NorthPoint - July, 2011

NORTH NSW CONFERENCE NEWS

JULY

2011

Grey Nomads Camp 2011

Currawah Adventist Aboriginal College officially opened After almost two terms of operation, Currawah Adventist Aboriginal College, near Gongolgon in outback NSW, was officially opened on Monday, 6 June, 2011 by North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference President Pastor John Lang and the federal member for Parkes Mark Coulton.

With close to 100 guests — including executive members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and Adventist Education, as well as representatives from the Association of Independent Schools (AIS) Australia, local dignitaries, parents, students and board members — the opening provided a chance to reflect on the past three years of development, and celebrate the innovation and opportunities of the future.

In his address, Pastor Lang, visionary of Currawah Adventist Aboriginal College, thanked the many people involved in making the dream of the college become a reality.

“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to John Baxter from Westpac for the wonderful way in which he assists our school system in their many developments right across NNSW, but especially the support he has provided for Currawah,” said Pastor Lang.

Founding principal George Spero also addressed the audience and outlined his focus for his students.

“The three areas that we focus on with our students include teaching our students to have respect for themself and others, to be responsible for their actions, and to contribute back to society,” he told those in attendance.

With plans to add additional years up to Year 10 over the next three years, the ultimate dream is to have one stream of students to Year 12, with another stream working towards becoming job-ready, in a practical sense.

“We see a real need to develop strategies to prepare these young people to be leaders in the community and to be able to make a real difference in their areas of influence,” says Pastor Lang.

Linda Stuart, marketing coordinator — education for Seventh-day Adventist Schools (NNSW) Ltd, says, “As the college moves forward into its third term of operation and towards the next stage of construction, we are excited about the growth in the coming years, and the very exciting prospect ultimately, of a senior campus. Our prayer is that God will have His hand upon the college as He continues to bless the students, the staff and the wider school community.”

– Linda Stuart

“I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to David Buley (CFO of AIS and Director of BGA Projects) for ‘going out on a limb’ for us. Without these men and their foresight, this project just could not have happened,” he added. “The amount of work that has been done by staff and volunteers has been enormous.”

In his speech, Mr Coulton commended the vision of the church when he said, “It is one thing to recognise a need; another to do something about it. I am thankful for your practical Christianity.”

Pastor John Lang and Mar Coulton, MP, at the official opening of Currawah Adventist Aboriginal College.

Mr Coulton believes the two important things in a student’s life are a sense of where they come from and an education. “An education will give you choices, and having choices will make all the difference,” he said.

He went on to say that his visit to the College marked the beginning of what he considers will be a wonderful asset in western NSW. “I can imagine in a few years’ time, there will be a waiting list for this college,” he commented.

The audience appreciated the music and speeches provided by the staff and students of the College, with Thomas Strong, a Year 7 student, performing a special item on the didgeridoo.

Upcoming events...

Thomas Strong performed a special item on the didgeridoo at the opening of the college.

Pastor John Lang addresses attendees of the official opening of Currawah Adventist Aboriginal College.

ADRA Appeal When: August 2011 Where: Throughout the North New South Wales Conference What: The ADRA Appeal raises funds to help people in need in Australia and overseas. Just $10 can help purchase first aid supplies for life-saving emergency response kits. More @ www.adra.org.au

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Grey Nomads “Stop. Revive. Survive.” at 2011 camp The 2011 Grey Nomads camp, held from 6–14 May at Stuarts Point Convention Centre, saw 436 people come to stay at the campgrounds from all conferences in Australia except for Western Australia. Now in its third year, the Grey Nomads camp has doubled its number of attendees since it began in 2009. For the Sabbath meetings, the number of people on the grounds swelled to nearly 500.

Bob Dale, general secretary of the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference, says, “All of the attendees were retirees, from those recently retired to a lady who was 94 years of age. There was also a 92 year old there.”

The theme of this year’s Grey Nomads camp was “Stop. Revive. Survive.” and was based around the 23rd Psalm. The theme reminded people to STOP (“He lets me rest,” Psalm 23:2), REVIVE (“He renews my strength,” v3), and to rejoice in the assurance of eternal SURVIVAL (“I will live in the house of the Lord forever,” v23).

With the cool but dry weather, the attendees were able to enjoy the Stuarts Point grounds as well as being blessed by the presentations of the guest speakers.

On the first Sabbath of Grey Nomads, Pastor Daron Pratt, director of Children’s Ministries for the NNSW Conference, conducted Sabbath School. Pastor Chester Stanley, president of the Australian Union Conference (AUC), presented the church service. In the afternoon, Pastor Justin Lawman, director of the NNSW Conference’s Evangelism Department, hosted “Our Mission Stories.”

On the first Sabbath night, a trivia night was hosted by Debbie and Graham Head. This acted as a light-hearted icebreaker and was enjoyed by those who took part.

Pastor Vadim Butov from Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church presented a series of Bible studies in the mornings at Grey Nomads.

The early-morning prayer/devotionals by Eric Winter were also greatly appreciated. Each afternoon was free for outings, workshops and relaxation.

The final Sabbath saw Dr Carl Cosaert, associate professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Walla Walla University, present a moving message during the church service. Dr Cosaert spoke about his daughter, who died at the age of 16 and would have been 21 that weekend. Many in the audience were moved to tears by his story.

The second Sabbath afternoon featured a “retro” AY program, which was conducted by Pastor Malcolm Allen. This was warmly received, and the program featured old AY gospel songs and memory texts. On the closing Sabbath night of Grey Nomads, a concert was held. It featured a mix of Tom Mitchell on organ and The 3 Steves guitar trio.

Mr Dale says of the feedback about Grey Nomads, “One of the comments consistently made – and the reason people keep coming back – was how much people appreciated the relaxed atmosphere, and the lack of pressure of many people around. There are no crowds, no security issues.

The music and presentations are slanted to their needs too.”

Mr Dale adds that Grey Nomads is also a great networking tool. “Many people who go are former church employees. They can meet up with old friends and other church employees. It’s a 50/50 split between former employees and laity, and there’s such a good atmosphere there.”

The next Grey Nomads camp is planned for next year, and will be held from 4-12 May. – Adele Nash

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Reckless Love in reprint Strong sales will see a book by the senior minister of Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church reprinted only six months after its launch.

Signs Publishing Company has no more copies of Dr Bruce Manners’s Reckless Love and is now printing more to cover backorders.

“Sales have been strong in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, but we’ve been surprised by the strength of sales in North America,” says book editor Nathan Brown. This is due in part to Pacific Press, which distributes Signs’ books to Adventist Book Centres in North America. The Nampa, Idaho-based publisher promoted Reckless Love at an Adventist Book Centre sales seminar in February. “By the time the first shipment arrived a few weeks ago, Pacific Press needed to order more,” reports Nathan.

Dr Manners’ book explores finding love in the doctrines, as he believes you can’t take doctrines away from the God who gave them.

– Brenton Stacey

Reckless Love: Adventist Beliefs at Stories of Grace is available from Adventist Book Centres for $19.95.

OUR CHURCHES Dungog follows “In The Footsteps of the European Reformers” Dungog Seventh-day Adventist Church has completed a four-part series following in the footsteps of the Protestant Reformers of Europe. Thanks to the efforts of Glynn Hefren and retired minister Pastor Doug Weare, handbills advertising the series were distributed throughout the small country town of Dungog.

The local paper, The Dungog Chronicle, also advertised the programs. The series ran on alternate Sabbath afternoons during April, May and June. Church members and community guests who came to the programs learned much about the Protestant Reformation in Europe.

Pastor Clive Nash, who is the pastor of Lakeside and Dungog churches, was the presenter. Using pictures he had taken during the last Reformation Tour led by Pastors Harold Harker and Russel Stanley, he took his audience on a journey thought England, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany and the Czech Republic. Accounts of reformers such as Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Hus, the Hugenots of France and the story of the Waldenses of the Piedmont Valleys of northern Italy brought to mind how, in many cases, a great price was paid for the liberty of conscience and for restoration of Bible truths.

Free study notes were given out at each session. Dungog plans to follow up with a series on the Protestant Reformation in England and Scotland later in the year.

– Clive Nash

Pastor Clive Nash presenting “In The Footsteps of the European Reformers” at Dungog Church.

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Regional in Kurri Kurri sets scene for Coalfields Outreach On 14 May, the Kurri Kurri Workers Club played host to a number of Adventist church members as they gathered for the Coalfield Regional.

Pastor Mark Venz, who ministers to Kurri Kurri and Cessnock Adventist churches, says, noted that to enter these kinds of establishments, it is important to sign a temporary membership as part of the requirement of entry. Both Pastor Venz and Pastor Justin Lawman, director of the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference’s Evangelism Department, commented on how easy it would be to start a new church this way.

Pastor Venz says of holding the regional day at the Kurri Kurri Workers Club, “That may cause concern for some, but as David Rabe, the elder of Singleton Church, said as he walked in the entrance that he was met with the sounds of music he recognised. He was pleased that this music was flowing throughout the building.”

One Accord provided most of the music for the regional, with some special items from others. Around 140 people turned up for the regional meeting. Pastor Daron Pratt, director of Children’s Ministries for the NNSW Conference, looked after the 15 children who came to the day, and ran a training program for discipleship.

Pastor Lawman looked after the lesson and spoke on God’s vision. He generated great discussion within the group, according to Pastor Venz.

After a break and some congregational singing, Pastor Pratt did an object lesson with some of his balloon shaping skills. “It was so inspirational to see the single balloon going from a caterpillar and then, with a number of other balloons, being transformed into

a butterfly,” says Pastor Venz. “The people are still talking about it!”

Pastor Adrian Craig, who conducts church enrichment around the NNSW Conference, was the main speaker for the program. Pastor Venz says of his presentation, “He was able to illustrate with words all parts of the world, their cultures, food and faiths, and unite them within God’s plan — revival, restoration, with Jesus our Lord in heaven.”

The regional day was the start of a number of programs being run by the churches in the coalfields region.

They are an initiative of the pastors of the Kurri Kurri, Cessnock, Singleton, Muswellbrook and Maitland churches.

Book of John. There will also be a “Reloaded” series, which focused on the things people would have learned in the All Power Seminar conducted by Pastor Geelan.

Pastor Lawman says he’s very proud of Pastor Venz for taking on the leadership of the Coalfields Outreach, and of the other pastors and churches involved in it. “What I love about this is that it’s the initiative of the local pastors,” he adds. “To get a church boom along side the mining boom would be great. We’d love to plant a church out there.”

– Adele Nash

Pastor Craig conducted a prophecy series, which ran over four weeks from 18 May and was attended by Kurri Kurri and Cessnock members. There was also a Natural Health Workshop, which concluded on 6 June after running for six weeks. Around 16 people attended that, mostly non-Adventist. Adele Rowden-Johnson and Bruce Johnson presented this series, which included cooking demonstrations and presentations.

On 2 and 3 July, Pastor Paul Geelan presented the twoday All Power Seminar program. This included sessions about experiencing life with no limits, achieving success, creating wealth and harnessing the forces that control your life. The seminars are being held at the Kurri Kurri Workers Club.

Following on from this, Pastor Venz will conduct an anxiety seminar, as well as conducting a series on the

Pastor Daron Pratt with the butterfly that “grows” from the caterpillar.

An Adventist Easter at Maitland Easter Sunday was a day of special celebration and a community guest day at the Maitland Seventh-day Adventist Church. The church praise team led out, and items from the children and teen Sabbath School groups completed the program, adding drama and action songs.

Peter Brown, an elder at the church; Rick Meale, a student pastor; and Joy Meale took the roles of gospel characters and added interest and spiritual challenge on the theme of “He Came, He Died, He Rose.”

– Russell Schulz

Mary Magdalene at Calvary, reflecting on what Jesus meant to her.

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Youth (and others) ReconnecT at Lakeside On 27 May at 7.00pm, Lakeside Seventh-day Adventist Church held its first ReconnecT program, which was attended by around 50 people of a variety of ages.

Wayne Humphries, a student pastor at the church, welcomed attendees to the first ReconnecT program and reminded them they were there to “reconnect with each other and God.” Following praise and worship, Wayne interviewed Lakeside Church member Clint Medhurst, who had recently returned from a volunteer trip to Cambodia. Clint works with a local building company, and they were the ones who organized the 18-day trip to Cambodia for their employees to help out at an orphanage between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh.

Clint said the experience had changed his perspectives, and that although it was a third-world country, the people were very smiley and happy.

James London, another student pastor at Lakeside and third year Theology student, was the guest presenter for the main part of the ReconnecT program. James is originally from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and had had his citizenship test to become an Australian citizen that day. He told attendees that he had scored 100% on the test, even though he refuses to eat Vegemite.

His presentation was called “The Process” and explored the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. James said this story was about someone who experienced everything life has to offer, but was emptying life out rather than living it to the fullest. It also explores the redemptive love of a father. While God is waiting for us with open arms, it doesn’t mean the process is over just by accepting Him — our lives are a work in progress. James reminded attendees that God had started a good work in them and is certain to complete it (Philippians 1:6).

The second ReconnecT program was held on 24 June, with William Iererua, a theology student from Avondale College, as the guest speaker.

The idea of running ReconnecT came from Calvin Hunter, a member of Lakeside Church. He thought the church should offer something on a Friday night at least once a month. After talking with a number of people about the idea, a group decided they should do something about it.

James London was the speaker at the first ReconnecT night, held on 27 May.

Matt Pearce, a student pastor at Lakeside and leader of the youth group, says ReconnecT was a program name they came up with after talking to people who were “just floating.”

“They didn’t seem to have a relationship with God at all,” says Matt. “So we thought it was important to connect them back to God. But we want to take it one step further, and that is getting those who come to invite their friends and neighbours.”

The group running ReconnecT hope to promote it more to the community and encourage them to reconnect with God. “There’s more ground work needed to reach the community,” says Matt, “But that’s ultimately where we want to go.”

The speakers for the ReconnecT programs are local, and the events are open to people of all ages. Matt says they are looking to start a worship band team, and if anyone is interested in being part of this, they can contact him via reconnectlakeside@gmail.com.

– Adele Nash

A group of youth from Avondale College provided great music for ReconnecT.

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Kids Church turns nine at CCCC “Get Up, Get In, Get Out” was the theme as Kids Church at Central Coast Community Church (CCCC) celebrated their ninth birthday on 28 May. This theme stood for “Get Up” and do something, “Get In” to the world, and “Get Out” and share what you know.

It began with the CCCC kids hosting Big Church with enthusiastic singing, welcome and prayer. Special thanks go to Paul Simonsen for producing a DVD highlighting the recent KC Easter event where the theme was “DoGs” (Depend on God) that was featured on the day.

Trish Williams, Childrens’ Ministries director for CCCC, also gave a presentation, and used a plait made up of red, blue and gold cords to represent Kids Church, Big Church

N O R T H P O I N T // 6

and God. Together they form a strong union, working in harmony. The children then left to enjoy their “zones.”

Trish says they had nine zones to remind the children of nine things they have learnt over the past nine years. The zones were God the Father, Character, Freedom, Grab the Opportunity, Focus, Care to Share, Your Bit, Jesus In Us and Fantastic Families.

Each of these zones is based on a Bible text that reminds children of their connection to God and others.

Trish thanked everyone who has made Kids Church a success for so long, and noted that it was a wonderful blessing to serve and be served.

– Trish Williams

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“History Our Story” at Port Macquarie The second year has proved to be even more popular than the first for the “History Our Story” program run by Port Macquarie Seventh-day Adventist Church. The whole church comes together to produce this huge project over three days at Easter time..

“History Our Story” is a dramatised outdoor walk-through of the life of Jesus, focusing on the Easter story and culminating in the Second Coming. The program was extended from two days last year to three days this year to meet the public demand to take the journey. Each tour takes half an hour to complete, and winds its way through the grounds of the Port Macquarie Adventist School and church.

Each visitor starts their journey by entering a Bible-times village, which is set up so they can experience the sights, sounds and smells from a time and place 2000 years ago. While strolling down the village road, visitors can have a go at rolling their own flatbread with rolling rocks, cooking it and eating it hot from the fire with some lentil stew. This is very popular with all visitors.

Moving down the road, visitors experience and try arts and craft, pottery, leatherwork and woodwork. These are very popular, particularly with children. There are dancing girls and slaves pulling chariots for visitors to ride on. The Centurions’ Rest Inn was kept busy supplying food and drink to the visitors.

Once through the village, “tour guides” take people on their journey to the cross.

While on the journey, visitors experience the wise men, shepherds, and the innkeeper and his wife as they see the Nativity. From there, they jump forward 30 years to see John the Baptist and move on to Jesus’ ministry. Things intensify from there as visitors go with Jesus to his trial with Pilate and walk with Him to the cross.

The crucifixion scene is so moving that tears flow freely. The resurrection s followed by a trip through the Dark Ages to the present day, and finishes on a high note, with music and video depicting the Second Coming.

The common thread from comments from visitors to the “History” program is how moved they are by what they see and hear. They also comment about how much they have learned by seeing what Jesus did for them.

The “History Our Story” program received a thumbs up from the local newspaper, too.

Each year, those who come to the program tell the church members they’ll bring more people next year. Port Macquarie Church is looking forward to an even bigger and better 2012 showing where the people of Port Macquarie can learn about the Jesus we love.

– Heather Knobbs

Starting out with the Nativity on the “History Our Story” program.

On the way to the crucifixion.

At the crucifixion scene.

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OUR BAPTISMS Singer joins Lakeside Church Singer/songwriter Justin Watson was baptised at the Avondale College Church on Sabbath afternoon of 9 April. His family and friends were present to celebrate with him. Justin now belongs to the church family at Lakeside where he had been studying the Bible over a two-year period with the pastor, Clive Nash. Lakeside Church is located in Bonnells Bay on southern Lake Macquarie.

Now a student at Avondale College, Justin is a new member of the singing group The Promise. The conductor of The Promise, Dr Robb Dennis, sang for the baptism.

Justin himself sang one of his own compositions after he was baptised. A number of Justin’s friends also contributed musical items to the service.

In his sermon, Pastor Nash referred to a nineteenth century tombstone in Sutton Forest in the southern highlands (NSW). The tombstone celebrates the life of Mary Ann Lewry who obviously loved music and loved her Lord. Clearly inscribed are the words, I’ve found the pearl of greatest price, My heart doth sing for joy, And sing I must for Christ is mine; Christ shall my song employ.

The audience was reminded that it was the singing of Paul and Silas in the jail in Philippi that led to the baptism of the jailer and his family. Justin Watson has found joy in making music and in being a newborn child of Christ.

Justin’s mother, Tabitha Watson, spoke of Justin’s spiritual journey and paid tribute to his decision to follow Jesus Christ. For Justin’s parents, Russell and Tabitha Watson of Bonnells Bay, this has been a blessed year. They have now seen three of their children baptised (see “Five baptisms at Lakeside,” NorthPoint April 2011, page 4).

Justin and Pastor Nash immediately after Justin was baptised.

– Clive Nash

Justin and Pastor Nash.

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Justin performs a special item following his baptism.

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Baptisms celebrated at Erina It was a day of rejoicing at Erina Seventh-day Adventist Church on 29 January. The service culminated in the baptism of father and son Dean and Taylor Carter. Dean married Margareta, a lapsed Adventist, 20 years ago and it wasn’t until pregnant with Taylor that Margareta realised she wanted the same spiritual upbringing for her children that she had experienced.

So the little family started attending Kellyville Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sydney. Shortly after their daughter Georgia was born, Dean started working as a real estate agent to get his real estate licence. This involved working just about every weekend. It was as the two years he spent doing this drew to a close that Taylor asked his dad why he didn’t come to church with them. All of Taylor’s friends’ dads were there with their families, after all.

Dean promised him when he didn’t work on Sabbaths any more, he would attend with them. True to his word, he got his licence a few months later, left the real estate office and has been attending church with his family since. The family moved to the Central Coast six years ago and started attending Erina Church.

It was fitting that the young boy who talked his dad into coming to church with him stood by him as a young man who was baptised by Pastor Russel Stanley with his father. This was witnessed by family and friends from both churches.

Pastor Kerry and Rhonda Hortop attended as special guests, as Pastor Hortop had studied with Dean many years ago while pastoring at Kellyville.

This baptism was followed by three more on 30 April.

The church was beautifully adorned with flowers as Jessica Harrold and sisters Fernita and Stephanie Suoth were baptised. Pastor Vern Parmenter had been studying with Jessica and her friends for many months, and yet when her friends were all baptised some months ago, Jessica felt the need to wait until the time felt right for her. Her family, friends, neighbours and church delighted in seeing this young lady publically announce her allegiance to Jesus as she was baptised by Pastor Parmenter.

Then Pastor Stanley had the pleasure of baptising Fernita and Stephanie in the presence of many visiting family and friends, as well as church members. The girls, relative newcomers to Erina Church, are very talented and have played a variety of musical instruments and sang items in the past, so it was a perfect addition to the service for them to sing a special item about their decision to be on God’s side.

Friends of the three brought in a decorative cage with two pure white doves, which represented the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove at Jesus’ baptism. Pastor Stanley observed how throughout the service, he was aware of the doves softly cooing, and was reminded that the Holy Spirit was like that in our lives — speaking softly to us in the background, and that we have to take time to listen to His promptings.

– Margareta Carter

Fernita Suoth, Jessica Harrold and Stephanie Suoth

Pastor Stanley with Taylor and Dean Carter

Doves at the girls’ baptism The group prays for the young women who attended the retreat.

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OUR BAPTISMS Baptism at Toronto Church Bradley Carter dedicated his life to God on 7 May at the Toronto Seventh-day Adventist Church. Abel Iorgulescu and Gustav Hoffman, theology students from Avondale College, studied with Bradley. Abel assisted Pastor Aaron Jeffries with the baptism.

Bradley is a student at Avondale High School, and is active in sports and as a junior counselor with Pathfinders. He was warmly welcomed as a valued member of Toronto Church, and his example as a role model for the younger students is greatly appreciated.

– Michelle Down

Bradley Carter was baptised on 7 May at Toronto Church.

Two baptised at The Entrance The Entrance Seventh-day Adventist Church celebrated a wonderful day recently when two young people decided to give their lives to the Lord in baptism. Kevin Smith and Nicolas Keaton called on their cousin to do the honours in baptising them.

Benjamin Townson, a minister working in Victoria, baptised the two and says, “It was a fantastic day. Not only was I able to baptise Kev and Nick, but I was also able to dedicate the newest member of the family — Chelsea Smith, Kevin’s baby sister.”

Ryan Smith, Kevin’s Brother, and Bertrand Babet, a cousin, blessed those who attended the baptism with their music and singing. It was a huge day of blessings for the family and church.

– Ben Townson

Kevin and Nicolas with Pastor Ben Townson.

Spanish Company celebrates baptism On 12 February, Elisa Gomez was baptised in Hamilton Seventh-day Adventist Church

by Pastor Jan Jankewicz. It was a lovely ceremony in the presence of family, friends and members of the church. Elisa was officially received as a new member of the Spanish Company on the following Sabbath. It is always a pleasure to see a soul deciding to give their life to God and expressing the desire to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. The Spanish Company hope God blesses Elisa and that she always retains His wonderful hope.

– Lilian Rodriguez

Elisa with Pastor Jankewicz at her baptism.

N O R T H P O I N T // 10

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OUR schools Macquarie College student hand-picked for state cricket After a very successful cricket season, the Macquarie College Senior Boys Cricket Team have secured themselves a place in the Douglas Shield Grand Final cricket match, which will be held in September in Bathurst. The Douglas Shield is a New South Wales Country Independent Schools competition. A win in the grand final will take the team to the next level, and give them an opportunity to compete in the NSW Schoolboys Macquarie Bank Cup. One of the many outstanding players in the Macquarie College team was Year 11 student Cameron Roxby, who was named man-of-the-match in the Under 16s State Challenge final earlier this year. Cameron has been chosen by selectors to represent NSW in the Under 17 Country Cricket Training Squad to play against competing Under 17 City Cricket Squad.

The program is administered by NSW Cricket as a pathway to the NSW Blues cricket team. It involves strength and conditioning, dedicated coaching, and trial games throughout the next four to five months. A 12-man team will be selected to tour Darwin in August, followed by the Under 17 NSW Country Championships in October.

Finally, the tour will conclude with a City vs Country game at Bowral in November.

Cameron’s goal is to be selected in the Under 17s NSW team and compete in the national championships in January 2012.

Macquarie College congratulates Cameron for his selection into the Under 17 Country Cricket training squad. The college would also like to congratulate the Senior Boys Cricket Team who have played some outstanding cricket during this season. They are a credit to the college.

– Michael Heath

Cameron Roxby with John Sullivan, Country Cricket NSW Executive Officer, at the Under 16 State Challenge 2011. Cameron was Player of the Match.

Week of Mega Praise at Avondale School Another great Week of Mega Praise left its impact on the Primary Campus at Avondale School in May. Guest speaker Dr Andrew Matthes addressed the students with charisma, talking about love, compassion, justice and inspiration.

The theme “With All My Heart” explored the idea of making a difference in the world. The students learned about how they can respond to God’s love by sharing this love and responding to the needs of people around us.

As well as the worship services, there was a “Hands and Hearts Room” where students could respond to what they were hearing and learning. The room provided a reflective and creative environment with commitment rocks, heart notes and prayer bands.

Dr Andrew Matthes presenting a talk at the Week of Mega Praise at Avondale School.

Following the program, they had the opportunity sign up to sponsor a child in a poor neighbouring nation, help start a micro-business for a poor family, make a stand against child trafficking, or support local projects.

Students were closely involved with the worship programs — they sang, acted and played instruments. The outstanding music and the inspiring message from Dr Matthes made for a great week of spiritual learning.

– Susan Rogers

Special musical items were part of the Week of Mega Praise at the school.

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Notice for NNSW Conference Constituency Meeting Notice is hereby given that the 55th Constituency meeting of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, North NSW Conference will be held at the Macksville High School Auditorium, Boundary Street, Macksville.

The meeting will be held Sunday 11 September, 2011 commencing at 10.00am.

Delegates will be appointed in harmony with the Constitution.

The business of the Constituency meeting will be as provided in the Constitution, incorporating the presentation of reports and financial statements for the quadrennial period 2007 – 2010 inclusive.

The Executive Officers, Departmental Directors, Executive Committee Constitutional Committee and Appointments Committees for the Conference will be elected.

– Robert G Dale General Secretary, North New South Wales Conference

BIG CAMP 2011 If you are planning to attend the North NSW Conference Big Camp event this year, please note and make appropriate arrangements for the following: Closure of front boomgate during Sabbath hours The front boomgates at Stuarts Point Convention Centre will remain closed (except to emergency vehicles) from sunset Friday night to sunset Sabbath, except for late arrivals on the first Friday night (September 30).

If you anticipate needing to use your vehicle during Sabbath hours, please park your car in the entrance car park.

Disabled persons living offsite will be granted entry, if their vehicle displays an RTA disability pass.

NorthPoint is published by the Communications Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (North New South Wales Conference) Ltd. President: Pastor John Lang | Editor: Sharlene Guest | Assistant Editor: Adele Nash Readers are invited to send news items, stories, testimonies and photographs to: POOBox N RT H P7,OWallsend I N T // 1NSW 2287 | Telephone: (02) 4951 8088 | Fax: (02) 4950 1102 | Email: northpoint@adventist.org.au | Website http://nnsw.adventist.org.au