Quarter #2 IntraSyd 2024

MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2024

PATHFINDERS BRAVE NEW HEIGHTS WITH ADVENTIST OUTDOORS PAGE 10

NEW YOUTH DIRECTOR APPOINTED PAGE 8 NEW FAITH BUILDERS APP TO HELP PARENTS PAGE 5 WOOLAHRA GETS A LIFT PAGE 6

FEATURES: EASY TIPS FOR SUPPORTING YOUTH, FEEDING THE HUNGRY IN SYDNEY

FROM THE PRESIDENT ALBAN MATOHITI

President Alban Matohiti Editors & Staff Writers

Joyce Taylor Lauren Bongard Graphics

Lynda G. Abreu Katrina Jorgensen Maryellen Hacko Other Contributors ADRA Australia Lauren Bongard Anthony Fuller

Next content deadline 15 Jun bit.ly/intraSyd

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One of the many things I love about my work is that I get to visit many churches and meet different members of our Adventist family in Sydney.

Everyone has a story. Recently, I was invited to preach at a church that meets in our age care facility. As is my usual custom, I shake hands with people at the door when they leave the meeting.

A couple came to me and shared their story. They told me that they live in the area and began attending the church because, so many years ago, Pastor Walter Frederick Taylor, who was living in the premises, often put leaflets in their mailbox. Apparently, while officially retired, he was still letter boxing and visiting the neighbourhood regularly.

He never really retired. Pastor Taylor lived to be past 100 years old, and I wonder how many people’s lives he touched.

Being a pastor is a job one never retires from. At the Greater Sydney Conference (GSC), we host a meal for our retired ministers twice a year just to say thank you. We are fully aware that while they are retired, most have never stopped what they do. They still preach, give Bible studies, perform marriage and funeral services. The sense of calling is so strong for many pastors that they are still very

active in the church long after their official job duties end.

GSC gives the current serving pastors a wage, but, in the end, they are women and men that work for God first and foremost.

Our vision at GSC is to be a disciple-making movement in Sydney. Discipleship is an important word for the South Pacific Division (SPD). The people in the SPD, Australian Union Conference, GSC and other conferences and missions around the South Pacific have discipleship in their hearts.

Being a disciple is not a job. It is—first and foremost—a calling. While we look forward to our retirement, we never really retire from being a disciple.

When one becomes a disciple, they simply follow a call from the One who calls: Jesus Christ.

In Exodus 3:4, the Scripture tells us that God called Moses, and Moses said, “Here I am.”

One of the ways of raising the spiritual temperature of our lives is to come to terms with our calling. Has God has called you to be a disciple where you are?

He will continue to equip and fill your life in such a way that you will continue to bless others mightily.

Pastor Walter Taylor never really retired; you and I mustn't either. We are called for as long as we live.

Alban Matohiti

@sydneyadventists COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT

ISSUE FEATURE

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UPCOMING EVENTS

ADDRESS 148 Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga NSW 2076 PHONE (02) 9868 6522 EMAIL GSCComms@adventist.org.au

Adventist Outdoors

The Epping Ryde Pathfinder Club met at Crosslands Youth & Convention Centre for a day of abseiling with Adventist Outdoors (AO), a volunteer organisation that helps lead Pathfinder expeditions.

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Save the Date

24-26 May / ELIA Wellness Summit 4 May - 1 Jun / REFRAME 1 Jun / Men's Rally & BBQ 7 Jun / Singles Snow Camp Retreat 1-30 Jun / 30 Days of Prayer 2024 More events at bit.ly/3rwcUr0!

ARTICLE

LOCAL NEWS

04-11 / 7:26 Friday to 7:27 Saturday 11-11 / 7:33 Friday to 7:34 Saturday 18-11 / 7:39 Friday to 7:39 Saturday 25-11 / 7:46 Friday to 7:47 Saturday 02-12 / 7:53 Friday to 7:53 Saturday 09-12 / 7:58 Friday to 7:59 Saturday

Fund for Needy Persons

Woollahra gets a lift!

ARTICLE

ARTICLE

Easy tips for supporting youth

New look for GSC Youth

Classified Classifieds For volunteer opportunities, local events, jobs, accomodation and more, visit our notice board at bit.ly/gsnotices or via the QR code below.

Notice Board

GSC Big Camp youth tent speaker Pr Anthony Fuller shares his wisdom on how to support young people through life's challenges.

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GSC assists 150-400 people each year to make ends meet, helping people retain independence and dignity. Funds are replenished by generous members across Sydney.

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Built in 1936 long before modern accessibility standards, a generous gift has enabled members with accessibility requirements to access all areas of the church.

Page 6 $ OFFERINGS

The GSC youth department have created a new logo to better reflect the purpose of GSC youth ministries, and even have cool merch!

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eGiving.org.au

1 Jun / GS Student Scholarships 8 Jun / SPD Avondale University 29 Jun / Euro-Asia Division 6 Jul / World Mission Budget Read more at bit.ly/2MJvRr5

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/Sydneyadventists #sydneyadventists /Sydneyadventists #sydneyadventists /Sydneyadventists #sydneyadventists

School of Evangelism

REFRAME FRAME

In-depth training courses to raise up active leaders and supporters in local mission and outreach.

How to Develop & Give Bible Studies

School of School of Evangelism Evangelism

This course will instruct the participant in how to plan, organise and present a set of In-depth training training courses to raise up active leaders In-depth courses to up leaders Bible Studies with opportunities for practical demonstration by the attendee. Other In-depth training courses to raise raise up active active leaders and supporters in local and outreach. areasand for instruction will include how tomission obtain decisions and finding new interests for supporters in mission and outreach. and supporters in local local mission and outreach.

Bible Study.

How to to Develop Develop & Give Bible Studies How & Give Bible Studies 04 May (Sabbath) | 3-5pm | Orientation & Introduction How to Develop & Give BibleCourse Studies

Saturdays: 11, 18, & 25to May | 3-5pmand | Course This course will instruct the participant in how plan, organise present a set of This course will instruct the participant in how to plan, organise and present aa set Bible Studies with opportunities for practical demonstration by the attendee.

This course will instruct the participant in how to plan,Exercises organise and presentOther set of of 01 June (Sabbath) | 3-5pm | Closing & Graduation Bible with for practical demonstration by attendee. areas Studies for instruction will include how obtain decisions and finding interestsOther for Bible Studies with opportunities opportunities for to practical demonstration by the thenew attendee.

Other areas to Study.decisions areas for for instruction instruction will will include include how howBible to obtain obtain decisions and and finding finding new new interests interests for for Bible Study.

Bible Study.

04 May (Sabbath) | 3-5pm | Orientation & Course Introduction 04 May 3-5pm Orientation & Introduction Saturdays:||11, 18, &||25 May | 3-5pm | Course INSTRUCTOR 04INSTRUCTOR May (Sabbath) (Sabbath) 3-5pm Orientation & Course Course Introduction 01 JuneSaturdays: (Sabbath) | 3-5pm | Closing Exercises & Graduation 11, 18, & 25 May | 3-5pm | Course Saturdays: 11, 18, & 25 May | 3-5pm | Course 01 June 01 June (Sabbath) (Sabbath) || 3-5pm 3-5pm || Closing Closing Exercises Exercises & & Graduation Graduation

Pr Alban Matohiti

Pr Roger Govender

Pr Asofitu Leatuavao

Pr Andre Vieira

Pr Alban Matohiti INSTRUCTOR

INSTRUCTOR Pr Matohiti Pr Alban Alban Matohiti INSTRUCTOR INSTRUCTOR Pr Asofitu Leatuavao INSTRUCTOR Pr Leatuavao Pr Asofitu Asofitu Leatuavao

Pr Roger Govender INSTRUCTOR INSTRUCTOR Pr Govender Pr Roger Roger Govender INSTRUCTOR INSTRUCTOR Pr Andre Vieira Pr Andre PrINSTRUCTOR Andre Vieira Vieira

INSTRUCTOR INSTRUCTOR Parramatta SDA Hall INSTRUCTOR INSTRUCTOR

77-81 Hammers Road, Northmead

Parramatta SDA Hall 77-81 Hammers Road, Parramatta SDA Hall Parramatta SDANorthmead Hall

77-81 Hammers Road, Northmead

77-81 Hammers Road, Northmead https://bit.ly/gsreframe | reframe@adventist.org.au | (02) 9868 652 https://bit.ly/gsreframe | reframe@adventist.org.au | (02) 9868 6522 4

https://bit.ly/gsreframe https://bit.ly/gsreframe || reframe@adventist.org.au reframe@adventist.org.au || (02) (02) 9868 9868 6522 6522

FAITH BUILDERS PARENTING APP LAUNCHED TO HELP CHILDREN GROW IN FAITH

GSC President Alban Matohiti, Children's Ministries departmental assistant Amber-Lee Roberts, Children's & Family Ministry director Daron Pratt & AUC Women's & Family Ministries director Sylvia Mendez.

The Greater Sydney Conference’s (GSC) Family & Children’s Ministry Department proudly launched the Faith Builders parenting app during GSC Big Camp on April 25, 2024.

“Despite the best church and school programs and resources, we are still losing between 50% and 90% of the children from our churches,” says Pastor Daron Pratt, Director of Children’s Ministry and Family Ministries for GSC. “Something needs to change. This app was developed in response to recent research that indicates children are more likely to adopt the faith of their parents. What happens at home trumps everything else.

This app seeks to help parents be the best they can possibly be when it comes to passing on faith to our children.”

The app is aimed at parents and grandparents of children aged 0-14. It includes coaching questions and practical steps based on seven elements that

research shows are needed to help children grow in faith: intergenerational mentors, family memories, quality time, faithful and loving parents, awesome stories, great marriages, and family services.

“Every morning, the app posts a notification with a question that helps parents and guardians think, ponder and be more intentional in their spiritual parenting,” says Pastor Pratt. “For those parents who want to dig deeper, further research and ideas around each of the seven elements is provided as well. If this app helps parents be at their best spiritually, then it is a winner for everyone, especially the children.”

The app will be free to download, as it has been sponsored by GSC. It will is available on the App Store and Google Play, just search for "Faith Builders". For more information contact Daron Pratt at daronpratt@ adventist.org.au.

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LOCAL NEWS

Mountain View Pathfinders hard at work.

PATHFINDERS AND ADVENTURERS SERVE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY Mountain View Pathfinder and Adventurer Clubs gave up their Sunday to help wash cars and sell food to raise funds for ADRA Blacktown and Fulton Adventist

University College. The money is to help further ongoing projects both in the local community and abroad.

It was a great way to get to know the community and serve others. One local man commented how impressed he was seeing how well behaved and happy he children were working together.

Mountain View Adventurers eager to lend a helping hand.

Many people stopped because they were interested to see what was going on.

The children had fun washing cars for a good cause, and raised over $1500! They especially enjoyed their reward at the end . . . a water fight and free food!

A GENEROUS GIFT GIVES WOOLLAHRA A LIFT The original two-storey Woollahra Seventh-day Adventist Church was built in 1936, long before modern accessibility standards. This caused challenges for attendees who have difficulty navigating stairs.

“Historically, elderly people stopped attending church because they found it hard to get downstairs to the amenities,” said Pastor Daniel Przybylko. “A lift has been talked about for 15-20 years, but it never got past the wish list until 2023.”

That’s when the church received a generous $50,000 gift from the late Clara Pongrass. She was the longest-ever member of

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Pr Daniel Przybylko (right) with Steven, Les, Judy and Tom cutting the ribbon.

the Woollahra congregation, from 1950 until 2022, when she passed away at age 96. The funds she provided for the lift were especially poignant, as Clara herself would have benefitted from the upgrade.

“She could have attended church

much longer, if we'd had a lift years earlier,” Pr Przybylko said.

The church celebrated completion of the Clara Pongrass Memorial Lift at an opening ceremony on 4 November 2023. All four of Clara’s children—Steven,

Les, Judy, and Tom—attended the service and participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony to dedicate the lift named in their mother’s honour.

“We feel blessed to have

a church building that is now accessible to all," said Pr Przybylko.

Now, all church goers— including those with mobility issues, and parents with prams—

can access key areas of the church building, including the sanctuary, gathering hall, kitchen, restrooms, and the children’s room.

KEN LONG PARTICIPATES IN SOUTH AFRICAN STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM Dr Ken Long, author and Kellyville Church member, was one of the key speakers in the God First Stewardship Revival Program that took place from February 9-18 in the Southern Africa Union.

Dr Long was invited to participate in the meetings by Elder Aniel Barbe, Associate Director of the Stewardship at the General Conference (GC).

They joined stewardship directors from the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division and Southern Africa Union to preach at churches in Johannesburg, Durban, and Capetown, South Africa.

Dr Long also delivered workshops on his book, Model Steward Canvas, at each city.

“The underlying purpose of all the presentations was to present stewardship in a positive way by promoting the benefits and blessings of stewardship to the giver, just as God intended,” said

VALUED GSC FINANCE TEAM MEMBER RETIRES Longtime Greater Sydney Conference (GSC) finance team member Richard Hurrell has retired. Richard commenced his tenure with GSC in 2012, and his role focused on supporting and training local church treasurers.

Richard resolved local church finance challenges and oversaw the transition to the new local

Dr Ken Long (front, third from right) with delegates in South Africa.

Dr Long. Model Steward Canvas is a collaborative effort between Dr Long and the GC Stewardship Department to encourage Adventist entrepreneurs to combine business and ministry to advance God’s Kingdom.

The aim of the revival programs and workshops was to demonstrate to Adventist business owners that they have an opportunity to support God’s

work through giving generously and to encourage them to be more intentional about ways they can use their businesses for Christ.

“It was a wonderful experience to be part of the God First Stewardship Revival Program,” says Dr Long.

Dr Long is the author of The Giving Equation and Model Steward Canvas.

church accounting system (ACAS).

“We are sad to not have Richard continue as a member of the GSC finance team and will miss his quiet presence in the office greatly,” said GSC CFO, Mrs Nadelle Manners.

Mrs Geisa Lagares has been appointed to fulfil the role of local church financial support. Please direct all local church finance queries to gsctnosupport@ adventist.org.au

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YOUTH YOUTH MINISTRIES GREATER SYDNEY MINISTRIES GSC APPOINTS NEW YOUTH DIRECTOR The Greater Sydney Conference (GSC) has welcomed Pastor Dejan Stojkovic, who has accepted the position of GSC Youth Director.

“We welcome him into our team and know that God will use him in a mighty way to create a thriving disciplemaking movement,” says General Secretary Cheonneth Strickland. “We also thank God for His leading, as He has opened many doors to enable Dejan and his family to minster here.”

Pr Stojkovic was born in Kragujevac, Serbia. He finished his primary and

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secondary education in post-communist Serbia. He moved to England in 2001 to study theology, and he completed undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at Newbold College.

After graduating from university, Pr Stojkovic served as a youth pastor at Stanborough Park Church in Watford, England, where he established an outreach and reclamation ministry for youth and young adults. He has also served as Trans-European Division Youth and Pathfinder Director, British Union Conference Youth Director, teen ministry leader at

Pastor Dejan Stojkovic

Adventist Volunteer Services, and as chaplain at the South England Conference. His mission in his career and life is very simple—preparing young people for the second coming of Jesus.

Pr Stojkovic and his wife, Deana, married in 2010. They have four young children.

NEW LOOK FOR SYDNEY ADVENTIST YOUTH

Sydney Adventist Youth (SAY) announced a fresh new logo as part of their recent rebrand.

“The concept behind the new logo represents how Sydney Adventist Youth is made up of people of different ages, who are doing life differently but are pulled together to the cross,” shares SAY leadership.

Graphic designer Jessica Symes designed the new logo.

SAY debuted the design and launched new merchandise in early December 2023.

“We wanted to refresh our youth brand to better reflect what we do as a youth department,” shares Jacinda Ralph, Youth Departmental Assistant. “The logo serves as branding for our youth events, allowing youth to identify and promote the conference’s events within their local churches.”

Check out the new logo and purchase SAY-branded gear on the SAY website: sydneyadventistyouth.com

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REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: EPPING RYDE PATHFINDERS UPSCALE WITH ADVENTIST OUTDOORS On 25 February, the Epping Ryde Pathfinder Club met on top of the hill above Crosslands Youth & Convention Centre for a day of abseiling—the opposite of rock climbing, where participants use ropes to descend rocky cliffs—with Adventist Outdoors (AO), a volunteer organisation that helps lead Pathfinder expeditions.

“All day was dedicated to abseiling and helping our young people experience something new, as they were trying to achieve the Pathfinder Abseiling Honour,” shares Dejan Stojkovich, GSC Youth Director. “The main purpose of them having this amazing day with Adventist 10

Outdoor is to push kids a bit out of their comfort zones, build better team spirit, and also help them do Pathfinder honours that are very difficult or expensive to do.”

Ten Pathfinders and their parents were part of the event. “After a quick introduction and safety briefing, the Pathfinders were suited up and made their way to the abseiling location,” says Pathfinder Club leader Josh Lee. “Many of the kids had previous adventures in rock climbing but not abseiling, so it was a new experience."

The AO team was there to help. “Nerves were high, but the AO team were very professional and showed their knowledge and skill in walking

the kids through the process each step of the way,” says Mr Lee. “From explaining the equipment being used, to key words used to communicate, like ‘Safe!’ and ‘Off Rope!’”

Thanks to the AO team, it didn’t take long for the youth to catch on. “After a bit of a slow start for their first descents, things began to pick up speed as the Pathfinders grew in confidence,” says Mr Lee. He explains that the Pathfinders were “running from the bottom of the cliff face after repelling down to the top just to get another turn. Definitely a story to tell school friends the next day—‘I did it!’”

The kids weren’t the only ones to get in on the action.

Pr Stojkovich and some of the adults also gave abseiling their best try. “Descending the 15-meter cliff is no walk in the park, as I quickly discovered after witnessing many of our young people take the plunge,” he says. “I decided to give it a try myself, and those first few steps over the edge truly made me understand why some of them were a bit shaky. Despite the initial fear, everyone did remarkably well, including myself.”

At the end of the day, the Pathfinders had learned a new skill, and everyone earned their Abseiling Honour. “The

ADVENTIST OUTDOORS

outcome was an abundance of joyous faces, braving something quite daunting and definitely out of the ordinary,” Pr Stojkovich says. “There was also a strong sense of camaraderie, with love and support evident both during the activities and in the written reflections. This event marked another successful day for Adventist Outdoors, fostering connections with young people and local churches, and sharing their passion amidst God's breathtaking creation.”

To watch a video of the abseiling event, scan the QR code.

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"God speaks to us through nature without ceasing." EGW Wellbeing and nature go hand-in-hand.

Through programs like AO, GSC provides opportunities to get out in nature, learn new things and have fun, whether it at our Crosslands Youth & Convention Centre in Galston, or the vast wilds of New South Wales and beyond.

AO is a volunteer organisation led by nationally qualified outdoorsmen versed in a variety of skills. AO are committed to providing safe outdoor adventure activities and developing activity skills.

AO also works with Pathfinders to provide safe outdoor adventures and helps students develop skills they can use throughout life.

For upcoming events and available outdoor resources, visit bit.ly/ gsoutside.

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Pastor Anthony Fuller

EASY TIPS FOR SUPPORTING YOUTH PASTOR ANTHONY FULLER

I visited a young man in hospital this week who had very recently been stabbed in a gang altercation. He was brought up in our churches, but at the age of 17, was very that clear church wasn’t for him. He had no spiritual purpose, no connection or relational understanding of who God is.

How is this possible? We know generally youth in society are under so much pressure, but research shows that Christian youth are facing greater challenges within our congregations, including: Lack of employment opportunities Mental health Living in a secular culture Issues related to body image Family problems Substance abuse Pressures of materialism Personalising and living out their faith Negative stereotyping Pressures of 24-hour social networking Crime

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What is your response as you view this list? How would you compare it to your observations of the youth within your local church?

CHALLENGE: Make it a priority to take some time and get to know the youth in your church congregation to see what they think.

Work with parents, families, and youth leaders; don’t just leave it for them to do—get involved.

Based on your findings, prayerfully work on finding practical and biblical solutions.

Spend some time asking young people what they think are possible solutions.

Our youth must not only be taught God’s Word, but they must also be mentored in ways to apply the Word to their lives. They must be inspired to live more like Christ, remembering that Jesus is the model.

Big Camp 2024 Youth & Young Adult Tent speaker, Pr Anthony Fuller is currently serves as the Youth Director for the South England Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (SEC).

KEEPING LONELINESS AT BAY WITH ADVENTIST AGED CARE As we age, loneliness can often take hold. With a lot of uncertainty as we grow older, it’s easy to feel a little lost and alone as your social network shrinks.

Studies have shown that social isolation and loneliness have a serious impact on longevity, physical and mental health, and quality of life.

At Adventist Aged Care, we believe that our residents should live with dignity and compassion in a connected community. It’s not just a home, it’s a neighbourhood—a village where friendships and community thrive.

We recently chatted to Pastor Tuni Laikum at Adventist Aged Care Wahroonga to hear his thoughts on the power of prayer and connection to God to help keep loneliness at bay.

How do you maintain your faith in times of anguish or loneliness?

“I go straight to the word of God. My relationship with God is what allows me to keep going despite any difficult challenges I may come across,” Pr Tuni says.

He views his life experience as “rising above” from any challenges he may face.

“I like to use the phrase ‘rising above’ because that’s exactly what I do. I use His word to lift me up from where I am, and I rise above the challenges."

What do you enjoy most about your role?

“I feel very privileged to be talking to people who have had so much life experience.

I really learn so much from them,” says Pr Tuni.

In his time at Adventist Aged Care, Pr Tuni has been able to grow closer to his faith and the word of God.

How can people facing loneliness use God to help them get through?

“I respect the beliefs of others, but I believe that God is always there.” Pr Tuni believes that it doesn’t hurt to have God in your corner.

“I always tell residents to just try it out. I say, ‘You’ve tried other stuff. Why not try

Pastor Tuni Laikum

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this, and see if it works for you? If it doesn’t, you don’t lose anything.’ Even if they don’t feel that connection to God, there’s no harm in seeing what it can do for you.”

The value that being connected to God, Pr Tuni notes, is immeasurable.

“I believe that the most powerful connection you can have, is with God. You can’t feel lonely when you know God is with you. When you feel connected to God, you are loving, patient, kind, and respectful. These values are all instilled in you when you feel the peace and companionship that comes with being connected to God.” To find out more about Adventist Aged Care including Residential Aged Care or Independent Living, or to arrange a tour of our facilities, contact our friendly staff by calling 02 8834 6100 for Kings Langley or 9487 0600 for Wahroonga sites, or visit our website aacsyd.org.au.

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SHINING A LIGHT ON HUNGER IN SYDNEY “Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon” (Isaiah 58:10-14 NLT).

According to the Foodbank Hunger Report 2023, more than 36% of Australian households experienced moderate to severe food insecurity last year. Of those 3.7 million households, more than half skipped meals or entire days of eating, and the rest had to compromise on meal quality to fit their budgets. Another 12% of the population were considered marginally food insecure, meaning they worried their food supplies might run out.

For many of Sydney’s Seventh-day Adventist churches, this hardship is an opportunity to reach our neighbours where they most need us. To fight food insecurity, local churches come together to organise, stock, and maintain food pantries to help their communities get the food they need and feel supported. Here are a few stories from these local initiatives.

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Mount Druitt Food Bank Serves a Diverse Community The Mount Druitt Food Pantry opens every Wednesday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm to distribute food parcels to its community.

More than 40 families rely on this ministry. For three years, retired church members have volunteered weekly to keep the pantry running and show Christ’s love to their neighbours.

Pantry volunteers spend more than $300 a week to buy supplies, much of it at a discount from Foodbank, the largest hunger charity in Australia. Then they assemble parcels of food for their neighbours who need a hand up. For just a small donation, recipients take home a valuable package of food to stock their pantries. Petrol is also available for pick up.

“The community are very grateful and humbled by the service provided,” shares Metuatane “Tua” Mangi, food pantry manager. “It means a great deal to our members and others struggling to make ends meet.”

The Mount Druitt Church

food bank is grateful for any type of monetary assistance.

Donations allow volunteers to purchase more diverse items for the parcels.

“We as a church are called to serve those in need,” Mangi shares. “We live in a diverse community, and providing food services lets us engage with our community. It’s important to support the service we provide, as it has been a wonderful opportunity every week for many years to assist in spreading the gospel.”

Helping Working Families in Macquarie Fields The ADRA Community Centre in Macquarie Fields is in a lower-income area, and many families in the nearby community struggle to pay bills and afford groceries, on top of dealing with domestic violence issues, homelessness, the need for counselling, and family breakdowns.

“People can't survive without food, and we are finding it's not only low-income earners, but working families that can't afford to buy food,” shares food pantry manager Joanne Perry.

This isn’t a localised story, either. Across Sydney and the globe, working families everywhere are struggling to get by with dignity. And local food banks can help.

After experiencing the range of needs its neighbours struggle with, ADRA Community Centre would like to expand its offerings and find ways to help community members access financial counselling. “According to the Financial Counselling Foundation, 15% of Australian households are experiencing money stress,” Perry says.

“Today, more than 53% of Australians report just making ends meet or worse. As one of the nations with the highest household debt, many families are suffering by rising costs and are facing decisions whether to put food on the table or pay bills.”

While ADRA assists clients who are under financial distress whenever possible, monetary donations and sponsorships for services and support can help clients gain financial freedom moving forward. “Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive, and God said as we bring all the tithes into the storehouse, there will be enough food,” reminds Perry. “The ADRA Community Centre can walk the journey with our clients as a holistic approach— practically, spiritually, mentally, and financially.”

Sydney Chinese Adventist Church Supports 25 Families a Week The Sydney Chinese

Adventist Church opened in August 2022 and serves approximately 25 families every week. “We run the food pantry every Thursday,” shares Pr Robert Zhang. “The ministry distributed around 7,800 kilos of food to the community in the first year.”

Food pantry staff says even small gifts of cash donations or food will help support the ministry and the community. “In the post-COVID period with the increased cost of living, many households are struggling with food security,” says Pr Zhang. “According to Matthew 25:40, when we help someone struggling either physically or spiritually, and who is not able to pay us back, we are doing this to Christ.”

The Sydney Chinese Church food pantry also welcomes volunteers, including individuals able to deliver food from the food bank to the church weekly.

ADRA Blacktown Feeds Families and Prevents Waste ADRA Blacktown hosts GSC’s largest food bank. They require around $30,000 per year to purchase the food needed to serve their clients. In the first nine months of 2023 alone, it received nearly 9,000 visits from families, feeding around 20,000 adults and 10,000 children.

That may sound overwhelming, but organizers share that a donation of about $600 can help cover the food needs of the pantry for a whole week, and just $100 allows the centre to give one family a weekly parcel of

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groceries for an entire year.

The pantry distributes bags of food valued around $35 each, but most of the food is sourced from food rescue avenues. This means ADRA Blacktown spends only about $2 on each bag of food, making sure more than 200 tons of good food goes to families rather than into landfills. “The ministry is able to make every dollar stretch more than tenfold,” shares centre manager Grace Copaceanu. “The gift of food not just a blessing for struggling community members, but rather it is one of the purest ways of sharing the love and blessings we know God pours over us every day.”

Many of the clients who visit ADRA Blacktown for food relief have said that the centre is the one beacon of hope they hold on to when times are tough. “Although many of them do not know God or seek for Him, they are touched by Him whenever they reach out for support at ADRA Blacktown,” says Copaceanu.

“We believe that God has given us all the opportunity to participate in this process, and we rejoice when we see our church members join in whatever capacity they can.”

To give to our local food banks, send a donation at egiving.org.au and note where you’d like funds to go. You can also donate directly towards the sponsor churches, or volunteer by contacting your local church or food pantry.

To find a food bank near you, visit sydney.adventist.org. au/locations.

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A GIVING HEART RECEIVES GSC'S NEW FUND FOR NEEDY PERSONS

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Accidents, illness, job loss, domestic violence, broken homes, and more. The ways individuals and families can fall on hard times are almost limitless. Something as simple as one setback can cause a domino effect of problems that is hard to recover from alone.

For Sydneysiders in need, the Greater Sydney Conference Fund for Needy Persons (FFNP) can offer help.

The fund serves between 150 and 400 people annually, with the greatest share of the assistance going to single mothers who have escaped abusive partners and others who need help paying rent. In many cases, just two-weeks’ worth of rent money can help prevent a family from becoming homeless and give them a boost to start over.

The FFNP aims to help people retain their independence and dignity and show them what community support feels like. Funds are replenished by generous offerings from members of Sydney Adventist churches, but recipients don’t need to be church members.

T* is a church member who recently fell on hard times. Family comes first for T, so she had been generously helping family members in need. But the last few years have been full of financial struggles for her. Being out of work, trying to help family, and an unexpected bill of several thousand dollars left her in a tough financial situation and struggling with debt, unsure how she was going to make it through.

Instead of falling further behind, T stepped out in faith and contacted the Greater Sydney Conference office to ask about assistance. “I was so hoping and praying to God for help,” T shares. “He didn’t disappoint me, as the answer came back, ‘Yes, we can help.’"

T felt her worry and fear evaporate. “The fund helped me a great deal,” she says.

The assistance enabled her to make right a large, unexpected expense she had no way of paying without help. "This was very kind of FFNP, I’m so appreciative. I felt relieved that I had some help for this crisis.”

T never imagined she’d be on the receiving end of a FFNP gift. In fact, she’s always been on the giving end. “I have struggled a lot financially,” T says, “but have tithed throughout the years faithfully, and ironically my favourite offering was the church fund for the needy—and still is when I can afford it.”

So the church’s reinvestment back into T’s life gives her added love and respect for her church and fellow church members. “It felt good to know that my church brothers and sisters cared enough to consider my circumstances and help me through a very rough time,” T explains. And it was an unexpected grace note to reap what she’s sown. “I’m so glad that for many years, while I was in a better place financially, as well as returning my tithes, I gave every time to the church fund for the needy, little knowing that l would one day need help myself.”

INTRASYD

T hopes her hard luck is behind her and that this gift will set her on a new path to financial freedom. An added benefit, she says, is that this experience has given her even more understanding of just how valuable the FFNP ministry is. “This fund is a very important aspect of church ministry. Without it, many would be without hope of overcoming their present financial predicament.”

This, T says, is where church members can make a real, tangible difference in the life of someone else. “It’s one of the best offerings and charities that you can donate to,” T appeals. “Please donate to this most worthy cause; your gift is so needed and would be greatly appreciated by someone in a crisis, who feels that there is nothing they can do and that they’re all alone.”

There are always members of our community who can use a hand up. It’s important that we continually replenish the Fund for Needy Persons so we can continue to bless those around us with the encouragement of financial support. To contribute towards the FFNP and help more deserving people like T find financial independence and security again, you can give a love offering via eGiving at egiving.org.au.

Learn more about the FFNP program at sydney. adventist.org.au/resources/ church-fund-for-needypersons. *We’ve removed identifying information to further protect the anonymity and dignity of the source.

JUNE

2024

19

30 DAYS OF PRAYER 1-30 JUNE 2024

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