East Jamaica Conference

Communication

Department

74 Constant Spring Road P.O. Box 181 Kingston 10 Jamaica W.I.

Tel:(876) 924-1061-3, (876) 924-0263. E-Mail: eastcon@ejcsda.com
Website: ejcsda.com

January 8, 2015
To: All Pastors, Elders, Leaders and Church Members
Sincere Christian greetings!
Please see important dates, events and communication from the East Jamaica Conference of Seventhday Adventists below.
(1) Notice from the Ministerial Department Convention 2015

The Annual Convention for Zone 4 (St. Thomas) this year, will be held at the Morant Bay SDA
Church, on Sunday, January 11, 2015 commencing at 9:00 a.m.
The Kingston leg of Convention will be held at the Kencot SDA Church on January 18, 2015 beginning
at 9:00 am.
We invite all members of our church especially our local church leadership (All elected officers) to
attend.

(2) Notice From the Sabbath School & Personal Ministries Department

1. Congress for Renewal and Revival of the Role of the Laity

The Renewal and Revival Congress organized by the Jamaica Union, is to be held on
Sabbath, January 10, 2015 (all day) at the Hagley Park SDA Church. (Please see attached
letter from the Union Director - Click Here).
2. EJC Lay Evangelistic Preaching Symposium
The Lay Evangelistic Preaching Symposium is called by the Sabbath School and Personal
Ministries Department, together with the EJC Lay Evangelistic Association to convene at
the Half-way Tree SDA Church, January 25 to 29, 2015.
3. Partnership Effort with Amazing Facts Centre of Evangelism
The Evangelistic Preaching Symposium mentioned above will find a fitting climax in our
convergence with the Amazing Facts Centre of Evangelisms (AFCOE) three-part Edge of
Eternity National Rally which will convene at Sabina Park, South Camp Road, Kingston,
beginning Friday, January 30th at 7:00 p.m.
4. Sabbath School and Personal Ministries Department Annual Comprehensive
Workshop January 25 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
All leaders of the Sabbath School, Personal Ministries and Community Services
Department, to include the following listed below, are invited to attend and participate in
our annual, critical, comprehensive training workshop to be held at the V. H. Percy
multipurpose centre, 10 12 Osbourne Road, Kingston, January 25 9:00 a.m. to 1:00
p.m:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Elders assigned to this department

Sabbath School Superintendents
Personal Ministries Leaders
Community Services Leaders
Senior Citizens Leaders

F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
K.
L.
M.
N.
O.

Prison Ministries Leaders

Special Needs Leaders
Bible School Coordinators
Membership Conservation Leaders
Sabbath School Secretaries
Personal Ministries Secretaries
Interest Coordinators
Bible Instructors
Graduates of EJC School of Evangelism
All other relevant persons and interested parties

(3) Notices from the Childrens and Adolescents Ministries Department

Theme: Giants for Jesus
1. The 2015 Bible Spell-a-thon poster has the guideline for this annual event. This is a fun
activity to get the children back to the Bible. Team members kindly engage your
children at least at the church level.
2. The new date for the 2014 Bible Spell-a-thon awards will be posted soon.
3. ASI Mission 2000 & beyond crusade will be held in the Dominican Republic from July
17 August 14, 2015. All persons who want to be a part of this trip are invited to a
meeting on January 25 @ 4 p.m.
4. The material for child preachers training can be found in your packages. Kindly engage
your pastors, elders and other resource persons in the training. Call the office if you
need assistance.
5. Trained child preachers get ready for our joint childrens crusade coming soon.
6. Model for your children how to witness to others as they play Bible Spell-A-Word
during their spare time.
7. It is our intention to have an annual childrens communion. This will be done during the
same time and date of the planned church communion. Suggestions and details will
follow. However we ask you to educate the children about the purpose of communion.
On that day all our children will be asked to dress in communion color, invite a visitor
to church and will be assigned the task to share with the visitor the purpose of
communion. A form will be provided for the visitor to indicate that this witnessing
experience was shared.
8. Pink and blue are the colors for childrens ministry. The polo pink and blue tops and
black or blue bottoms is needed for our May 2015 Jewels anniversary as well as the
childrens crusade. Kindly prepare for this.
9. Jewels anniversary Step 2: Get children to memorize the Jewels Promise and these 2
passages of scripture Matthew 19:13-15; Jeremiah 1:4-9

Six Secrets of Affectionate Childrens Ministries LeadersThey pray for wisdom to see each child through Jesus eyes,
They write loving notes to their students
They discover each childs special interest and talk about it
They place their childrens pictures on the refrigerator.
They make simple presents for each child.
They are huggers.
Evelyn Omana
(4) Notices from the Family Life Department
THEME: Making Home a Place of Peace and Healing

1.

All couples who are genuinely interested in enhancing their spousal journey, come
participate in the Journey Towards Intimacy session on Sabbath, February 7, 2015 at the
VH Percy Centre beginning at 9 a.m. See the attached program with the presentation topics.

2.

Kindly indicate /register all attendees by January 20 to facilitate adequate seating and
dining.

3.

Females you are encouraged to add extra intimacy to the session by selecting matching
colors as a couple to be worn on that day.

4.

To facilitate advance preparation for a sumptuous physical meal for those who will not
take their meal along, kindly indicate the number of persons from your church that we
should prepare lunch for and collect a contribution of J$500. This should reach the office
by February 2.

5.

All churches are asked to take at least one visitor. Couples with non SDA spouses please
provide the telephone numbers so that we can personally invite them to this special session.

6.

Dr. Desiree Tulloch Reid, Anthia Muirhead and Geoffrey Marshall who have been
commissioned to impact EJC for Christ. Kindly send the name and contact information of a
male and a female single selected by your church to be a part of the impact team. We also
invite other singles who are interested in being a part of this impacts to call/email the
cgenas@ejcsda.com or 7811565 immediately with this information. Watch the website for
weekly updates.

7.

Calling all couples under 5 years into action to keep the journey exciting. Register to be a
part of the Couples In Action (CIA) group that has begun its genesis since January 2015
and keep your spousal journey aflame. Your coordinators are Leon & Samantha Ffrench
and Marcus & Tamrakay Biggs. Coming together is a beginning, Keeping together is a
progress. Working together is success. Henry Ford

8.

BEAMS your convention has been rescheduled for March 2015. Your team leaders Jerome
Miller and Jovan McCook have been called into action. Watch the press for details.

9.

We have received the couples list from all churches in districts 1, 2, 5 & 10. Hats off to
Pastors Leabert Williams, Hanson Drysdale, Samuel Lewis, and Kevin White and the FM
Directors of these churches. Still awaiting same to complete the request by the GC for
registration of all couples.
Lord, before I tackle the projects of the New Year, distract me with the task of shredding last
years resentments.

(5) Notices from the Womens Ministries Department

1. There will be a meeting for zones 1-3 Womens Ministries Directors and their team
members on January 10, 2015 @ the Hagley Park Church from 3:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. and
on January 11, 2015 for zone 4 @ Morant Bay High School from 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
2. All GEMS presidents are asked to send a report to Natalie McKenzie, your EJC GEMS
president to be collated and presented for our 5th GEMS anniversary.
3. The EJC will host 2 large retreats between 2014 and 2018. Calling everyone from
everywhere to start saving for this. Invite your non Adventists friends and relatives locally
and abroad. Pay early and save. Details to follow.
4. Kindly use the month of January to launch /activate your Moms in Touch in the churches.
The EJC Moms in Touch launch will be in March.
5. One of the GC vision 2020 objectives is to have established mentoring programs.
Remember that all our young females 12 and over should be assigned a mentor. All
Womens Ministries Directors are asked to send the names of the team member who is
coordinating your GEMS mentorship program. Sis. E.G. White and the story of Ruth
reinforce the benefits of mentorship.
6. Christian Home & Marriage The Journey Toward Intimacy session will be held on
February 7, 2015. All couples who are interested in the longevity of marriage are expected
to be a part of this journey. Females are asked to coordinate colors with your spouse for
added intimacy. Couples with non SDA spouses please provide the telephone numbers so
that we can personally invite them to this special session.
Encourage the participation of your spouse by recruiting and enlisting his or her
expertise in some aspect of church life. Remember: There is no growth without challenge,
and there is no challenge without change.

(6) Notice from the Publishing and Spirit of Prophecy Department

1. Publishing and Sprit of Prophecy counsels meeting

January 15, 2015 Executive counsel EJC Chapel 5:30 p.m

January 25, 2015 Zone 4 Morant Bay SDA Church 10:00 a.m.
February 1, 2015 Zones 1 & 2 Halfway Tree SDA Church 10:00 a.m.
February 8, 2015 Zones 3 - Constant Spring SDA Church 10:00 a.m.
2. Literature Evangelist Recruitment training January 28, 2015 Halfway Tree SDA
Church - 10:00 a.m.
Spirit of Prophecy Quote
Our heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us of which we know nothing. Those
who accept the one principle of making the service of God supreme, will find perplexities vanish
and a plain path before their feet. (MH481.2)
(7) Notice from the Education Department
East Jamaica Conference Education Department thanks the brethren for your sacrificial giving
towards Kingsway High & Prep School, as we continue to see your contributions coming in. We
do appreciate your generosity. Envelopes are still available and can be obtained from your Pastor,
First Elder &/or Education Promoter, as well as EJC office.
For calendar of events and special days please click here.
For EJC School information click here
Quote:
1. "In the training of His disciples, the Saviour followed the system of education established at the
beginning." Ed. pg.84
(8) Notices From Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department
Government Lauded for Preserving Religious Freedom
By Athaliah Baker January 6, 2015

The Government is being lauded by the Seventh-day Adventist Church for its work in preserving
and encouraging freedom of religion and worship for all Jamaicans.
Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Director of the Jamaica
Union Conference, Nigel Coke, said the type of religious
freedom that Jamaicans currently enjoy, makes the country one
of the most tolerant societies in the world, where religion is
concerned.
Follow this link for more on this story. Click here
(9) Notices From The Youth Department
1. A Note of Appreciation - As we embark on the challenges of 2015, we must reflect on 2014: the
valiant efforts and the sterling contributions of Federation Officers, Area Coordinators, Training
School Staff Members, AY Leaders, Pathfinder Directors, Adventurer Leaders, Master Guides, and

all who labored to fulfill the mission. Without your commitment and cooperation plans would not
have been realised. Special thanks must again be registered to Pastor Hanson Drysdale and family
who served in leadership of Youth Ministries. Let us Continue to pray for the family, especially for
Hanson Drysdale III. Thanks all, for your dedicated service, and may God continue to bless you as
you serve in His cause.
2. Election of Federation Officers at Convention in St. Thomas on Sunday, January 11, 2015; and
at Convention in Kingston on Sunday, January 18, 2025. - In keeping with practice, all Youth
Leaders of Zone Four are asked to be at Convention on Sunday, especially as we will elect new
Federation Officers for this year. Youth Leaders in zones 1-3 are asked to be at Convention on the
18th where we will have election of officers to serve in these zones. Let us continue to pull
together as we seek to serve with excellence of a Powerful Generation.
3. Prayer Breakfast and E-Magazine Launch- As we chart this New Year, let us do so with total
reliance on God, knowing that we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us (Philippians
4: 13). With this in mind, we will be having a special Youth Prayer Breakfast on Sunday January
25. Each church is asked to send at least one AY Leader, Pathfinder Leader, and Adventurer Leader
as we seek Divine empowerment to meet the demands of 2015. Additionally, there will be the
launch of an E-Magazine that will provide the platform for Youth Expression on topical issues and
current trends in Youth Ministries.
4. JAMU Chaplaincy Advisory will be on January 27. All pastors assigned to serve different
institutions as chaplains are asked to be present as we will give attention to how we can be more
effective with the service of chaplaincy. You will receive a letter with the details.
5. On February 14 we will celebrate the Festival of the Word and Launch of Adventist Redemption
Mission for Youth (ARMY). ARMY is an initiative that will help to train, rehabilitate, and
reintegrate youth, and help prevent youth from being marginalized. It is intended to help young
people - members and non-members alike - live to their full potential, as we offer skills training,
career guidance, young adult education, mentoring and counseling, as well as promoting an
entrepreneurial spirit within the ambits of Christian Stewardship.
6. Global Youth Day will be on March 21, 2015. Guidelines for preparation will be posted on the
website. Youth Leaders who were present at Leaders Summit would have received a package with
such guidelines. Pastors, please help to provide leadership for your churches in this regard. Details
of the Conference initiative will follow.
7. Youth Week of Prayer will be March 21 - 28. Let us start making preparation so as to make this
experience most meaningful and impacting.
(10) Notices From the Communication Department
Latest News.
New Pastor Installed for Harbour View Circuit of Churches

Elders and members of the Harbour View

circuit of churches welcomed Pastor Lorenzo
Brown as their new pastor at the end of an
inspirational Installation Service at the Harbour
View SDA Church on January 3, 2015. The
service was supervised by Pastor Eric Nathan,
president of East Jamaica Conference, who
introduced Pastor Lorenzo Brown as an
effective pastor who had served his church well.

Follow this link for more on this story.

Click Here
(11) Notice From the Constituency
The Oak Glades SDA Church presents
Hallelujah Anyhow Gospel Concert
Date: 31-January-2015
Time: 7:30 pm
Cost: Adults: $500, Children - $250
(12) Schedule of Upcoming Conference Dates and Events
Dates

Event

Jan. 10

Renewal & Revival

Jan. 11
Jan. 18
Jan. 24
Jan 25 - 31
Jan. 31
Feb. 7

Convention - St. Thomas

Convention - Kingston & St. Andrew
Religious Liberty Festival
Lay Evangelistic Explosion
Religious Liberty Day / BEAMS Convention
Couples Journey to Intimacy

Phillip E. L. Castell
Communication Director

Location
Hagley Park SDA Church
Morant Bay High School, 7
Highbury Rd, Morant Bay
Kencot SDA Church
National Arena
Half Way Tree SDA Church
VH Percy Center