TED News Bulletin Trans-European Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church 19 March 2008 In this issue: ---------------------------------- * Another Successful KID Event * Do You Want to Make a Difference? * New European Business Degree at Newbold * Centre for Secular & Post Modern Studies * Head of Auditing Service Retires * £3.2 Million Defraud Case ----------------------------------- ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL KID EVENT...[A.M.Wollan/TED News Staff/TED News] Watford, England -"This is probably the most well rounded and valuable Conference-sponsored training programme I have attended," stated David Riley, Central London church pastor. His comment was reflective of the response of those who attended the "Kids In Discipleship" (KID) training at the Stanborough Centre, Watford, 6 - 9 March. Adventist Church teams from the Hungary, Lebanon, Lithuania and the United Kingdom, a group of more than 40 participants, came together for four days of intensive training. This was the first training seminar run by a team of Trans-European Church based trainers and coaches, a very capable team which over the last two years have been prepared for this task. The training of church teams was preceded by a two days coaches’ training. This was arranged for those who will be coaching local church teams and KID presenters. Carsten Berglund, a Swedish Adventist who teaches coaching, led out the first day, while on the second day Anne-May Wollan, TED Children's Ministries director, and Barbara Clee, teacher, provided guidelines in how to make presentations. “We all felt that the Holy Spirit was with us, and as before it became a real spiritual high”, says Anne-May Wollan, the TED Children’s Ministries Director, in charge of the TED KID Training events. The enthusiasm and faith in this ministry was evident in those already involved in KID in their local churches. “KID training is an enabler. It has equipped me with the resources that I need in order to disciple my children and to help parents like myself disciple and mentor their children”, said Rebeca Asamoah, London, UK. “KID gives insight to a new way of ministry in which children, along with their parents can come closer to God. And that makes the future of the church hopeful. Thank you for sharing it with us!” said Palam Arvai, a member of the Hungarian team. “I believe that the KID ministry will help our children, families and the whole congregation to grow spiritually,” concluded Aranka Bajic, Children’s Ministries Director in the Middle East. Learn more about KID on the TED Children's Ministries website: http://www.ted-adventist.org/resources/cm.htm DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?...[Karen Plaatjes/TED News] St Albans, England - The Adventist Volunteer Service (AVS) is growing, in both numbers and effectiveness. At the moment 23 people from the Trans-European Division (TED) are providing service in schools, orphanages, hospitals, churches, and other institutions in America, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, China, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Palau, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. In addition, 46 volunteers from other parts of the world are working in the TED territory. This makes a great deal of difference to both them and the communities they serve. TED Executive Secretary Harald Wollan commented, “The AVS programme gives the opportunity for individuals to serve in a different mission field...thus giving invaluable service abroad and at the same time providing a link between the home church and the mission field, whether far or near. Not only will the recipient field receive a blessing, but the volunteers themselves will be blessed through the service rendered.” Manny Nelson is currently serving in New Zealand as an assistant Youth Pastor. When asked why he was an Adventist Volunteer his response was “To simply do something that makes a positive impact on someone else’s life. Doing it within the Adventist framework is important to me as I want my efforts to be connected to the work of Jesus whether subtly or overtly.” Volunteers face many challenges such as homesickness, illness, loneliness and fear. They all deal with these through prayer, and the support of fellow believers locally and at home. They all agree that challenges are making them stronger and teaching them to lean on God for wisdom and strength. Leana Edwards is serving in Burkina Faso. She is seeing her dream of making a difference. She says, “I know my dream is being realised each day because I am placing my life in the hands of God. I think being a volunteer is an amazing opportunity to go on an adventure with God.” From her rich experience she concludes, “If you dream of making a difference, maybe God is calling you...” Young people in this territory are making a difference. They are excited and involved. Karen Plaatjes, who works with Adventist Volunteers in the TED says, “We need to encourage our volunteers and provide opportunities for more young people to get involved.” If you would like more information about the AVS programme, visit www.adventistvolunteers.org or contact Karen Plaatjes at: kplaatjes@ted-adventist.org.. NEW EUROPEAN BUSINESS DEGREE AT NEWBOLD COLLEGE...[Helen Pearson/TED News] Bracknell, England - The teaching of Business Studies at Newbold began a new phase this week as the Senior Management Team finalised the arrangements for the offering of a new European degree. From August 2008, Newbold will offer a BA Hons in Business Management through a franchise with the University of Wales, Lampeter whose Department of Management and IT consistently ranks highly in leading surveys of higher education. This means that for the first time, students wishing to study Business in an Adventist context in the UK are eligible for the same student loans they would receive at any other UK college or university. Students seeking a fast start to a career in not-for-profit organisations or in the commercial sector will have the opportunity to learn the core business skills in an internationally diverse learning environment – a vital preparation for work in the global economy. "For the first time, Newbold can offer students of Business the opportunity to combine business skills with Christian principles and receive all the benefits of a European degree," says Newbold’s Principal, Dr David Penner. For further details contact: admissions@newbold.ac.uk CENTRE FOR SECULAR & POSTMODERN STUDIES...[Sarah Asaftei/TED News Staff/TED News] St Albans, England – The world Centre for Secular and Postmodern studies (CSPS) is centred in the offices of the Trans-European Division, St Albans, under the leadership of Dr Miroslav Pujic. It generates global awareness about authentic ministry to postmoderns. Through re:frame training events, online resources, and the LIFEdevelopment discipleship pathway, CSPS seeks to educate and encourage Adventists to live a lifestyle of daily friendship evangelism. In the Trans-European Division, CSPS has 35 active LIFEdevelopment Centres. These centres meet the needs of local communities through café-style meetings, providing a means for building relationships with unchurched individuals, bringing the gospel to postmoderns in a relevant way. CSPS offers a monthly newsletter, re:frame, available for free subscription online. It is possible to view events, browse resources, or register for training events at: www.reframe.info/. For more information, please visit: ask@reframe.info. Other related websites include www.lifedevelopment.info, for online outreach to postmoderns, and www.youtube.com/tedMEDIA for video clips and other media resources. HEAD OF AUDITING SERVICE RETIRES...[TED News Staff/TED News] St Albans, England – At a very special farewell breakfast at the Trans-European Division (TED) on Wednesday 12 March, staff from the TED, the General Conference Auditing Service, and the Adventist Risk Management gathered to say farewell and thank you to Terence and Gillian de Villiers. Terence has served as head of the General Conference Auditing Service in the TED for the last fifteen years, and is now retiring and returning to South Africa with his wife. In their tributes, TED President Bertil Wiklander and TED Executive Secretary Harald Wollan, spoke of Terence as a diligent and uncomplaining man, with a big heart for the Church, and for the fields to whom he has offered his services. Appreciation was also extended to Gillian, who has been a great support, and who has been an asset to the local church, and to several voluntary organisations in St Albans. In his response, Terence spoke movingly about his work; the blessings of having had a supportive spouse throughout his working life; and the privilege of working with a committed team. Among other gifts, Vera Gietzmann, Auditing Services Secretary, presented a compilation of photographs and tributes spanning the time Terence has served in the TED. Mrs Gietzmann said, “Terence has been a great manager. He has always been patient, soft spoken and understanding. It is a great honour being associated with him. He will surely be missed.” £3.2 MILLION DEFRAUD CASE...[BUC News/TED News] London, England – The Seventh-day Adventist Church is to set up a review following the sentencing of three of its members in a £3.2 million fraud case. Found guilty of fraudulent trading and carrying on an unauthorised investment business, the three men involved were sentenced to a total of almost 10 years in prison. Approximately 1,000 fellow church members are estimated to have been defrauded, many losing a great deal of money. Stephen Winberg, prosecuting stated, “The victims were much more ready to believe what they were told because it came from members of the same tight-knit religious community”. Victor Hulbert, spokesperson for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Britain said, “We are obviously saddened when the trust of our members has been taken advantage of like this. It is a cautionary tale that people from all communities need to be careful and take sound financial advice." President of the Church in the UK and Ireland, Don McFarlane told members of the Executive Committee of the Church that a review would be conducted, and whilst details of the review are still to be announced, it is expected to examine how the fraud developed and will seek positive ways of helping church members to avoid such scams in the future. In the meantime, in a statement, the Church issued the following statement, “As a church we uphold the values of integrity, honesty and transparency. We regret that on this occasion some of our members have fallen short of the mark. We are a forgiving church and as such we will continue to pray for and provide spiritual support to all those who have been convicted or affected along with their families, as they are a part of our church family. The doors of the church are always open to all.” __________________________________________________________________ TED News Staff: Paul Clee, News Director and Editor Heidi Kamal Kendel, Editorial Assistant 119 St Peter's Street, St Albans, Herts., AL1 3EY, England E-mail: tednews@ted-adventist.org Website: www.ted-adventist.org TED News is an information bulletin issued by the Communication department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Trans-European Division. You are free to re-print any portion of the bulletin without the need for special permission. However, we kindly request that you identify TED News whenever you publish these materials. You can unsubscribe from this mailing list by replying to this email and putting "unsubscribe" in the subject line.