July - August 2018 IntraSyd

MAGAZINE MAGAZINE

INTRASYD JULY - AUGUST 2018

& Mens

Women's ministries Features: Counseling with Claire An Update on ADRA in blacktown

FROMTHE THEPRESIDENT PRESIDENT Terry Johnson

PRESIDENT Terry Johnson terryjohnson@adventist.org.au

Editor Joyce Taylor joycetaylor@adventist.org.au

Graphics Lynda G. Abreu lyndagomes@adventist.org.au

Other Contributors Danyel Efstratiou Katrina Jorgensen (Graphics) Beryl Landers Megan Lillo Claire Marsh Jocelyn Reffer Timothy Richardson Meriln Sedgwick Jessica Shipton Pr Cheonneth Strickland

Next content deadline 31 AUG bit.ly/intraSYD

Religious fads come and go, but Biblical truth remains cogently relevant. This is the premise that we have believed throughout the history of our denomination.

If we teach, preach and live our lives in the simplicity of Biblical truth, folk will want to join our faith! That is no longer the case as relativism in post-modernism thought is now the prevalent truth. As long as it works for you and does not impinge on my belief, then it’s all good. That this ultimately lacks any foundational strength, such as the concept that truth remains eternal, does not seem to dent or crack the façade of those who promulgate the ideology.

This philosophy produces a dilemma for our Church: how do we remain relevant in the face of relativism?

Naturally remaining faithful to foundational eternal truths is key, but while we’ve done this with faithful vigour, we’ve actually lost two generations of our progeny in the last 40 years.

It should shock us that 40% of those who come through our church doors and are baptised as members end up leaving our faith. That figure does not include those who were never baptised but simply drifted away from our faith.

That most of them are our own young people causes deep pain. Something does not add up. We have truth, we preach and teach truth could it be that we don’t live truth?

In their book “Growing Younger”, authors Kara Powell, Jake Mulder & Brad Griffin suggest that all churches grow old, but strategic churches are continually growing younger. In an age where relativity is the norm, having foundational Biblical truth is what connects with youth, which is great news for our denomination. BUT, it’s the manner that truth is shared or transmitted in a genuine way that entices youth and young adults. They share 6 strategies that any church, regardless of age, lack of youth or perceived worship styles can put into practice to transmit faith in a manner that provides

strong foundational building blocks for all to grow upon: • Empathise with today’s young people: “Feel” with young people as they grapple with existential questions of identity, belonging and purpose as they experience broken lives and the self-absorbed adults all around them.

• Take Jesus’ message seriously: Serve and follow Jesus in everything the church does.

Jesus said, “I if I be lifted up will draw all mankind to me."

• Fuel a warm community: Authentic warmth, belonging and a hospitable and caring nature trumps worship style each and every time.

• Prioritise intergenerational worship & ministry: Everyone benefits when you allow youth to lead and fully participate in worship and other ministries.

• Be the best neighbours: Provide opportunities for teens and adults to serve others, pursue social justice, find their calling and interact with popular culture appropriately right in their own church neighbourhood • Unlock keychain leadership: Entrust others, including teens and youth, with access and authority and empower all generations with their own set of “keys" to help influence the direction of the church.

Religious fads come and go, but Biblical truth remains cogently relevant; Biblical truth transmitted in an atmosphere of warmth, empathy and centred on our Saviour, Jesus.

Greater Sydney Conference is committed to “growing younger”in this manner. We can’t do otherwise if we hope to continue to share the good news of salvation and the unique message we carry. While we’re turning up the spiritual temperature of ourselves, our churches and our Conference, let us do so with those six strategies in mind to remain relevant to all.

Terry Johnson

@ SydneyAdventists

COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT

1

ISSUE FEATURE

AuGust 2018

UPCOMING EVENTS

ADDRESS 4 Cambridge Street Epping NSW 2121 PHONE 02 9868 6522 EMAIL sydney@adventist.org.au

SUNSET TIMES

Remember the Sabbath

11-08 / 5:23 Friday to 5:23 Saturday 18-08 / 5:27 Friday to 5:28 Saturday 25-08 / 5:32 Friday to 5:33 Saturday 01-09 / 5:37 Friday to 5:38 Saturday 08-09 / 5:41 Friday to 5:42 Saturday 15-09 / 5:46 Friday to 5:47 Saturday

$ OFFERING

eGiving.org.au

11-08 / SPD: Media Evangelism 18-08 / Local Church Budget 25-08 / AU Mamarapha College 01-09 / Local Church Budget 08-09 / Annual Global Mission Read more at bit.ly/2nL4CtY

Mens Ministry

Take a moment to ponder this: What would society, our homes, our workplaces, our marriages, parenting relationships, relationships in general and churches look like if we got men right. How different would our world be? Page 18 ARTICLE

Save the Date

25-08 / End It Now Emphasis Day 01-08,09 / Week of Prayer 02-09 / Father's Day OCT / Pastor Appreciation Month OCT / ADRA Appeal Month 13-10 / Pastor Appreciation Day Get the 2018 cal at bit.ly/GSC2018cal NEWS

Is it any wonder?

“Man-up! Stop acting like a girl!"

Phrases like these are causing boys confusion and anxiety about their identity as males, and shows us that we need to rethink our views of masculinity as we raise our boys. Page 12

ARTICLE

Constituency Meeting 2018

Notice is given that the Twenty-ninth Constituency Meeting of the Greater Sydney Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church will be held 25-26 August. See notice for details. Page 07

NEWS

Women's Ministry

Anika left home at the age of 13 and spent the next 7 years living rough.

At the age of 27 came a life-changing experience. She met a young man who brought her to church.

Page 20

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Sydney Adventist Schools

Hurstville hosts an ANZAC Day Commemoration Ceremony and a Pink Bun Day plus SASA students show libraries some love with Local Member, Mr. Luke Foley. Page 17

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EDITORIALS General Secretary

Adrian Raethel FROM THE CHURCH LTD BOARD

• Pastors Ian Cangy (Hills Adventist College chaplain) and Wellington Caqui (Long Bay Correctional Complex chaplain) have been recommended for ordination and So Man Chu (Hurstville Associate pastor and school chaplain) has been recommended for Commissioning.

• Negotiations are continuing with Sydney Adventist Hospital administration regarding the relocation of the Adventist Book Centre into the Hub retail area with a memorandum of understanding to be drafted shortly.

• Sales continue to increase from the online ABC web store (adventistbookcentre.com.au), and a comprehensive report on the activities of the web store has been presented to the board.

• Of the over 800 files that AdSAFE has on its records

regarding alleged abuses, 407 have been triaged by Salvos Legal. Thirty-one of these cases relate to the Greater Sydney Conference (GSC). --

FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

• Three members of the Australian Union Conference (AUC) Church Structure Review Committee along with the 3 AUC officers gave a major report and presentation to the Executive Committee in April. Along with all other Australian conferences, the GSC has adopted the key recommendations of the Structural Review Committee.

• Approval has been given for the Liverpool Samoan Company to become an organised church. This will take place on Sabbath, 28 July.

• In line with policy, a grant has been given to the Mt Druitt Church for the replacement of carpet and the upgrading of external lighting.

• Concerns have been raised about the proposed residential development on the Wahroonga estate from the Church, School and wider community. Negotiations are currently underway with the South Pacific Division and the developers to address the major issues.

• Formal approval has been given for the new 45-bed residential facility and 25 independent-living units at the Kings Langley Aged Care facility. Construction is expected to commence shortly.

New Website Creator for Adventist Places Designed especially for smaller churches, schools and missions without a tech savvy webmaster, Adventist Place is a fully-subsidised, easy-to-use website creator. It is available for any officially recognised Adventist entity within the South Pacific Division (SPD). Adventist Place is a simplified and modernised alternative to the netAdventist website platform the SPD hosted and supported between 2007-2017.

The website can be built as a basic set-and-forget information site or regularly updated with events, bulletins, podcasts and video. It allows churches to integrate content from their existing social media pages with their websites and a built in stock photography feature helps webmasters apply professional images to their pages.

“The aim is to help churches progress from having a websites with old or out-of-date information - or that don’t have a website at all because it’s all too hard. This service makes it easy to have a neat looking website to represent their church, ” says Kalvin Dever, CEO of Adventist Media.

To find out more, ask questions or get started, visit: place. adventistchurch.com. By Scott Wegener

SUMMIT

Then this event is for you.

2018 7 - 9 SEPTEMBER

Clinical Education Centre, Sydney Adventist Hospital

FW ION O HOLE P VIS E

RS

H ON

EALTH

A

H

A Raethel, General Secretary sydney@adventist.org.au.

LIFESTYLE MEDICINE

WIT

The seating of delegates and the Constituency Meeting, to include the presentation of administration and departmental reports and financial statements for the years 2014 to 2017, will commence at 7:00 pm and will continue on Sunday 26 August. The Officers, Executive Committee, Appointments Committee, Nominating Committee and Constitution Committee of the Conference for the next quadrennium will be elected at this Constituency Meeting.

“Are you being urged to participate in God’s end-time plan to bring health, healing and hope to our community?”

FO

AL TH

Notice is hereby given that the Twenty-ninth Constituency Meeting of the Greater Sydney Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church will be held in the auditorium of Mountain View Adventist College, 41 Doonside Road, Doonside, 25-26 August, 2018. The program will commence on Sabbath, 25 August at 3:00 pm, with a praise and inspirational program including the closing of Sabbath.

Church Leaders, Pastors, Health Professionals & Members

HE

From the Administration:

Calling:

SHARING T

notice of Constituency Meeting 2018

CUS

O N B R AI

E NH

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David R. Williams

Wayne S. Dysinger,

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www.adventisthealth.org.au/summit www.adventisthealth.org.au/summit

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LOCAL NEWS

were loaded into a container thanks to the hard work of the Cabramatta West Spanish Seventh day Adventist church.

The container was packed with a total of 14,026 items weighing 1,957.79 kilos and valued at AUD $18,751.70. The container was dispatched into the ocean on May 20th and arrived in Santiago de Cuba on June 27th.

The work has been great, the Hispanic community in Sydney has provided much needed help. The work of Christ will touch many lives here in the land of Cuba. Greetings from one of the two missionaries who attend Fountain in the City, New Hope and the Cabramatta West Spanish Seventh-day Adventist churches! Let us go forward with Christ our Lord.

KEN WHO?

BY KESIYA MPOFU It’s never too late to come back be-

T

he month of October has been designated by Christians worldwide as Clergy Appreciation Month.

In the same way that other professions are honoured during the year, a date was officially chosen to honour pastors and those who perform ministerial work. The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists has set the second Saturday of the month— October 13 this year—for this tribute to our pastors. More at: sydney.adventist.org.au/ pastor-appreciation.

Have anything exciting or exSave the datetofor the 2018 Sanus traordinary share?

Email FOundation Homecoming event at sydney@adventist.org.au.

cause our heavenly Father doesn’t just wait idly, he pursues us not worrying how long it will take for one of his children to make an about turn.

GREETINGS FROM CUBA!

BY CHRISTIAN GUANA-JARRIN It has been an awesome ride for the Cabramatta Spanish Seventh-day Adventist church, as the first two missionaries from Andrews University have been allowed to enter Cuba - 58 years the last Christian missionary was forced to leave the country!

The Hispanic community from Sydney has been very generous and the appeal has been overwhelming, Praise the Lord!

All 150 boxes of goodies and blessings to the people of "Santiago de Cuba"

Ken was born in a Christian home that moved between various denominations. At 12 Ken’s family was invited to an Adventist Church where they really felt at home. After three years, Ken made a decision to follow Jesus and was baptised. However, at 18 Ken left home and church and spent the next 28 years away from the Lord living as he pleased. In May 2017, Ken was introduced to Hope Sabbath School TV by his brother. He became an enthusiast of the program. On 22 July 2017 Ken made a big step and started attending Ashfield SDA Church. He took great interest in GSC prayer, Men’s ministries and other Ashfield outreach. He is also

The South Pacific Division Invites You To boost your wellness and participate in the “Live More Project� online This innovative program has been developed to empower our Church to thrive and bring healing and hope to the community.

LIMITED FREE OFFER Be part of our Lifestyle Medicine research study Commences September 2018 Scan the code above on your phone or enrol online at:www.livemore/me/research www.livemore.me/research

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part of the CHEP training with Malcolm

Mount Druitt Church by Pr Christos. Far-

While Laisa and Maciu are from

Rea, Director of the Health, ADRA and

rel Steyn studied with the young men to

Seventh-day Adventist backgrounds,

Prayer ministries at the Conference.

prepare them for their Christian walk.

Adi Vasemaca grew up in the Catholic Church, and her entire family are

After 28 years away from God, Ken Collie

In other Mt Druitt news, our men

staunch members of that religion. She

recommitted his life to Christ through

blessed women from the church and the

came to Australia in 2010, and since

re-baptism at Ashfield Church in May.

community with a Mother’s Day dinner.

then has lived in a number of its major

With help from the pathfinders, the

cities. The death of a loved one so

men served a three-course meal to the

soon after she arrived in Australia

ladies. Local church talent entertained

caused so much grief that she began to

the women during their meal.

question, “When someone dies, where

SYDNEY PORTUGUESE CHURCH

BY ANDRÉ DOS SANTOS VIEIRA Our Women's ministry team from Sydney Portuguese church organised a very special lunch on the 12th of May for 40 mums to celebrate Mother's day! In the afternoon we had a group of young people went out into the neighbourhood to distribute flowers

do they go?” She asked her priest and More then 100 people from the church

her father, but they did not give her

and community were in attendance.

an answer that satisfied her. Through

GRANVILLE FIJIAN BAPTISMS

BY NAOMI SENILOLI

and a book for the mums. It was a very

It was with great joy that Granville Fijian

especial day with many visitors.

Church witnessed the baptisms of Laisa

MEN TAKE THE STAGE AT MOUNT DRUITT Three young men were baptised at

Koro, Adi Vasemaca Vuniwaqa and Maciu Biulala on Sabbath afternoon, 19 May, performed by Pastor Igor Shemet.

Their study was a combined effort by the Elders and the Pastor before making their decisions for Christ.

God’s providence she met an aunt in Melbourne, and stayed with her for a year. Her aunt is a Seventh-day Adventist, and at times Adi Vasemaca would accompany her to church.

She left Melbourne and came to live in Sydney. Through a friend she was introduced to the members of the Granville Fijian Church and she firmly believes that “God works in mysterious ways”.

Three weeks before the baptism she

sion and support you provide to our

had questions in her mind and wasn’t

ACAP students on placement. Word of

sure if she should go ahead with it

mouth travels fast amongst students

because she is the only child of a family

on campus in regards to outstanding

that are staunch Catholics. She told

placement agencies. ADRA is one of

her father and family of her plans to be

our most valued agencies. Keep up the

baptised into the Seventh-day Adven-

great work Grace.”

tist church, but they were not happy at all. They made it quite clear to her

Aaron reported that 51% of students

that they did not support her decision

now nominate our Centre as first pref-

to be baptised. She prayed and fasted

erence for their clinical placement.

during the three weeks before baptism.

The work is tough. It’s hard; can be In the baptismal font she felt peace

frustrating and unrewarding, but it’s

come over her, and she is ever so

“the hands and feet of Jesus,” Pr

thankful to God for the way in which

Matthew Pearce, who leads the team

He has led in her life.

at Mt Druitt, often says.

WHO NEEDS ADRA?

BY MALCOLM REA

Learn more about ADRA Blacktown:

Do you know anyone who is addict-

LORD HOWE ISLAND'S KIDS IN ACTION

BY WANDA BIERSCHBACH

ed, abused, homeless, hungry, and/or hopeless? ADRA does.

In 2017 right here in Sydney, over 2,100 clients at Blacktown and 3,000 at Macquarie Fields were provided hope through our community centres. At these centres people were fed, housed, taught English and supported through crisis. Gift bags were given to scared, abused children in hospital. It makes a difference and volunteers choose to work with ADRA because of this.

Aaron Connolly, Student Placement Coordinator, Australian College of Applied Psychology, recently affirmed Grace from the Blacktown Community Centre by sending her the following note of

PHOTOGRAPHY

CAPTIONS/CREDITS 01 Malcolm Rea & Ken Collie.

02 A mums celebration at Sydney Portuguese Church.

03 The baptism of 3 young men at Mount Druitt Church.

04 The baptisms of Laisa Koro, Adi Vasemaca Vuniwaqa & Maciu Biulala.

05 Kids on Lord Howe Island enjoying Adventurer & Pathfinder programs.

www.adrablacktown.com.au.

06 A cooking class and food demonstration at Ryde Church.

07 Kellyville Church's 1,000 Roses Project underway.

During the April school holidays, the Lord Howe Island community were blessed to have 6 Adventurer and Pathfinder specialists visit the island to run a “Kids in Action” program. The island has 51 children enrolled at the local public school from Pre-K to year 10, and of these, 41 attended the holiday program.

Adventurers were kept busy with 20 Awards over the week, including: Birds,

PR TERRY JOHNSON IS FACEBOOK OFFICIAL

Sharing, Tabernacle, Knots and Community Friends. The Pathfinders had a wonderful time with their Honours, which included Abseiling, Pizza Making, Duct

Follow him at http://bit.ly/prTerryFB. The Greater Sydney Conference is

thanks:

Tape and Spiders. The church only has a few children attend regularly, so it was

to the good news coming to you!

“ADRA is one of our most popu-

wonderful to have most of the island's

Follow and interact with us on

children attend the special Investiture

Facebook @SydneyAdventists.

lar agencies with our students, and getting more popular each term. This is without a doubt a direct result of

also online and we're working hard

program during the Sabbath Service.

Since the holiday program, 25 to 30 chil

the great work and level of supervi-

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dren have continued to attend fortnightly Adventurer and Pathfinder programs, and the Pathfinders are excited to be preparing for Camporee in 2019.

Jesus was praised.

THINGS SIZZLE AT RYDE CHURCH

QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY EVENTS AT MT DRUITT CHURCH

Ryde Church promoted a cooking class

It was a time of fellowship and sports-

the community attended. The results

manship over the Queen’s birthday long weekend, as the Mt Druitt Samoan Church hosted a Women’s Ministry Retreat as well as a Volleyball Tournament.

Camp Fletcher in the Blue Mountains provided the opportunity for women to get away from it all, take in the beauty of the scenery and listen to heartfelt messages delivered by Miss La-Dean Malifa, a young inspiring woman now serving

and food demonstration during the month of May. A total of 12 people from were very encouraging and a follow-up course on depression was planned for June. Everyone was very happy to learn new recipes. Arthur Hudson, Miriam Silva and Ana Gomes ran the classes.

CELEBRATING WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY

BY JESSICA SHIPTON One of the exciting outreach projects

God in New Zealand.

that we held recently was the 1,000

The theme “legacy” was prominent

women in our surrounding community

throughout the weekend and women were encouraged to remember how their Godly characteristics are legacy’s that can be remembered by their children and grandchildren. Opportunities were also given for ladies to be pampered, to be

Roses Project, where we surprised with a rose for Mother's Day. Groups of women from Kellyville Church split up into teams and positioned themselves in nearby locations to our church. As we handed out roses to women, their reaction was that of pure gratitude.

affirmed, valued and appreciated.

The overwhelming sense of empower-

As the Women’s Ministry camp came

receiving was incredible.

to a close, the Temperance Committee were gearing up for a volleyball tournament on Monday. A total of 16 teams from around Sydney played in this tournament, with many of the teams being represented by players that were not affiliated with the Adventist Church.

Juliet Stowers, the Temperance Leader, intended the event as an outreach to the wider Sydney Community.

Food was sold, volleyball was played, winners were announced, spectators supported, injuries were avoided and

ment that we were not only giving but

There were such beautiful responses from the women, asking where we were from and thanking us for making them feel special. Then there were dads walking past with their kids, jokingly mentioning that they would tell their wives it was from them.

And of course, there were the people who avoided making eye contact until we approached them saying the rose was for free. Their expressions changed quite dramatically from being reluctant and hesi-

tant to shocked and curious, before they smiled and said, "well in that case..!"

It is often easy to forget that we have the capacity to take part in random acts of kindness, not to get any sort of compensation for it, but "just because". The project not only prompted us to intentionally position ourselves to serve others, but it served as a reminder that small gestures can make a big impact.

There are plenty of other projects that we are working on at Kellyville, including a Gingerbread House Street Buffet event. This will be held in December, in time for Christmas, in which we will create and decorate gingerbread houses to gift to the homeless.

Creating a sense of community is something we hold highly at Kellyville.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT) suggests that "a person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand backto-back and conquer." It goes on to say that, "three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."

As we move into the second half of the year, our Women's Ministries team will continue to encourage the women within our church to use their individual strengths and talents together as a company of women. We strongly believe that there is so much power and positive influence that women can have when standing together, rather than alone. By focusing on empowering one another, rather than competing, women have the potential to prevail and be the movement that not only the church, but the world, needs to see.

Don’t hide your news under a bushel!

Write us at sydney@adventist.org.au.

Attach images individually in one email.

zu r l

07

Serves 4

3 MEDIUM Z 1/2 CUP PE 690g BOTTL

Place whole hot oven, 200 Remove from skin from cap Cut zucchini

Spread pesto spinach leave

Place a smal dish. Arrange remaining sa

Sprinkle with for 20-30 min

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Adventist Aged Care

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Hornsby and Wahroonga enquiries, Tania McAleer - Ph: (02) 9487 0669 www.aacsyd.org.au

your change

CAN MAKE

amazing things happen every month.

Your monthly gift of: $10 will secure a wheelbarrow for a farmer $18 will help a mother make clothes to wear and sell $34 will provide a community with a well for clean water $50 will buy a cow for a family

BECOME A REGULAR ADRA SUPPORTER TODAY! adra.org.au/donate

or

1800 242 372 INTRASYD

August

2018

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is it any wonder?

The effect of supressed emotions.

by Claire Marsh “Man-up! Stop acting like a girl! Don’t be such a wuss!” are phrases that boys might typically hear as they are growing up.

Phrases like these are causing boys confusion and anxiety about their identity as a male, and shows us that we need to rethink our views of masculinity as we raise our boys in this society. Research tells us that in Australia there are 10 males for every one female in jail; and that boys are 3 times more likely to commit suicide than girls. In fact, suicide is the leading cause of death in men between the ages of 15 and 44, and this has increased since 2015. In the 10-year span from 2004 to 2014, 19,995 Australian men from childhood to 85 were lost to suicide (The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Causes of Death, Australia, 2016 data). These statistics tell us that as a society we are not adequately teaching our boys how to deal with their difficult emotions.

As our boys develop and prepare to go through puberty they become emotional and teary, which is quite normal, and we know that their brains develop differently. As they develop in the womb, the male brain produces its own testosterone, which slows down the development of the brain, so when they are about 5 years old and ready to start school they are generally about 20 months behind in their development than girls. Their brains are not as ready in their first years of life, which makes them more vulnerable to developing anxiety. Knowing this, we need to choose to slow down and connect with our boys to help them feel safe and secure from the very first year of their life during these vulnerable early years of development.

Ironically we associate vulnerability and sensitivity with girls, however the male gender are more likely to be the vulnerable ones at this early stage.

By the time we are in our mid-20’s the brain has just about finished developing, but key differences will remain between the different genders. So will the impact of nurture and environment. Views of masculinity have become distorted by the

prevalence of sexualisation through pornography, and images portrayed in media and music that are violent and disrespectful.

We often assume that men are more resilient to these influences than they are, but these destructive influences are designed to hook them in and appeal to the visual nature of men. It is important to talk with our boys openly even from the age of 8 or 9 to emphasise that relationships are meant to be enjoyable and loving; help them understand that their visual nature and desires can be healthy and beautiful, and that they will most likely see things in the media that portray this fake image of how men should treat women. The correlation between power-based ideas of masculinity and domestic violence is well-documented in research.

So, what does it do to a boy when we tell them not to cry?

Crying is the brain’s way of calming and healing from loss. If a boy does not cry, that pent-up emotion will often come out as anger. As parents, when we see our little boys crying we need to encourage their sweetness and sensitivity by saying things like, “You’ve got such a kind heart, I can see how much you really care.” Or, “I felt really sad about that too. It’s ok to cry about it”. This is especially powerful when father’s model vulnerability to their boys, so they can see that even though dad is strong, he still feels sad or scared and this gives a boy permission to feel exactly what they are feeling. Mothers show boys that they are special and important, while fathers show boys what a good man looks like. We need to normalise their healthy feelings and remember that our little boys are just as sweet and sensitive as our little girls. Let’s make it clear that our boys’ value isn’t in measuring up to the narrow unhealthy ideas of modern masculinity, but in their true identity as a child of God. For more on raising boys, we highly recommend the books, Raising Boys in the 21st Century by Australian Psychologist Steve Biddulph or Raising a Modern-Day Knight by Christian author Robert Lewis. For more about the unique visual wiring of men, read Through a Man’s Eyes –Helping Women Understand the Visual Nature of Men by Christian Authors Shaunti Feldhahn & Craig Gross. For an inspiring song on the value of our boys and girls, listen to Is it Any Wonder? By Christian artist Nichole Nordeman.

If you or a man you know needs further advice, therapy or support, you can contact Mensline on 1300 789 978 (24-hour line); or Adventist Counselling Services on 1300 723 070.

www.sydneyadventistyouth.com/summer-camp/

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EDUCATION

Recent events at Hurstville School

By Jocelyn Reffer, Teacher

May was a busier month than usual for Hurstville Adventist School (HAS).

On Wednesday, the 9th of May the students and staff of HAS had their ANZAC Day Commemoration Ceremony. Students began the day singing the National Anthem and placed poppy wreaths they had made in Art class the previous week. The students then gathered to listen to Mr Ken McIntyre, President of the Canterbury/Hurlstone Park RSL Club, tell them about life in the Royal Australian Navy, in which he served for 20 years. The students enjoyed listening to Ken recount memories about what life was like on Navy ships and about how Mr McIntyre earned some of his medals.

On the 18th of May HAS had a Pink Bun Day to celebrate the 20th Year of the Breast Cancer Network Australia. The Student Representative Council sold Baker Delight’s Pink Finger Buns for $2 and all proceeds went to Breast Cancer Research. Students and staff also wore pink on the day to show their support to such a worthy cause. It was a fantastic way for the students and staff to show service to others.

HURSTVILLE ADVENTIST SCHOOL WOULD LIKE TO THANK MRS CLAINE COOK AND MISS REBECCA DOWNES FOR THEIR HARD WORK IN ORGANISING BOTH EVENTS. WWW.HURSTVILLE.ADVENTIST.EDU.AU.

What does your child get with an Adventis Adventist education? ™

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Sydney Adventist Schools ™

Nurture for today. Learning for tomorrow. Character for eternity.

Serving: Auburn – Castle Hill – Doonside – Hurstville – Kellyville – Macarthur – Wahroonga

sasa library and Information week

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5/31/2018 5:39:58 PM

By Danyel Efstratiou, Principal

As part of a promotion for “Library and Information Week”, Sydney Adventist School Auburn (SASA) were invited to send a small group of students to Auburn library to help our Local Member, Mr. Luke Foley, support his policy of increasing funding to our local libraries.

“Children deserve the best opportunity to develop a love of reading- after all, many of us started our lifelong journey of education at the local library."

Mr Foley sat with the students and read them a story and then the students had a quick tour of the library.

They learnt about all the available resources it has and were encouraged to attend as often as possible!

This was a wonderful opportunity to promote this initiative and also our school.

LUKE FOLEY IS THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN NSW AND SHADOW MINISTER FOR WESTERN SYDNEY. PHOTO CREDITS: LUKE FOLEY - NSW LABOR & SASA. MORE INFO: AUBURN.ADVENTIST.EDU.AU.

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August APRIL

2018

17

Are you Right?

By Pr Cheonneth Strickland I read a quote that rocked me to the core of who I am as a man. It said…

“To get society right…

Get the Church right; to get the church right, Get families right; to get families right, Get marriages right; to get marriages right, Get men right."

No Man Left Behind, pg 35

I don’t know if you agree or disagree with this statement, but before you stop reading, take a moment to ponder this idea. What would society, our homes, our workplaces, our marriages, parenting relationships, relationships in general and churches look like if we got men right. How different would our world be?

While I am not blaming everything that has gone wrong in our world on men, I do believe that we as men need to take more responsibility for who we are and what we do. Who we are, more so than what we say, has a huge bearing on what our marriages, parenting and the future generations are going to be like.

If you are married with children, how you treat the mother of your children, is the greatest testimony of what marriage is or is not. It also gives them a picture of what “home” should be like. Your influence also demonstrates how your children should be treated.

When my teenage daughter and I are going somewhere, I will often open the door of the car for her, let her go through the doors first in a shop or wherever we are, because I want her to know how she should be treated.

While it is a small gesture, it says a thousand things.

In situations where there is no dad around, find an uncle, grandfather or male from church that can model what it means to be a man for your children.

So how do we get men right? The answer is found in a well known verse in Matthew that gives the church the mandate of why we do what we do. Matthew 28:19-20.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

In other words, we are to disciple men to be followers of Jesus Christ!

This is what Men’s Ministry is. We are to help them lift the spiritual temperature of their life. We are to teach and disciple them how to have a daily walk with Jesus. We are to teach them how to pray, how to serve their families and communities.

Teaching them how to be a man of God, a man of integrity and honour and to do what is right. A reformation of society begins with a spiritual reformation of men.

This can be achieved through a number of means. It could be through life or small groups. It could be choosing another male that you can be accountable too. It can be having a Men’s Ministry in your church.

Whatever it is, teach men how to be disciples of Jesus Christ and hold them accountable.

Men – let’s get ourselves right. Then through God’s grace and mercy, we can get our marriage, families, church and society right! What are you waiting for? Start right now to be the right man.

What would society, our homes, our workplaces, our marriages, parenting relationships, and churches look like if we got men right.

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August

2018

19

WEEKLY WOMEN'S WORSHIP

by Beryl Landers

The wonder of the Weekly Women's Worship is so encouraging. We are witnessing miracles every week and are seeing incredible answers to prayer.

Every week a new person comes. Gradually we are building a community of praying women.We were given the name of a woman who recently lost her husband and was deeply depressed and lonely. She is an unchurched woman. We contacted her and invited her to the Weekly Women's Worship.

The woman came and was blown away by the warmth and care of the women at the gathering. As she lives a way from the Parramatta Church where the Weekly Women's Worship is held, she said she would find another group closer to home to join, but the following week she was back. "I will miss the love and acceptance I find here on a Wednesday�she said. This lady plays the violin and now helps with the music for the Worship sessions. She is starting to pray and is very encouraged by the testimonies shared.

At least 4 of our HOPE STAYZ guests attend our worship gathering. One of them was invited to church on the Sabbath to share her Wednesday experience. This is a huge feat as she suffers from severe anxiety. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we believe, she shared how much she values the worship gathering Wednesdays. She spoke confidently and powerfully.

"Wednesdays are my favourite day of the week", she said. At the end of the service, a call for baptism was made and our HOPE STAYZ guest, together with her daughter, responded and indicated that they wanted to be baptised.

A neighbour to the Church, pops in whenever she can and can be seen outside on the footpath encouraging other neighbours and passersby to come inside and join in the Weekly Women's Worship.

To God be the glory.

By faith we have opened the doors of the Parramatta Church on Wednesdays and God is honouring our faith and we are seeing lives being transformed.

The format of the Weekly Women's Worship is simple - we meet and mingle over a cuppa, we begin our worship with a few songs of praise, a speaker shares God's word for about 30 mins and then we engage in meaningful prayer.

It's incredible how each speaker has brought a message appropriate for the audience on the day.As a result, a second group of women are gathering Friday evenings.

This is our dream, that many more

satellite groups will emerge as a result of the Weekly Women's Worship.

and felt loved and valued.

“It was the best thing that happened to my kids and I. I recognised however that I had an ANIKA'S STORY advantage over the other women Anika Peisley left home at the age at the Retreat and began to share of 13 and spent the next 7 years my experience with the other living rough. At the age of 27 came guests and told them of the peace a life changing experience. She I had since getting to know Jesus. met a young man who brought her I connected with one particuto church. Not knowing God nor lar woman in the group and we having the faintest inclination of a now have an ongoing friendship desire for God, she found herself where we have embraced the sloat church. Anika found the peogan ‘BETTER TOGETHER’ (the ple at church warm, welcoming, slogan of Adventist Women). We kind and gracious, dispelling all are in constant contact with each rumours that church people are other. I am able to truly empathise mean and nasty. Thus began her with her, encourage her, pray for journey of restoration and with her and be and recovery from a friend to her.”

Every week her past life. a new person Anika is passionate comes.

The couple had three about making a children and through Gradually we difference in the lives difficult circumstancof other struggling are building es, Anika tried to single mums. Her a community hold things together positive attitude, of praying to raise them. The strong faith, her spircouple eventually itual fervour, amidst women. got married. Her trying circumstances, first encounter with is staggering. Anika Women's Ministries was at Sunday now serves as a Women's Ministries afternoon programs called "Time assistant at a local church.

Outs". It was at these "Time Outs" that Anika made connections and There is much to be do, and so learnt a lot through the life style much more that can be done. “If programs. Unfortunately her hus- there were twenty women where band left the family, leaving Anika now there is one, who would with the children on her own. make this holy mission (one-toone ministry) their cherished Anika continued to come to work, we should see many more church, strengthening her faith converted to the truth. The refinand she got baptised. Anika was ing, softening influence of Chrisinvited to HOPE STAYZ Retreat tian women is needed in the great (a special Retreat for disenfranwork of preaching the truth.” — chised women and their children) Evangelism 471.

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August

2018

21

2018

Breathe BREATHE - a day Women's Conference at

Waterview Bicentennial Park with guest speaker Pr Trafford Fischer exploring the concept of being CHOSEN - based on 1 Peter 2:9 & 10 - 'But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.' Attendees are encouraged to wear their national costumes as we celebrate the many nations that makes up this CHOSEN Nation.

This one day conference also offers a 'Little Breathers' program for children 3-13 years, which will run concurrently with the adult program.

Anika Peisley

Gift Vouchers are available for you to use to bless someone with a gift of a BREATHE Registration.

You can also win one! We are giving away one FREE Adult BREATHE 2018 Registration ​on Facebook. Visit us on Facebook at www.facebookcom/adventistwomen to enter.

BREATHE GIFT VOUCHER TO: FROM: MESSAGE:

This voucher* entitles you to the Women’s BREATHE Conference ADVENTIST WOMEN. GREATER SYDNEY

BREATHE 2018 - Women’s Day Conference, 22 September @ 9:00am Waterview Function Centre - Bicentennial Park, NSW *Terms & Conditions This voucher is only valid for 2018. Voucher may be transferred to another person, but not to another year.

MATES CONFERENCE 2018 19 -21 OCTOBER AT CROSSLANDS OUR SPEAKERS

IAN HOWIE RETIRED PASTOR

TERRY JOHNSON PRESIDENT OF GSC

RAY MOAGA ADVENTIST PASTOR

YOU’RE INVITED This Men’s Conference is to help men of all ages live with purpose, meaning and to find their place in this world. Are you wanting to improve your marriage, family, life, church and society?

Then this Conference can help you!

MENTORING ACCOUNTABILITY TEACHING EMPOWERING SPIRITUALITY & SERVING

FOR REGISTRATIONS bit.ly/MATESConference2018

FOR QUERIES PLEASE PHONE (02) 9868 6522

INTRASYD

FOR MORE INFO ON EVENT SYDNEY.ADVENTIST.ORG.AU

August

2018

23

Book of Acts Sabbath School Study Series QTR 3

Special Announcement for Local Church Leadership, Pastors, Sabbath School Teachers, Elders, and Church Social Media Coordinators.

13 short videos aligned to each topic of the lesson series will be available at:

w v • • • •

disciple.org.au/resources/acts or www.disciple.org.nz https://vimeo.com/spddiscipleship/videos

Pray for the Holy Spirit to enable this lesson study series to be a transforming encounter with the methods of Jesus in disciple making and the methods of the apostles in movement building and church planting.

Share them on your Church Facebook page to engage your Church with the lesson.

Show them in Sabbath School time. Includes ideas for discovery Bible reading and group discussion.

Watch how the Holy Spirit led the church in growing the movement through Acts.

Order free Discovery Bible Reading Bookmarks from your Union Sabbath School Department.

• AUC aucdisciple@adventist.org.au • NZPUC iFollow@disciple.org.nz • TPUM vibranttpum@adventist.org.fj • PNGUM MaxZaccias@adventist.org.pg • CPC FredMalawae@adventist.org.pg