Guided by the recommendations of a committee of seasoned educators, the Conference Committee voted to amalgamate the elementary and secondary divisions of Bahamas Academy. The new Principal, Mrs. Lynn Smith is assisted by two vice principals, a senior master and a senior mistress. Mr. Marcus Rahming serves as Vice-principal of the secondary division, and Mr. Ronald Julien, the Senior Master is responsible for discipline in this division. The Vice-principal of the elementary division is Mrs. Celestine Creighton, and Mrs. Hermia Brown serves as senior mistress. Miss Desiree Brown continues as coordinator of the program at the Early Learning Centre.

The new Business Manager for Bahamas Academy, Mrs. Cherry Blackmore, is assisted by two accountants, Nelson Bain and Lethera Knowles, and a cashier, Mrs. Marion Bethel. This team in the Business Office has pledged to render service with a smile.

The Principal and Business Manager occupy the offices in the northern section of the reconditioned Home Economics building. Mrs. Alwhyne Scavella will serve as the Administrative Assistant to the Principal and Business Manager.

Mr. Ron Pratt has been appointed Business Manager of the Grand Bahama Academy. This appointment frees the principal, Mr. Haydn Hanna to give more attention to public relations and supervision of the program at GBA.

By the end of the third day of school, the enrollment at grand Bahama Academy stood at 242. At Bahamas Academy 450 were in attendance at the elementary division and 42 at the ELC. The secondary division had 430 on the roll. Within another week, we anticipate a significant increase in the enrollment in both Bahamas Academy and Grand Bahama Academy.

As the new school year begins, we request the prayers and support of all who are interested in Christian education. We believe that God is able to help us deal with the many challenges that confront Christian education in our changing times.-J. Carey, Director of Education

Listen-Up Bahamas Owing to technical difficulty at ZNS, the programme Listen-up was not aired last Sunday. However, check us out as we handle the heavy topic this month - HOMOSEXUALITY! What is it? Is it a sin? What is the solution? Meet a homosexual who came out of the closet at 18, and hear his story. You will be sorry if you miss this one! Tune in September 8, at 10:30 a.m., on ZNS TV 13 and Cable 11.

The National Pathfinder March On Sunday, September 22, 2002, beginning at 200 p.m., over 2,000 Pathfinders, Masterguides, Adventurers, Eager Beavers and two lively Pathfinder Marching Bands are expected to take to the streets of Nassau for the 2^nd Annual Pathfinder Parade and Rally.

Under the theme "Trendsetters," pathfinders will march in the formation of their individual churches, from Windsor Park to Clifford Park (Fort Charlotte), demonstrating that there is a healthy alternative to the many ills that plague our society.

Expected in attendance at the rally are Governor-General, Dame Ivy Dumont, Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia Pratt, and the Minister of Youth, Honorable Neville Wisdom, President of the Bahamas Conference of SDA, K. D. Albury, and other Conference officials.

In view of this, all churches are invited to prepare banners portraying the essence of the theme, "Trendsetters" as a healthy alternative. Churches are encouraged to turn out in full force as we will be marching by churches. Those without uniforms may march in Pathfinder T-shirts or church’s colour following the last uniform group.

All persons taking part in the parade are asked to be at Windsor Park no later than 12:30 p.m. to facilitate the punctual start of the march.

The following uniform table shows the minimum numbers suggested for each church:

Finally, there will be a Pathfinder Council meeting on Monday, September 9, 2002, at 7 p.m. at the Johnson Park Church. Agenda items are Pathfinder March and Rally and the Pathfinders Exhibition to be held on October 13, 2002.

Education Corner This is a weekly feature sponsored by Bahamas Academy  See Page

Parents play an integral role in the educational process and without their support and participation, the school will not be successful in reaching its objectives for the children.

Parents who are involved do make a difference! Research shows that when parents are involved, test scores improve, incidents of violence decrease, and vulnerability to drug or alcohol abuse lessens. Involvement is the key to creating a sense of belonging.

Teachers and schools need parents very much. Parents are their children's first teachers. A full, rich education is best achieved when the child and his/her family participate in the school's programs.

Bahamas Academy realizes the important role parents play in the success of the students and the school. Therefore, we willingly encourage the participation of parents. This year, it is our desire to create the kind of climate on our campus that will be "parent friendly"-an atmosphere where parents will enjoy interacting with the teachers, and where parents will be treated by all staff members as the special customers they are.

Here are some ways parents can become involved and show their support for the school:

Attend PTA meetings as regularly as possible.

Become familiar with the topics your child is studying.

Check notebooks on a regular basis.

Read, in front of your children, all correspondence from the school and respond positively to what is written.

Refrain from negative comments about teachers or the school in front of the children.

Assist with homework or projects with a willing spirit.

Demonstrate by your attitude and cooperation that school is important.

Pray for your child's/children's success in school.

Pray for your child's/children's teachers during family worship.

Pray during your private devotions for a teacher or situation that may be causing you some concern.

Pray regularly for the school, its teachers, and its administrators.

South Andros Lay Training Under the theme "Preparation for our Mission," Dr. M. D. Toote, Personal Ministries Director of the Bahamas Conference, conducted a Lay Training Workshop at the New Macedonia SDA Church, Kemp’s Bay Andros from August 30 to September 1, 2002. In keeping with the ongoing thrust of providing training for the mobilization of the laity for the purpose of sustaining evangelism in the local church, thirty-five persons from the South Andros Circuit, namely Kemp’s Bay, Driggs Hill and New Macedonia, were awarded certificates upon successfully participating in the course.

The hope is that the training and inspiration of the weekend would result in enhanced soulwinning through campaigns scheduled for South Andros in the month of October. -Personal Ministries

Volunteer Nurses to Meet All nurses who have volunteered or would like to volunteer to assist in the Nursing Assistance program at Bahamas Academy are requested to meet at the secondary division auditorium, on Saturday night, September 14, 2002 at 8:15. If you are unable to attend, please call 341-4021 Ext. 228 -J. Carey

Kemp’s Bay SDA Concert Kemp’s Bay SDA Church will host a gospel concert in aid of the development of the work in Kemp’s Bay the 5th of Oct., at H.D. Colburn Gym, Bahamas Academy, on Wulff Road at 8:00 p.m. Family Island style musical renditions, recitals and more will be included.

Guest emcees : Mr. Picewell Forbes and Mr. Wycliffe Miller, both of ZNS. Come and show your support for South Andros. -C. Miller

Breath of Life SDA Church Calendar

1. Sabbath, September 28 - Youth Super Sabbath

2. Sunday, September 29 - Launching of Bible Reader-A-Ton (Annual Bible Marathon)

3. October 4-6 Prayer Retreat

4. October 18 - Launching of Church Crusade -Joan Duncombe

Adventist Book Centre The Adventist Book Centre cordially invite you to visit the ABC on a regular basis. A wide variety of books, Bibles, and an assortment of vegetarian products are available during regular business hours. Call us at 341-2429 -Kenny V. A. Deveaux, Manager ABC

‘Adventist Spotlight’ "Adventist Spotlight," which is seen on Cable Bahamas, Channel 12, from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, features this week will be Pastor Leonard A. Johnson of Bahamas Conference. Topic "The Faithfulness of God. A rebroadcast will be aired on Tuesday at 8 p.m.

Health Wellness Seminar Coming in November A Health Wellness Seminar will be conducted in New Providence by Dr. Donald R. Hall, November 14 to 16, 2002 at the Radisson Hotel.

Registration for this seminar continues at the Conference office, Ext. 247 and at the Better Living Health Centre, East Street. Cost of seminar will cover training manual, certification, one session of Vegetarian Cuisine Cooking Lessons and Sabbath meal. Deadline for registration is October 31, 2002.

All Masterguides planning to attend West Indies Union Camporee 2003, in Nassau, are asked to register with the Youth Deaprtment now! It is imperative that you register at this time. Kindly come by the youth department or call for information at Ext. 245.

Persons interested in attending Masterguides classes are asked to submit their name to the youth secretary at 341-4021 Ext. 245

Youth Forum continues Friday, September 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Grant’s Town Church. Young people are especially invited.

Camp Meeting Tapes Available – Video and Audio tapes from the Camp Meeting are now available at the Conference Office. CD’s can be made available upon request.

Material available – Masterguides and Pathfinders materials are now in stock at the Conference Office

Projections for the remainder of the year –

Bible Bowl

Speech Contest

Week of Prayer

Visit from World Youth Director, Dr. Baraka Mugande

If you have special programs in your church send us a short note so we would know what is happening in your area.

Health Extravaganza 2002 The 5^th Annual Health Extravaganza for Better Living will be held at the Mall at Marathon, Thursday, October 10^th from 5 o’clock to 8:00 p.m. Bring your children to the Puppet show to learn all about Smoking Joe. Come and get your blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar screened. Test taste delicious vegetarian dishes and drinks. Participate in aerobics and relax with a soothing chair massage after watching the cooking and hydrotherapy demonstrations. You will never be the same! Don’t forget to tune in at 8 o’clock on Monday, October 7^th to ‘You and Your Money on ZNS T.V. 11

Masterguides Needed! Masterguides are especially invited to learn how to do chair massage. To participate call Ida at 323-5473

Vegetarian Dishes Needed In conjunction with the Health Extravaganza, a test taste of vegetarian dishes will be available, persons are invited to participate in this community project. Call Marlene at 364-0085 to volunteer. -Idamae Hanna

BA Early Learning Centre The Bahamas Academy Early Learning Centre is still accepting enrollment applications for K2 to K4, at the Elementary division on Penny Bank Lane. Applications may be collected from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Mon. To Thurs.) -Desiree Brown, Coordinator

Community Services/Pathfinder Expo 2002 Plans are underway for the Community Services/Pathfinder Expo October 13, 2002. Churches are encouraged to call in their orders for tents, tables, etc. as soon as possible at 341-4021 Ext. 245.

Centreville’s Lay Revival Continues The Centreville SDA Church continues its revival meetings under the theme "Lift Him Up". Speakers are evangelist Yvon Cherenfant and evangelist Howard Knowles. Meetings are held nightly, except Thursday and Saturday, from 7:00 to 8:30 p m. Services continue to September 15, 2002. All are invited to attend. -Pansy Hamilton-Brown

Conference Calendar

Departmental Meeting - Sept. 16, at 8:30 a.m. at headquarters.

Ministers’ Meeting (New Providence only) - Sept. 18, at 8:30 a.m. at headquarters.

Joint Forum on Church Issues will be held Sept. 28 at 4 p.m. at the Hillview Church

Dedication of the Living Faith Church, October 27, 2002, at 3 p.m.

 

 

Radio Talk Shows

Tower 104.5, With B-Man and Marlene McKinney, Monday mornings 6:30 to 7:00 a.m.

Turning Point Ministries, 1540 A.M., Sundays 2 o’clock to 2:30 p.m.

Alvira Higgs, 1240 A.M., Wednesday mornings at 9:15 a.m.

Attention Church Clerks All Church Clerks are kindly asked to contact the Secretariat Department at the Conference at 341-4021/2 Ext 242 during the week beginning Sept. 9.