march - april 2015 intrasyd

MARCH - APRIL 2015People, Places & Events in Greater Sydney }

Experiencing

Inspirational Story of 72 Years of Marriage and Incredible Service to the Church

LovingRelationships

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2 March - April 2015 \ www.gscadventist.org.au Tweet @SydneyAdventist

Friday 17 April 5:32 pmSabbath 18 April 5:30 pm Friday 24 April 5:24 pmSabbath 25 April 5:22 pmFriday 1 May 5:16 pmSabbath 2 May 5:15 pmFriday 8 May 5:10 pm

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SUNSET TIMESSabbath 18 April LocalSabbath 25 April Education - AuburnSabbath 2 May LocalSabbath 9 May South Pacific RecordSabbath 16 May LocalSabbath 23 May Adventist HealthSabbath 30 May Education (MAC)

OFFERING SCHEDULE

Fellowship and community are such important aspects of church life. When God created Adam and Eve, firstly, He placed them in a garden (a natural setting), and secondly, He put them in relationship with Himself and with each other. One of Gods great blessings is the capacity we have to love and be loved. For most, our biological family is precious and so is being part of Gods family. We

have the privilege but also the responsibility to be a loving and lovable family member.

Highlights from Church Ltd Board A number of delegates from Greater Sydney attended the

following Division-wide conferences held at Avondale Col-lege in January:

1. The Church Planting Conference 2. The Bible Conference (discussing current, relevant Biblical and theological issues) 3. The CHIP Facilitators Conference 4. The Depression Recovery Facilitators Conference Representatives from all of the Departmental advisories

met together on 21 February for an afternoon of visioning and planning within the context of the Conference strategic plan.

4 churches, namely Ryde, Dundas Croatian, Wetherill Park Spanish and Mt Colah, have received DA approval for new signage as part of the Australia-wide signage and branding project.

Highlights from the Executive Committee The New Hope Church plant that meets at the Univer-

sity of Western Sydney (Nirimba campus, Quakers Hill) launched regular worship services on Sabbath 28 February

The Conference membership as of 31 December 2014 was 9,296, up from 9,133 at the beginning of the year. There were 224 baptisms and professions of faith during 2014

The plans, budget and timeline for the re-development of the Kellyville Church have been approved. The DA will be lodged in April and work will commence on the Gum Nut Close Kellyville site around September or October

The Filoship (Filipino) group, currently meeting at the Seven Hills North Public School, have been granted Company status.

Last Sabbath afternoon, I had the privilege of par ticipating in a celebration of generosity and service at Mount Druitt Church. Why celebrate generosity and service? Because this is how God wants us to live, and in fact this is the lifestyle we will have in heaven. We know this, because this is how Jesus lived while He was here on ear th.Ellen G. White says in Counsels

on Stewardship, The cross of Christ appeals to the benevolence of every follower of the blessed Saviour. The principle there illustrated is to give. This, carried out in actual benevolence and good works, is the true fruit of the Christian life. And in Proverbs 3:9 it says, Honor God with everything you own; give Him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. During the program, we heard many stories from

members of Mount Druitt and Cabramatta Churches and from the Filoship group on how members both individually and as a church shared generously of their time and money to serve both here in Sydney and overseas. One Mount Druitt member shared that he will be going to Borneo this year, which will be his 20th Fly n Build. Another shared a story of her gift of time and attention to a fellow workmate who admitted that she was considering suicide. Her workmate was grateful for the listening ear freely given. The purpose of the program was to learn from these stories and then think, How can I as an individual and a church community incorporate some of these ideas to enrich my life? Am I living a life that serves others generously in a way that honours God? If you are and have a service ministry that does this, I encourage you to share your story and learn from others so that we may live rich and fulfilling lives in this world in preparation for the next.

eva ing, chief f inancial of f icer

adr ian raethel , general secretary

www.gscadventist.org.au / March - April 2015 3 Like www.facebook.com/sydneyadventists

Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands are beautiful islands of paradise that I have had the privilege of visiting recently. Both islands are par t of our Conference and have a wonderfully strong connection and heritage with the Seventh-day Adventist Church. They are the communities within our Conference that have the highest ratio of Adventists per head of population. However, as with our churches in

Sydney, we cannot rest on heritage and history; we cannot be content with what God has done in the past. We have been called to be a people on a mission. The message of a loving Lord and Saviour who will soon return continually needs to be presented in both tried and true ways and also in new and relevant ways to our community. Recently, I have been studying the life of Joshua, and I have been encouraged by his faith in taking hold of the promises that God would deliver them into the Promised Land. In Joshua 3:15-17 it speaks of how the river, overflowing because it was the harvest season, stood up like a wall, whilst the rest flowed into the Dead Sea so that the Israelites could cross into the Promised Land on a dry river bed. There they were, holding the Ark of the Covenant, standing in the midst of the dry river bed while the millions of Israelites crossed over. Being reminded of Gods ability to deliver on His promises in such a powerful and direct way, gives me the continued hope and courage that Jesus will fulfil His promise in John 14:3 that He will come again and take us to be with Him. I love how it says in Joshua 5:1 that when the Canaanite Kings heard about the dry river bed crossing they lost hear t and were

Greater Sydney ConferenceCommunication Department

Communication Director: Michael WorkerEditor: Rachel Lemons AitkenDesign: Rachel Lemons AitkenEditorial Consultant: Adrian Raethel

4 Cambridge StreetEpping 2121

PH: (02) 9868 6522 Fax: (02) 9868 6533

[email protected]

N e x t I n t r a s y d D e a d l i n e 0 8 M AY

ON THE COVER:Syd & Beryl Stocken, residents of Wahroonga Village, Adventist

Aged Care. Story on page 13Photo Credit: Olga Nebot

paralysed with fear. They knew and understood that the God of Heaven could be taken at His word. May we today, in 2015, continue to believe that God can be taken at His word and that His promises will surely be fulfilled. An exciting development for Greater Sydney is our par tnership with the Solomon Islands. As a Conference Office team, we have just assisted the volunteers who work from the shed in Wahroonga to load a container bound for the Solomons filled with computers, medical equipment and clothing. Soon, in your church, you will receive a short video, which will also be on the Conference website. It will launch some initiatives associated with this par tnership. We would love your assistance to achieve the following for the Solomon Island par tnership: Donations to send containers to the Solomon Islands.

Our goal is to raise $100,000 in order to send 10 containers. Greater Sydney Conference has contributed $10,000 for the first container so we are seeking a fur ther $90,000.

Donations of clean, presentable, summer-weight clothing to include in the containers.

Volunteers to assist on Wednesday mornings to sor t clothing and equipment to send to the Pacific nations.

Fur ther, if there are churches considering service trips, fly-and-builds or medical support through par tnering with clinics and hospitals, we would like to encourage you to consider the Solomon Islands. Please contact me by email at [email protected] if you would like more information on a service or mission trip to the Solomon Islands. May God bless you as we continue to look forward to the soon coming of Jesus.

michael wor ker, president

I N S P I R E2 0 1 5

2-5 OCTOBER

sydney.adventist.org.au/inspireMERROO CHRISTIAN CENTRE

Brought t o you by Inspire 2015

John 13:15 says, For I have given you an example, tha

t you should do as I

have done to you. In my opinion, Jesus washing the fe

et of His disciples was

an effective way of demonstrating His character of hu

mility and love to them in a

practical sense through which they could follow. Effec

tive Christian leadership is

about experiencing the character of Christ in our live

s and transforming this into the

most exemplary lessons for someone else to follow. I

n other words we need to be a

living example of Christ.

harvey g.

Leadership Tip


Church community to me means a place where I can be com

fortable

to make mistakes and know that I

can get help to be a better person. It

means in good and in bad times, its a

community that I can count on to be

by my side. It means a place where I

am free to use the talents that God

gave me. Its a place where I can learn

from others about God and how to

navigate some of lifes challenges. I think the

church community star ts with my immediate

family and extends to the wider church

community. It is a place where everyone

always feels welcomed and where you can never over

stay. Its a

place where we can share and learn more about God

s desire in

our lives, and it is the place where I want my children

to grow up,

a place I wish all my friends to be in, and a place that

I can see

Gods daily miracles.

Church community embraces people and the community is enhanced. The sense

of family I receive and Gods blessings are enlarged because of it.

W hat is C hurch C ommunity?Christian community means doing life together. It isnt always

neat and

tidy--sometimes its messy--but it must

be authentic. It should be life lived in

fullness and fun, founded on support

and kindness. And it must be open to

anyone. Our communities must always

be willing to grow and multiply or they

will stagnate and stink.

My vision and earnest goal, is to see our church community being a place where peopl

e

feel they belong. Where

hope is not simply a clich

marketing statement but a truth

that radiates positive change

through everything we do. As

a church community, we have the responsibility and privi

lege

to engage our fellow man, listen

to where theyre at and nur ture

each other to a better understanding of Gods will

for us. Our church community needs to be a place of

relevance, innovation, creativity and attentiveness to

how every individual can come to serve through thei

r

God-given gifts. The church community has a wonderf

ul

hope of a life in Christ and the amazing joy of being

able to share this with all who care to embrace it.

ralph w.

jarr od s.

jason c.

abe m.

Church community is my family, a place where I can be myself, f ind comfort , rest

and rejuvenation both spiritual ly and emotional ly within the four wal ls of my home.

megan t.

It means sharing and caring. It means taking time getting

to know

one another. I see this as sharing

meals, sharing fun activities and then

importantly, when times get tough the

relationship will be there to share that

too. I see this ultimately flowing into

comfortable collaborations between

ministries and together working to

complete the gospel commission.

r onalda h.


W hat is C hurch C ommunity?

Try Volunteering!za

In Search of C ommunityAlthough most outside observers think th

at I am outgoing and talk to anyone and everyone, th

e reality is that I suffer from social anxiety,

which can stop me from really connecting with, and st

aying connected to people. Because of this I have felt

very lonely and

isolated from people and have ached to be able to re

ach out to others and be par t of a group of friends w

ho can share in

safety.

Being single the second time round, I left my children

and grandchild and moved to Sydney in 1996 to stud

y at Avondale.

After graduation and going out on my own again, I fo

und the Sabbath hours, par ticularly Friday night when

I wasnt working,

extremely empty and lonely. This deep yearning void

couldnt be filled in spite of praying about it, listening

to sacred music,

Bible study or reading inspirational books.

Every now and then my loneliness and desire to belo

ng was accentuated when a friend would speak

about the Friday night womens group she enjoyed att

ending with its companionship, study and sharing,

but I didnt have the courage to ask if I could attend.

I just kept praying that God would fill this void.

Even after I remarried, when Friday nights came aroun

d, I still felt something was missing and continued

praying for a miracle to fill this void. Finally, my friend

asked if I would like to attend this womens group

with her and of course, thanking God, I agreed. In spit

e of some anxiety about meeting new people I

found the women to be incredibly welcoming, friendl

y and safe.

Over the ten years I have been attending this group,

women have come and gone, but we are still a safe

haven, a community where we study and grow, share,

laugh, cry and most of all thank God for being

trustworthy and our Saviour. maxine s.

Types of Small Groups

AccountabilityOutreach

Church Community

Usually has the fewest members.

Aimed at helping people battling

an addiction or specific issue, which is best supported by

being

surrounded by community.

Typically has the most members of all

small groups. Aimed at reaching out

to the community and providing a

stepping stone to join a church family.

Aimed at developing a greater sense

of community within a church family.

Keeping the group moderate in

size allows people to form genuine

relationships


(Especial ly in C hurch Board Meetings)

CON FMANAGINGC onf l ict is a

Part of LifeLet me just share my philosophy on how Ive solved conflicts. Some of them I couldnt solve and a few of them I could solve. First of all, conflict is part of life part of church life, part of family life. My understanding of conflict is it occurs when people are hurting, when people are frustrated or when people are angry.

Before I try to resolve a conflict, I need to see where the people involved are hurting, frustrated and why they are angry. In some cases, people have conflict when they are fearful or have fear. So, in a church board or any other situation of the church, I like to sit down with the person and find out why she is hurting, frustrated or angry or showing fear for one reason or another.

If I dont discover why people are angry, hurting or frustrated --if I dont discover the root -- I wont have much success. Its important for me to sit with the people and hear both sides. In many cases, people agree to come together and talk.

When I discover that, I like to follow the guidelines taught in Matthew 18, go to your brother, talk. Take one or two witnesses and dialogue with that person. Once we have an agreement that yes, both parties are willing to solve an issue or conflict, I use the GROW formula.

G - Goal: When I try to solve a conflict and both parties agree, I ask What do you want to achieve; what is your goal? This applies to church, life and even to marriage.

R - Reality: Where are you right now? How are things going right now. What do you want to talk about?

O - Options: What can you do to deal with this issue? How do these things line up with our goals? What are our options?

W - What Will You Do Next? What do you have to do to achieve the goal? This is a technique that I use when we try to solve conflicts, with church families and with family units. In a church situation, the most important thing is the healing power of the gospel. It has the power to heal emotions and to heal hurt.

pr. nataniel pereiraAs Ministerial Secretary, Pr. Nataniel Pereira is

the pastor to the pastors, caring

for the needs of pastors and their families and represe

nting their interests at

the appropriate administrative level. He began in the

role in January 2015, after

many years of serving as a local church pastor.


(Especial ly in C hurch Board Meetings)N FLICT

Be an Agent for Peace

Weve probably all heard the saying that people wont care what we know until they know we care, referring to people

we share our faith and beliefs with. However, there can be times when we are so intent on getting our point across

that we can forget to be caring with those within our own congregation because we are focused on our opportunity to

enlighten them to our way of thinking.

In particular, church meetings can encourage the kind of zeal where different, well-meaning approaches can collide; and because

we are all gifted in different ways, we are likely to approach the same situation differently. People will be driven by what they perceive to

be of highest importance or priority; of greatest value and of moral virtue.

Fortunately, we share a basic underlying system of beliefs that we can agree on, however, the finer details are often up for debate. We need to

engage some practical skills in order to navigate these conversations:

A Peaceful Environment Begins With You Value the messenger more than the message: Savage and Boyd-Macmillan

(2010) wrote: Peace cannot be imposed; it must be generated from the ground up by ordinary people. By us. Remember that we value others and our bond

with them more than we value being right. In return if others value you, your opinion will matter to them.

Dont Let Your Emotions Control the Way You Deliver Your MessageDont be pushed around by your worry, zeal or anger: Sometimes we can have

strong feelings when voicing our opinion about something we feel is important. Be comfortable in knowing how to express your viewpoint; talk about it with someone you trust before voicing it in public; talk aloud to yourself to practice what you want to say; or write down a few important points to clarify your message before expressing it; and pray to consult with God about the matter.

These steps can help us balance our feelings with rational and realistic thinking, as well as inviting God into our decision-making.

Be an agent for peace as well as change!

MANAGING

As Manager of Adventist Counselling Services, Claire Marsh offers couns

elling to

individuals, couples and families.

(Article reference: Sara Savage & Eolene Boyd-MacM

illan (2010); Conflict in

Relationships: At Home, At Work, In Life; Oxford, Eng

land; Lion Hudson Publishers).

This resource can be ordered from the Adventist Bo

ok Centre.)

claire marsh

Five am on Sunday morning; my stomach was full of knots. There was so much work in and around the house that needed to be done before the inspectors visit the following week. A single mother of two boys of seven and five, with very limited funds, I could not afford to pay for the work. The thought that I was on my own filled me with so much despondency that I began to cry. Little did I know that help was on the way. Around eight someone knocked at the door. Wondering who was visiting so early, I opened the door. The man facing me introduced himself, I am Eddy. My friends and I were made aware that a lady living at this address needed help so here we are. For a minute or two I did not know what to say. Eddy relieved the tension by explaining who the group was. Having been informed about the type of work that needed doing, they had come with the required tools and equipment. Quickly the group spread out. Two began to mow the lawn, which was a good six inches tall. Leon and Jim worked on fixing the shower, which leaked badly. Branko and Eddy busied themselves building a chicken house for the half dozen chooks that I owned. The three women of the group helped me clean and tidy the house then fix food for lunch.

Lunch time gave us the chance to get acquainted. I learned a lot about ADRA Blacktown Community Centre. When I learned that counselling was one of the services available for free, I became quite interested because the family doctor had diagnosed that my difficult circumstances had caused me to suffer from chronic depression.

By five oclock, the team began to pack their tools and get ready to leave. Everything looked

different. The lawn around the house was neatly done, no more leak in the shower and the chicken looked happy in their spacious coop. That Sunday was the beginning of my association with ADRA. I did go for counselling, which helped me deal with the issues that had caused so many sleepless nights and silent tears. I still go regularly to ADRAs office, no longer for any par ticular help but as a member of UBUNTU, the Sabbath afternoon support and Bible study group. Over the years I have been helped in many ways but what I value the most is the spiritual atmosphere that surrounds everything that ADRA Blacktown stands for and quietly yet

efficiently accomplishes.

CommunityADRA

As I was sitting in a church service recently, I saw a beautiful image of loving relationships play out. There was a young family sitting in front of me with a young boy and young girl probably aged 5 and 6-years old respectively. The boy leant over to his sister, looked into her eyes and then lay his head on her lap. She stroked his hair and he just relaxed and enjoyed it. It was so beautiful to see and reminded me of what loving relationships are all about. What is a loving relationship? To me, it is demonstrated by how we treat each other. It is also the idea of what we do to show love and acceptance even when a person does not deserve it. In this situation, our natural instinct is to close up shop and defend

Family Matters

Brought t o you by Inspire 2015

When I asked retired Adventist Medical Superintende

nt, Dr Currow what he

had learned about leadership in the many years he le

d the medical team at the

then prestigious Royal Newcastle Public Hospital, he s

aid to build morale and

command respect it was very important to really be

lieve in ones staff; to affirm them

at every opportunity but if there were clear breache

s of integrity, safety or corruption

to be absolutely ruthless and dismiss staff who contin

ue in these practices immediately.

What can this teach us about Christian leadership? Sim

ply this, believe in the good but

have zero tolerance for evil. Expect Godly behaviour

from church members, affirm and

love them but recognise sin and discard it immediate

ly.

malco lm r.

ourselves. We dont feel like showing love or treating the person with respect. This is the hardest time to love. Yet, Jesus showed through deed and action what we are to do when He said Father, forgive them for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34). Love is not only a feeling but more importantly a doing word. This was fully expressed through the life of Jesus Christ dying on the cross for us (John 3:16). Seeing the brother and sister interact was a demonstration of a loving relationship. What are you doing to show love in your family, neighbourhood and workplace? My challenge for us is that we will have more loving homes, families, churches and communities so that we may live. John 13:35 By this all men [women] will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. Go on, love one another just like the brother and sister!

I N S P I R E2 0 1 5

2-5 OCTOBER

sydney.adventist.org.au/inspireMERROO CHRISTIAN

CENTRE

Contributed by Pr Eddy Johnson

Contributed by Pr Cheonneth Strickland

Leadership Tip

Family Matters

Churches should be the safest places for children and young families. Church attendance provides spiritual comfort and inspiration and a critical social network. The healthy lifestyle, prayer life and the message of love and forgiveness contribute to a persons overall wellbeing and fulfilment. Unfor tunately, however, churches can also attract people who see the environment of love, care and trust as an opportunity for abuse and exploitation. That is why we all have to be aler t. According to Dallas OConnor, Investigation Coordinator at Safe Place Services, addressing risks begins with recognising the existence of risks. If we dont realise there is a problem, then there is little motivation to do anything about it. The data that Safe Place Services has accumulated over the past 10 years shows us clearly who is at risk in the Adventist Church in Australia and New Zealand. 75% of cases investigated by Safe Place Services relate to situations in local congregations, and it is women and children who are most likely to experience the Church as unsafe.

Our ChurchesMust Be Safe Pr David Robertson, Director of Safe Place Services, says, It appears that there has been a shift in the Churchs culture over the past decade. When conducting training amongst Churches and local Conference leaders, the culture of denial and embarrassment that used to exist when talking about abuse has been replaced with an openness and willingness to acknowledge and address issues. In 2010, a survey of Conference-level administrators and depar tmental staff across both Australia and New Zealand, gained 68 responses. Overwhelmingly, respondents in the survey agreed that: (1) perpetrators can deliberately target the Adventist Church for child-victims (82%); (2) Adventist congregations are not thought to be safer for children than groups in the community, like sports clubs or child care centres (86%); and (3) being a believer does not make a

person automatically safer in terms of their potential to abuse (85%). This level of response indicates that the Churchs leadership now have their eyes wide open to potential risks, reflects Pr Robertson. Pr Robertson states, We now recognise and have a better understanding of risks. As we see the work being done in local Conferences to establish Safe Place Committees; implement local Church policies and train local Church Boards and childrens ministry leaders, the safety within the Church is increasing. As local Churches, Conferences, and the Unions across Australia and New Zealand continue to work together, these combined effor ts are helping the Church in its mission to offer a foretaste of the peace and safety that will one day characterise Gods eternal kingdom.

What Should I Do in Response to Abuse?Situations of children exposed to abuse or neglect should be reported to Government child-protection services in your region. In an

emergency contact police on 000. To seek advice, or to discuss a situation of concern within the Adventist Church, call Safe Place Services

on 1800 220 468. The Churchs website www.safeplaceservices.org.au contains information on counselling and child protection services

throughout Australia.

5 Essential Safety Steps to Prevent Abuse1. ALWAYS have two or more adults present at activities for children and young people;

2. Promote an open-door policy; activities are not run in confined and private one-on-one spaces;

3. Screen volunteers using reference checks and required criminal history checks;

4. Require new attendees to wait six months before appointing then to work with children;

5. Train and support volunteers

These steps are covered in the Child Environments Safe policy template for local churches and endorsed for use in Australia and New

Zealand by both Unions. The Policy, and all the resources that go with it, such as forms, brochures and posters, have been translated into

Spanish, Chinese and Samoan. These can all be downloaded by visiting the Safe Place Services website.

Your GSC Safe Places Coordinator is Suzanne Hadfield. She can be contacted via email on [email protected].

Contributed by Safe Place Services


Rozanna Ajami is only five, but the junior is already being touted as a top-liner on the tennis court. Rozanna, a pupil at Hurstville Adventist School, first picked up a racquet at three-years old and appears to show no signs of putting it down. Her personal coach is Renee Lampret, a former women's player on the professional circuit who has coached for many years. Lampret said she works several days a week with Rozanna, but pointed out that it's a steady and relaxed approach to teaching the junior girl about the game. "I am Rozannas full-time coach, Lampert said. She won't be playing in a junior competition until she is say between six and eight."

Senior Day of Worship 2015On Thursday, 26 February, students from Hills Adventist College, Mountain View Adventist College and Macar thur gathered together for a day of fun and combined worship. Students were asked to come in their sport uniforms, as they got to par ticipate in ice-skating and putt-putt golf at Liverpool Catholic Club in the morning.

Avondale College provided lunch for the students, who had the opportunity to mingle and talk to Avondale College students and each other. After lunch they enjoyed a thought-provoking and fun chapel service with a talk by Pastor Eddie Hypolite from Avondale College Church.

Hurstville Student an Ace

This term Macar thur Adventist College successfully introduced a Friday vesper, coined MAC Alive, to give primary students and their families an opportunity to experience worship that students par ticipate in during the week. MAC Alive was originally set to be run every term; however, with the success of the first vespers, the school has opted to run the program on an alternating monthly schedule between the primary and secondary schools. The evening star ted with a BBQ dinner, followed by praise and worship and a message from Pastor Landry

MAC Aliveabout Paul and the importance of keeping a focus on Jesus. Jessica Lee, one of the organisers of MAC Alive, shared that approximately 13 families showed, with over 50 people in attendance. It was a really great opportunity for parents to see their kids worshipping, Jessica says, and it was so nice that a lot of the primary staff were in attendance and helped with the whole program. Macar thur will soon announce when the next scheduled MAC Alive program will be run, but this is an exciting space to keep an eye on as it grows.

Rozannas parents want to ensure that the fun stays in the game. Linda Ajami, Rozannas mother and a parent that helps and is involved at school, said that attending Hurstville Adventist School has made it easier for Rozanna to pursue tennis and that Rozanna also loves the school. When asked what subject she likes best, the five-year old quietly mentions, I really like maths. While on holiday in Lebanon, the Lebanese Sports Minister noticed Rozana's skills when her family was visiting

relatives. The ministry has invited her to Turkey on 23 July next year to play in a junior event in a sports festival.


The proverb All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy might hold more truth than it is given credit. Our lives seem to have more demanding schedules than ever before, and this demand doesnt just affect adults. Research is star ting to show that a lack of play might be detrimental to a childs overall learning, development, and most of all their creativity. Peter Gray, a research professor at Boston College and author of Free to Learn has conducted research on the value of play for childrens development. He points out that some of the most important skills children everywhere must learn in order to live happy, productive, moral lives are skills that are learned and practised by children in play. These include the abilities to think creatively, to get along with other people and cooperate effectively and to control their own impulses and emotions. Gray states, This dramatic decline in childrens opportunities to play has been accompanied by an equally dramatic increase in childhood

The Importance of P lay

As a kid, some signs I might

be stressed are if Im feeling

tired, anxious or depressed, if Im

complaining of headaches and stomach

aches, which may be due to stress, missed

meals or lack of sleep or if Im acting

out in actions that are not

normal behaviours

mental disorders. Its not just that we are detecting such disorders where we failed to look before; the increase is real. A recent large-scale survey conducted by British and Chinese researchers found that Chinese

schoolchildren

Leave Time for Family and Play:

Having some unscheduled time, not worrying about missing out and letting kids play might be just what a child, or even a family, needs.

Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.

Finding Time for Family and FunSlow Down:

The pressure to par ticipate in the myriad of activities all the time to simply keep up can be physically and emotionally exhausting for parents and kids. And though most parents seem to just want what is best for their children, even good intentions might quickly lead to an overscheduled life with no time to play. Taking things in moderation helps with burn out, and choosing activities that are enjoyed, by kids is important.

suffer from extraordinarily high levels of anxiety, depression and psychosomatic stress disorders, which appear to be linked to academic pressures and lack of play. According to the scholar and author Yong Zhao, who is an expert on schools in China, a common Chinese term used to refer to the products of their schools is gaofen dineng, which

essentially means good at tests but bad at everything else. Due to

students spending nearly all of their time studying, they end up with little opportunity to be creative, discover or pursue their own passions, or develop

physical and social skills. Some parents might

feel its more productive to keep their kids constantly occupied, rather than leave free time for playing,

exploring and learning on their own. They might also fear that their kids will miss out on key experiences if they arent doing what other kids are par ticipating in-- a term dubbed today as FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). This fear has carried on into teens and early adults that may be looking at what they need to do to best prepare for the future. So what can parents do in order to make sure that their kids are all right?

References: http://ind.pn/1kwVdmv; http://bit.ly/1BudsVa


I believe our identity comes from what we give rather than what we have. Our materialistic world is about our possessions, how big my house is and what car I drive. Ive thought about why I have committed my working life to the Church a number of times and its because I believe in this church. Dulce Ferguson began working for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1967 as a bindery hand and then receptionist at Signs Publishing Company and then as par t-time receptionist at Avondale College. She eventually transitioned to the Division; the SAN; back to Signs Publishing and then to the Greater Sydney Conference, where she has served as the secretary to nine presidents. Now, in her 48th year of service and her 40th in Greater Sydney Conference, she is planning to retire. Her presence in the office brings a sense of stability, proficiency and continuity. As the longest-serving member in the Conference, she is seen as a great resource, a listening ear and a bedrock. A conversation with her makes it evident this sense of service was received as a gift from her parents. My parents did a lot for the church and community so I guess it was modeled for me. Mum helped run the childrens programs and concer ts; dad was an elder from time-to-time. They ran a branch Sabbath School as well. Wed all pile in the car and go off and do Sabbath School for people in rural areas. They were always inviting the needy home for Sabbath lunch. But stronger than obligation and tradition is a deeply flowing love for her church. In dreaming for the church in Sydney, Dulce says, I would love to see our church take over this city. I believe our church has the answer to all of this worlds problems because we follow Scripture so closely. We have the perfect doctrine of love we do need to work on it a bitbut its there if we follow Jesus and are true disciples for Him. Fur ther strengthening her commitment to the church is the commitment of her husband, Graham, who she

After working for 48 years for the Seventh-day Adventist Church (40 for

the Greater

Sydney Conference), Dulce Ferguson is preparing to r

etire from service. Her presence,

patience, continuity, dedication and proficiency will be

greatly missed in the office.

Identity: W hat We G ive

describes as being very committed to the church as well. Im really blessed that we both have that same focus. As time has passed, Dulce has seen many changes occur. In addition to being the Presidents Secretary, shes also worked as the Membership Secretary and Departmental Assistant to the Ministerial Association Secretary and Trust Services Director. Improvements in technology have caused her role to shift over the years. Because things have changed so much, it changes the way an office operates - manual typewriters were replaced by electric ones. Post was a major way of communication. Carbon copies, wax stencils and Gestetner copying machines were a nightmare! What a blessing the electronic age has become! During the conversation, Dulce shuffles through old session books, church membership records and photos, sometimes thoughtfully, other times with a smile. Ive seen lots of people leave our church, she says wistfully, if only we could recapture all of those talented people - what a mighty force we could be. As Membership Secretary, shes constantly reminded of church attendance versus the membership. The children the lost children. The people who come but dont feel at home in the church. They disappear because they dont feel connected. If every member could embrace the challenge to make them feel welcome. And to Dulce this is key every member being involved, not expecting the pastor to do everything. We expect a lot of our pastors to visit everyone; to preach a sermon every week and do a multitude of other things. We have to encourage everyone to become disciples, which is very much the focus of our Conference at the moment. How can we all become disciples? How can we express love for God and His church? Dulce believes its easiest to give to the church when you find your passion where you can serve. She shares, I guess Ive been able to do a lot more because we dont have children. But the real key is to find where your passion lies and use that God-given passion for Him. I think working in the Conference has actually blessed and helped my spiritual journey as well. Its not the case for everyone, but Ive found the environment nur turing for my own spiritual life. Ive been privileged to work with many wonderful men and women and to serve a very gracious God.

Dulce Ferguson


I am a missionary hear t and soul, wrote David Livingstone, famed missionary to Africa. It was Livingstones story of courage and purpose that propelled Syd Stocken into 22 years of missionary service throughout the Solomon Islands and Papau New Guinea with his wife Beryl. Being a missionary was a dream God placed in Syds hear t and through his ambition, he carried out Gods calling for his life. After meeting Syd at Avondale College, Beryl knew he longed to become a missionary. After graduating, the pair moved to Adelaide, where Syd began his ministry. According to his book How the Crocodile Missed His Breakfast, Syd got around his work on a pushbike for which he was paid a penny a mile to cover expenses! I worked hard, but I had no desire to be a normal preacher. My mind was on New Guinea, and my young bride knew it! Soon after the war finished, in 1945, -- and after 2 years of marriage -- Syd and Beryl were on their way to New Guinea. For tunately, she was also interested in missions. Though at times the work caused feelings of separation and loneliness, they found it to be very rewarding and satisfying. Nowadays, its especially rewarding, as they see the tremendous growth of the church in the area and meet people, who have become doctors and nurses and have contributed to their local communities as a result of the work they and many other missionaries carried out.

How Weve Kept a Happy Marr iage for over 70 Years

Were Just a Normal Couple

Most importantly, were just a normal couple with ups and downs and differences of opinion. It is ONLY because of Gods care that we have enjoyed such a lengthy married life of almost 72 years. He has spared us from so many fatal accidents and illnesses.Keep It 50/50

Our rule has always been - and still is - 50-50 (i.e. working together)

Make Up Quickly

Someone needs to say sorry no matter who is at fault

Opposites Attract

This has been beneficial in our case. Syd is very outgoing and fun-loving. Beryl is painfully shy and more serious. Beryl was happy to hide behind Syd and enjoy the friendships he made. Be Spiritually One

This is very importantOne Goal - Mission Service

We enjoyed the challenges but were very conscious of the fact of our need of Gods help and guidance. Many mistakes were made; God blessed our work in spite of it.

Show a Sense of Caring

Syd always took his marriage vows seriously. He always sensed his responsibility to care for Beryl and in his old age says that is his job. He is a kind and loving husband

Mission Work & Marriage

Looking back, we are so pleased we chose mission work. It was very satisfying work.

Beryl and Syd Stocken, married for over 70 years, reside in Adventist Aged Cares Wahroonga Village. When asked for marriage advice, they shared the following:

I Am a MissionaryHeart & Soul Although David and Beryl were not medical missionaries, they soon found themselves needing to be jacks-of-all-trades. On one occasion, after living in Papau New Guinea for a few years, a girl was brought in to them because a crocodile had almost torn off her leg. Though not a doctor, Syd got the sharpest scissors he could find and cut the tendon that dangled from the remainder of the girls leg. The girl groaned as he did this because there was no anaesthetic for the procedure. Unfor tunately, after being transported to a hospital, she passed away. Beryl and Syd also found themselves, pulling teeth and treating other ailments. In the situation, people looked up to them and depended on them. You just had to do the best you could, shares Beryl, the Lord helped us and gave us wisdom. One of Beryl and Syds most amazing contributions was in response to the need of the community to hear the Word of God. Beryl and Syd didnt have Bibles for the hundreds of native people who surrounded them. With the help of their Conference President, they eventually were able to use gramophones, which were initially intended to spread propaganda, to share the Bible with remote villages all over New Guinea. The Bible was translated in pigeon English and then into the many different dialects of remote villages all over New Guinea.


everyone

will know you are my disciples if

you lov

e one another John

13:35

LOVE MATTE

RS

Adventure to

the Solomon

Islands

Staff members from the

Greater Sydney Conference got together to pack a shipping

container for the Solomon Islands Each item was weighed before being placed

on the container. In order to make sure the container was not over weight; a careful list was kept. Every box, bag and item was

numbered to correspond to the list. Clothing was rolled to save space and then packed

into bags and sealed. All of the boxes, bags and equipment were packed tightly in the

container to save space. At last the container was filled to the brim

with books, clothing and equipment

Get Involved in Outreach to the So

lom

on

Isla

nd

s

How do we view and value singleness in our churches? For some of us, singleness is a tiny speck

in our rearview mirror; its hard to remember life before our partner. For others, it is a real and present reality that we are painfully reminded

of each time we peer into the mirror. Kate Wharton, author of Single Minded, quotes author Al Hsu in his book The Single Issue

saying, Without demeaning marriage, the New Testament gives a new dignity to

singleness. Both are equally valid ways to serve God.

Kate also says Jesus came to bring life to the full, whatever our marital status. When we are sold out for God, then life will be the very best that it can be whether married or single, with children or withoutbecause we will be on our way to becoming who we are created to be.

Single Minded is available at the Adventist Book Centre

Single-Minded

Donate money to send containers to the Solomon Islands. Our goal is to raise $100,000 in order to send 10 containers. Greater Sydney Conference has contributed $10,000 for the first container so we are seeking a fur ther $90,000. Ask your church treasurer how to contribute or e-mail [email protected]

Donate clean, presentable, summer-weight clothing to include in the containers. Drop-off in the clothing bin at the back of Wahroonga Church at any time or at the shed at the South Pacific Division Office on a Wednesday between 9 am and 3 pm.

Volunteer to assist on Wednesday mornings to sor t clothing and equipment to send to the Pacific nations. Contact [email protected] for more information.


everyone

will know you are my disciples if

you lov

e one another John

13:35

LOVE MATTE

RS

Get Involved in Outreach to the So

lom

on

Isla

nd

s

It was very important for me t o get baptised because

I would l ike t o pass on what I know about Jesus and spread

His l ove t o ot hers

My relationship wit h Jesus matters because He is a fr iend I can cal l on at

any time.Anthony Hutapea, Waitara

Profession of Faith

Our relationship wit h

God means a l ot t o us. As parents we tel l our kids about

God al l t he t ime hopeful t hat as t hey gr ow they wil l spread what

they know about Gods l ove.

Co

mmi

tment t

o God Matters.

Comm

itment to God Matters. Baptis

m M

atters

Chaw Ban & Mup Paw PaProfession of Faith

Marina Ban, WaitaraBaptism

Kate also says Jesus came to bring life to the full, whatever our marital status. When we are sold out for God, then life will be the very best that it can be whether married or single, with children or withoutbecause we will be on our way to becoming who we are created to be.

Single Minded is available at the Adventist Book Centre

I N S P I R E2 0 1 5

2-5 OCTOBER

sydney.adventist.org.au/inspireMERROO CHRISTIAN CENTRE

march - april 2015 intrasyd

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