christian women leaders meet pm maryellen fairfax Society, Anglican Deaconess MinisRepresentatives from the tries, Australian Christian Churches and Seventh-day Adventist Church met with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison met with representatives from both major political parties to advocate and other senior parliamentarians in for policies supporting and protecting Canberra on September 17-18, to vulnerable women and children in the highlight the issue of violence toward South Pacific. This was in support of the women and children in the Pacific. Greater Sydney Conference Adventist Federal Government’s “Pacific Step Up” campaign. Women’s Ministries director Beryl The group presented four requests to Landers and Australian Women’s the Australian Government: Christian Temperance Union presi• To ensure that Pacific Step Up dent Joy Marie Butler were nominated empowers local communities to by the Adventist Development and lead their own development. Relief Agency (ADRA) to represent the • To ensure Pacific Step Up recogSeventh-day Adventist Church at the nises the needs of the most vulnermeetings. able women and children. They joined 40 other women to • To work with the Australian Church present requests to various members to leverage, amplify and strengthen of parliament on Tuesday, September the Pacific Church as a partner for 17. Mrs Landers was then selected development and nation building. among 10 women to speak with the • To ensure the Pacific Step Up is prime minister himself on Wednesday, not at the cost of “stepping down” September 18. elsewhere in the world. In their 15-minute meeting, Mrs The women presented their requests Landers was impressed that Mr in light of a recent report revealing that Morrison mentioned Seventh-day nearly 87 per cent of children experiAdventists three times. ence physical or sexual violence across “He was on board with our requests eight Pacific countries. because he sees how integral the Mrs Landers said she is inspired and Church is to development in the will take her experience into future Islands,” she said. “He’s seen the meetings. work of ADRA and he’s met the prime “I am going to the Australian minister of Papua New Guinea, who is Union Conference in October for their an Adventist. He even used the collowomen’s ministry advisory. I will chalquial term ‘SDA’!” lenge them that Adventist women in The cohort is the largest delegation Australia can be the voice of the voiceof female Christian leaders to travel less sisters in the Islands. This has been to Parliament, a unified effort coordia great learning experience.” nated by Micah Australia—a coalition of churches and Christian non-government organisations that raises a voice for justice and a world free from poverty. The women leaders—including representatives from Anglican, Catholic, Uniting, The Salvation Army, Hillsong, beryl landers with Mr Morrison and other church Baptist, Churches representatives at parliament house, canberra. of Christ, Bible
news grabs
creation sabbath next week
The General Conference has created Finding Rest, a two-minute film revealing the true character of God as the Creator. It is designed to be shown in churches for “Creation Sabbath” on October 26 and can be readily accessed in many languages at creationsabbath.net.—Timothy Standish
east african medical school
Republic of Rwanda president Paul Kagame joined GC president Dr Ted Wilson to unveil the new East-Central Africa Division School of Medicine in early September. The first completed phase includes nine laboratories, smart classrooms, a modern cafeteria, student dormitories and a guest house.—ANN
samoans baptised in usa
More than 900 people attended the North American Division Samoan Camp Meetings in Washington (USA) from June 24-30. Attendees shared traditional fashions, songs, dances, comedies and unique stories that illustrated “breaking through enemy lines”. As a result, a total of 44 people were baptised.—Gleaner Now
october 19, 2019 | Adventist record
7