The Upside 09 - May, 2018

THE IMPORTANCE OF

Love

About

A letter from the editor

Friendship is a wonderful thing

Friendship is all about love. It might not be the sort of love that has movies made about it or epic poetry dedicated to it, but it’s something that makes life better and brighter — whether times are great or grating.

Lucius Annaeus Seneca said, “One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood.” Finding that understanding with another person usually brings acceptance, comfort and happiness with it too. It creates a unique relationship that is completely voluntary, yet also lacks formal structure (like a family unit

or marriage). They can grow and change over time, and occasionally end. But they’re one of the best things about life.

Cherish your friends — you don’t know what a difference they’ll make in your life and what a difference you can make in theirs. It might have eternal meaning, particularly if we can share our Best Friend — Jesus — with those we love (pages 4 to 6).

Adele Nash

CONCERT RAISES FUNDS FOR CYCLONE-HIT TONGA

Avondale Memorial Adventist Church in Cooranbong hosted a sacred concert on 3 March to raise funds to support the cyclone-affected country of Tonga.

Dr Narko Tutuo — a missionary and paediatric anaesthetist at Nepean and Prince Of Wales Hospitals, and an elder in the Wontok Adventist Community in Sydney — helped coordinate the event with Fineeva Paiaaua, a theology student at Avondale College.

Men, women and children in colourful array took to the stage from Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Newcastle and Sydney. Items were predominantly vocal, with keyboard and some glitzy guitar accompaniments. The Brown Family Trio performed a cracking a capella version of

“I Love You Lord,” while other traditional styles included The Southwest Soldiers’ rendition of “Through It All.” The Melbourne Kids Group brought to us “Father Along,” and Salma & Narko Tutuo pampered us with sweetness and agile finger-picking in “Walk With Me.”

A spirited audience of 500 people was made up of a mix of locals and those from more distant “homelands,” stretching as far as Sydney and Melbourne. Attendees responded to concert items with thunderous applause. They were touched by the huge variety of vocal talent and by the desperate need to rebuild Beulah Adventist College, which was extensively damaged by Cyclone Gita. Nearly $11,000 was raised, which will go toward urgent repairs to buildings damaged by Cyclone Gita in February.

— Desiree Sleight

The importance of

Anyone who’s ever lived will know the importance of friendship. Friends make life better — they’re the family we choose. They lift us up when we feel down, encourage us when we need to grow, make us laugh and make us cry, and generally we’re all the better for having them in our lives.

Maxine Cashel is someone who will make you laugh and feel better for having her in your life. In March this year, she became a baptised member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and credits friends with growing her interest in God.

“I got interested in church by attending a service with my friends,” she says. “I wasn’t converted by any means, but I heard a sermon from a pastor who was so down-to-earth. He said he was a converted Catholic — I’m a born and bred Catholic, so I thought, ‘Are you, sir!’ It got me interested because how could someone who was a Catholic end up an Adventist? I’d been searching for something since I left the Catholic Church.”

Maxine’s interest was cultivated over many years, though. She would regularly visit her friends Eva and Marek in Stanthorpe. “I used to work on the Gold Coast with Eva,” says Maxine. “I never knew she was an Adventist until more recently! I always thought they were just nice people. But around two and a half years ago, Eva rang me before I headed up for a visit. She asked where I was living and I told her in Arcadia Vale. She had some books she wanted me to take with me and told me

friendship

about Michael Lilikakis, who would come to pick them up.”

Catching up with Michael took a while, but it was destined to be a meeting that would lead to a great friendship. “When we eventually caught up, Michael brought his son Isaiah along with him,” says Maxine. “I saw a bearded man in black, bringing his bearded son along and thought, ‘What’s this!?’ But it was Michael in all his glory of not long being a pastor. We exchanged the books.”

It could have ended there, but Michael (pictured above with Maxine) made the effort to maintain a connection with Maxine. “He was very persistent,” she says. “Not in an overly spiritual way, but as a friend. Through that friendship, he invited me to the Wallsend Polish Church. I finally gave in! When I went, another lady was there and we got chatting. Her name was Adele di Rossi, and we ended up becoming good friends — we’re like two peas in a pod, except chalk and cheese!”

“He was very persistent,” she says. “Not in an overly spiritual way, but as a friend.

Throughout this time, Eva and Marek were working to build Maxine’s budding faith, sending through various bits of reading material and inviting her to church when she visited, meaning the people at Stanthorpe Church knew who she was. “I actually found myself one day in particular there singing

Photo credit: Ann Stafford

Photo credit: Adele Nash

hymns. I found myself crying. I thought, ‘What’s going on here?’ And I realised I’d found what I’d wanted and what I’d been looking for.”

When she got back home, she spoke to Michael about this realisation. He and another friend of Maxine’s — Kevin — talked to her about baptism. Baptism is a symbolic representation of our faith in God and trust in His forgiveness. It involves being fully immersed in water and follows instructions given in the Bible (see Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-6). You can find out more about baptism at https://www.adventist.org/en/beliefs/ church/baptism.

And that — all those years of friendship, time spent and memories shared — is how Maxine ended up being baptised by Michael in Lake Macquarie on a sunny afternoon late in March, surrounded by friends and family. And this isn’t the end of her journey. It’s just the beginning.

Michael, who also pastors the Korean Church in West Wallsend, says, “Modelling Jesus’ example is the real heart of evangelism. It’s not just about giving a word in season, but about being there for a friend in season too. Speaking the Word is just as important as listening, and friendship is about listening and giving a word of hope. It’s a two-way street. Christ encouraged, brought people to Himself, listened to their problems, met needs and transformed lives. That’s what we’re called to do. It’s a simple, beautiful heavenly model. That’s the heart of our faith.”

Pastor Danny Milenkov, who is one of the full-time evangelists employed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North New South Wales, says, “People need to get over being in a clique and welcome new people to church — include them! People need to have a space made for them at church. It’s so important for them to have friends. We do alright at bringing people to church and baptising them, but can be hopeless at retaining people.

“If there’s one thing I would want to do better, it would be to encourage churches to find ways to ensure that new church members become part and parcel of the church’s life — friendship circles, events, programs, everything. That makes all the difference.”

(continued over page)

Photo credit: Adele Nash

Photo credit: Adele Nash

Photo credit: Adele Nash

He encourages churches to think about how they can make meaningful connections with their communities, from health programs to food pantries.

Pastor Peter Watts (pictured cover — centre) is another of the full-time evangelists, which is amazing given his back story — he grew up as an atheist. He notes, “A lot of people who say they’re atheists are actually angry at God. Really, the question you have to ask them is, ‘If you find it so hard to believe in a God of love, can you believe in a God of anger or cruelty?’ It’s not an argument against God. It’s a misunderstanding of what He is and the way the world is.”

For him, evangelism — sharing the good news about God — is something to help provide evidence for a loving, caring God based in the Bible. “There are people who would like to believe in God, but want an intelligent, rational evidence-based faith,” he says. “They don’t want a blind faith or empty belief. Evidence alone doesn’t make Christians though — you need commitment.”

What better way to grow commitments than through friendships?

— Adele Nash

Danny’s tips:

preparing an outreach program

If your church is planning to run an outreach program, Danny has some tips for how to be prepared. Read on to find out what he suggests!

Firstly, churches need to have a very clear vision and very positive attitude. You need to know that this is what God has invited you to do — it’s not something the conference or any human has initiated. It’s something God’s set up! And because of that, it’s important to be really excited about the privilege and responsibility of leading out in a work that God’s commissioned and given us to do.

Along with that, once the church has realised that this is a Godgiven privilege, responsibility and opportunity, it’s important to dedicate serious time to prayer. The church needs to be prayerfocused. They need to ask the all-important question, “Who are the people I can intentionally pray for and work for in order to encourage them to come along? Who are the people I need to make a concerted effort with over the coming months to get to know, seek out and invite to church?”

Get to know your neighbours. Join a group. Be intentional about meeting people and increasing your sphere of influence. Connect with others this year, pray for them and see what God will do over the coming 12 months.

If you would like more information visit nnsw.adventist.org.au/departments/ personal-ministries/

After that, I would say the logistics are pretty straight-forward. The outreach program isn’t where the hard work is — all that work is in getting to know people and making connections! Continually keep this at the forefront of the church’s radar each and every Saturday. If the church is praying every single week, in small groups or meeting at church, making it a continual focus, then there’s no reason for anyone to not be aware that a program is on!

Photo credit: Adele Nash

“Once the church has realised that this is a God-given privilege...it’s important to dedicate serious time to prayer.”

DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY TRAINING HELD AT WAUCHOPE

FOOD LESSONS AT KEMPSEY

Having endured a relentlessly hot and relatively dry summer, Leoni, a practitioner of Nutritional Medicine and active member of the Kempsey Adventist Church, planned a “Rawsome Raw NOT-Cooking” class for their first Nourish 4 LIFE community cooking series.

God richly blessed the program with an approximate total of 40 participants between the morning and evening classes, and — judging by the responses both verbally and on our feedback forms — a great time was had by all!

The emphasis on self-giving love as the fundamental life-governing principle for optimising health of body, mind and soul was a huge success. Some commented that they had no idea raw food could be SO satisfying, tasty and enjoyable! And many went away saying how inspiring it was. Praise God for Leoni’s initiative. May others be inspired by her work.

— Camila Ito Skaf

If you are interested in getting involved with Health Ministries in your church, please contact camilaskaf@adventist.org.au.

Rawsome recovery

Battling mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, are among the top priorities for our country. There are a plethora of surveys and statistical releases highlighting its prevalence and association with morbidity in Australia — we’re talking in the millions! In fact, depression alone is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and in Australia, it sentences eight Aussies to suicide every day.

At Wauchope Adventist Church, we’re doing something about it. In 2017,Wauchope Church, along with five other churches, received training in the Dr Neil Nedley Depression and Anxiety Recovery Program. There was a rally of church members who also undertook the training during the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North New South Wales’s annual convention.

Three churches have already booked in for training in 2018, and I am excited about the possibility of a collective website hub where the public can access all the programs happening in our conference to refer their family and friends to.

Why not inspire your church to join the movement and train in the only program in the world that addresses the cause of depression, and which restores mental health naturally!

If you would like to be part of Depression and Anxiety Recovery training, contact David Haupt via DavidHaupt@adventist.org.au or phone 0433 305 910. You too can see how your church can make a profound difference in its community.

— Scott Thomas-Tong

If you are struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental health issues and need immediate support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

GIVING PARTNERSHIPS: SUPPORTING FAMILIES IN NEED

Port Macquarie

The Canopy Family Services staff work with families in all kids of different situations where occasions such as Christmas can often be an added stress rather than the celebration it is for many.

Following initial contact between the Cameron Park Fellowship (CPF) church group and The Canopy in 2017, The Canopy hosted an evening meeting with the CPF leadership team to begin a partnership of enhancing and growing local community support for families.

CPF’s members welcomed the partnership, saying, “The compatibility between the work that The Canopy is doing in the local area and CPF’s vision to create loving relationships through serving God and others could not be ignored.”

Subsequently, The Canopy staff met with CPF members to talk about their services, roles and the needs of the families.

Sanitarium Health & Wellbeing through CPF has also joined the partnership. The food and toy drives in November and December last year were the fruits of the growing inter-community relationships.

Feedback that came in from community members blessed by these drives was positive. One grandmother, who has six grandchildren, said, “It gave the kids a Christmas to remember for all the right reasons.” A mum and dad of a one-yearold baby said, “We really appreciated the gifts. It is very hard to budget [at] this time of year and every present helps our baby have a good Christmas.”

These partnerships are continuing in 2018. The church group hopes that through this partnership, innovative ways can be discovered jointly on how to grow healthier, empowered communities by meeting their holistic needs.

— Canopy News

The Canopy has a team of Child and Family workers who are able to assist with families who have children aged between 0 to 12 years for three to six months on issues affecting their family, and to assist in reducing the stresses of parenting. Some areas a family worker may be able to assist include: household routines, behaviour management, advocacy, information relating to domestic violence and the effects on family, and supporting families to meet and better understand the needs of children. For more information, phone (02) 4954 5277.

From left to right: John T Boston, II, School Barrett, Founder and former Mayor of School Port Macquarie; Annaleise Cains, Whalen, Award Recipient; and Phillip Lillehagen, Macquarie Adventist School.

excellence

School Evangelist; Dr John Saint Columba Anglican Cains, Award Recipient; Jane Lillehagen, Principal of Port

In an absolutely remarkable achievement, two former students of the Port Macquarie Adventist School — Jane Whalen and Anneliese Cains — won the SCAS Awards in 2017. There are two Saint Columba Anglican School (SCAS) awards each year: one for Years 7 to 9 and one for Years 10 to 12. The candidates represent the best all-round students in this region.

The winners have their names placed on the perpetual trophy. The awards were originally presented at The Glass House Performing Arts Center. In mid-February, Reverend Canon Dr John Barrett joined the Port Macquarie Seventh-day Adventist Church and school community in celebrating this rare achievement.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North New South Wales’s School

Macquarie students awarded for too young to preach

Evangelist, Pastor John Boston II, and Port Macquarie Adventist School

Principal, Phillip Lillehagen, represented the church on behalf of Pastor Obed Soire. Dr Barrett has had a long association with the Hastings Community and is a former Mayor of Port Macquarie Hastings Council.

In 2009, Dr Barrett was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to the community through local government organisations. He has also received an AR Bluett Memorial Award which recognises Councils for their progress, a Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary and the Centenary Medal from the Australian Government. Dr Barrett is also the founder of Saint Columba Anglican School.

— John T Boston II

You’re never too young to share Jesus with other people, and you’re never too young to speak in front of a group of people either! Hayden Bailey might only be 12 years old, but he gave his first sermon on Saturday, 31 March at Port Macquarie Adventist Church.

John T Boston II, the School Evangelist for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North New South Wales, has been mentoring Hayden after Pastor Tom Evans, President of the church in the region, introduced the Baileys and Bostons recently.

Hayden wants to be a minister when he’s older. The title of his first sermon was “What Does Your Angel See?” based on Ezekiel 10 and the wheel in the middle of the wheel. At the end of his message, Hayden asked the congregation, “What would you change in your life if a drone followed you and recorded everything?”

Just when he asked this final question, a drone rose from the rear of the stage and followed him to his seat. Wow! If you see Hayden at Big Camp, be sure and encourage his journey to serve the Lord.

Pastor Evans says, “I first met Hayden when he raised his hand to ask a question during my sermon at Nambucca. After the worship service, I asked his parents about Hayden’s possible call to full-time pastoral ministry. A couple of months later, I was able to introduce Hayden to our School Evangelist, John, who offered to invest in Hayden by working with him toward preaching his first sermon. Pastor Obed Soire kindly offered his pulpit to Hayden this past Sabbath.”

— John T Boston II/Pastor Tom Evans

WEEK OF WORSHIP WOWS AT AVONDALE SCHOOL

Avondale School’s first Week of Worship (otherwise known as WOW) for the Secondary Campus this year was themed, “I AM,” which was chosen by the Year 12 class.

During the week, the student speakers — Margaret Graham, Kameli Nawaqavou, Shrey Somaiya and Hayley Price — shared on “Who I Am because of the Great I AM — Jesus!” The topics they covered in the week were “I Am Never alone,” “I Am Courageous,” “I Am Zealous,” “I Am Forgiven” and “I Am Saved.”

The week was hosted by Michael Fui and Eliam Galindo, and featured special items from Hailey Hall, Sophie Gibbons, Ella White, Austin Hale, Sam Siv, Gem Coutet and Michael Fui.

Annalea Bishop wrote a drama that ran through the entire week. She also directed and starred as the lead role of Thembani Precious, and a variety of students were involved, from Years 7 to 12.

The band led daily into God’s presence and their hard work shone through as they blessed the school with wonderful music.

A special thank you goes to the Year 12 class for all they did to make the week amazing. The wonderful week concluded with a special service on Saturday morning at Gateway Campus Church.

— Colin Chuang

SUPER WEEK OF MEGA PRAISE AT AVONDALE SCHOOL

Avondale School’s Primary Campus recently hosted its annual Super Week of Mega Praise (SWOMP), themed “The Greatest Show.”

During the week, many of the primary students were involved in singing, drama, musical performance, dance and interactive activities. Pastor Norman Hurlow, who ministers to the school campus-connected Gateway Church, spoke for the week, encouraging the students to see how we are all part of the greatest show the universe has ever seen.

He shared how we have been made in God’s image, and all of us are unique and gifted in different ways. He also spoke about how in life, each of us have a choice to make — the choice to go our own way or follow God’s way.

SWOMP week concluded on a Saturday morning with a special service at Gateway Campus Church.

— Colin Chuang

Photography credit: Terrina Mesaric

Photography credit: Terrina Mesaric

MEET OUR

Ministry Team

Vanessa is an ARISE Australia graduate who’s currently working at the MyHouse Ministry Centre in Newcastle. She was born in Rwanda in 1998, but moved to the UK when she was young. She describes her mum, Jennifer, as having an “unparalleled with, is endlessly self-sacrificing and an absolute stunner.” Her sister Debbie is older than she is, and is “the most gentle and generous person I know.” Vanessa’s favourite memory is sitting in her dad’s loft in Rwanda, watching him draw and paint cartoon strips/portraits of people. He sadly passed away when she was around three.

What led you to come to Australia to attend ARISE?

An impression from God. I was sitting on my bedroom floor shortly after I finished high school with zero intentions of speeding into university. I asked God what I could study next in His Word because I’d been seeking and finding the Truth. As I scrolled through the ARISE curriculum for ideas, I felt God say, “There’s where you’ll be in a few months. That’s what’s next in your search. Specifically ARISE, specifically Australia. See you there!” “No way!” I thought back at Him, as I checked whether PEACE [the UK’s version of ARISE] was on that year. It had been cancelled. ARISE Australia it was.

When you graduated from ARISE, what inspired you to stay and do Bible work?

Pastor Matt Parra’s very logical opinion! It was along the lines of, “I think every young person should spend at least six months of their lives or more in solid Bible study and service for God.”

What’s been the most rewarding thing about your experience so far?

Finding what God knew I would find next, and seeing this promise come through for my new friends and me in Bible work: “Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:1-3).

Bad news sells, and unfortunately we can’t avoid it. In the media, our communities and personal lives, we are constantly reminded of things that are going wrong. On the upside, the Bible shows us what can go right and offers hope in seemingly hopeless situations. To learn more, simply post this completed form to receive FREE “The Prophetic Code,” an ongoing series of beautifully-illustrated lessons. Topics include “The secret to Success”, “Life After Death” and many more. Experience this life changing opportunity, obligation FREE, today.

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And the most challenging?

Growing up and being strong and courageous like adults are apparently supposed to be! But that’s gotten a lot easier since I’ve been realising that it comes from knowing God is with you.

When it comes to stepping out in faith and having an adventure with/for God, what would you suggest people do?

Whatever it looks like for you, “Commit your way unto the Lord, trust also Him and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:5). Emphasis on the “trust Him” part! For me, that looked like clinging to certain promises in the Bible and songs. Yes, lots of songs! Have a soundtrack to your adventure!

What’s the thing you’ve enjoyed most about being in Australia?

The friendships I’ve been granted. The friendships that Jesus prayed we’d experience in John 17 — I’ve experienced that! That’s what God knew I had to find next. I didn’t see that coming, but I totally see why He kept that a surprise. Through my friends, Jesus has filled my soul with so much life again.

How do you like to connect with God?

Listening to spiritual songs, and singing them to myself and Him.

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health

HOW TO KEEP FIT ON A BUDGET

According to market research in 2016 by the ABS, fitness/gym activities are the second most participated type of sport and recreation by Australians. In 2014, the approximately 4 million Australians participating spent $8.5 billion on fitness and its associated costs — around $2000 on average

THE FREE OPTION

in one year!1 The question worth pondering, however, is whether it is necessary to spend so much in order to get and keep fit?

I say no. In fact, I know a lot of people who pay for a gym membership to have access to equipment and classes, but barely get there eight

You already have the tool you need to keep fit: your body! Using body weight exercises and incorporating strength, cardio and flexibility exercises into a routine can literally be all you need, if done effectively. In addition, your home or a nearby park can provide free “equipment” too! For example, you can use cans of beans as makeshift weights, your steps for step ups or stair runs, or a pile of books (big ones are best) to lift. Using body weight exercises requires you to push yourself however, in order to get results. This can be achieved by doing higher amounts of repetitions per exercises, and/or using interval training (for example, 30 seconds of work, 15 seconds of rest).

Home Exercises

Body Weight Exercises

times a year! Keeping fit is less about how much you spend and more about being absolutely certain why it’s a must for you — and then finding ways to be active that you enjoy.

Here’s a breakdown of how you can keep fit in a budget from $0 to whatever you can afford.

THE ‘HOME ESSENTIALS’ OPTION

Setting yourself up with some basic fitness equipment at home can be cost-effective and take your fitness to a new level. My suggestion for equipment would be: two sets of dumbbells or kettlebells (a lighter set for arm exercises, and a heavier set for leg exercises), a resistance band, a foam roller and a chin-up bar. All of these are available from Kmart, and Aldi also has occasional fitness equipment for really affordable prices.

If you are going to pay money for fitness services, I strongly suggest paying for group or one-on-one training, as you will get much more than just access to equipment (like gyms). You’ll also get accountability, support, motivation and personalised care, and most of all, the results you are after.

The take home message however, is that you can keep fit on a budget! Get creative with your workouts, possibly invest in some basic equipment for home and you’re all set to go.

1 Push-ups 10 reps 2 Squats (goblet) 15 reps 3 Lunges (alternating) 20 reps

1 Triceps dips on chair Spine rolls with ball 10 reps 3 Step ups 20 reps

ROAST PUMPKIN, ZUCCHINI AND FETASTUFFED PASTA SHELLS

These shells are ugly, but delicious; simple, but a little time-consuming. They freeze well too! And if you can’t find conchiglioni (large pasta shells), it’s just as easy to mix the pumpkinzucchini-feta mix through pasta with the lentil-tomato sauce and bake it as you would a regular pasta bake. You’ll want to make sure you have a large baking dish though!

Ingredients for the stuffed pasta shells

16 to 20 conchiglioni shells

500g pumpkin, diced

300g zucchini, diced

– 200g feta, drained and crumbled

– 2tsp rice bran oil

– Minced garlic, to taste

– Salt and pepper, to taste

– Grated cheese to top the shells with at the end of cooking

Ingredients for the lentil-tomato sauce

One can of lentils, drained

– One can of diced tomatoes, including the liquid

–

One large bottle of your favourite passata/ pasta sauce

Method

1. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees (160 fan-forced).

2. Mix the 500g of diced pumpkin with 1tsp of the oil and season to taste (remembering that the feta will provide some added saltiness to the final mixture) before spreading it on a baking tray.

3. Roast the pumpkin for 30 minutes/until well-cooked. Once cooked, allow to cool — but don’t turn the oven off!

4. Put a large saucepan comfortable filled with water on the stove to boil to cook the pasta.

5. While the pumpkin is roasting and water boiling, put the zucchini, 1tsp of oil, minced garlic and seasonings to taste into a frying pan and sauté until lightly cooked. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

6. When the water has boiled, add the dried conchiglioni to the saucepan. You will want to cook them for a couple of minutes less than the instructions tell you to on the packet — the shells will continue to cook once they’re in the oven to bake, so you don’t want them to be anything more than al dente.

7. When the pasta shells are cooked, drain them and separate them — you can lay them out on a tray or similar to help them cool faster and not stick together.

8. In the bottom of a large, flat baking dish, combine the lentils, tomatoes and passata/pasta sauce. Stir well to combine it.

9. In a bowl, gently mix the roasted pumpkin, zucchini and crumbled feta.

10. To fill the shells, spoon in a tablespoon or two full of the pumpkin-zucchini-feta mix. You want them to not be totally stuffed full, but comfortably so.

11. Rest each of the shells in rows on the lentil-tomato mixture in the baking dish.

12. Once the dish is full, cover it with foil and put it in the oven to bake for around 30 to 40 minutes.

13. After this time, remove the dish from the oven, remove the foil and sprinkle grated cheese over the shells before returning the baking dish to the oven for a final five to 10 minutes for the cheese to melt.

14. Remove the dish from the oven and allow it to sit for a short while before serving with salad/steamed vegetables.

NB: The shells and sauce can be portioned up and frozen once cooked — you may need to add more passata/ pasta sauce to each portion for re-heating though.

Share your photos with us on the North New South Wales Conference Facebook page — facebook. com/NNSWAdventists

— Recipe by Adele Nash

book review

ENGAGE: FAITH THAT MATTERS

BY NATHAN BROWN

Engage: Faith That Matters is Nathan Brown’s most recent book and is comprised of a selection of short essays written for Adventist World that reflect on a variety of topics. But the ultimate, over-arching theme of each is how we, as Christians, engage with the world around us.

Reflecting on the divine commission Jesus gave His disciples — to go out into the world (John 17:18) — Nathan notes that Jesus wasn’t praying that they be “taken out of the world or isolated within it.” It was to be all about engagement, connectedness, caring and showing that God loves people deeply.

This commission hasn’t changed for those who follow Christ, no matter where we live, how old we are or how equipped we feel. We’re still called to do the exact same thing — not passively, but in a completely active way. In the introduction to Engage, Nathan notes, “we as His disciples should be the most engaged in our world and our communities.”

Of course, Jesus is at the heart of this book. The first chapter opens by saying, “Our story always begins with Jesus.” If He’s not at the centre of what we do and why, what point is there? If we try to make engaging with others all about ourselves, what point will it have? Jesus is the most beautiful example of engagement with humanity — an example we’re called to follow if we truly believe.

Topics explored in Engage come under headings such as “Reclaiming ‘radical,’” “Practising doctrine,” “How the story ends,” “Racism is atheism,” “In praise of empty churches” and “A ‘boring’ way to change the world.” Intrigued? You should be! Each of the essays provides a unique and challenging view, as well as encouragement and hope.

As Nathan says, “I hope these essays sound a call to engage more deeply with Jesus and, in turn, with His sending us into the world to love, to listen, to serve and to speak. It’s a call to be faithfully of and in this world, as disciples of Jesus. Read, share, enjoy, disagree, think, do, engage...”1

So what are you waiting for? Grab a copy of this book and get inspired to grow your faithful engagement with God — and with others.

— Adele Nash

DIY

ROPE

Cut the fabric into long lengths that are about 1cm wide.

Tie one end of your fabric strip to a chair or door knob (or ask someone to hold it for you!), and start to twist in one direction.

Twist until it is very tight and, if you let it slack a bit, it will want to start twisting back on itself.

NOTE: To help you twist, you can tie a pencil to the end you are twisting from and just turn the pencil OR simply roll the fabric strip between your fingers (this is what we did, and it was so much simpler and easier to manipulate!).

Growing up, we made this kind of rope or cord quite often. It was one of those crafty things you could do at school during lunchtimes because you don’t really need any equipment. You are going to love figuring out all the things you can make with this twisted rope!

WHAT YOU NEED:

Fabric scraps, wool or ribbon

LoveMatters

We live in a world of increasing connectivity with laptops, tablets, phablets, iPhones and Galaxies. We are constantly connected to the internet and to each other, yet — paradoxically — an increasing number of people are feeling disconnected and alone.

It is really important that when you are with people you turn your phone or watch notifications off so you can actually be present with them — without interruption. I actually have turned every notification off on my phone except one for text messages and I haven’t felt more liberated in quite a while.

This is the tricky part! Bring the two ends together (while holding them so they don’t touch), and at the same time, hold the centre of the strip (the point where it folds back on itself). Now, let the centre go and it will twist up! Here’s a little mini version for you to see:

Depression and anxiety are on the increase. Many people turn to online gaming, porn and or social media to try to fill the void and sense of disconnect they are experiencing by using quasi-connections to others. Unfortunately, the number of likes you get or the success you may feel in winning a game are only short-lived.

There has to be a better way that doesn’t increase your anxiety, and actually satisfies your need to connect and not feel lonely!

Hebrews 10:24-25 says to consider how we may spur one another on to love and good deeds,and not give up on meeting together as some are in the habit of doing. Never has this been more relevant than in our modern age when we are so busy “connecting” that we don’t have time to meet with our friends/family, and when we do so much is interrupted by our other connections. So do yourself a favour. Switch off the online world whenever you are with those you

If you are doing this with your friends, sibling or mum, take a moment to think of how this twisting together binds the rope and makes it stronger. What is there in your relationship/friendship that binds you together and makes you stronger? Chat about it, and thank them for what they bring to your life.

“And over all these things (compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience) put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity”

— Colossians 3:14

By Michelle Villis, Amelia Magazine 2018

Fortunately there is. The solution has been with us for thousands of years and it works. It is called different things in different cultures, but they all come down to the same thing: lovers, families, friends, parents and children getting together, talking, sharing, laughing, telling jokes, playing, sharing a meal and generally hanging together — relation amicale

“find people you can connect with”

Ask yourself this: been lonely even when surrounded by others? nice. The solution is to find people you can connect with in a rich, deep friendship.

Here (on the right) you can do with your family/friends to build this rich friendship and love for each other.

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3 Ideas to Connect

Slow down and share a meal together. Families there are no reason why you can’t have a slow meal once a day to connect. Leave all phones, TV’s, computers and tablets away from the table. Sit, talk and connect. Keep it upbeat and positive and do the dishes together.

Take a night/day each week or so where you go and play together. This might to the beach, a park, mountain biking, watching a movie, going paintballing together, ten-pin bowling. The point is to share and connect.

Have a picnic together outdoors in a forest, in a park or at the beach. Go for a walk together. Combining nature with a walk, while looking up and out is a great way to beat the blues.

with Pastor Neil Thompson