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

September 27, 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.

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Historic Vision One Million Baptism Day - September 28, 2013 Zone 4 Big City Evangelism & Parish Development Summit - Sep. 29, 2013 @ 10:00 am Forty Days of Prayer Journey October 1 November 9, 201 Medical Missionary Training School & Massage Therapy Graduation Service J Jonas Answers call to Wider Service Pastoral Re-assignment in EJC Notices from the Sabbath School, Personal Ministries, Comm. Services Department Notices from the Women's Ministries Department Notices from the Children's Ministries Department Special Events happening in Some of our Churches nt Pastoral Reassignments in EJC Schedule of Upcoming Conference Dates and Events

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(1) Historic Vision One Million Baptism Day - September 28, 2013 Historic Vision One Million Baptism Day - September 28, 2008 Elders in the Seventh-day Adventist Church will be allowed to baptize persons they have worked with over the past few months on September 28, 2013. The historic event is one of the many activities planned by the church in Inter-America Division to mark the year of the Laity. Preliminary information suggests that more than one hundred persons should be baptized into the church by ordained elders on this day across the East Jamaica Conference constituency. Every church is encouraged to put steps in place to have this special event recorded and or photographed. The East Jamaica Conference Communication Department is requesting that where ordained elders will be participating in the special baptismal service, that photographs of the event be taken and a brief summary -1-

of what took place forwarded to the Communication Department no later than Monday September 30, 2013 at 4:00pm. Images forwarded to the Conference should be properly captioned and should identify (a) the name of the church where the event took place, (b) the name of the Elder doing the baptism along with (c) the name of the person being baptized. The Photographer should seek to take multiple photographs to show the Elder with the candidate before baptism, during baptism and after baptism. A skilled photographer will seek to take a shot to show the face of baptizer, the face of the person being baptized along with background images of the congregation in attendance where this is possible. Images being sent to the Conference should be emailed to ejccommunications@gmail.com. Remember captions for images must be submitted either in a word document file or in the email being sent with the photos. For examples of baptismal photos follow the following link. (2) Zone 4 Big City Evangelism & Parish Development Summit - September 29, 2013 @ 10:00 am All Pastors, Personal Ministries Leaders, Assistants & Secretaries along with Lay Preachers, Bible Workers, Community Services Leaders in Zone 4 are invited to attend the EJC Big City Evangelism & Parish Development Summit on Sunday - September 29, 10 a.m. @ Morant Bay SDA Church (St. Thomas). The main purpose of this meeting is to intensify field preparation for campaign in the Big City Mission. All students of the SOE and all other interests are especially invited. (3) Forty Days of Prayer Journey October 1 November 9, 2013 The year 2014 will begin with a bang as the church under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, will move out in faith on the massive Big City Campaign. The church in East Jamaica Conference is being called to 40 days of spiritual encounter with God, to prepare for this crucial battle. Prayer is our weapon. During the period October 1 - 4, all our pastors and Conference staff will be involved in prayer. On October 5, we invite all congregations in East Jamaica Conference to set aside time during the church service for prayer. From there on, each group of churches in the clusters below is scheduled to petition the Gods throne with prayer on behalf of the city, its environs and its people. We invite the church to pray for the following: The outpouring of the Holy Sprit The Evangelists Bible workers The campaign teams The finances of the program The communities involved Our National leaders Our equipment and materials Our members to be united Strongholds of Satan to be torn down Souls to surrender to God -2

East Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventist

40 Days of Prayer Scheduled October 1 - November 9, 2013

(I will cry out to God most high, to God who performs all things for me. Psalm 57:2) Date October 1-4 Districts All pastors and Conference office staff All Congregations (please note that instead of fasting on this date as slated on the Conference calendar, we suggest that we conduct the fasting on November 2.) Cluster A North Street, Heroes Circle, Trench Town Cluster B Kings Chapel, Rollington Town, Harbour View Cluster C Hagley Park, Kencot, Half Way Tree, Macedonia Cluster D Andrews, Sandy Park, Shortwood Cluster E Hope, August Town, Halls Delight Cluster F Washington Gardens, Penwood, Meadowvale, New Haven, and (2) westerly churches of Pastor Marvin Chin: Rock Hall and Padmore Cluster G Constant Spring, Stony Hill, Lawrence Tavern, (2) easterly Churches of Pastor Marvin Chin: Everton Park and Guava Gap Cluster H St. Thomas East Morant Bay, Seaforth, Hampton Court, and Port Morant Cluster I St. Thomas West Yallahs and Woodbourne Pastoral Districts

October 5 October 6-9 October 10-13 October 14-17 October 18-21 October 22-25 October 26-29

October 30November 2 November 3-6

November 7-9

(4) Medical Missionary Training School & Massage Therapy Graduation Service After weeks of intense study, training and preparation, participants in this year's Medical Missionary Training School and students of the Massage Therapy course will participate in their graduation exercise at the Kencot SDA Church on Sunday September 29, 2013 at 4:00pm. The training programs were coordinated and organized by the Health Ministries Department of the church was Guest speaker will be Pastor Joseph Smith, Former Personal Ministries Director, JAMU and Lecturer-NCU. All are invited to attend. -3-

(5) Jonas Answers call to Wider Service Adiese Jonas, Assistant Communication Director at East Jamaica Conference (EJC) has accepted the call to work with the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Media Group as Marketing Manager effective October 1, 2013. Jonas, who joined with the East Jamaica Conference Communication team after working at one of the nation's leading media houses, played an important role in improving the work of the Communication Department of the Conference over the past three years. She played a pivotal role in the production of the 'Healthy and Happy' and 'Word of Hope radio programs that are broadcast on public radio on a weekly basis. Described as fun-loving, effervescent and a multi-talented young lady, Adiese will be missed by the East Jamaica Conference staff, directors and administrators who expressed the view that her transition to NCU will not only benefit the University and the Conference but ultimately the work of God in Jamaica. The young Communicator expressed thanks to the Conference Administrators for the Confidence they posited in her during her tenure at the Conference. "I look forward to utilizing my skill sets, experience and knowledge gained at East Jamaica to further the work at the premier Adventist University (NCU)", said Jonas. "I also use this medium to express my profound thanks to the Administrators, Directors and Members of Staff at East Jamaica Conference, for the confidence they exhibited in me as I served as Assistant Communication Director during the period 2010-2013", Jonas said. I crave your prayers as I endeavor to continue the work of our Lord", said Jonas who was of the belief that if she continues to anchor her faith in God, He would give her the wisdom and strength to succeed in this new assignment. (6) Pastoral Reassignments in EJC Four pastors will be installed in new pastoral districts on October 5, 2013 even though their new pastoral assignment will take effect four days prior on October 1, 2013 in East Jamaica Conference. The reassignment of pastors will bring to an end months of speculation by church members as to who would be the replacement pastor for the churches in District # 1, where Pastor Adrian Cotterell, President-EJC had been functioning as church pastor and Zone Leader for almost one year. The North Street SDA Church will now have Pastor Errol Griffiths assigned as the new district pastor for the mother church and the Arnold Road SDA Church, relieving Pastor Adrian Cotterell of that responsibility. The president assumed the role of church pastor when former church pastor, Enroy Ferguson, was reassigned to assist Pastor Glenville Carr, Ministerial Secretary in the Conference Office. Pastor Holland Thompson, pastor of District # 26 and leader of the pastors in Zone 4, will be reassigned as the pastor of District #18 at the New Haven and Riverton Meadows SDA Churches in Kingston. Pastor Holland Thompson will be the new zone leader for pastors in Zone 3. -4-

The vacant position created by the movement of Pastor Holland Thompson from District # 26 will be filled by Pastor Titmus Morgan, who will be the new pastor for the churches in Morant Bay, Wilmington, Needham Pen, Spring Gardens and Morant. Pastor Titmus Morgan will be the new Zone Leader for pastors in St. Thomas.

Pastor Dane Ferguson will be assuming his first assignment as district pastor since he joined the East Jamaica Conference Ministerial Fraternity in January 2010. The new pastor of District #28 will for the first time be chairman of the church boards at the Hampton Court, Rowlandsfield, Arcadia and Wheelerfield circuit of churches on October 1, 2013, when he along with his fellow ministers will assume responsibility for their new districts.

(7) Notices from the Sabbath School / Personal Ministries / Community Services Department 1. East Jamaica Conference thanks all our sponsors and supporters of the Ambassador 2013-2014 Sashing which was held on Sunday, September 22 at the Police Officers Club. 2. September is celebrated as Senior Citizens month: A Banquet and a Convention are being planned in their honour, however, the dates that were communicated will be changed due to other urgent matters. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. The new dates and venues will be announced as soon as they are confirmed.

3. The next regular general class meeting is October 20, 2013 in the EJC boardroom. PLEASE TAKE YOUR REFRESHMENT.
4. EJC School of Evangelism (SOE) monthly Fasting & Prayer @ Hope Gardens October 13, 2013, 6:30 - 9:30 a.m. 5. Grand Festival of the Laity, November 13 -15, 2013 @ Golden Acres & November 16 & 17 at Hagley Park SDA Church students of the School of Evangelism (SOE) and delegates chosen for your churches should begin preparation now. Plan to be in attendance! 6. Belated birthday greetings to our seniors, born January to August & happy birthday to our September celebrants; wishing you good health and long life.

7. EJC SOE Monthly Fasting & Prayer @ Hope Gardens October 13, 2013, 6:30 - 9:30 a.m.
8.

Grand Festival of the Laity, November 13 -15, 2013 @ Golden Acres & November 16 & 17 at Hagley
Park SDA Church students of the School of Evangelism (SOE) and delegates chosen for your churches should begin preparation now. Plan to be in attendance!

9. Belated birthday greetings to our seniors, born January to August & happy birthday to our September celebrants; wishing you good health and long life.

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(8) Notices from the Women's Ministries Department

1.

Counting Down! WMDs, do all you can to have at least one GEM representing your church at the 4 day seminar October 24 -27, 2013. Call immediately and book their place. Adults/Mentors come for your Rest & Relaxation. Bring your friends and coworkers.

2. In preparation for Big City Evangelism we are expected to assist in mobilizing the women to make visits in our community ahead of this campaign. The Lord is calling on us to do our part. 3. Directors Appreciation, Graduation for Soft Skills Training and Levels 2 & 3 Leadership Certification Training will be held December 7, 2013. Venue to be decided. 4. All hard working adults, male and female Book now for a full package of physical rejuvenation from October 24 -27, 2013, at the Holiday Inn Resort. Credit card payments are accepted. WMDs remember, even if no one else sees, our Lord knows all about the ways we serve. He records every detail and in due season He will reward us if we remain faithful.

(9) Notices from the Children's Ministries Department 1. Zone Presidents are asked to complete their Bible Spell-a-thon competition by October 13 in readiness for the EJC finals.

2. All CMDs whose children are engaged in the Child Preachers Training currently are asked to send the names of the children to the office now. We need to prepare certificates for them. 3. Child Preachers Training will be held on Sunday October 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You are also asked to get ready to participate in the Festival of the Laity to be held on November 16, 2013. 4. Directors Appreciation, Graduation for Soft Skills Training and Levels 2 & 3 Leader ship Certification Training will be held December 7, 2013. Venue to be decided. 5. CMDs, you are asked to encourage parents to a make use of the special KIDS in the Kitchen forum to be held October 24-27, 2013 @ Holiday Inn Resort, Montego Bay. The total contribution is $6,000. This includes return fare, seminar and presenters tokens. Book now. 6. Jewels Botanical Retreat! December 23, 2013 Aunties and Uncles, get ready for this.

7. International Childrens Week of Prayer - October 13-19, 2013. CMDs, please engage the children in this meaningful spirit filled activity. Note also that we ask you to end with Adventist Childrens Sabbath. Childrens Sabbath is a day set aside by churches all over the world for the purpose of spotlighting and affirming the children in our midst. It also draws attention to the need of children at risk in the world. Traditionally the North American Division celebrates this special day the first Sabbath in October. This year we ask you to end week of prayer with Childrens Sabbath; however if this date is not available to you, we encourage you to have a childrens Sabbath whenever you can. This day provides a great excuse to invite neighbours, friends, and inactive members to bring their children. The more you put into planning and promoting this special day, the more impact it will have on your church and your community.

No one sends a child on an errand and gets angry with him if he does not do well. Ghana -6-

(10) Special Events Happening in some of our Churches Week-End Gospel Explosion - Constant Spring SDA Church The Constant Spring Seventh-day Adventist Church invites you to its Weekend Gospel Explosion - with Evangelist Fitz Henry. Friday, September 27, 7:00 pm, Saturday, September 28, 9:00 am, and Sunday, September 29, 7:00 pm on the church grounds, 193 Constant Spring Road (right across from Manor Centre) Come hear the Gospel delivered with power and clarity; plus soul-stirring music, and more Weekend Gospel Explosion; September 27-29.Going Home in a Blaze of Glory. Oak Glades SDA Communication Day

The Oak Glades SDA Church 249-251 Spanish Town Road Kingston 13, for the first time presents their Communication Day under the theme: Sharing the WORD Through Technology on Sabbath September 28, 2013. All are invited.

(11) Schedule of Upcoming Conference Dates and Events Dates -2013

Sep 21 -28 Sep 28 Sep 29 Sep 29 Sep 29 Oct 1 - Nov 9 Oct 19 Oct 24 - 27 Nov 13 - 15 Nov 16 - 17 Nov 24 Dec 1 Dec 11 - 14

Event
Health Ministries Emphasis Week Vision One Million Baptism Day Zone 4 - EJC Big City Evangelism & Parish Development Summit Senior Citizen's Banquet - Postponed Medical Missionary Training School Graduation Service @4:00 pm Forty Days of Prayer Begins For Success of Big City Campaign Children's Day GEMS Retreat EJC School of Evangelism Institute 2013 EJC Festival of the Laity Communication Workshop Leaders' Council Camp Meeting

Location
Everywhere Everywhere Morant Bay Kencot SDA Church Everywhere Everywhere Holiday Inn - Montego Bay Golden Acres, Golden Spring Hagley Park SDA Church EJC Board Room Kencot SDA Church Kencot SDA Church

Phillip E. L. Castell Communication Director