SABBATH JUNE 08, 2024
BULLETIN #47
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
2. Returning The Tithe.
A. When To Return—Tithe should be returned as first fruits when the personal income is received. In cases where the actual income is determined only at the end of an accounting period, although it has been received on a continuing basis, tithe should be returned systematically based on projections and adjusted at the end of the period.
Notes: The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy emphasize the im[19] portance of returning the tithe to God on a timely and systematic
basis: “Honor the Lord with thy substance and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.” Proverbs 3:9. “Of all our income we should make the first appropriation to God.” Testimonies for the Church 4:474. “We are not to consecrate to Him what remains of our income after all our real or imaginary wants are satisfied; but before any portion is consumed we should set apart that which God has specified as His.” Counsels on Stewardship, 71.
Even if a member does “set apart” the tithe as his income is received but does not bring it to the “storehouse” at regular intervals, he goes counter to inspired instruction and exposes himself to the temptation to borrow the tithe for personal use. “The Lord calls for His tithe to be given in to His treasury, strictly, honestly and faith- fully, let this portion be returned to Him.” Counsels on Stewardship, 82. “That which has been set apart according to the Scriptures as belonging to the Lord, constitutes the revenue of the gospel, and is no longer ours. It is no better than sacrilege for a man to take from God’s treasury in order to serve himself or to serve others.” Testimonies for the Church 9:246, 247. Some may have good intentions of eventually returning the tithe, but choose to do so at a more convenient time—perhaps at the end of the year. Such persons are not only putting their own needs ahead of the claims of God but run the risk of getting so far behind in their obligations to God that it may be very difficult for them to ever catch up.
“There are men whom God has blessed, whom He is testing to see what response they will make to His benefits. They have withheld their tithes and offerings until their debt to the Lord God of Hosts has become so great that they grow pale at the thought of rendering to the Lord His own,—a just tithe. Make haste, brethern, you have now the opportunity to be honest with God; delay not.” Counsels on Stewardship, 97.
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
Dover, St. Mary. P.O. Box 32, Buff Bay, Portland, Jamaica. Telephone: (876) 996-8306
Email: men@northeastja.org Website: www.northeastja.org
03 June 2024
To all Men’s Ministries Leaders in St. Mary
Christian Greetings
On Sabbath, June 8, 2024, we are inviting you to a very special meeting which will be held at the Port Maria Church, starting at 4 pm. This meeting is to discuss the upcoming Men’s ministry special day on June 15, 2024, and National Men’s and B.E.A.M.S Convention to be held in Portmore on August 31, 2024.
We look forward to your support as we seek to make this event special and one to be remembered.
Yours in the Master’s Service
John Arthurs Stewardship and Men’s Ministries Director
June 3, 2024
To All Family Ministries & Men’s Ministries Leaders
Jamaica Union
Dear Brethren:
Christian Greetings!
It is an honour to greet you once more in the precious name of Jesus our soon coming King. I wish to express deep appreciation for your work in educating and equipping every member of the family; a work that Ellen G. White says should never be neglected.
I write to solicit your support for our National Men & BEAMS Convention which is to be held at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Portmore, on Sabbath, August 31, 2014, commencing at 9:00 a.m.
The theme is, “Men Inspire: Each Man Memtors One.” Our Keynote Speaker is Dr. Leslie Pollard, President of Oakwood University, supported by Dr. Kevin Goulbourne, Director of Mental Health of the Ministry of Health and Wellness and myself as the Director for Men’s Ministries of Jamaica Union.
Please help us promote this programme to gather over 3,000 men at the Portmore Church. Oxford shirts are being printed for those interested, and each conference has chosen a specific colour. The cost for each shirt is J$3,000.00. Order forms are attached. Please make your payment at your local conference and send us a copy of your receipt through the Men’s Ministries Department or the Family Ministries Department of your Conference.
Please share the attached flyer widely and direct men from Morant Point to Negril Point to the Portmore SDA Church for the National Men & BEAMS Convention on August 31, 2024.
God’s Richest Blessings be yours.
Yours in the Master’s Service,
Dr. Roy Dennis, J.P. Family Ministries Director
RD:n
