Harvest Ingathering Continues

We must never forget that our rapidly changing world, with all its economic and social ills, places upon the Church a great demand for action that really makes a difference. As was emphasized in the Ingathering fervor of 1999, our focus must continue on the multitudes living in temporal and spiritual poverty. About us are communities pregnant with challenges where broken families, unemployment, social ills and low-paying jobs contribute to an unending vicious cycle dysfunction, indigence and violence.

These social ills, which have long been a concern of Seventh-day Adventists, are addressed through the proceeds and programmes developed from the Ingathering Campaign, such as soup kitchens, health screening, refugee and immigration assistance, inner-city work, AIDS ministries and other services provided the Community Mobile Unite. E. G. White, in highlighting our mission to the poor, wrote, "In the city are multitudes who receive less care and consideration than are given to dumb animals."

Clearly, too many of our fellow-men, including children, live amid vice and depravity, molded in character by neglectful environments which breed deviance, sin and criminal violence. Too often the stench of liquor, tobacco, drugs, and moral degradation emerge as factors contributing to hopelessness and distress in our society and to the detriment of our youth.

The Ingathering Campaign provides us with another opportunity to "rescue the perishing and care for the dying." Churches are encouraged once again to organize their Sabbath School units to apportion goals to be reached.

Reprint- Dr. M. D. Toote, Lay Activities Director

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CHURCH IN OBTAINING YOUR GOAL.

GERMAN HOSPITAL 'DEPOSIT CRADLE' FOR UNWANTED BABIES

Waldfriede Hospital has taken a unique approach to rising rates of baby abandonment in Berlin by installing on the outside of its hospital building a so-called "Baby's Cradle" for unwanted babies. The structure, a padded cradle with a door that opens from the outside of the building, is monitored by a video camera 24 hours a day and sounds an alarm in the nursing station if a baby is placed inside. The sole aim of the Baby's Cradle is to provide a safe place for newly born babies -- babies who may otherwise be left in the woods or other public places by their often young, frightened mothers, says Gabrielle Stangl, the chaplain who pioneered the idea at the hospital.

The hospital, an 80-year-old institution owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, is the first in Germany to install such a device, says Stangl, who got the idea in April this year from a patient who had heard of a similar system in use by a private, non-hospital facility in Hamburg, Germany.

"Every year in Germany 40 to 50 babies are found who have been abandoned by their mothers," says Stangl, who points out that some mothers also kill their babies at birth. She says the problem often arises when women -- sometimes as young as 14 or 15 --do not know what to do with unwanted babies. In some cultural groups in Berlin, says Stangl, an unwed woman may face harsh penalties from her family or religious community if she reveals her pregnancy.

Once placed in the Baby's Cradle, a baby will be collected by a nurse within two minutes. The mother of the child will have a period of eight weeks in which to reclaim the baby before an adoptive family is found.

The innovative Baby's Cradle, which officially opened September 12, has attracted media attention across Germany, Europe, and from as far away as the United States. Stangl, who has been a chaplain at Waldfriede Hospital since 1996, says a future project will be to provide obstetric care to mothers who want to preserve anonymity when giving birth. "At the moment this is illegal," says Stangl, who explains that under German law, hospital staff must collect personal information from mothers who deliver at a hospital. "But we are going to try to have this law changed so that young girls who are currently giving birth in public restrooms or the woods can get the care they need," she says. This will not only provide essential medical assistance to these mothers, but will also ensure that the babies they deliver are cared for, says Stangl.ANN

GUIDELINES FOR WEDDINGS

CONCLUSION

As there is no structured liturgy for Seventh-day Adventist weddings, it is suggested that pastors follow the guidelines laid out in the Minister's Manual. Couples marrying should be advised that the wedding ring is not a part of the ceremony, but if they desire to wear the wedding ring, they may do so at any point after the ceremony.

Further clarification on the wedding ring is found on page 150 of the Church Manual. It would be noted, however, that in some countries, the wearing of the wedding ring is considered imperative, and hence, is not considered in a broad sense as an ornament. Under such circumstances, we have no disposition to condemn the practice.

On the question of divorce and remarriage, without reservation, the Seventh-day Adventist minister must uphold the principles of the 7th Commandment as set out in Exodus 20:14. Any lowering of this standard would, in fact, be a lowering of the heavenly ideal for marriage.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared plainly that there could be no dissolution of the marriage ties, except for unfaithfulness to the marriage vow. Therefore, divorced persons seeking marriage within the Seventh-day Adventist Church should produce proof to the satisfaction of the church and the minister that he or she was not the party guilty of adultery. (Adultery may include, but not be limited to, homosexuality).

A separation or divorce, in which unfaithfulness to the marriage vow is not involved, does not give either person the scriptural right to remarry. Should this situation exist, the Adventist minister is not at liberty to remarry the offender to another. Page 183 of the Church Manual states: "A guilty spouse who is divorced has not the moral right to marry another while the innocent spouse still lives and remains unmarried and chaste."

It is important that these guidelines are followed by all ministers to ensure biblical unity within our faith, based on the teaching of scripture and the Spirit of Prophecy.

-L. C. Rolle, Ministerial Director

FOR COUNSELING, CALL 341-4021 or 393 2818

LONGER HOURS FOR ABC

It's new and it's ours! It's our ABC! You would be proud to walk into our spacious, well-stocked Adventist Book Centre, which opened its doors to the public on Monday, October 2, 2000.

What is more exciting is that we now have longer store hours and Sunday shopping to meet the needs of busy Adventists and other residents. Regular store hours are now Mondays to Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The ABC will also be open on Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Come and enjoy the wide variety of your traditional vegetarian foods and some you have never seen before -- from nuts to hot patties, and from cool drinks to dried fruits.

Coming soon will be the island's largest variety of frozen vegetarian meats stocked in our brand-new, upright and full-size freezer. There are books, books, and books, covering every subject from the New Age Movement to having loving relationships. We even have the SDA Bible Commentary on CD Rom. The ABC is located on Harrold Road in our new Conference Office building. Come, a friendly staff awaits you. See you tomorrow!

BIBLE CONFERENCE

The fifth annual Bible Conference will be held November 17-19, featuring Dr. Hans LaRondelle, professor emeritus of Andrews University Theological Seminary. Dr. LaRondelle, one of the Church's pre-eminent scholars, has written extensively on "End-time Events." We are looking forward to benefitting greatly from his ministry during this special weekend. Let us plan to attend, and invite our friends, neighbours and relatives to join us in the study of God's word.

REVIVAL

The Bethany Church cordially invite you to attend a two-week series of revival meetings with Evangelist L. V. McMillan November 5 to 18, 2000. All services will beheld at BA Auditorium, Wulff Road, 7 o'clock nightly.

CRUSADE

The Living Faith Church presents "Search The Scripture Crusade for Christ with Evangelist Isaac Johnson. Beginning November 19, 2000, all roads lead to the big tent. Come hear this seasoned Elder/Evangelist proclaim the word of God with power. -Pastor T. B. Sturrup

BA SECONDARY

**BA Secondary is in urgent need of a substitute English teacher for grades 9 and 10 for the period November 27, 2000, to March 9, 2001. Interested persons should contact Principal Rolle at the school or call 393-3381 during business hours.

BAHAMAS ACADEMY ELEMENTARY & EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

School closed for the mid-term break October 27 to 30, 2000, for students of Bahamas Academy Elementary and the Early Learning Centre. School reopens on Tuesday, October 31.

EDUCATION SUMMIT POSTPONED

Education Summit, which w as scheduled for Sunday, has been postponed to a date to be announced.

NEW MEMBERS INVITED TO JOIN

MASS CHOIR 2001

The Mass Youth Chorale will meet for rehearsal today at 3:30 p.m. at the Living Faith Church, Old Trail Road. Interested persons are invited to become members.

HARMONIOUS PRAISE IN CONCERT

Harmonious Praise will be performing in concert Saturday, November 25, 2000, at the Holy Trinity Centre. You are invited to make a special effort to attend. Tickets are available from members.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Bahamas Conference Workers' Meeting will be held January 2 to 3, 2001. Annual Audit Meetings-January 4 to 5, 2001.

Convention 2001 will be held January 5-6, and the grand opening of the new Conference Office will be held on January 7, 2001.

BAHAMAS CONFERENCE OF SDA EXECUTIVE

COMMITTEE TO MEET

The regular meeting of the Bahamas Conference Executive Committee will convene November 5, 2000, at 9 a.m. at the new Conference Office.

YOUTH DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Attention, all youth! The PAYA Award Banquet will be held at 7 p.m. on December 19, 2000, in SuperClubs Breezes' Ballroom. Tickets will be available next week from your local AY Leaders. Plan now to attend the event of the year! Stay tuned. . . Stay connected!

** One Bahamas Celebrations November 24 to 27

** Remembrance Day March November 12. The march will depart from Grant's Town church to the Cenotaph. All Pathfinders, Adventurers, Masterguides and Adventist Youth leaders are encouraged to support this event in full uniform.

PATHFINDERS DIRECTORS AND AY LEADERS TO ATTEND

PLANNING MEETING

All Pathfinders' Directors and A.Y. Leaders are requested to attend a planning meeting with Youth Director Pastor E. D. Clarke tonight at 8 o'clock at the Hillview Church.

HEALTH MINISTRIES

The Better Living Health Centre presents the Third Annual Health Extravaganza for Better Living this coming Thursday, November 2, at the Mall at Marathon, beginning at 4:30 p.m.

There will be free blood-pressure, cholesterol and blood-sugar screening as well as health lectures. There will also be many health booths for your viewing. This year we will have a special feature on alcoholism. A team of health professionals will be appearing on "You and Your Money" on Monday, October 30, at 8:00 p.m. on ZNS TV-11. The programme will be rebroadcast the following Monday, November 6.

We hope that every church, through your local health ministries department, will get involved. We need nurses for blood-pressure screening. If you would like to participate, please contact your local health ministries director or Ida or Alvira at The Better Living Health Centre at 323-5473.

BANQUET OF THE NEW CENTURY

SDA Children's Ministries Banquet will be held at the Nassau Marriott Crystal Place November 26, 2000, from 1 p.m. until. The banquet is open to children aged five and above. Tickets are $15. Please see your Children's Ministries Leader or contact R. Smith at 325-6885.

**VIDEO TAPES of the Memorial Service and State Funeral for Sir Lynden Pindling, former Prime Minister of the Bahamas, are available for $25 at the ABC.

Sun sets today at 6:31 p.m.

Sun sets next Sabbath at 6:27 p.m.

Download The Logos at

www.tagnet.org/wiunion.bahamas

BETHANY SDA CHURCH IN SEARCH OF PROPERTY