SABBATH JUNE 01, 2024
BULLETIN #46
May 30, 2024
TO BE READ IN ALL CHURCHES IN JAMAICA UNION CONFERENCE
Warmest Christian Greetings.
I am bringing to your attention a significant legislative development that affects all our churches and members. As of June 1, 2024, the Data Protection Act (2020) will take full effect in Jamaica. It is important that we understand what this Act entails and why compliance is necessary for all our congregations.
The Data Protection Act is a comprehensive law designed to protect the personal data of individuals. It mandates that all organizations, including religious institutions, handle personal information with the highest level of care and security. This Act outlines specific obligations regarding collecting, processing, storing, and sharing personal data, which includes the streaming of our church services.
Compliance with the Data Protection Act is not merely a legal obligation; it aligns with our ethical and spiritual responsibilities. As followers of Christ, we are called to respect and protect the dignity and privacy of every individual.
Each church should review current data collection and handling practices to ensure its compliance with the new requirements. Anyone who collects personal data in any way has a role to play in ensuring full compliance and the necessary technical and organizational measures to secure the data. Please contact your local conference for further details and be on the lookout for training programmes.
Let us approach this responsibility with diligence and a spirit of unity and cooperation. By doing so, we comply with the law and demonstrate proper stewardship of the information entrusted to us.
Thank you for your attention and prompt action on this important matter.
Sincerely
Pastor Everett Brown, CD, JP President
TITHING GUIDELINES
1. Tithe
Tithe is 10% of personal income, which is defined in III-A. Notes: These guidelines are based on the premise that tithe should be calculated on the total “personal income” instead of one’s “increase.” Some might feel that it is more appropriate to use the Biblical “in- crease” instead of the term, “personal income.” The decision to use “income” is based on a careful study of the meaning of the word “increase” as used in Scripture. For example: “Thou shalt truly Tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.” Deuteronomy 14:22, 28 KJV. Other, more modern translators, clarify what was meant by “increase”: “...all the yield of your seed.” RSV “...all of your crop.” NEB “...of all that your fields produce.” TEV Under the simple agrar- ian culture of Israel, the tithe was computed on the gross yield of seed or herd.
There were apparently no business expenses perceived or considered. Labor was communal and oxen powered the hand- crafted plows and harrows. These were not quantified in terms of money.
Today’s society, however, presents the farmer, the business and professional person with a complex array of production, overhead and other business expenses which must be considered in determining the tithable portion of the fruits of one’s labors. It therefore seemed best to use the more contemporary ‘personal income’ for this purpose. Ellen White used ‘increase’ but more commonly ‘income’ in her statements regarding tithe.
Examples: ‘Let each regularly examine his income.’ R&H, May 9, 1893. ‘A tithe of all our income is the Lord’s.’ R&H Supplement, Dec. 1, 1896. An early action of the General Conference Committee also supports the use of the word ‘income.’
“Resolved, That we believe it to be the duty of all our brethren and sisters...to devote one-tenth of all their income from whatever source, to the cause of God.” Minutes of the Special Session of the General Conference, Published in the R&H, April 6, 1876, p. 108.
North East Jamaica Conference Community Services
NORTH EAST JAMAICA CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH - DAY ADVENTISTS
Dover, St. Mary. P.O. Box 32, Buff Bay, Portland, Jamaica. Telephone: (876)996-8306
Email: communityservices@northeastja.org Website: www.northeastja.org
May 27, 2024
To All Churches in St. Mary
North East Jamaica Conference
Dear Brethren:
Accept warm Christian greetings from the Community Services department of the North East Jamaica Conference.
The need has arisen for social intervention activities to be implemented to combat the increase in crime, violence and other antisocial behaviours in our society In an effort to assist, the Jamaica Union have joined efforts with the Restorative Justice Centre to initiate a two-part training. These sessions will help the members of the church to assist in managing and settling simple disputes to avoid or mitigate violence or major conflicts in our communities.
These training within North East Jamaica Conference will take place as outlined below:
Date: June 25 and July 2, 2024
Time: 8:30 am
Venue: Port Maria Seventh-day Adventist Church
We are inviting all elders, leaders and interested members to attend and participate. Lunch will be provided for all registered participants Please register as soon as the form is posted. We are looking forward to sharing with you.
Respectfully yours,
Sharon Blake (Mrs) Director-Community Services
Books are still available for sale and will be sold at Officers’ Council tomorrow. The Publishing Department will also have other books on sale.
Contact the North East Jamaica Conference Publishing Department office for prices.
I am more anxious to see a wide circulation for this book than for any others … for in The Great Controversy, the last message of warning to the world is given more distinctly than in any of my other books.
Contact the North East Jamaica Conference Publishing Department office for prices.
Click Here for Video
North East Jamaica Conference
Men’s Ministries Department
NORTH EAST JAMAICA CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH - DAY ADVENTISTS
May 24, 2024
The Pastors, Elders and Members of North East Jamaica Conference
Dover, St. Mary. P.O. Box 32, Buff Bay, Portland, Jamaica. Telephone: (876) 996-8306
Email: men@northeastja.org Website: www.northeastja.org
Dear Leaders
Christian Greetings to you in the name of Christ our soon coming King . I take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of the Men’s Ministries Department . We anticipate your continued support and look forward to what God will accomplish through the department.
Please note that on Sabbath, May 25, 202 4, there will be a special Men’s Ministry planning meeting at the Port Antonio church starting at 4 pm. We would like all Men’s Ministry leaders in Port land to be in attendance to discuss plans for the upcoming Men’s ministry special day event on June 15, 2024.
We look forward to your support as we seek to encourage and inspire our m ales to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Yours in the Master’s Service
John Arthurs Stewardship and Men’s Ministries Director
