Let every spouse make it his or her main focus to have a warm, mutually supportive romantic relationship with each other. Let all parents, single or married, make it their focus to have a loving, dynamic, and understanding relationship with their children. Let every church, community, school and corporate leader make it their focus to have a people-centered approach to leadership. Let every politician focus on serving rather than being served by the people.

STOP BEING SELFISH

Denying self and focusing on others is not always easy. It feels good to pat your self on the shoulder or to take care of your needs without consideration for others around you. However, if we continue to focus on self above others in 2003, we will have a greater increase in crime, marital dissolutions, and dysfunctional relationships. We will have less respect for government leaders. More spouses will walk out on each other. The juvenile halls of correction will become more crowded. The prison walls will scream even louder with the pains of hurting inmates. More of our streets will resonate with the loud gun fires of angry thugs and drug-induced, spaced-out, schizophrenic personalities. Let's stop being selfish in 2003. Unselfishness is transformational.

 
WHAT TO DO ?
1. Here a few things we all can do to make 2003 a transformational year:

2. Put Christ at the center of your life.

3. Go to church at least once a week.

4. Say something nice to someone each day.

5. Think before responding.

6. Visit a less fortunate or sick individual at least once a month. It can be in the hospital, the community, or the prison.

7. Write a letter to at least two persons who need encouragement.

8. If you are married make your relationship with your spouse more important than your career. Spend lots of time together. Set aside one night a week for "couple time." Go on romantic dates. Take time to have fun together.

9. Watch the movie "Preacher's Wife" with your partner.

10. Find some way of affirming your love for your spouse every day of 2003. You need 364 more ways from today onward.

11. Read more meaningful books and watch less television. Find pleasure in reading the Bible.

12. Join a community or church service group.

13. Go to bed earlier, (before 10 p.m.) and raise earlier, giving your body the maximum opportunity to rest and gather energy for the new day.

14. Exercise at least three times a week.

15. Listen to inspirational, classical, or soft country music at least once a week. Remember, too much rock music makes one agitated and angry.

16. Eat less red meat and highly-spiced foods. Remember that lots of red meats affect the heart, and lots of spicy foods affect the stomach. If these are affected, the mind will also be affected. Better still, plan to become a vegetarian.

17. Reach out and hold the hand of someone each day.

18. Remember, always to say "I Love You" to a friend, parent, spouse, or colleague.

Have a happy and meaningful new year.

First Quadrennial Session of Bahamas Conference Commences January 8^th, 2003

Beginning Wednesday, January 8, 2003, delegates from throughout the Bahamas will converge at the Hillview SDA Church for the first Quadrennial Session of the Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Representatives from our higher organizations will be in attendance. All delegates are reminded that registration will commence at Hillview Church from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Delegates and special guests are requested to be seated by 6:45 p.m. in preparation for a live radio broadcast of the official opening of the session. Guest speaker will be Dr. Leon B. Wellington, Vice-president of the Inter-American Division.

Business session will continue on Thursday, January 9, and Friday, January 10. Friday night at 7 o’clock at the Hillview Church an inaugural installation service will be held for newly elected officers. Dr. Patrick L. Allen, president of West Indies Union, will preside over the service.

Friday, January 10, the first sitting of the West Indies Union Executive Committee will be held in the Bahamas. Also on Friday, members of the West Indies Union Executive Committee will appoint the officers for the North Bahamas Mission of SDA. Sabbath, January 11, 2003, at the Church of God Auditorium, Joe Farrington Road, Convention Sabbath School will commence at 8:45 a.m. Divine Worship will follow at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Glen Samuels, Ministerial Director of West Indies Union, will be the speaker. At 4 p.m. at the Hillview Church a special praise session will be held, labeled "United in Praise Reunion Concert."

On Sunday evening, January 12, 2003, the weekend of Convention activities will culminate at the Hillview Church at 7 o’clock with a live radio broadcast. All are requested to be seated by 6:45 p.m. for song service. An address by the newly elected president of the Conference will be given.

A special invitation is extended to every member and friends of Adventists to be a part of these special services under the theme "United in Wonder of His Grace."

Let us prepare, plan and pray for these meetings, that God’s Holy Spirit will be poured out in copious measures upon us, and the commission to preach to the ends of the earth will be realized so that Jesus may come. Best wishes for the New Year! God bless!-Associate Editor

Here we are at the beginning of a New Year. We thank God for the blessings of 2002 and are grateful for the opportunity of service in 2003. It is our hope and prayer that God will empower you and your team throughout the New Year. We appreciate the support given by your deacons/deaconesses at our past Conventions. Once again the call of the Lord goes out to you

for your assistance at this first Convention of 2003. The date as you know of this Convention is January 10 -12.

Friday Night (7 p.m.) will be at Hillview

Sabbath morning (8: 45 a.m.) at the Church of God Auditorium

Sabbath afternoon at Hillview

Sunday Night (7 p.m.) at Hillview

We are requesting that the Deacons and Deaconesses of the Southwest Federation; that is, Hillview, Good News, Berea, Breath of Life and Adelaide to be responsible for all the services at Hillview.

All other church Deacons and Deaconesses; that is, Bethel, Bethany, Centreville, Ebenezer,

Ephesus, Francophone, Grants Town, Johnson Park, Living Faith, Maranatha, New Englerston, New Providence and Philadelphia are requested to be on duty Sabbath morning at the Church of God Auditorium.

Ladies/deaconesses are asked to wear white when on duty at convention services.

The deacons are asked to wear black suits, white shirts and red ties or the tie that is usually worn at convention.

Thank you for your support as we seek to begin the New Year with a convention that is prayerfully Spirit filled. -M. A. Smith, Pastor

Convention time is here again! On Sabbath, January 11^th, our children in the Kindergarten through to the Junior division are invited to attend Children’s Sabbath School and Divine Service to be held at the Maranatha SDA Church, Prince Charles Drive. Our theme will be, "United in Wonder of His Grace."

Parents with Cradle Roll aged children are asked to take care of them, as no services will be planned for them.

Additionally, parents are asked to drop off and pick up their children from Maranatha Church. Parents are requested not to give children any snacks. All Children will be served a healthy snack at the Maranatha fellowship hall.

A special thank you to all Children’s Ministries personnel in the various churches. It’s been a pleasure working with you over these past four years. I am sure that you will receive your eternal reward from God himself. May I request your assistance once more as we provide services for our children during Convention Sabbath.

As I remit my office as Children’s Ministries Director, I say a special thank you to my secretary, Mrs. Joan Duncombe and all those who have assisted me in any way, especially workers at the Conference Office. Finally, to Almighty God, for His guidance and protection. Hallelujah! - Rowena Smith, CM Director

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

It was so easy to simply close the eyes and imagine the illustrious choir backed up by the angels themselves as they sang in perfect harmony, each part heard distinctly – yet together. At times I had to open my eyes just to make sure I wasn’t hearing recorded music, especially as Sis Lynn Smith and Bro. Raymond Antonio accompanied the choir with a piano duet. It was celestial!

More pleasing to me was the fact that several renditions sung by the choir were composed by none other than our own, Sis. Audrey Dean-Wright, proving once gain that her gift is one definitely blessed by God. Most delightful was the song "If Jesus was Born in Nassau Town," a beautiful example of a real Bahamian carol.

It was clearly evident that delivering more than songs took extremely hard work and above all dedication, of both leader and members, to bring such perfected pieces FREE to the general public

In addition to the melody of the choir, Joshua Smith, a former member soon-to-be reinstated, kept the audience well informed about each composition with his hilarious remarks and stories. Special thanks to Mrs. Wright, the Meistersingers, Bro. Smith and of course, our audience.

Truly Sabbath evening proved that the Angels of the Lord came down and the glory of music shone around. Let us not only pray for the Meistersingers, but let us never fail to support them in their endeavours as they are our very own. In the words of God himself at creation – It was good –very good! - Millicent S. Rollins

We have a large variety of goods in stock, come on by and check out the savings. - K. Deveaux, ABC Manager

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."

Funeral service for Mrs. Tamika Perpall will be held at the Grant’s Town Church on Sunday, January 5^th, at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Eric D. Clarke will officiate.

Funeral service for Mr. Redly Major will be held at the Grant’s Town Church on Sunday, January 5^th, at 1:30 p.m. Pastors Eric D. Clarke and Pastor K. D. Albury will officiate.

We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the families of the deceased. Please be assured of our continued prayers. - Administration, officers and Staff of Bahamas Conference of SDA

Living Faith Honours First Elder Isaac Johnson December 28, 2002 It was truly a night of love and appreciation as members of the Living Faith Church demonstrated, in a tangible way, their deep affection, respect and admiration for a man who has served as first elder 10 of the 12 years since the church was formed .

The Casuarina Hotel ballroom was packed with family and friends. Elder Johnson and his wife, Ruth arrived via stretch limousine, adorned in coordinating outfits of olive green and gold (which matched the gold and white theme of the ballroom wearing those familiar warm similes. All agreed they never look younger or happier after 30 years of marriage

The evening was filled with tributes including those from Pastor Roach, Pastor Albury and Bro. Bursil Wallace. However the most touching presentation came from Elder Johnson’s five children in the form of a letter from daughter Renita, and original poem from oldest son Ian and a surprise solo from son Garnett, mixed with lots of "we love you daddy." Master of ceremonies was Bro. Dwayne "Superfly" Wallace who kept the evening filled with laughter and fun.

Elder Johnson was showered with gifts and other presentations from the Sabbath School and Youth Departments and the church at large. This night will always be remembered by the Johnson family and the Living Faith family. Special thanks and commendations to Pastor T. Basil Sturrup, who initiated the idea, the Church Board, and the organizing committee. -Communications Secretary