NorthPoint - February, 2016

Sharing the good news of Jesus in the Tweed Valley

synchronised to a majestic rendition of the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

The grounds of the school provided an impressive backdrop for the event and looked spectacular on the night — a far cry from the previous days that had been rainy. Many prayers were sent up on the morning of the event, and soon the wind picked-up and blew the clouds away, while drying the oval just in time for set-up. Karyn North from Kingscliff Church coordinated the night and says there were two great outcomes.

“To have so many people from our local community come through the gates of the college and enjoy the program was very exciting, as was joining with the other denominations in town to present a truly Christ-centred Christmas event. We look forward to working together again in 2016 to host an even bigger and better ‘Carols at the College,’” she said.

Christmas is an opportune time for Christians to share the good news of Jesus with their community. Seventh-day Adventist churches in the Tweed region recently organised two special events in an effort to do just that.

On Friday, 11 December, Kingscliff Church hosted The Christmas Story: Through Mary’s Eyes. The evening started with refreshments on the church lawn, where guests mingled while being entertained by professional musician Josh Cunningham, before entering the sanctuary for the main program.

The emotive script was penned and narrated by church elder Judy Fua, and told the story of Jesus through the eyes of His mother, right up to the cross and resurrection.

The program also featured a band, orchestra and choir that performed a variety of songs and carols for the full church.

One of the organisers, Kylie Parmenter-Kelly, was thrilled to see so many new faces in the audience.

“I feel that people were blessed. It was a wonderful opportunity to think beyond the typical ‘Jesus in a manger’ approach to Christmas and focus on the bigger meaning of what Christmas is, and how He is our Saviour,” she said.

Two nights later, Tweed Valley Adventist College hosted “Carols at the College,” a Christmas variety program put on by Murwillumbah Churches Together (the combined churches of the Murwillumbah area).

It’s estimated that more than 1700 people attended the event, which began with children’s activities and food stalls before transitioning into a more traditional carols event.

Actor/singer Jay Laga’aia was a big drawcard, especially for the children. The two-hour line-up was mostly musical, but also included a scriptural message from Pastor David Asscherick, and concluded with a breathtaking display of fireworks

— Summer Lockley

Page 2: From the President: The Lord working with them

Pages 3: 2016 pastoral appointments

Pages 4 and 5: Why Summer Camps?

Page 9: Macquarie College climbs rankings

OUR CONFeReNCe

From the President: The Lord working with them

As Mark ends his Gospel where he has recounted the wonderful works of Jesus while He was on earth, he gives a one verse description of the activities of the early church. In the middle of this one verse description is the secret of the church’s success. The verse is found in Mark 16:20 — “And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.”

“And they went out...”

The Christian church doesn’t have the privilege to sit still and let the world come to us. It was God’s intention for the church that we would be salt and light to the community around us. Because of God’s great love for us, we go out, leave the comfort and safety of our own lives, and go and impact the lives of others.

“...and preached everywhere...”

It’s a very simple plan. The Good News that they had was such good news that they told it to anyone and everyone who would listen. The word had been given to them by God, and now that word is what they would share with their fellow man. The word was sharper than a two-edged sword that could discern the thoughts and intents of the human heart, and that word would never return to God void (Isaiah 55:11).

“...the Lord working with them...”

This is the secret of the early church’s success. Going out and preaching guarantees nothing. Our only guarantee is when the Lord is working with us and through us. A personal relationship and connection with heaven was the highest priority in the lives of people in the early church. They loved God and they were connected to Him in such profound ways that their work was His work and His work was their work.

“...confirming the word through the accompanying signs.”

He made His work successful by the accompanying signs. It was nothing they did or could ever hope to do, but it was their cooperation with heaven that made it successful. Read the Book of Acts for more information about these signs — for example, the reason the Day of Pentecost was so successful was because of the miracle the Spirit worked.

For 2016, as the year lies ahead of us with lots of unknown challenges and triumphs, will the Lord be working with you? I’m taking this as a personal call to prayer, to act and to share His word.

— Pastor Justin Lawman

Around The Traps is a regular e-newsletter from Pastor Justin Lawman. It features a devotional and news from the conference. To subscribe, fill out the form at <http://nnsw.adventist.org.au/around-the-traps>

Big Camp and Grey Nomads 2016 applications reminder

Applications for the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference’s 2016 Big Camp and Grey Nomads are available now — you can download the appropriate forms at either <http://nnsw.adventist.org.au/big-camp> or <http://nnsw.adventist.org.au/ grey-nomads>. There is also the option of filling out the application for Big Camp online — the direct link to that can be found via <http://nnsw.adventist.org.au>.

Applications for Big Camp are due by 26 February. Applications for Grey Nomads are due by 31 March. Any applications received after these dates for both camps will incur a $30 late fee.

In addition to this, the NNSW Conference’s Big Camp planning committee has decided that conference tents will be largely phased out over the next four years. There are a number of reasons for this decision, which include the following:

> These tents are owned by the Australian Union Conference. Many of them are now damaged and there is no strategy in place at the moment to repair them. Therefore, it is likely that less will be available to use.

> It costs a lot of money to set all these tents up before camp and take them down again after camp. The Big Camp program runs at a very significant loss and this move is part of a range of measures designed to ensure we are being good stewards of scarce resources.

> Camping equipment is getting cheaper and we are encouraging people to book more private tent sites (at $120 per year cheaper than a conference tent site). Over just a few years, this saving will pay for the cost of private camping equipment.

> We do have a “Rent-a-Tent” option if people are still not keen on purchasing their own equipment. These tents will be set up for you, but it is using an external provider so there is no cost to the NNSW Conference to set up and pull down the tents.

The plan is to reduce the conference tents by 20 per cent in 2016, which represents about 65 tents.

NorthPoint

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C4 Homecoming | 19 March

Central Coast Community Church invites you to attend this memorable event. If you have been a part of the C4 journey over the past 18 years, they’d love to have you participate in this special reunion.

Pastor Wayne Krause will deliver his last sermon at C4 before transferring to his new role at the South Pacific Division.

The worship program will run from 10.00am to 12.15pm, followed by a combined lunch. In the evening, “The Journey” program will commence at 6.30pm. Bring a plate of food to share! For more details, call John on 0410 130 911.

2016 pastoral appointments

Alstonville — Peter Howard

Armidale — Lorenzo Berry

Avondale College — eddie Hypolite/Steve Magaitis

Avondale Memorial — Vadim Butov/Helen Butov/Grego Pillay

Bellbrook — Marcus Mundall/Rome Ulia

Ballina — Keith Jackson

Bellingen — Don Sforcina

Blue Haven — Danny Milenkov

Boolaroo — David Stojcic

Booragul Church Plant — Talai Mohr

Bourke — Keith Stockwell/Danuta Stockwell

Bray Park — Ashley Smith (intern)/Joseph Kim (Bible worker)/Sean Tavai Brown

Brewarrina — Keith Stockwell/Danuta Stockwell

Broadmeadow Samoan Church Plant — Talai Mohr

Byron Bay — Keith Jackson

Camden Haven — Obed Soire

Casino — Tim Kingston

Central Coast Community Church — Mark Craig

Cessnock — Talai Mohr

Charlestown — Bob Bolst

Coffs Coast — Abel Iorgulescu

Coffs Harbour — Abel Iorgulescu

Community at the Bay — Sau Finau

Coonabarabran — Afiipu Tuaoi

Coonamble — Shaun Hepworth

Dora Creek — Peter Cousins

Dorrigo — Don Sforcina

Dungog — Ross Chadwick (volunteer)

Forster/Tuncurry — Graham Stewart

Forresters Beach — Yong Shin Chee

Gateway — James Greensill

Glen Innes — Adam Cinzio

Gloucester — Uriah St Juste

Gosford — David Price

Grafton — William Moala

Gunnedah — Afiipu Tuaoi

Guyra — Lorenzo Berry

Hamilton — David Stojcic

Hillview — Fred Chileshe

Inverell — John Lang

Kanwal — Danny Milenkov

Kempsey — Marcus Mundall/Rome Ulia

Kingscliff — David Asscherick/Jared Smith

Kurri Kurri — Ken Love

OUR CONFeReNCe

Kyogle — Tim Kingston

Lakeside — Peter Watts (also Conference evangelist)

Lightning Ridge — Beulah James

Lismore — Tim Merritt

Macksville — Paul Richardson

Maclean — William Moala

Maitland — Rick Sharp/Braden entermann (intern)

Moree — Tim O’Keefe

Mullumbimby — Cranville Tooley

Murwillumbah — Ashley Smith (intern)/Joseph Kim (Bible worker)/Sean Tavai Brown

Muswellbrook — Miroslav Stilinovic

My House — Joel Slade

Nambucca Heads — Paul Richardson

Narrabri — Tim O’Keefe

Nelson Bay — Ken Love

Newcastle Polish — Michael Lilikakis

Newcastle Multicultural — esava Koro

Newcastle Samoan — Talai Mohr

Newcastle Spanish — Roberto Valesquez

Ocean Shores — Ray Dabson

Ourimbah — eddie Mackie

Port Macquarie — Obed Soire

Quirindi — Marty Thompson

Raymond Terrace — esava Koro

Singleton — Miroslav Stilinovic

South Kempsey — Marcus Mundall/Rome Ulia

Swansea — Fred Chileshe

Tamworth — Marty Thompson

Taree — Graham Stewart

Tenterfield — Adam Cinzio

Telegraph Point — David Kosmeier

The eXchange — Neil Watts

The Haven — Nimrod Maua

Toronto — Brock Goodall

Tumbulgum — Ray Dabson

Tweed Heads Church Plant — Daniel Christie

Wallsend — Ben Rea/Tarenne Greenwood (intern)/Alex Green (intern)

West Wallsend Company — Michael Lilikakis

Wauchope — David Kosmeier

Wingham — Uriah St Juste

Woy Woy — eddie Mackie

Woodenbong — Tim Kingston

Wyee — Peter Cousins

Wyndale Indigenous — TBA

OUR CONFeReNCe

Why Summer Camps?

If there were such a thing as an Adventist licence, I sometimes wonder whether mine would be revoked for not being Adventist enough. I’ve never really been a fan of Big Camps, rarely eat WeetBix and, up until January this year, had never been to Summer Camps.

My first — and so far only — Summer Camp experience came about because Rick asked me if I would come up to Teen 1 this year to check it out. Of course I said yes — who doesn’t love an adventure and doing new things? But as I drove up to Yarrahapinni, I didn’t really know what to expect.

I know a number of people whose teenagers attend Summer Camps and they love them. There are also always stories that come out of the camps about all of the decisions that are made by young people who give their hearts to God. Plus the photos from the camps always look like everyone has an awesome time with activities, socialising and meaningful worship.

But what would it really be like?

Well, it turns out that it is as good as it looks from a distance. Although I was only there for a whirlwind visit, I got to experience a whole lot of Summer Camp goodness, from shared mealtimes to worships, and from meeting lots of new people to decorating dorms (seriously, there are prizes and it’s worth winning!).

Although there are a lot of activities to get involved with and campers can exhaust themselves with those, there’s also a great spiritual focus, with special dorm worships to complement the combined worship programs and an awesome drama run over the week. You can see how Summer Camps are places where young people make those big decisions to commit to Jesus, as the environment there really fosters spiritual growth. It’s so important that these decisions are followed up on when kids get home from the camps!

Coming away from my Teen 1 experience, I could understand why people keep going back to the camps, either as teenagers or as staff members, and why there’s so much love for Yarra — it’s where people’s lives can be eternally changed, friendships are built and people feel part of a family.

And that was something that was really emphasised by the people I was lucky enough to talk to at Summer Camp who have come back year after year to volunteer their time and talents in various capacities. You can read more about their experiences with Summer Camps below and on the next page.

extra stories from Summer Camp staff will also be featured at <http://nnsw.adventist. org.au/summer-camps-2016>, and a full Summer Camp report will be included in the next issue of NorthPoint

— Adele Nash

Matt Clarke emily Marsh

Matt is passionate about getting kids to Summer Camps because he knows what a difference they can make — “I love seeing young people’s lives change for good,” he says. In his role as Pathfinder Director for the Newcastle Multicultural Church, he helped raise $2000 for kids to get to Summer Camps. “We did it by fundraising with the Pathfinders — chocolate drives and that sort of thing,” he says. This fundraising effort saw seven kids from the church attend the camps.

Knowing the difference Summer Camps make is also personal. “I walked away from church when I was about 10 and played soccer for six years. In those years, I didn’t go to church, but I was coming to Summer Camps every year,” he says. “Mum and dad would always make sure I’d come every year. When I was 13 years old, I gave my life to Jesus and I also chose to get baptised at Yarra.”

Matt says the staff at Summer Camps helped him a lot — “It was really nice to have some friends who saw the potential in me,” he notes. Now he’s paying it forward by working at the camps, with this year being his fifth year as a staff member (after six years as a camper). “I’m trying to give back to Yarra what Yarra gave to me,” says Matt. “I also want to break Graeme Frauenfelder’s service record — I think he’s up to 33 years!”

Matt has been involved in a variety of roles at Summer Camp. “I do counselling, I’ve been assistant boys’ director and boys’ director, and have worked with snorkelling, kayaking, go-karts and waterfront activities,” he says. “This year, I’m a boys’ counsellor and junior boys’ director.”

Back at home, he’s involved in ministry too. “I go to other events like Super Fridayz and we’ve just started vespers up as well. We’re trying to get kids more involved on Friday and Saturday nights — those are the party nights for teenagers particularly — and we want to get them joining in at church more,” says Matt.

emily Marsh has worked at Summer Camps for eight years as a staff member, following on from four years as a camper. “From coming as a camper, I absolutely loved it,” she says. “It was so much fun doing the activities, joining in the worships and getting to know heaps of people. The staff were always really cool and I had some good counsellors. That was part of why I wanted to give back and be a staff member! But it’s also because I loved it so much that I wanted to keep coming — I was too old to be a camper, so I became a staff member!”

This year, emily helped out with activities, but also worked as a counsellor, which she has done almost every year. “I love getting to know all the campers,” she says. Her work as a counsellor involves “bossing my girls around, making sure they’re where they need to be at the right time and that the dorm’s clean. I eat with them and also take worships. It’s sort of like being a mum! The best thing is bonding with everyone.”

She notes that there’s a strong spiritual component to Summer Camps. “I feel like everyone talks about a spiritual high, and it really is a very special spiritual week. everyone should come to Summer Camps — you won’t regret it!”

Noo Lamplough

As hungry campers who have expended their energy during days filled with activities will know, Noo has been running Summer Camp catering for 10 years. “The first time was one week, then I did two weeks, and it’s been the full three weeks ever since,” she says.

Noo’s involvement came about because the regular camp cook wanted a week off. “I liked the idea of a challenge and had never done anything this big before,” she says. “My own kids were coming to camp at that stage too.”

Catering for Summer Camps has really become a ministry for Noo. “For one thing, being a mum, it’s good to have a ‘mum’ in the area for the kids,” she says. “I have a lot of parents before we get her go, ‘I’m sending my child for the first time! I’ve told them that you’re in the kitchen if they need you!’ And the kids pretty much don’t come, but it puts the parents at ease. I love this age range of children and enjoy interacting with them. It’s an opportunity to be a Christian for them. They remember you forever too!”

But that’s not the only reason to be involved in Summer Camps — “There’s the kids’ tummies! I like to know that their tummies are full and I like to show them that you can make good vegetarian food,” says Noo. “As a mum, you know what kids like and dislike, and that you need to keep them full while keeping things healthy and nutritious, as well as giving them a bit of a treat. I lean on the side of giving them lots of veggies though, and not much fried stuff. It helps with their energy levels for activities.”

She notes, “I thrive on a challenge — having the meals out on time and making them healthy keeps us on our toes!”

Noo and her team are experts at catering for kids with food allergies and intolerances too. each person with an allergy or intolerance is given their own dedicated plate. “I tell them when they arrive that they shouldn’t eat anything that’s not on their plate with their name on it,” she says.

There are other challenges with catering, including getting the quantities right. “Over the years, I’ve gotten that down pat,” she says. “We also have to get the timing right so everything’s ready at 5.30pm on the dot, and then cleaned up and gone in an hour! every year, we find something new that works even better than the previous year and think we can’t perfect it. But inevitably, every year we do find improvements! It’s all about being willing to experiment and be flexible.”

It also helps to work with the same team each year, although Noo did have some newbies on her team this year who were being trained. “You get to a stage where you don’t have to say anything to the team — it’s all intuitive,” says Noo.

Noo’s also about to celebrate her 10th anniversary at Avondale School in catering at their canteen. She used to work as a doctors’ receptionist, but when the canteen job became available, she took it. Noo says, “I’ve always liked to cook. You’ll never see me without a recipe book tucked into my bag!”

OUR CONFeReNCe

Jared and Carina Martin

Jared and Carina both have very different Summer Camp experiences — mainly because, up until recently, the Summer Camps that Carina has experienced were in her home country of Denmark. The main difference Carina notes — apart from the weather, which makes outdoor activities so much easier — is the role of assistant girls’ director (which she filled this year at Teen 1). “In Denmark, they don’t have a role like that,” she says. “There’s no-one there to take care of the counsellors like there is here. It’s really cool that we have the opportunity to help in that way here. The counsellors in Denmark also don’t stay in the cabins like they do here. I love seeing the time that counsellors and co-counsellors spend with the kids here, and how the nighttime worships are such a precious bonding time.”

Jared, who was the Program Director for Teen 1, hadn’t been to our Summer Camps for a while, due to being overseas. This was his fourth year as a staff member, but the first time as Program Director. “It’s a challenge to coordinate all of the different people and aspects of the program, keeping a consistent theme,” he says. “We have counsellors sharing their testimonies and get the kids to do prayer. Our aim is to teach the kids how to do a testimony so they could share their own with their group at the end of the week.”

He says his favourite thing about Summer Camps is “seeing the kids being challenged by the activities, but just really getting in and giving it a go. And with the night programs, seeing them participate!” Carina say she found the whole atmosphere of the camp and the way the band led into worship “awesome.” She adds, “It’s so cool to see the kids engage with the speaker too!”

Patrick Shepherd

Patrick’s involvement with Summer Camps stretches back around eight years. He went to Macquarie College and came to Summer Camps due to that. “I’m a baptised Catholic,” he says. “But I went to an Adventist School. We’re all brothers and sisters [in Christ]!”

He started out at Junior camp, then progressed to the Teen camps. “Now I’ve been here as a staff member for four or five years,” he says. “Obviously as a camper coming back here, all of the staff when I was here had so much fun together helping out the kids. It was something I wanted to do and give back to the kids. The experience the kids get to have is so positive, and I love the feeling you get when you see the kids smiling and having fun.”

He adds, “For me, I work quite a lot and my holidays are basically spent here every year. I really enjoy spending time with the kids and seeing how much of a difference it makes in their lives. It made such a difference in my life, and if I can replicate that, then my job is done!”

Patrick says Summer Camps helped him to understand God more. “Here the focus is very much on your personal journey with God,” he says. “I really got to understand God more and how His plan was going to work out in my life.”

The other positive is all the fun here. “As a camper, my favourite thing was the activities — the main thing is that. Then it was the worship — listening to the speaker, the stories, how it relates to your journey and life,” says Patrick. “This year we have a guy in our dorm called Vincent and seeing him connect with the speaker is awesome!”

If you’re thinking of doing Summer Camp work, Patrick says, “It’s something you’ve got to try at least once. It’s an unbelievable experience. Words can’t describe the feeling. You leave with a sense of clarity and knowing you’ve made a difference in people’s lives. Likewise, if you’re thinking of being a camper, it’s something you have to do!”

OUR CHURCHeS

Men’s health focus at Hillview

An interesting initiative by the Hillview Health Team resulted in more 80 men attending a Men’s Only night in the Hillview Church hall toward the end of 2015.

Dr Trevor Hurlow, a local GP and Hillview member, brought along some of his doctor colleagues to talk about strictly men’s business.

The night began with a meal, supplied by the women of the health team who then retreated to the kitchen while the doctors talked to the men.

The night was a big success and more of these events are planned into the new year. While many of the men were from surrounding churches, several attended from the community after being told of the program by the local Morisset doctors. Dr Hurlow concluded the program by talking about generally good lifestyle options that would be useful if everyone adopted.

— Alvin Christian

Ivy welcomed into Kurri’s church family

For Ivy Sams and for the members of the Kurri Kurri Church, 12 December 2015 was a very special day, as this was the day when Ivy became a member of the church family. Pastor Ken Love, the church pastor, officiated at the ceremony. In giving her testimony, Ivy spoke of how God had always been a part of her life. Over the years, she has been associated with a number of different church families, having been christened in the Church of england, confirmed as a Methodist, and been an active member of the Salvation Army for a number of years.

However, she said that it wasn’t ‘till she started attending the Seventh-day Adventist Church that she really felt at home, because the Adventists studied and explained the Bible far more than any of the other congregations she had worshipped with. More than that, the warmhearted friendliness of the church members truly made her feel that she belonged.

Ivy’s contact with the Adventist Church goes back about 60 years when, soon after her marriage, some students from Avondale College had Bible studies with her and her husband for a short time. However, her husband didn’t take too kindly to the studies and they soon ceased. Later on, Ivy sent away for and studied a number of Bible courses from the Adventist Media Network. She particular enjoyed the Archaeological Diggings courses by David Down. More recently, Ivy was contacted by Pastor elwyn Raethel (who has since passed away) after she responded to a TV ad advertising free viewings of the Search DVDs. Pastor Raethel studied the Bible with Ivy over a period of several years, and she readily accepted the Bible truths that she was learning. After Pastor Raethel sadly passed away, Pastor Bert and Merle Cozens kept up the contact.

Three baptised after prophecy series

Kelso, Jacquie and Tilana were baptised early last year at Casino Adventist Church.

Kelso, Jacquie and Tilana made their decisions at a prophecy seminar the church group was running in Casino. Tilana mentioned that she had been baptised before, but had done it for her grandmother. However, this time she did it because it was what she wanted for herself.

The members of Casino Adventist Church gladly welcomed each of the candidates into their family and praise God for their decisions for Him.

— Jessica Bevan

A few weeks prior to her being accepted into membership, Ivy confirmed that she understood and accepted the teaching of the Adventist Church, and that she wished to officially become part of the church family. Because of Ivy’s physical condition, and based on her obvious deep love for her Saviour, Ivy was accepted into membership through profession of faith, rather than by baptism, in a ceremony of commitment that brought joy to all concerned.

— Merle Cozens

A huge 10 days of celebrations for new Alstonville Church members

On 9 December last year, Joy Smith celebrated her 93rd birthday, and on the following Sabbath (12 December), she and her husband Malcolm were welcomed into fellowship based on profession of faith at the Alstonville ARV Hostel Church. The Smiths studied with Beth McMurtry, who is a friend of theirs.

Following on from this on 18 December, they both celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary. Members of the Alstonville Church pray that God continues to richly bless both of them.

— Beth McMurtry/NorthPoint

Photos courtesy of Alvin Christian

Malcolm and Joy Smith (centre), together with their son Gary and daughter-in-law Phyllis

Singleton’s Festival of Flowers

Singleton Adventist Church was the host venue for the 2015 Singleton Festival of Flowers, which is an annual event held each Spring over the past 20 years or so. There were 26 different church and community groups who provided displays, which lined the church walls and foyer area.

ach group included a verse or special thought that complemented the floral display. The church was open to the public on Saturday afternoon, 31 October and all day Sunday, 1 November, when a high tea was served for a small donation.

The event was very successful, with guests taking their time to reflect on and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation, as well as fellowship with one another as they enjoyed the refreshments. Several commented on the welcoming, warm, light and peaceful atmosphere in the church and comfortably arranged hall, and urged Singleton Church members to host the event again. Pastor Miroslav Stilinovic says “It’s a great way to help the community discover who we are and where we worship.”

Particular thanks go to Libby Adamthwaite for organising the event and her willing helpers, and Kathie Bonham-Smith for creating the church’s arrangement. All proceeds from the event went to help build two new classrooms at The Lyle Bourgoyne “Beacon of Light” Memorial School in Nakura, Kenya, where Kathie has volunteered several times, and continues her support by raising funds. — Ruth Stilinovic

Creative events raise funds for ADRA

The small, but growing, Newcastle Spanish Company celebrated “Dia de la Hispanidad” for the third consecutive year on 11 October, 2015. A special program was conducted to raise funds for the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). Members of the general public as well as many visitors from the church’s Hispanic community were present at the event. Typical dishes of different Latino countries were sold on the night that saw $1000 raised. The church company has found other ways of raising money for ADRA — last year was the fourth year that the church members have set up an ADRA stand at the Charlestown Square Centre. They collected another $497 there. That and other donations saw the final total raised by the Spanish Company reach $1847. “We feel happy to be able to contribute to ADRA with its mission to support so many people who are in need of our help,” says Lilian Rodriguez. “Praise be to our God for His guidance!”

—

Lilian Rodriguez

OUR CHURCHeS

Missionaries’ annual gathering

each year at the time Avondale College of Higher education holds its graduation, people who have served as overseas missionaries or volunteers for the Seventh-day Adventist Church gather for a shared lunch and time of fellowship. The most recent gathering was held at Avondale College on Saturday, 12 December last year. Any island visitors from the South Pacific region were also welcome to attend.

This past year saw at least 50 attended, including four island nationals who were graduating that year, plus several relatives of those graduates who were visiting to share the occasion. There was plenty of lovely food and much happy chatter, as friends of many years met and shared stories.

After the lunch, people were invited to share stories with the group. The year’s chosen theme was “What I, as a missionary, learned from my national helpers.” The stories told varied greatly, but seemed to emphasise lessons of simple trust and faith in God, loyalty and humility in service, and complete faithfulness. Then several of the island visitors and graduates asked to speak, and they in turn spoke of what they had gained from the work of the missionaries, and the great blessings they had since received from God and from some missionaries. Someone asked if the islanders would sing, and with no prior notice and no practice, the group sang two songs, one a well-known english hymn, and then a children’s chorus first in Tok Pisin (Pidgin english) and then in english. Their singing was beautiful.

The group unanimously agreed that the missionaries’ luncheon should be held again and the suggested theme for 2016 was “When I was most scared during my missionary years.” I wonder if that will include stories of coming back to Australia on holiday!

— Dr Ray Wilkinson

Siblings baptised after Lismore’s special bush church service

The beautiful Killen Falls was the backdrop chosen by brother and sister Ryan and Olivia Simmons for their baptism on Sabbath afternoon, 24 October last year. Pastor Keith Jackson performed the baptisms.

The baptisms followed a beautiful bush church service that included the musical talent of teens and youth. Afterwards, a picnic lunch was enjoyed with the Lismore Church family, who all were delighted by the panoramic views of the coastline.

— Esther Perry

OUR SCHOOLS

HSC hard work pays off for Avondale School students

At the end of 13 years of formal schooling and two dozen school reports, Avondale School Year 12 students received their Higher School Certificate (HSC) results in the middle of December last year.

There was plenty to be proud of for Avondale School after the release of 2015 HSC results on Wednesday, 16 December. The school recorded strong results across the board:

• Ancient History — 1 x Band 6

• Biology — 1 x Band 6

• Community & Family Studies — 2 x Band 6

• Design & Technology — 1 x Band 6

• English Extension 1 — 1 x Band E4

• Geography — 1 x Band 6

• General Maths —2 x Band 6

• Maths — 5 x Band 6

• Maths Extension 1 — 2 x Band E4

• Studies of Religion —3 x Band 6

• Construction — 2 x Band 6

• Hospitality — 4 x Band 6

Two Avondale School students finished in the Top 10 students in the state for their VET (Vocational Education & Training) exams, placing them fifth in Hospitality and seventh in Construction. This is an outstanding achievement for these students and for the school.

What does this mean for Avondale School?

• 11 of 49 students were in the distinguished achievers list (received one or more band 6s) — 22 per cent of the cohort

• Outstanding results for Mathematics, Geography, Community & Family Studies, Hospitality and Construction

• 13 of our 27 subjects studied had class results above the state average Head of Avondale’s Secondary School Benton Craig said, “HSC results are always exciting. It’s the culmination for most of our students of a significant amount of hard work and study. There are many results that are personal bests. Huge congratulations to our HSC class of 2015! They have done well.”

— Kerrie Howells

CCAS’s MAD time in Vanuatu

It has become a tradition in New South Wales (whether good or bad) that, at the conclusion of Year 12 HSC examinations, students embark on a rite of passage known as Schoolies.

In 2009, Central Coast Adventist School (CCAS) offered, for the first time, an alternative to Schoolies and a tradition was born. The MAD (Make a Difference) Trip has developed further during the past four years, with a relationship being established between CCAS and Aore Adventist Academy, a co-educational secondary boarding college of about 200 students. Aore Adventist Academy is situated on a small island to the south of Santo (the largest island in Vanuatu). Also on the island is Parker Adventist Primary School.

In 2015, Year 12 students from CCAS conducted some minor repairs to Parker Adventist Primary School, and painted both the inside and outside of the building. This year, a group from Queensland will return to complete some needed structural maintenance on the three classrooms.

Primary school parents and students of CCAS generously donated children’s story books and stationery items, while secondary teachers donated craft and sporting items. All items were graciously received by the students and teachers on Aore, and the CCAS staff and students were humbled.

CCAS students concluded their time at Aore with a truly amazing Sabbath experience. It began with a combined Cradle Roll, Kindergarten and Primary Sabbath school program, followed by a sermon from Tony Kent, CCAS Principal, during the divine service. Following the service was a combined pot-luck lunch that was enjoyed by all students, staff and families of Aore Adventist Academy.

On the Saturday afternoon, students were able to experience a hike into the hills behind the campus to explore the wreckage of a WWII plane. As the sun set over the beautiful island the Aore Adventist Academy, students sang their school song and “Aore Our Home” touched the hearts of the CCAS staff and students as no other place will ever do.

The MAD Trip is a truly amazing experience for the students and staff involved.

— Brenton Luchow

OUR SCHOOLS

Macquarie College climbs rankings

Macquarie College is proud of the achievements of its 57 students completing the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 2015. As a result of 50 top band results from the HSC class of 2015, Macquarie College has leapt into the top 100 schools in New South Wales, ranked 88.

Remarkably, 26 of the school’s HSC students from 2015 commenced their education in Kindergarten at Macquarie College, earning themselves the auspicious title of Macquarie College “K-12 Originals.”

Macquarie College has shown it is the leading faith-based education provider in the region, offering a Kindergarten to Year 12 education experience underpinned by Christian values and principles.

Year 12 Dux Zoe Barton achieved Top All Rounder status by receiving 90 or higher in all five examinations undertaken — english (Advanced), Geography, Modern History, PDHPe and Religion. Zoe, who received an ATAR of 99.05 and was ninth in the State for Modern History, is looking forward to commencing study in Pharmacy in 2016. Zoe’s approach to study ensured she was well prepared and well-balanced prior to the examinations.

“I was very methodical in how I studied the content of each course and organised myself thoroughly from the beginning. But I also made sure there was always balance by playing sport, babysitting and also going to the park with my family,” Zoe said.

“I would have ranked myself a ‘C’ student right up to Year 10, but I turned myself around in Year 11 and worked really consistently through every subject. My parents were so supportive and encouraged me to just do my best. I was the only one putting pressure on myself to do well, so I’m happy with my results because it all paid off.”

Macquarie College Principal Dr Bruce Youlden congratulated the students on their achievements in 2015’s examinations, stating the results were a long time in the making.

“The 2015 Year 12 cohort has been one of the strongest and most competitive groups coming through the College in recent years,” Dr Youlden said.

“Senior School staff watched this cohort grow and strive for excellence with every passing year, challenging themselves and each other to learn deeply and more comprehensively with each challenge set for them. We are all encouraged that the students’ continuous improvement has been rewarded today with such excellent ATAR’s, which will open many doors for their future.”

Dr Youlden praised the students and their families following the ATAR announcements, reflecting on the journey they have experienced over the past two years in particular.

“Today’s results are a testament to two years’ commitment, trust and belief in the system of learning and development offered by Macquarie College,” Dr Youlden said. “We are grateful to every student for their effort directed toward achieving their very best.”

—Michelle Slack-Smith

Photo courtesy of Newcastle School Portraits

“Love Came Down” for Blue Hills Christmas concert

“Love Came Down” was the theme of a Christmas carols concert held at Blue Hills College on 19 November last year.

And although “Love Came Down,” rain and hail came down too! As the school and church community were preparing to come to the program, a massive electrical and hail storm broke over the Northern Rivers area.

Many prayers ascended to heaven, asking God to keep the storm from the school and program.

While the storm passed over and around, it moved away, but damaged many macadamia farms and knocked down trees only half an hour away from the school — and all half an hour before the program was to begin.

When the program started and doors opened for business in the 4BC Food Market, not a drop of rain fell. Roman soldiers met people in the car park and a Jewish tax collector took a gold coin “tax shekel” from people as they arrived.

Approximately 700 parents and members of the community were entertained and

blessed by students of the school, either dramatising the Christmas story, providing props or singing in the 70-member choir of children and teachers. The choir was led by Anita Carvel and supported by Alison Parkinson on the piano, along with an orchestra consisting of school students and members of the Lismore Symphony Orchestra. This was organised by Pastor Keith Jackson.

Will Moala, the school chaplain, became the innkeeper for the evening, explaining how he missed out on providing a royal suite for the Prince of the Universe. This was followed by a duet by Isabella and Jade Lovegrove called “Christmas Isn’t Christmas Until It Happens in Your Heart.”

As people left the program, 300 Christmas bags containing gifts, Christmas messages and an invitation to accept a gift Bible with Try Jesus lessons were handed out. These bags were each individually decorated by students at Blue Hills College.

— Julie Jackson

FeATUReS

Changes taking place at Currawah

Faced with uncertainty prior to the North New South Wales Conference Session on 23 August last year, Currawah has been a hive of activity since the members voted unanimously to keep supporting this desert paradise.

Funds provided by the Australian Union Conference (AUC) and labour gifted by a number of grey, balding and not-so-grey nomads has enabled projects required for compliance to be completed.

The sewage system needed to be updated and secured, so with the expert knowledge and energy of men half their age, Snow Cullen, Neville Southon and Leon Johnson erected a 460 metre by 1.8 metre high fence around the sewage pond that will ward off even the most persistent feral animals that roam the outback. Ruth Southon, Carol Brinsmead and Robyn Cullen cleaned the kitchen and dining hall so well you could have eaten your food off the floor under the benches.

Peter eddy, the Project Manager in charge of reopening Currawah, says, “So dedicated to their work, Ruth took on a WHS issue and unfortunately lost, breaking her hip in the process.”

A few weeks later, Alan Aldridge brought a team out to fix a range of electrical and other issues that prohibited the school from obtaining a fire safety and building certificates that are also required for compliance. Following on from work Ian James commenced replacing ant- and nature-effected electrical circuits, exit signs, fluoro lighting and switches, Alan and Graham Hebbert replaced more electrical circuits, exit signs, fluoro lighting and switches, emergency lights, re-wiring for identified WHS issues and laying cable for the new sewage pump.

Peter says, “Once completed, they assisted Wren Matthews and Rob Billings lay and connect sewage pipes to the new tanks in the trenches dug by Graham Taylor after he had spent the good part of a day repairing the backhoe. Wren and Rob had previously completed bobcat and shovel work at the sewage pond, as well as filling around the new sewage holding and pump out tanks, and cleaning some of the unnecessary items stored in the water shed.”

He adds, “The ladies were far from idle during this time. Leonie Billings scanned an inordinate number of files and data left over from the previous school. Judy Matthews assisted, while also cleaning out folders of duplicate documentation. Kayla Taylor filed copious copies of worksheets. Together they cleaned and decluttered the resource room. even Graeme and Kayla’s boys — Kyan, Isaac and Flynn — put in a few hours of work. Nerilye Aldridge took care of food preparation and one thing is certain, they did not go hungry.”

Peter says that any time anyone is tired of the beaches, snow and rolling green hills featured along the Great Dividing Range, or they want a break away from the fun-filled theme parks or the crush of busy cities and large towns, then Currawah is the place for you.

“We have accommodation, abundant bird life, a river, stars that are clearly visible at night, plenty of firewood, and peace and quiet. All this can be yours for a few hours of work — you can be skilled or unskilled, as there are enough jobs for everyone. You can even have some downtime and visit Bourke, Lightening Ridge and Walgett, which has the only school in NSW to have police stationed there.“

— Peter Eddy/NorthPoint

Interested? Call or email Peter on 0429 933 986 or <711pete@gmail.com>

Think outside the box for your lunchbox!

School is back on again!

As you face 40 weeks’ worth of school lunches, now could be a good time to re-think what is packed in your lunch box. Lunches should be healthy, simple enough to make (and for older children, something that they can make and pack themselves) and — of course — delicious.

Here’s an easy recipe you might like to add to your repertoire of lunch box goodies!

Vege Stacks

You’ll need: cherry tomatoes, Lebanese cucumbers, sliced cheese and mini skewers or toothpicks

1. Use a vegetable peeler to make “ribbons” of cucumber

2. Thread the vegetables onto a skewer, along with folded pieces of cheese

3. Just remember when you are “threading” the food onto the skewer to gently push the food onto the skewer so the food doesn’t tear or bruise.

Why is a good lunch important?

> It gives us lots of things our body needs to keep us going through the rest of the day!

> Lunch gives us energy for our brains and bodies to work

> It also provides energy to stay alert and to think clearly

> Avoid foods containing artificial additives like colours, flavours and preservatives — many kids react to these, causing concentration, behavioural and emotional difficulties soon after eating them

> Fruit is a healthy way to have a “sweet” fix — and still get loads of vitamins and fibre!

— Michelle Villis

This article comes from Amelia Magazine Amelia Magazine is for girls aged six to 12, and encourages girls to be girls, to grow in the potential God created them with, and to have positive relationships with their friends and mothers. To subscribe, email <michelle@ameliamagazine.net> or visit <www.ameliamagazine.net>