeks earlier predicting rain,
after praying for no rain, there was no rain on the day. The
morning sun shone brightly on the table set up at Tally Ho
Corner, Finchley.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Celebrating the Life of Pastor David Burnett
|
|
SEC Communications
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEC Ten Days of Prayer
|
|
Linda Asare
|
|
The 10 Days of Prayer is an annual global initiative of the
General Conference, uniting believers worldwide in a focused
season of prayer and spiritual reflection. Running from 7 to
17 January 2026, this year’s theme,
“Unleashed,” draws on the book of Acts and explores
how the Holy Spirit empowers believers for faith, unity, and
mission.
Within the South England Conference, the programme will be
led by SEC Prayer Ministries Coordinator Linda Asare and
hosted nightly online via Zoom from 7:00pm to 8:30pm
(Meeting ID 919 4553 8924, Passcode 670468). Each evening
will feature a different speaker from across the Conference,
guiding participants through prayer themes aligned with the
official global Ten Days of Prayer readings and materials
prepared by the General Conference.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEC Children’s Ten Days of Prayer
|
|
Pastor Rio Espulgar
|
|
|
The SEC Children’s Ministries Department will run a
dedicated Children’s Ten Days of Prayer series. Releasing
daily at 5:00pm on the SEC Kids Planet YouTube channel, the
children’s programme offers age-appropriate stories, prayer
activities, and creative engagement to help young people
connect with the same global theme in a meaningful way.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Let’s Get Healthier Together
|
|
Edith Samambwa
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SEC Men’s Ministries Campaign: Restoring Manhood
|
|
Devon Boyd
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Blood Pressure Campaign
|
|
Edith Samambwa
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Crucifixion
|
|
Hampstead SDA Church
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bridge the Gap Hub CIC: Training Program
|
|
Uche Nwosu
|
|
Bridge The Gap Hub CIC supports anyone looking for a job. It
provides one-to-one and group training on how to present
yourself in the job market, so you have a higher chance of
getting a job offer at an interview.
It also delivers recruitment and administrative support to
businesses.
Bridge The Gap, in collaboration with Watford and Three
Rivers, runs a training and empowerment face-to-face program
for young people.
Book your free Sunday career sessions (include date, time,
and location) by emailing bridgethegaphubcic@gmail.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bridge the Gap Hub CIC: Weekly Career Training
|
|
Uche Nwosu
|
|
Book your free Sunday career sessions (include date, time,
and location) by emailing bridgethegaphubcic@gmail.com
Any sessions outside the drop-in session usually cost £15,
which is used to fundraise for the CIC.
This organisation is led by an Adventist Sister, Uche
Ademuyiwa, who is passionate about ensuring that church
members, adults, and young people are in employment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
