Religious Liberty: A Valuable Tool

What is Religious Liberty? This is one of the most frequently asked questions in our conference. Historically, the Public Affairs & Religious Liberty (PARL) Department has been very much involved with representation to Governments, Parliaments and other stakeholders and assemblies to ensure that religious liberty is acknowledged and respected without infringements upon the freedoms and rights of the individual. As such, religious liberty as a ministry is one of the oldest in the Church and still carries on its vital role for Adventists and believers of other faiths.

Yet much more needs to be done at the local rather than the national level. The promotion of religious liberty in the local church is an essential exercise. Without it, no church could freely convene to worship God in spirit and in truth and in the very beauty of holiness. Indeed, believers in any number of places around the world would covet the freedom of religion and rights of association that many take for granted in the context of the Bahamas. Fact is, restriction or prejudice of any kind can hinder the spread of the gospel, and, in such cases would need to be challenged.

Surely, religious liberty has never come easily, and history reveals that a lot of blood and tears were shed in achieving the comfort and ease with which we have come to live out our life and faith. Many of our seniors can recall some of the challenges encountered in the church’s early days in the Bahamas when members had commit themselves to the teachings of scripture as proclaimed by the church amid great opposition. Thankfully, despite all of this the Seventh-day Adventist church in the Bahamas has flourished.

Further, religious liberty remains a valuable tool which, when properly used, breaks down prejudices while upholding justice for all without regard to religion, race, creed or colour. Every enabler of religious liberty will discover his or her marching orders in the words of the Prophet Micah who says, ‘The Lord has shown us what is good. What He requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show people love always, and to live a humble life in fellowship with God on a regular basis (Micah 6:8 GNT).

The church has sometimes been the victim of religious intolerance, and should identify with the rights of everyone to freely, with responsibility, choose their own individual beliefs and to practice their convictions as they see fit without prejudicing the civil and religious rights of others. It was Jesus, our Savior, who said that He was empowered by the Spirit to preach to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to deliver the captives, to recover sight to the blind and to set at liberty those whose rights were crushed, oppressed, denied or ‘bruised’. Consequently, the gospel of liberation Jesus spoke so passionately about needs to be heeded and practiced.

Moreover, the Bible itself promotes religious liberty. God is a God of freedom and does not force or impose Himself on us. He cherishes our free response of love to Him and His Son. Next, religious liberty upholds human dignity. Without an appreciation for the individual rights and freedom of people, religion becomes a merciless tyrant. Accordingly, religious liberty safeguards the dignity of every human being. Also, as a fledgling Christian organization, religious liberty helps to make society aware of our special needs as God’s peculiar people of prophecy, especially in relation to Sabbath keeping, thus using it as a witness to win others over to the One who alone is worthy of worship, honor and glory in the context of the pending Great controversy. -Dr. M.D. Toote, PARL Director

Lincoln Steed, Liberty Magazine Editor To Visit Nassau

Lincoln Steed, editor of the Liberty Magazine, a magazine of religious freedom published by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, will be one of the special guests at the Festival of Religious Freedom that will be hosted by the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department (PARL) of the Atlantic Caribbean Union under the theme "Giving Thanks." The celebration will begin at 3:00 p.m. today (December 3), at the Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church, Fifth Terrace, Nassau in the South Bahamas Conference, the host conference for the event.

PARL is focused mainly on ensuring that the God-given universal human right of religious freedom truly becomes a universal reality, and in light of this endeavor, ACUM will celebrate the religious liberty enjoyed by the citizens of the Bahamas.

"This is an opportunity for us as Adventists to encourage the nation to join with us in saying thanks for the religious freedom we enjoy in this country, the Bahamas," Elder Isaac Collie, PARL Director of ACUM said. "In addition to Elder Steed, Mr. Dwayne Leslie, Director of Legislative Affairs at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and Pastor Roberto Herera, Director of Religious Liberty for the Inter-American Division of the General Conference will be celebrating with us."

All are invited to share in the event which will begin with a Pathfinder march followed by a grand concert and food for thought. Government, civic, and religious leaders from around the country will be in attendance. -Dr. Cheryl Rolle, Communication Director, ACUM

Convention Time Again!

Convention 2012 goes to the Family Island! Our conference will have a number of teams going to the Family Islands. If you wish to join one of the teams, we are kindly asking you to contact the conference office. The telephone number is: 341-4021.
Let us travel to the family Islands and share FEDS with our beloved brethren and community friends. In addition to the Family Island focus in January 2012, our BIG afternoon convention-style meeting called "State of the Conference" will be held on January 7, 2012 at the Hillview Church at 4:00 o’clock. Come, worship and share in the great things that God has wrought through His servants in ...

F-ellowship
E-vangelism
D-iscipleship
S- ervice and Stewarship! -Administration

Pastoral Adjustments

Our members are kindly asked to note the following pastoral adjustments/appointments:
Pastor Keith A. Albury – Good News/Adelaide District (Effective December 2011)
Pastor Lynden Williams – New Englerston/Peardale District (Effective November 2011)
Pastor Asha-Dane Duncan – South Andros District (Effective December 2011)
Pastor Wilfred Adderley – Redemption District (Effective December 2011)

Bahamas Academy Spotlight

- December 5, 2011 - Bahamas Academy’s annual Christmas Programme will be at the Holy Trinity Activities Centre, Stapledon Gardens at 7:00 P.M. Make this event a family affair and get your ticket at the school on Monday morning or later at the door. Students should be at the centre by 6:30 P.M. School will be dismissed at 12:00 Noon in order to prepare for the evening’s event.
- December 14, 2011 - Report Card Day from 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 Noon and 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
- December 15, 2011 - Sports Day. Secondary Division at the Thomas A. Robinson Sports Centre. Elementary Division at the College of The Bahamas Sports Field. School closes for the Christmas break. -Mr. Anthony Burrows, Principal

SAT Examination

All individuals taking the SAT tomorrow (Sunday, December 4, 2011), are reminded to report to the examination room at Bahamas Academy, Marshall Road no later than 7:45 A.M. in order to start the examination on time at 8:00 A.M. Bring a scientific calculator and at least two No. 2 pencils. -Mrs. Denise Johnson, Test Administrator

Sabbath School Report

All SS Superintendents are asked to submit the number of SS classes in their churches to the SS Director by Wednesday, December 7. Kindly indicate the number of classes in the following categories:

Adult (36+ years); Young Adult (19-35); Youth (15-18); Earliteen (13-14); Junior (10-12); Primary (6-9); Kindergarten (3-5); Beginner (0-2). –Pastor W. T. Adderley, SS Director

ATV53 Is Calling You

Calling all singers, musicians and poets who would like to be featured during this Christmas Season and in the upcoming weeks on ATV 53! Please contact us at the media department of the South Bahamas Conference at 341-4021 ext 242 to be scheduled for recording. We wish to thank those of you who have already accepted this request and we eagerly await those of you who are also willing to share your talents to the honour and glory of God.

As we move into the New Year and into more exciting programming for ATV 53, please watch here for upcoming changes in program times and dates. Also, anticipate new shows that will begin in January 2012. -Media Department

SDA Cat Island Advancement Society To Meet

The regular monthly meeting of the S.D.A. Cat Island Advancement Society will be held on Sunday, December 4, at 10:00 A.M. at the Hillview Church. All members and friends of Cat Island are invited. -Bro. Norman Seymour

Meistersingers To Sing Handel’s Messiah At Government House

The Meistersingers, under the patronage of President Paul Scavella, is pleased to present the Christmas portion of Handel's Messiah on Saturday, 17th December at 8:00 P.M. in the Ballroom of Government House.Come and experience the best of choral singing and solos by leading singers in The Bahamas. In supporting this event you will also be assisting Bahamas Academy, as part of the proceeds is to assist the school.The performance is under the direction of Founding Director, Audrey Dean-Wright. -Meistersingers

Ingathering

Ingathering continues! Share the love of Christ as you go out in the neighbourhood. -Pastor Andrew E. Burrows, ACS Coordinator

Conference-Wide Officers’ Workshop

Our conference will host a Conference-wide Church Officers' Workshop on January 8, 2012 at 8:00 A.M. at the Hillview Church. All serving officers for 2012 are urged to take advantage of these workshops. -Office of the Secretariat

It’s Our Golden Anniversary!

Centreville Church celebrates its Golden Anniversary under the Theme: 50 Years of Witnessing, Praising & Worshipping. Services will be held: Wednesday, December 7; Friday, December 9; and Sabbath, December 10. Plan to attend with your entire family and don't forget to invite a special guest. Be there and be blessed! -Centreville Anniversary Committee

SBC Workers’ Meeting

Workers' Meeting for the South Bahamas Conference will be held on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at Bahamas Academy, Marshall Road at 8:00 A.M. -Administration

Singles’ Conference

The New Providence and Real Harvest Churches hold the last session of their Singles Conference 2011 today at the New Providence Church at 4:30 p.m. followed by a grand social. -Sister Alareece Collie, Asst. A.Y. Leader, Real Harvest

Hour Of Gospel Music

Today from 5:00 P.M. - 6:00 P.M., the hour of gospel music will take place at the Mary Ingraham Home (MIH) with the Parkgate Church. Next Sabbath, December 10, the Peardale Church is scheduled. -Elder Admiral Forbes, Administrator, MIH

Good News Church Invitation

The Good News Seventh-day Adventist church presents “A Guide to Healthy Living” with guest speakers Dr. Alvira Higgs and Sister Andrea Linden on Sunday, December 11, at 2:00 P.M. at Good News Fellowship Hall, Flamingo Garden, Great Britain Street. -Lakeria Higgs/Venus Armbrister

Western Region Chorale Rehearsal

Western Region Chorale meets tomorrow at 4:30 P.M. at the Grant's Town SDA Church. -Nelson Bain

"We Are In; Praise The Lord!

On November 26, the Message of Hope Church celebrated God’s goodness in giving us the opportunity to worship in our new building at Old Bahamas Academy, Wulff Road. Although our building renovations are not completed, we were thankful, enthusiastic and thrilled. We express sincere thanks to President Paul Scavella and his team at the South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for helping us to accomplish this task. We kindly solicit your prayers, physical and financial support as we seek to accomplish our goals. Our most urgent needs are an alarm system, hurricane impact windows, and new doors.

Today at 9:15 A.M., we celebrate our Homecoming, Community Guest Day and fellowship service under the theme: "Endless Love." Come to MOH and bring a love offering to assist with our on-going building project. -Pastor Barrington Brennen, MOH

Holiday Vegetarian Cooking Class

This is your last chance to be a part of a Vegetarian Cooking Extravaganza for the year 2011. Cooking class will be held on Sunday, December 4 (tomorrow) at the New Providence SDA Church from 2:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M. Come and learn how to create that holiday fruit cake and many others. -Dr. Idamae Hanna, Health Ministries Director

Adventist Men’s Concert

The annual Adventist Men's Christmas Concert will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Kirk on Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 P.M. You are encouraged to support our brothers by sharing in an evening of praise and thanksgiving. -Elder Anthony Roach, Choir Director

Orlando Health Summit

Don't miss the Orlando Health Summit on January 27 - February 6, 2012. If you want to be trained in community and health evangelism, this summit is for you. There are 2 three-day seminars as well as a full-week seminar to choose from. Seminar topics include: Engaging Youth in Health Outreach, Fitness for Life, Depression Recovery Training, Foundations of Faith, Community Nursing, Youth Alive: Reducing At-Risk Behaviors and a Vegetarian Food Instructor course. Keynote speakers are Pastors Ted Wilson, General Conference president and Mark Finley. Each church is encouraged to sponsor two persons. For more information, contact the conference office or Dr. Idamae Hanna at 341-4021 or 328-5658 respectively. -Dr. Idamae Hanna, Health Ministries Director

SDA Burial Society To Meet

The regular monthly meeting of the SDA Burial Society will be held on Monday, December 5 at the Grant’s Town Church Annex at 7:00 P.M. Seven deaths are recorded to date. Members can become financial and persons desirous of joining are welcomed. -Elder R. Henry Moncur

Hillview Children’s Cantata
The Hillview Children's Choir presents “The Whole Story”, a Christmas Cantata on Sabbath, December 17, at 4:00 P.M. Come and be blessed. -Sister Jackie Brown

Position Available

The South Bahamas Conference is seeking the services of a qualified IT personnel with sound knowledge of Sun Accounting. All applicants are required to submit an application form that can be retrieved from the website: bahamasconference.com along with a forward letter and copies of relevant documents declaring qualifications by January 31, 2012. Application should be addressed to: Search Committee, South Bahamas Conference, P.O. Box N-356, Nassau, Bahamas.

Youth Weekend – December 10 and 11

- Sabbath A.M. - Service in local Church
- Sabbath P.M. - Masterguides Investiture service

Pathfinder exhibition - December 11 at Old Bahamas Academy at 8:30 A.M. All clubs should be ready to demonstrate their skills. -Pastor Kent Price, Youth Director

SUN SETS TODAY AT 5:19 P.M.
SUN SETS NEXT SABBATH,
DECEMBER 10 AT 5:21 P.M.
www.bahamasconference.org

Tags: Ministry