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Conference Session & Proposed Constitutional Amendments

O n January 8, 2003, delegates and members will convene for the first historical quadrennial session of our Conference at the Hillview SDA Church. According to The Local Model Conference Constitution and Bylaws, it is required that notice be given of the session and any proposed amendments. Article XII, entitled Amendments, states that "Notice of any proposed changes to the constitution and bylaws of this conference shall be given specifically in conjunction with the publication of notice for the session." Thus in compliance with aforementioned, notice is here given of the first quadrennial session to be held January 8-10, 2003, at the Hillview Seventh-day Adventist Church beginning at 7 p.m.

Proposed Amendments to the Local Model Constitution.

According to Article III—Representation Section 1.a -Regular Delegates— All delegates duly accredited by any one of the organized churches of the conference. Each church shall be entitled to one delegate for the organization and one additional delegate for each 150 members or major fraction thereof, beyond the first 10 members and who hold membership in the local church which accredits them. Except for the part stating beyond the first 10 members this is basically the same when compared to the previous constitution.

According to Article  IV—Committees Section 1. Organizing Committee— The membership of the organizing committee shall be composed of a number equal to the total number of pastoral districts in the Conference, plus 10% of the delegates at large seated: a. Each pastoral district shall be entitled to one delegate. b. The delegates at large, meeting as a group, under the direction of the union president or the person designated by him shall choose a number equal to ten percent of the number of the delegates at large seated. As it relates to this article, significant changes are proposed. To explain, in The Model Constitution and Bylaws, Section 1 states that the Organizing Committee membership shall be composed of a number equal to 33% of the organized churches, plus 10% of such number of the delegates at large, shall be constituted as follows: a. The regular delegates of the organizing committee will be distributed among the areas/zones of the conference according to membership. To establish the ratio, the conference membership will be divided by a number equal to 33% of organized churches. This ratio will be applied to the membership of each area in order to determine its representatives from among the pastoral districts to the organizing committee. b. The delegates at large, meeting as a group, under the direction of the union president or the person designated by him shall choose a number equal to ten percent of the number of the regular delegates for the organizing committee.

In contrast to The Model Local Conference Constitution the proposed amendments voted by the Conference’s Executive Committee to be passed on to The Session for ratification seeks a compromise between what was practised during the previous session versus what is in the Model Constitution. To explain, the old Constitution as it pertains to the Organizing Committee, allowed for 1 delegate per church and an additional delegate for each 500 members. As the current Model Constitution does not subscribe to this and has significantly reduced what was previously in the former constitution, the Standing Committee on Constitution has sought to effect a balance or an accommodation allowing for some representation by each pastoral district. On the other hand, if we were to adopt the Model Constitution as is, not every pastoral district would have a delegate on the Organizing Committee. In fact, some would have none, hence the proposed amendment noted in the previous paragraph that is underlined allowing for one per pastoral district.

As for the Nominating Committee, it is proposed that it shall "consist of 17 members to include up to 50 percent lay persons". Previously, there were 21 members with 50 % lay membership.

Pertaining to the Executive Committee, the following is proposed: Section 1. Membership— The executive committee of the Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists shall be elected at its regularly scheduled constituency meeting and shall include the president, secretary and treasurer of the conference, the full-time departmental directors, the publishing ministry director, one administrator of the conference institutions on an annual rotating basis, and one other non-office employee. Additionally, 25% of the number mentioned above shall be district pastors. In addition, 55% of the total number mentioned above shall be non-denominational employees. This amendment allows for a wider lay representation on the Executive Committee.

Finally, it is hoped that all members will note these proposed amendments to be discussed and voted upon at session. All delegates should receive a full copy of the proposed Constitution shortly as the Office of The Secretariat is still awaiting for all churches to submit the names of their delegates. Churches are hereby reminded that the extended deadline has passed. It is hoped that by Monday morning, December 16, all names will be turned in to the Office of The Secretariat as the printers will not wait beyond that time. - Administration

PTA Cantata And Banquet A Success  Grand Bahama did it again in grand style. On Sunday, December 8, the Grand Bahama Academy PTA executed a night of elegant dinning and Christmas music at the grand ballroom at Our Lucaya. The Freeport Church Choir blessed hundreds who attended as they listened to the cantata "Mary, Did You Know?" Melodious voices filled the air bringing in the season of Christmas with beautiful singing. When the cantata was finished none other than, Herbert Gibson, better known as Herbert G, the radio announcer entertained the audience. He is an alumnus of Bahamas Academy and a member of the Grand Bahama PTA. His baritone voice took us from romantic songs of the 70's to seasonal songs such as "O Holy Night." Mr. Gibson not only entertained the audience with his music, but also with laughter. Hats off to the PTA president, Todd Beneby, and his team for a job well done. - Dr. J. Carey, Education Director

How God Provided and Provides!  Moses and his people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and feeding 2 to 3 million people requires a lot of food. According to the Quartermaster General in the US Army, it is reported that Moses would have to have had 1,500 tons of food each day. Do you know that to bring that much food each day, two freight trains, each at least a mile long, would be required?

Besides, remember, they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood to use in cooking. This would take 4,000 tons of wood carried today in a few more freight trains, each a mile long, just for one day. And just think, they were forty years in transit. And oh yes! They would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11,000,000 gallons each day and a freight train with tank cars, 1,800 miles long, just to bring water!

Another thing! They had to get across the Red Sea at night (Exodus 14: 19–24). Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to get through. So maybe there had to be a space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5,000 abreast to get over in one night. But then, there is another problem each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground about the size of one third of the island of Andros (2,300 sq. mi. x 33% = 759 square miles). Think of it! This much space for camping! (see p. 2)

Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not! You see, Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him. Now do you think God has any problem taking care of all our needs? Remember the promise of Philippians 4: 19. He will provide for us, guide us and protect us as we go along our way. His love is always with us, His promises are true, and when we give Him all our cares, you know He will see us through.

God has been so faithful to us this year. We have been recipients of so much of His mercy and grace that our attitude should be one of gratitude. At the Conference Office we would like to praise God for the faithfulness exhibited by those members who return God’s tithe, give consistently and systematically a freewill covenant offering and use their talents to glorify God in service to the church and community. Remember, "whenever God’s people, in any period of the world, have cheerfully and willingly carried out His plan in systematic benevolence and in gifts and offerings, they have realized the standing promise that prosperity should attend all their labors just in proportion as they obeyed His requirements. When they acknowledged the claims of God, and complied with His requirements, honoring Him with their substance, their barns were filled with plenty." (Counsels on Stewardship, p. 347 and also Malachi 3: 10 – 12.)

At this season of the year when so many gifts are going to be given, let’s also remember to put God first. Where there are areas that need to be brought up to date in tithes and offerings and living right, let’s straighten up with God for He has provided and provides. Our God is an Awesome God!! (Access the new GC Stewardship, website, www.Adventiststewardship.com  for sermons, resources, etc.) -M. A. Smith, Stewardship Ministries

Francophone Church  The Francophone Church will host a live radio broadcast on ZNS 1 1540, from the church on Balfour Avenue and Exuma Street, Sunday, December 15, 2002, from 7 to 8 p.m. You are cordially invited to tune in. -Pastor Edward St. Fleur

Education Corner

This is a weekly column sponsored by Bahamas Academy of Seventh-day Adventists

The first term of the new school year has come to an end and another term has begun. Students have completed their exams and now it's time to find out how they did.

Report Card Day is scheduled in both divisions for Wednesday, December 18 during the following times: 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon; 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. We encourage all our parents to plan the time when they will come to the respective schools to pick up their child's/children's report cards. We encourage you, too, to spend some time talking with your child's/children's teacher(s) to ascertain how they're doing socially and behaviorally in school.

Many parents do not enjoy report card days because it either conjures up negative reminders of their own childhood days, or it brings apprehension that the report may not be a good one. We at Bahamas Academy want to change your perception of report card days by letting you know that we are there to encourage you as a parent and to offer suggestions regarding ways you can help your child improve.

Here are some points to keep in mind when you come to Report Card Day:

!Go with a positive attitude, expecting to get a good report on your child.

!Ask the teacher for specific ways you can help your child improve in the subject(s) the child is weakest in.

!Listen objectively and don't be so quick to defend your child. Teachers know your child better than you think.

!Remember that everyone has weak areas as well as strong areas. If your child did well in all subjects except one, praise his good work in those subjects as opposed to harping on that one subject he fell in.

!Do not compare the grades of brothers and sisters. Remember that each child is different and each child has different strengths and weaknesses. This gives you an opportunity to praise each child for the strength he/she possesses.

!Thank the teacher(s) for the hard work they are doing in preparing your child/children for life.

We would like to encourage you, too, to use this opportunity to let us, as administrators, know how we can better assist you as we train your children. Stop by our offices on Report Card Day and let us know how we're doing, how we can improve in certain areas, and how we can make Bahamas Academy a school we can all be proud of.

We have some exciting plans to share with you about our future as a school and we look forward to your continued support and cooperation.

The administration, staff, and students of Bahamas Academy congratulate Dr. John Carey, Education Director of Bahamas Conference, and Dr. Pastor H. A. Roach, former Principal of Bahamas Academy, for the Nation Builders Award they received on Wednesday, De. 11, at Government House.

Please note the holiday hours for our offices:

Thursday, Dec. 19: 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon

Friday, Dec. 20: 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon

Dec. 23 - Jan. 1: OFFICES CLOSED

Thursday, Jan. 2: 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon

Friday, Jan. 3: 8:30 a.m. - 12 noon

Monday, Jan. 6: Regular hours (school re-opens)  -Lynn C. Smith, Principal

Gospel Concert to be held  The Committee for A better Bahamas invites you to attend a Spiritual concert in aid of The Bahamas Dream Academy on Sunday, December 22, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. at the Crystal Palace Hotel, Ballroom. You can't afford to miss this grand spirit-filled event, being held under the patronage of The Governor-General Her Excellency, Dame Ivy Dumont.

Featured Artists include: Harmonious Praise, BARAC, Dr. Floyd Carter, New Providence Church Choir, Francophone -Adventist Men, BOL Children's Choir, Erica Miller, Paula Musgrove, Allison Mason, Precious Praise Interpretive Choir and Calvary Deliverance Praise Team. You are requested to support this concert and bring a generous donation. For more information call 393-1493 or 322-5110 -Pansy Hamilton Brown, Organizer

Living Faith Church to Honor First Elder  Living Faith Church will honour its First Elder, Isaac Johnson, at a Testimonial Banquet on Saturday, December 28, 2002, 7:30 p.m., at Casuarinas of Cable Beach, West Bay Street. Persons interested in attending are kindly asked to contact Vesta Williams at #393-0027, Andria Musgrove at #362-1444 and Marjorie Dorsett at #364-6281 for tickets.

The Triple ‘C’ Family Plan  Have you registered as yet and become a member of the Triple ‘C’ Family Plan? The acceptance and implementation of the Triple ‘C’ Family Plan are projected to bring untold blessings to the church family and to the spread of the gospel. Remember, we need 1,000 persons throughout the Conference signed up before the end of the year in order for the program to be fully implemented. Let us seek together with this Plan the mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Let us continue to pray for and sign up for the Triple ‘C’ Family Plan.

"WE ARE A FAMILY-TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE IT." Check out the new Stewardship and Family Ministries Websites at http://familyministries.gc.adventist.org/ and www.Adventiststewardship.com for resources, sermons, information, etc. -M. A. Smith, Stewardship

Meistersingers to hold Christmas Special  Sabbath, December 28, at 4 p.m. at the Hillview Church, the Meistersingers will host a special Christmas concert. All are sister churches are invited to attend.

Convention Choir Rehearsal  General choir rehearsal for the Convention Choir will be held at the Grant’s Town Church, Wellington Street, at the following dates and time: Friday, Jan. 3, 2003 at 7 p.m. Sabbath, Jan. 4 at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5 at 5:30 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m.

All Adventist Men are especially invited to participate and attend rehearsals for Convention 2003. -Nelson J. Bain

MaraPhila/PhilaMara Churches  Today will be celebrated as youth day at the Philadelphia Church. A special invitation is extended all.  The Philadelphia and Maranatha Churches concluded four days of spiritual Emphasis on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2002. Members were encouraged to let God remain the center of their lives. These combined in-reach/out-reach evangelistic meetings were the final in the MaraPhila/PhilaMara Series for the year. - A Dorsett

Adventist Book Center  The ABC will hold a phenomenal Christmas blowout sale. All large can products 20% off, all regular can products 10% off. Everything else in store 10%. Sales exclude Bibles.

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P.O. Box N-356, Harrold Road, Nassau, Bahamas.   Tel:  242-341 4021    Fax: 242-341 4088

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