East Jamaica Conference

Communication

Department

74 Constant Spring Road P.O. Box 181 Kingston 10 Jamaica W.I.

Tel:(876) 924-1061-3, (876) 924-0263. E-Mail: eastcon@ejcsda.com
Website: ejcsda.com

November 13, 2014

To: All Pastors, Elders, Leaders and Church Members
Sincere Christian greetings!
Please see important dates, events and communication from the East Jamaica Conference of
Seventh-day Adventists below.

November 11, 2014

To all Pastors, Elders, Board Members, and Elected Members of Local Churches in EJC
Constituency.
Fellow Believers in Christ,
Re: Leaders Summit 2014
We have come to serious times in the history of our world and the condition of our nation. In this
context, the Church is called to properly equip its leaders toward effecting the Lords Mission in its
constituency.
Of such, Leaders Summit 2014 under the Theme Empowered for Mission, United for Service will
be held at the Kencot SDA Church on December 7, 2014 from 9: 00am -1:30 pm. Please note the
following:\

...
/2

Facts about Leaders Summit 2014

Who should Attend?
All elected officers of local
churches and Board
Members; all Pastors and
Conference workers.
Note: All Assistant
Directors, Secretaries and
their Assistants etc. are
included in the above-all
who are asked to serve in a
position in the local church.

What is Different?
Programme Format/Structure:
Departmental Meetings - 9:00am-10:45am
Business Session- 11: 00am-12.00pm
Spiritual Charge-12:00pm-1:30pm
*******
More quality time for Departmental
interaction with directors-(9:00am-10:45am)
*******
Special Business Session toward
Conference Wide Development
Please see Flyer for more information.

What are the objectives?

To ensure that church officers
are knowledgeable of their
departmental responsibilities
and are spiritually motivated
toward being diligent in their
duties.
*******
To initiate a working synergy
between Conference Directors
and Local Church Directors
*******
Impress a sense of ownership
that will cause officers to go the
extra mile for the proper and
efficient running of the Church.

Special Information:
The Directory for the departmental meeting locations and combinations at the Leaders Summit will be
posted in the weekly Advisory with repeats, and will also be posted on our website and at the Kencot
Church before the time of the Summit.
Also, in cases where a person at the local church serves more than one department as director, at the
Leaders Summit such person must not unnecessarily plan to move from department to department,
skipping from one to another, getting a little here and there, but plan to attend only one meeting and
properly arrange for local departmental assistant(s) to attend the other(s).
On behalf of our President Dr. Eric Nathan and your Fellow Servants here at Head Quarters, thanks for
accepting to lead out in your church. The Lord equips the willing and blesses the committed.
Looking forward to seeing you at Leaders Summit.

Your Servant,

Meric D. Walker, PhD, JP

Executive Secretary

NB. For a printable copy of this letter please follow this link . Click here.
.../3
(2) Notice from the Stewardship, Wills and Trust Dpt.

2 ) November 15, 2014 will be the launch of the Comprehensive Care Plan (CCP) {also
known as the Comprehensive Growth Plan (CGP)} in all churches in the constituency. At the
heart of this initiative, is a drive to get every member of the church to fall in love again with
our loving Saviour as we spend time in prayer, daily study of the word and full participation in
the mission of the church by using our talents and gifts to win others to His kingdom. Careful
attention to our stewardship to God and members of our church family are pivotal to the
success of this plan.
Listen out for more information from your pastor on this Christ centered plan to prepare us for
his soon coming.
Stewardship Week - November 29 to December 7, 2014

(3) Notice from the Ministerial Department

Recognizing the value and the importance of prayer, the Apostle Paul admonishes us to pray
without ceasing. We are further admonished in scripture to pray one for the other and to pray
also for those in authority.
.../4
The East Jamaica Conference joins with the Jamaica Union Conference in observing forty days
of special prayer and devotion under the theme : "Transforming lives through the Power of
prayer."
We invite every member of the church to capitalize on this opportunity continue to pray for the
Holy Spirit to take full control of our lives.
Follow this link to see prayer schedule . Look for "JAMU 40 Days Prayer and Devotion"
at this link. Click Here.
(4) Notices from the Childrens and Adolescents Ministries Department
1.

The Arnold Road SDA Childrens and Adolescents Ministries presents their Giants for
Jesus Evangelistic Campaign from Sunday, November 23 Sabbath November 29,
2014. Come hear the dynamic children speakers.

2.

Kindly complement the Stewardship Department Comprehensive Care Plan (CCP) on

Sabbath, November 15, 2014 when you feed the Lambs, with a story based on
stewardship.

3.

All CM Directors of Zone 4 are asked to attend a joint F/L, WM seminar at the Morant
Bay SDA Church on Sunday, November 16, 2014, from 9 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Come
share your vision with President Nathan and the team.

4.

The awards exercise for our missionaries and Bible Spell-a-thon finalists will be held
on December 15, 2015.
All elected 2015 team members are expected to be at officers meeting 2014 at the
Kencot Church. Note that we will meet in our departments from 9 a.m. 10:30 a.m. If
you belong to more than 1 department, you are asked to take along someone who will
deputize for you in the other department.

5.

Failure keeps you humble. Success keeps you glowing. But only God can keep you
faithful. Affirm the positive.
(5) Notices from the Family Life Department

1.

Zone 4 your seminar for directors of Family Life, Women & Children will be held at
the Morant Bay Church on Sunday, November 16, 2014, from 9 a.m. 12:30 p.m.
Come share your vision with President Nathan and our other co-laborers in Christ.

2.

November 29, 2014 is International Singles Day. Remember to plan a special

program of

3.

affirmation for all our singles in all the churches. A program guide is provided. Main
venue will be the Constant Spring Church. Kindly send us the name of a male and a
female on or before November 18, 2014 to be affirmed on that day

4.

The Shortwood SDA Church Annual Single's Retreat will be held at Royal Decameron
Hotel, St Ann, November 28-30, 2014. Contact 924 1410, for further details.

5.

The General Conference Family Ministries Director will be in Jamaica February 4-7,
2015. Details will follow.

6.

Worldwide registration of all couples: Family Ministries Directors we need the full
names and date of marriage of all the couples in your church by December 30, 2014.
This data is needed among other things to meet the registration requirement by the GC.
More information will follow re the couples convocation to be held at NCU
Gymnasium on February 7, 2015 that you cannot afford to miss. See form attached.

6.

2015 Family Ministries Theme: Making Home a Place of Peace and Healing. Lets
work at making this a reality in our family.

7.

You are invited to the pre-marital counseling and relationship building clinic
conducted by Dr. Eric Nathan, President and Family Life Specialist, every Tuesday @
5:30 p.m. Venue EJC. Note that this is open to anyone.

8.

A meeting of all volunteer personnel in counseling, mediation, social work, reception

skills, etc. from zones 1-4 will be held on November 22, 2014 @ EJC from 3 p.m. to

4:30 p.m. @ EJC. Kindly confirm your attendance by telephone -7811565 or email
cgenas@ejcsda.com.
9.

All churches are asked to send the names of two males (under 16 & over 17) with
leadership qualities to be trained as BEAMS representatives for your church. We need
this core group to help plan for the 2015 BEAMS Junior Convention. We commend
those churches that have already responded.
One individual with a backbone will accomplish more than a hundred men with a
wish
bone. Shiv Khera
.../6

(6) Notices from the Womens Ministries Department

1.

MOMS in Touch: For the month of November lets pray for our singles. Focus for Week
1- Health and wisdom; Week 2- Love for mission; Week 3- Passion for excellence.

2.

HEART NTA Soft Skills Graduation will be held on Sunday December 28, 2014 in the
EJC Boardroom.

3.

All WM Directors of Zone 4 are asked to attend a joint F/L, CM seminar at the Morant
Bay SDA Church on Sunday, November 16, 2014, from 9 a.m. 12:30 p.m.

4.

November 29, 2014 is International Singles Day. Remember to plan a special

program of affirmation for all our singles in all the churches. A program guide is
provided. Main venue will be the Constant Spring Church. Kindly send us the name of a
male and a female on or before November 18, 2014 to be affirmed on that day.

5.

The Shortwood SDA Church Annual Single's Retreat will be held at Royal Decameron
Hotel, St Ann, November 28-30, 2014. Contact 924 1410, for further details.

(7) Letter to the Church from the Education Director Re Special Offering for Kingsway
H.S.
November 4, 2014
To: All Pastors, First Elders, Treasurers, Education Directors
Dear Brethren:
RE: Collection of Special Offering for Kingsway High and Preparatory School on
Sabbath, Nov. 29, 2014

Sincere Christian Greetings!

We take this opportunity to register our profound gratitude for your support towards the cause
of Adventist Christian Education since the existence of Kingsway High and Preparatory
School seventy one (71) years ago. In retrospect, the school has graduated outstanding men
and women who have excelled in their various field of studies and are making significant
contribution to nation building not just here in Jamaica, but across the world.
In recent years, the school has shown steady improvement in academic performance with one
hundred passes in at least seven subject areas over the past 2 - 5 years but our student
enrollment over the past two years has seen significant decline mainly due to the
discontinuation of acceptance of GNAT ( Grade Nine Achievement Test) students.
In 2012, Kingsway High School boasted an enrollment of 384 while today the student
population stands at 265. This drop in student enrollment has significantly affected our cash
flows and our ability to meet some of our statutory commitments which have fallen in arrears.
.../7
Kingsway wants to continue its role of providing Christian Education at the highest standard
but needs your support. The school is no longer able to support itself and needs your prayers
and financial assistance as we chart a course out of our financial dilemma.
As the Conference moves forward, one of the pillars that it recognizes is that of ownership of
all its institutions by the entire constituency. Thus we invite you to help us in keeping the
doors of Kingsway opened.
On Sabbath November 29, 2014 during the Divine Hour, we are requesting that a special
offering be collected by each church for the Kingsway High and Preparatory School. In order
to achieve maximum impact, we request that this promotion be done by the pastor or first
elder where possible. The funds collected should be lodged at First Caribbean Bank to account
name Kingsway High School and account number A/C #0065206111. Checks may also be
made out to Kingsway High School and delivered to the Treasury Department at the East
Jamaica Conference Office.
We thank you in advance for your generous contribution as together we work at securing a
brighter future for our children and Christian Education.
In the book Education, the servant of the Lord Ellen G. White stated that "Education and
redemption are one." We will continue to do strive to give our students the best education
while advancing the rich Adventist philosophy and heritage that the Lord has entrusted to us.
Respectfully Yours.
...........................
Dr. Eric Nathan
President

....................................
Dr. Donna Brown
Education Director

NB. For a printable copy of this letter please follow this link . Click here.
EDUCATION THOUGHT:
"In the word of God the mind finds subjects for the deepest thought, the loftiest
aspirations." Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students. pg. 41

(8) Letter from the Sab. School, Personal Ministries & Comm. Services Director
2014, November 11
To: Pastors, Personal Ministries Directors, Church Clerks
Dear Brethren
Good news! We are launching into the Intensive Personal Evangelism Initiative (IPEI), a
programme geared toward involving every church member in full participation in this grand
fulfilment of our divine mission. A Bible School is being established in each congregation.

Already, some churches have been requesting and receiving the lessons necessary for enlisting
persons in the Bible School. Many small groups are being organized. Training and equipping
efforts are also included in this phase of the initiative. Lets get on board!
Kindly take note also of the following important items:
1. We are asking that each church select a special needs leader/coordinator and inform
the Conference of same. This is a requirement coming from the Inter-American
Division. Please observe that the preferred term is special needs (not disabilities).
These would include physical, mental and psychological needs. We are proposing
to meet with the special needs leaders/coordinators on November 27 6:00 p.m. at
the Conference office, where we hope to form an Association, and also at our
Annual Leaders Summit to be held Sunday, December 7, 2014 at the Kencot SDA
Church, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
2. The EJC School of Evangelism Mission Week (November 9 15) including the
Annual Symposium planned for the 15th, has been postponed until (tentatively)
January 25 31, 2015. We are asking each Church to register all your evangelistic
lay preachers now, to have them included in this Grand Preaching Mission and
Evangelistic Symposium.
Kindly remind the Sabbath School Superintendents that part of this quarters world
mission offering will be going to the Good Samaritan Inn and ask them to highlight
this each week when they present the Mission Story.

3. All Community Services Leaders are invited to an extraordinary meeting of the

Federation to be held on Sunday, November 23, 2014 at the Conference office,
beginning at 10:00 a.m.
May God bless you richly as you continue to serve in His Cause.
Yours in Christ

Carl Cunningham
Carl Cunningham, Director
Sabbath School, Personal Ministries & Community Services
( 9) Notice from the Sab. School, Personal Ministries & Comm. Services Dpt.
1.

All Community Services Leaders in Zones 1, 2 and 3 are invited to an extraordinary

Community Services Federation meeting to be held on Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014 at East
Jamaica Conference office.

2.
17,

An emergency meeting of the EJC Evangelism Council will be held on Monday, Nov.
2014 at 6 p.m.
.../9

5.
The Inter-American Division is asking that each church select an officer to be in charge
of
persons with special needs (known as disabilities). We would like to have such
persons
attending a meeting at the Conference office to form an association on
Thursday, Nov.
27, 2014.at 6 p.m. More information will be given at this meeting.
(10) Notices from the Youth Department
Pathfinder Festival, Sunday, November 23, 2014 at 8:30 a.m. to 5: 30 pm at the V.H. Percy
Centre and Kencot Grounds. If you want to be educated about the Pathfinder Programme, and
if you want undiluted clean Christian fun this is the event to attend. Activities include, but are
not limited to:

Knots relay
Catch the train
Tent-pitching
Fire building
Cook-off
Law race
Drill & march
Water relay

2. Youth Congressoree will be on December 12 - 14, 2014, with services and activities to
strengthen, enrich, inspire, and de-stress, every youth of EJC and beyond. Come as we
celebrate the dedication of the youth, and youth leaders who keep the flame of Youth
Ministries in East Jamaica Conference. Be ready to celebrate God's goodness as we worship

Him through rich music, and heartfelt praise and adoration.

(11) Notice from the Publishing Ministry and Spirit of Prophecy Departments
Publishing Ministry
Vison Statement - To have SDA publication in the hand of all persons, thus teaching the way
of salvation, leading to everlasting life.
Mission Statement To proclaim the everlasting gospel through the printed page to all people
in the context of the three angels messages of Revelation 14:6-12 in order to lead them to
accept Jesus as their personal saviour and prepare them for His coming.
Spirit of Prophecy
Vision Statement To create in us the image of God through the reading of the Spirit of
Prophecy.
Mission Statement - Engage every member in the reading and practicing of the instruction
given by EGW by the power of the Holy Spirit and so experiencing transformation and
readiness for the coming of Jesus.

.../10
Notice
1. All Colporteurs are being invited to a special meeting on Wednesday,
November 19, 2014, EJC chapel commencing at 10:00 a.am.

2. The Publishing department is asking all department leaders to use the Spirit of
Prophecy books as their manual for their department to provide guidance and
inspiration. The list are:

S/S - Counsels on S/S works

PM Evangelism, Christian Service, Gospel Worker

Education Education (book of the year)

W/M, C/M, Family Life Child Guidance and Adventist Home

Youth Messages to young people

Stewardship Counsels on Stewardship

Health Ministry of Healing and Counsel on diet and food

Community Services - Welfare Ministry

Publishing Counsels on Publishing, Colporteur Ministry

3.

Each Sabbath as our visitors come to worship we are suggesting that a book or
magazine be given to them and relevant to the age (children /youth)

4. The missionary book of the year is Beyond Imagination. Cost is $75.00, come and get
one for your visitor.
(11) Notices From Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department
Jamaica Prepares for First Religious Freedom Festival in Jamaica
Published: Wednesday, November 12, 2014 7:43:47 AM

On Monday, November 10, Jamaicas Religious

Liberty leader Nigel Coke and Pastor Everett
Brown, Union President of the Adventist Church
in Jamaica, invited 300 pastors and church
leaders to the Mandeville Seventh-day Adventist
Church in Manchester, Jamaica to prepare for
the 2015 First Religious Freedom Festival.
IRLA Secretary General Dr. John Graz, the guest
speaker, gave a report on the state of religious
freedom in the world and the increase of
religious intolerance. Graz called the participants
to mobilize church members from all churches and faiths to celebrate religious freedom in Jamaica.
Click here for more on this story

.../11
(12) Notices From The Communication Department
Latest News Update

Adventists Commission Book to Mark 125 Years in Jamaica

Published: Tuesday, November 11, 2014 10:02:31 AM
Mandeville, JamaicaNigel Coke

The Seventh-day Adventist Church

will celebrate 125 years of Adventism
in Jamaica in 2015. The Church,
which came from humble beginnings
in 1890 via a tract distribution, will
commemorate the historic occasion
with the writing of a book to
document its growth and development
over the past years.
The Church, which according to
STATIN is the single largest
denomination in Jamaica, has
commissioned Adventist historian
Garnett Weir to guide the process for

the completion of the book by the end of 2015. In compiling the book, Weir will spearhead a
team of previous authors on Adventist history in Jamaica and gather information from the
Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters in Washington, interviews with individuals,
and of course from his rich archive of Adventist history. Click here to follow this news item.

GSI Bids Farewell to Forsythe

Story by Judith Kirlew - Heroes Circle SDA Church, Photos by Phillip E.L. Castell

Scores of well-wishers turned out on Sunday, November 9, 2014 at the Heroes Circle SDA
church for the funeral service of the late Mr. Iva Charles
Forsythe, former Caretaker of EJCs - Good Samaritan
Inn (GSI), who passed away on October 24, 2014 after a
brief illness. He was sixty four years of age.
Forsythe, who lived in the Coronation Market before
being given the job as Caretaker at the GSI, will be
sadly missed by most of the persons who use the Inn,
as they considered him to be one of their own. Click
here for the rest of the story.

.../12
Letter To Communication Leaders Re Live Streaming for Camp Meeting
November 6, 2014

To All Pastors, Elders & Communication Leaders

Dear Brethren:
Re: Preparation For Live Streaming of Camp Meeting 2014
I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
By now, you would have known that Camp Meeting 2014 will have a broad appeal from Seventh-day
Adventists across Jamaica, since leaders in almost all the Conferences in Jamaica will be participating.
The Communication Department of our Conference, plans to stream via the internet all of the sermon
presentations, so that members of our church across the country, can benefit from the messages that will be
preached. This you would be able to access from the East Jamaica Conference website at www.ejcsda.com.
While we expect to see maximum turnout at the Camp Meeting venue, we know that many of our brethren
will not be able to attend but would want to see and hear live, the activities taking place at the meetings.
This is where proper forward planning and technology can be of benefit to our brethren, especially those who
live out of town and / or do not have the wherewithal to attend these meetings.

With this in mind, we encourage communication leaders to work with the church board to have the requisite
communication equipment and resources in place by December 17, 2014 to benefit from this event.
In a practical sense, this means acquiring high speed internet access for the church, if this is not already in
place, and logging on to the internet to view the service from our website. Of course in a church setting, the
information would need to be projected to a screen or wall so a bright projector would also be needed. A
large flat screen TV would serve the same purpose in smaller churches.
For many of our churches, this infrastructure is already in place, but for others, budgetary allocation would
need to be made to facilitate this, hence the letter.
With five weeks before this event, there is enough time to put this in place if your church does not
already have this set up. All that would be needed is the financial resources and determination to make this a
reality.
Feel free to contact us for technical advice if this is required.
It is my hope that in the near future, every church in East Jamaica Conference will be able to participate in
other live streaming events initiated by our Conference and the wider world church organization so that more
of our members may benefit from the messages and information being shared from our church leaders.
Your brother in Christ

Phillip E.L. Castell

Communication Director

NB. For a printable copy of this letter please follow this link . Click here.
.../13
Photo Highlights

Click on the image above to be launched into the Symposium 2014 event which was held at
the Mandeville SDA Church last week.
President of JAMU, Pastor Everett Brown spoke under theme "Looking back, reaching
forward with Christ. Click here to listen his sermon presentation.
One of the well kept secrets of the ejc website is the photogallary which contains hundreds of
photographs covering almost every kind of event our church participates in. Some persons are
aware of it and visit regularly. Unfortunately most persons are not aware. Today we highlight
this feature of our website. You can access the photo gallery from the website by clicking on
the link below.
Click here to see photo gallery
(13) Notices from the constituency
I.

The Arnold Road SDA Children;s Evangelistic campaign presents Giants for Jesus
from November 23 - 29, 2014 at the Arnold Road SDA Church, 66 Arnold Road
Kingston 5. Come and hear dynamic children speakers that will heal your heart with
words of the Lord. Bring your family, friends and neighbours.

II.

The Rollington Town SDA Church invites you to their first Single's Day service on
November 22, 2014 under the theme "Single and Shining of Christ. Guest speaker will
be Pastor Daren Murphy. See post er below for additional information.

III.

The Adventist Health Professionals Association (AHPA) - East Chapter, invites you to
Health Symposium 2014 under the theme, "Restoring Mind, Body & Soul" as the share
information on the following topics :1. Chikungunya : Managing the Aftermath
2. Ebola: Global Challenges... Local Strategies
3. Health Evangelism: Called to Serve
Interested persons should register to sugnal your attendance by calling 978-8293 /
2813027
See below for more information.
.../14

(14) Schedule of Upcoming Conference Dates and Events

Dates
Nov 15
Nov 22
Nov 23

Event
Launch of Comprehensive Care Plan
Beams Junior Convention (Postponed)
Pathfinder Festival

Location
All Churches
V.H. Percy Centre

Nov 29
Nov 29 - Dec 7
Dec 7

International Singles Day

Stewardship Week
Leaders' Summit

Dec 12 - 14
Dec 17 - 20
January 24-2015

Youth Congressoree,
Camp Meeting
Religious Liberty Festival

Phillip E. L. Castell
Communication Director

Constant Spring SDA Church

All Churches
Kencot SDA Church
Kencot SDA Church
National Arena

../15