MAGAZINE
intrasyd MARCH - APRIL 2021
GSC's New CFO
Mr. Colin Raymond p 05
Greater Sydney
Features: Pastor List 2021 & The Power of choice to eat right
FROM THE PRESIDENT Terry Johnson PRESIDENT Terry Johnson Editors
Joyce Taylor Lee Dunstan
I’m tired, taxed, and I’ve been this way for a while. What is going on? Maybe it’s just 2020! It’s hard to believe it’s been a year since we blithely attended church, in which time more than two million people have died with or of Covid and 100 million infected. What a challenge it presents us, with our mission of sharing the good news.
have missed our hands and feet. Says N.T. Wright in his book God and the Pandemic, “Scripture calls us to grieve with God’s Spirit and get to work serving others” in the midst of this pandemic. That is what Christians have always done and the church has always grown because of it. Hospitals are the result of Christians putting together processes to help the poor and unfortunates that no one wanted to care for in historical pandemics.”
Graphics
Lynda G. Abreu (Maternity Leave) Katrina Jorgensen Nathalia Valenca Other Contributors Lee Dunstan Eva Ing Beryl Landers Daniel Lavaiamat Dr Christiana Leimena Cover pic by Troy Livah
Next content deadline 03 MAY bit.ly/intraSyd
Are we in danger of becoming merely consumers of Skype, Facetime and Zoom, worshipping in our comfortable lounge rooms rather than actively as the “hands” and “feet” of Jesus, meeting the pressing needs of people? That’s a question we need to ask ourselves, living safely away from the terrible realities of countries lacking the medical technology and financial strength to survive. Yes, we absolutely do live in the Lucky Country. And because of that, I remind you of the biblical injunction, that, “If God has been generous with you, He will expect you to serve Him well. But if He has been more than generous, He will expect you to serve Him even better!” (Luke 12:48, CEV). So what, then, can you and I do better? Well, we could donate more, as it would be hugely beneficial to those charitable organizations caring for the needs of people. For example, the Salvation Army in Australia lost more than $50m of income last year when their annual appeal was cancelled, and donations evaporated. In fact, all not-for-profit organizations
Have we lived with such comfort and security that we’ve forgotten how to deal with suffering and crises? Can our current reality wake us, reminding us that we are to serve regardless of circumstance or consequence? Will it remind us that darkness, suffering and crisis surround us, and that because the kingdom of darkness has put blinders on our eyes, perhaps we’ve lost sight of the point of the Christian life? We’ve thought this crisis was about our security and comfort. But Jesus said that He had neither house nor bed in which to lay His head. The real test of our faith and commitment will come when restrictions are lessened: Will we come back to the new reality with a new vision for what our church and we as Jesus’ disciples need do for the world? Or will we continue in what we’ve become accustomed to, being quite comfortable? Remember this promise, that, “[Y]ou will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses! (Acts 1:8). The challenge is, what are we going to be?
Terry Johnson
@SydneyAdventists
COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT
1
ISSUE FEATURE
April 2021
UPCOMING EVENTS
ADDRESS Shannon Bldg,185 Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga NSW 2076 PHONE (02) 9868 6522 EMAIL GSCComms@adventist.org.au
SUNSET TIMES
Remember the Sabbath 10-04 / 5:39 Friday to 5:38 Saturday 17-04 / 5:31 Friday to 5:30 Saturday 24-04 / 5:23 Friday to 5:21 Saturday 01-05 / 5:15 Friday to 5:14 Saturday 08-05 / 5:08 Friday to 5:08 Sat. 15-05 / 5:03 Friday to 5:02 Saturday
$ OFFERING
eGiving.org.au 17-04 / Local Church Budget 24-04 / Local Church Budget 01-05 / Local Church Budget 08-05 / SPD: South Pacific Record 08-05 / EDU: MAC Scholarships Read more at bit.ly/2MJvRr5
Introducing Colin
Save the Date
On February 1st the Greater Sydney Conference Appointments Committee met under the Chairmanship of Pr Jorge Munoz to appointee a new CFOz to replace Eva Ing who accepted a role at the South Pacific Division. Page 05
15-05 / IMAGINE 16-05 / Health Expo 2021 21-23,05 / Pathfinders & Adventurer Leadership Training 2 30-05 / Abseiling 19-25,05 / Stewardship Prayer More events at bit.ly/3rwcUr0!
NEWS
ARTICLE
Epping Development Update Restructured out of the necessity, the annual conference ventured in to unchartered territory. The surprising results will shape the way the is done in the future. Page 07
New Website, Who dis? The new Greater Sydney Conference is website is up and running. Here's what it has in store for local churches and the community. Page 06
NEWS
ARTICLE
Pastor List 2021
Meet the Principals Get to know our Sydney Adventist School principals. Read about their journeys within the world of Education and what they're hoping to contribute to it and our students. Page 13
INTRASYD
The complete list of ministerial assignments for 2021. Find out which pastor, chaplain coordinator and director are where. Page 08
OCTOBER
2018
3
editorials General Secretary
Cheonneth Strickland Greetings and happy new year (can you still say that is April?) to you and your family! As churches start worshipping back in person, I am sure I will get to see more of you face to face. Personally, I have missed worshipping in church. How about you? Let me bring you some highlights and challenges that have happened over year end and into 2021. A FEW HIGHLIGHTS • In 2021, we were going to run a city wide Ignite again but due to an uncertain future given Covid and for budget constraints, we have declined to run it this year. Also, we want the focus to be the local church given we have not worshipped together face to face for close to a year.
Chief Financial Officer
Eva Ing This is my final Intrasyd as CFO, and as I write, I feel great sadness but am also thankful. It's been an honour and privilege to serve. Seven years ago, I left the public Higher Education sector for church employment. Back then, I couldn't have imagined the amazing work and wonderful people ahead. God truly blessed me. Now, the South Pacific Division has called me. So in leaving, I acknowledge and thank Pastors Terry John-
• There has been, at the request of some local churches, to have a name change. Dundas Croatian Church will be known as Dundas SDA Church. Pendle Hill Polish Church will be known as Pendle Hill SDA Church. This is to enable them to reach out into their immediately community a lot more intentionally. • A new software package to store membership data, facilitate transfers and church office positions is being rolled out. This package, called Adventist Church Membership System (ACMS), is replacing Membership Online. Church clerks will receive specific training in the coming months. FROM SCHOOLS LTD • There are 2882 Kindy to Year 12 students in our Adventist Schools for 2021. • Schools enrolments for 2021 is 2882 students with a large majority being non-Adventist. FROM AGED CARE LTD • Our Aged Care facilities have been protected by God’s hand and have been Covid free. Every precaution is being taken to keep Covid out of our facilities. We praise God that our residents and staff are safe. • Kings Langley Aged Care facilities and Independent Living Units (ILU)’s have been completed and looking very nice. There is a number of outdoor areas for residents to enjoy.
son and Cheonneth Strickland, and previous officers Pastors Michael Worker and Adrian Raethel with whom I served. The finance teams of the Conference, Schools and Aged Care include the most professional people I’ve met, and I especially recognize Mrs Maxine Su, my able Assistant CFO. Then there are the Departmental directors and staff, the embodiment of dedication. Beyond them are your local church treasurers, faithfully doing their work, often with little affirmation. Our church pastors, working individually, are all passionate about God and dedicated in service to His family. Finally, I acknowledge you, the Greater Sydney Conference members, many of whom I’ve met as I’ve visited your church. But Jesus is Alpha and Omega, and so most of all I thank Him for this season in my life, one with the best of and most challenging of times; He has proven time and time again that “all things work together for good, to them that love Him” (Romans 8:28).
meet colin raymond
GSC'S NEW CFO
Australian Union Conference Executive Committee. His wife, Bronwyn, a nurse, is a board member of Greater Sydney Conference, Aged Care. The couple have three children and are grandparents.
On February 1, the Greater Sydney Conference Appointments Committee met to prayerfully consider a replacement for departing Conference CFO, Eva Ing, who has accepted a role at the Church’s South Pacific Division office. Appointed was Wahroonga Church member Mr Colin Raymond, who comes into Church work from the private employment.
Mr Raymond is well qualified for the role of CFO, with its many attendant boards and management commitments, possessing a Bachelor of Science from Sydney University and MBA from Macquarie University. He is chairman of the Board of Asian Aid and a director of two other NGOs, including 3 Angels Nepal. He has had extensive experience in the area of NGOs and aid organizations, including as Chief Operating Officer of Trans Union Advantage, and Lead Financial Sector Specialist for the World Bank Group.
Colin is a member, and elder of the Wahroonga church and serves on the
“Colin brings a wealth of knowledge and soft skills to the role of CFO for
GSC and our three companies—some 1020 employees and 10,000 members—with all the liabilities and assets thereunto contained,” says Conference president Pastor Terry Johnson wryly. “With his love of the Gospel of Jesus, in the context of the Three Angels messages, personal missional experience and public speaking abilities, Colin has the all of the necessary spiritual gifts and professional CV to take on the many challenges of the CFO role. “We wish him and his family well. And I’m sure our conference church members will join me in praying for him, and that the Holy Spirit will continue to fill him as he goes forward in this new role, serving a little closer to the centre of God’s Sydney vineyard. “May the Lord bless His mission through Colin’s ministry.”
HEALTH OFFERING Adventist Health was founded to provide healthcare and health education with a view to preventing illness, to enhance quality of life and promote longevity using a whole-person health approach, which includes physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual health. Our church’s health program includes an online presence (see eliawellness. com) featuring various wellness issues, along with various life-changing wellness programs during Covid. There
are plans to address mental health and diabetes in the Pacific. And with your support, Adventist Health will continue its whole-person health approach in the community. You have a part to play in this in boosting the Church’s ability—via the offering—to take our health message to the community. Pray, dig deep and donate on May 29, to enable us to be pioneers in whole-person health.
INTRASYD
April
2021
5
United Night at Macarthur Adventist College
Adventist Women gather Covid-style Operating under tight Covid restrictions, the Conference’s Adventist Women got creative in order to facilitate their annual UNITED NIGHT, the event that each year launches its ministry. As such, more than 500 women across six Sydney venues—Auburn, Kellyville, Wollongong, and Wahroonga Churches, and Mountain View Adventist and Macarthur Adventist Colleges—with another 1400 individual viewers joining online, got together for a Friday night worship experience. Said Ministry director, Beryl Landers, “We’re grateful to all our venue hostesses and their teams for making UNITED NIGHT possible. Perhaps this will be our new-look UNITED NIGHT going forward. . . . Things can change, but God is faithful, therefore we can face 2021 with confidence." UNITED NIGHT keynote speaker was Hope Taylor (nee Chomczynski), who closed her engaging presentation with the powerful challenge: “Being more than conquerors is where our blindness ends and God’s vision for our lives begins, for what happens to us is not nearly as important as what happens in us.” The separated venues not only allowed for COVID-safe gatherings but also made the program accessible to many more participants. The six hostesses—all local church Women's Ministry leaders—and their teams took ownership of the event and were able to put their own unique touch to their program. This allowed for greater participation, and local talent added great value to the overall program. “There was such a buzz,” was the common report from the venues, as women at last celebrated being able to meet in person. As one young woman commented, “It was so refreshing to actually meet in person and enjoy the company of women after the drought of the gatherings.”
ADRA Australia will be the recipient of this year’s ongoing UNITED project, with women encouraged to do fundraiser events in their local churches leading up to ADRA’s annual Knocktober appeal. NEW WEBSITE ACTIVE The conference has a new website replacing one that has served for some years. The new website is a smart website, which not only “speaks” to the community and accepts feedback, it then “directs” that feedback to local churches, helping future-proof the conference’s ability to minister online. “We asked a lot of it (the website),” says Conference Communications Coordinator Joyce Taylor, who worked intensely with Sydney CANVAS Group, a digital presence development agency. “It had to represent the local conference, the Global Church and our branding; provide internal and external departmental information and resources; promote our local churches; showcase digital content; appeal to the variegated urban population in a way that is clean and fresh; ensure a smooth user experience; and be optimizable for both humans and Google functions. And do all of this within our budget.” “We hope this site continues to improve our services and support to the local churches and community.” For more on the site, visit <http://bit. ly/30bcIl1>.
Epping Office Redevelopment When the decision to redevelop the Epping Conference office site was made in November 2015, it was envisaged that by now the old Conference office would have been demolished and the new office and residential tower built and occupied.
2. The Conference eliminates any longer-term risk as the seller of the apartment units should there be a quality issue with the building. As it will be completely out of the arrangement, the developer will be the sole bearer of any and all risk associated with building quality.
But here we are in 2021, still in a holding pattern due to external circumstances—first, uncertainty in the high-rise residential building market, the result of the Opal and Mascot apartment towers debacles, which unit affected sales, and the impact of Covid.
3. The Conference has only to expend $6m when it takes possession of the commercial space. An independent valuation of the anticipated 1,650 square meters of commercial and 50 carpark spaces is more than $11m.
Responding to this, the Executive Committee, advised by the Conference’s Real Estate Committee and other property advisors, voted that the conference office site be sold to the original developers, Southern Han, with an option to buy back commercial space and associated car parking once the building is complete, for $6m. The benefits of this decision manifold: 1. The Conference will realise $16m from the property immediately. This improves the current situation in which the Conference is yet to receive anything from the project. The proceeds of the sale can be invested, providing an income flow, which will directly assist in its mission.
While the new arrangement is not as presented at the Special Constituency meeting of November 2015, in which Southern Han was to have the development rights on behalf of the Conference, it has the same intended outcome in that the current building would be demolished, a new building be built by Southern Han, and that the conference office be the sole occupant of the commercial space in the building. And thus the new arrangement. The Conference anticipates that there may be questions from members in respect to the new arrangement, and any inquiries should be directed to the CFO (evaing@ adventist.org.au).
Epica rendering by Southern Han.
INTRASYD 2021 INTRASYD April April
7 2021
7
PASTor PASTorLIST LIST Regional Coordinator Regional Coordinator Carlos Hernandez Carlos Hernandez Frank Ropati Frank Ropati Jonathan Valls Jonathan Valls Andre Vieira Andre Vieira Martin Vukmanic Martin Vukmanic
3AM3AM Ryde SDASDA Church Ryde Church Fabian Edian Fabian Edian Andre Vieira Andre Vieira
Ashfield SDASDA Church Ashfield Church Abigail Figueroa Abigail Figueroa
ATSIM plus SDASDA Group ATSIM plus Group Horace Evans Horace Evans
ATSIM SDASDA Group ATSIM Group Henry Dunn Henry Dunn
Auburn SDASDA Church Auburn Church
Felix Opoku-Gyamfi Felix Opoku-Gyamfi
Bankstown SDASDA Church Bankstown Church
Caringbah SDASDA Church Caringbah Church
Bible Worker (Associate) Bible Worker (Associate)
Freshwater Community SDASDA Church Freshwater Community Church Dwayne Manoa Dwayne Manoa
Galston SDASDA Church Galston Church
Benjamin Turner Benjamin Turner
Nick Kross Jr Jr Nick Kross
Castle HillHill SDASDA Church Castle Church
Ghanaian SDASDA Company Ghanaian Company
Pablo Lillo Pablo Lillo Jessica Laws Jessica Laws Joshua Stothers (Associate) Joshua Stothers (Associate)
Felix Opoku-Gyamfi Felix Opoku-Gyamfi
Central Sydney Samoan SDASDA Company Central Sydney Samoan Company
Granville Fijian SDASDA Church Granville Fijian Church
Frank Ropati Frank Ropati
Chatswood SDASDA Church Chatswood Church Boriss Soldat Boriss Soldat
Cherrybrook SDASDA Group Cherrybrook Group Eddy Johnson Eddy Johnson
Church in the Fields SDASDA Company Church in the Fields Company Edvard Miler Edvard Miler
CityCity Cook Island SDASDA Group Cook Island Group Sitiveni Teaupa Sitiveni Teaupa
Concord SDASDA Church Concord Church
Goshem Fellowship SDASDA Group Goshem Fellowship Group Sione Kite Sione Kite
Shiu Kumar Shiu Kumar
Granville Multicultural SDASDA Church Granville Multicultural Church Jimmie Cha Jimmie Cha
Granville SDASDA Church Granville Church Boriss Soldat Boriss Soldat
Guilford Italian SDASDA Church Guilford Italian Church
Frank Ropati Frank Ropati Taunese (Toni) Marsh (Intern) Taunese (Toni) Marsh (Intern)
Harvest Fellowship SDASDA Group Harvest Fellowship Group Andrew Russell Andrew Russell
Bidwill SDASDA Church Bidwill Church
Domenic Rosina - Domenic Rosina Holroyd SDASDA Company Holroyd Company Senior Elder under thethe supervision Senior Elder under supervision Edvard Miler Edvard Miler of of Terry Johnson, GSC President Terry Johnson, GSC President
Blacktown SDASDA Church Blacktown Church
Allen Bierschbach Allen Bierschbach
Blacktown Southern Asian SDASDA Group Blacktown Southern Asian Group
Andrew Russell Andrew Russell Arthur Hudson (Associate) Arthur Hudson (Associate)
Blacktown Spanish SDASDA Church Blacktown Spanish Church
Eastwood Chinese SDASDA Company Eastwood Chinese Company
Cabramatta Fijian SDASDA Church Cabramatta Fijian Church
Echo Christian Community SDASDA Group Echo Christian Community Group
Cabramatta SDASDA Church Cabramatta Church
Elizabeth Lodge SDASDA Group Elizabeth Lodge Group
TaiTai Mokoroa Mokoroa
Mele Lolohea Mele Lolohea Marty Luke Marty Luke
Charles Chellaiah Jeya Charles Chellaiah Jeya
Leandro Cisterna-Hernandez Leandro Cisterna-Hernandez Usaia Baravilala Usaia Baravilala Usaia Baravilala Usaia Baravilala
Cabramatta West Spanish SDASDA Church Cabramatta West Spanish Church Leandro Cisterna-Hernandez Leandro Cisterna-Hernandez
Camden Valley SDASDA Group Camden Valley Group Tapiwa Mutseriwa Tapiwa Mutseriwa Christopher Campos Christopher Campos
Campbelltown Fijian SDASDA Group Campbelltown Fijian Group
Frank Ropati Frank Ropati Taunese (Toni) Marsh (Intern) Taunese (Toni) Marsh (Intern)
Campbelltown SDASDA Church Campbelltown Church
Stanley Togafau Stanley Togafau Terence Greenfield (Intern) Terence Greenfield (Intern)
Campbelltown Spanish SDASDA Church Campbelltown Spanish Church Mario Guzman Mario Guzman
Corrimal SDASDA Church Corrimal Church Dundas SDASDA Church Dundas Church
Toon (Robert) Zhang Toon (Robert) Zhang Bernard Deojee Bernard Deojee Nigel Ackland Nigel Ackland Tuni Laikum Tuni Laikum
Enmore Fijian SDASDA Church Enmore Fijian Church Joseph Talipuan Joseph Talipuan
Epping SDASDA Church Epping Church
Nigel Ackland Nigel Ackland Kenneth LeeLee (Associate) Kenneth (Associate)
Fairfield SDASDA Church Fairfield Church Edison Akrawi Edison Akrawi
Fairfield Spanish SDASDA Group Fairfield Spanish Group Edvard Miler Edvard Miler
Filoship Connect SDASDA Company Filoship Connect Company Horace Evans Horace Evans
Fountain in the CityCity SDASDA Company Fountain in the Company Tapiwa Mutseriwa Tapiwa Mutseriwa Kenneth LeeLee (Associate) Kenneth (Associate)
FoxFox Valley SDASDA Church Valley Church Marcus Pereira Marcus Pereira
Hoxton Park SDASDA Church Hoxton Park Church
Andrew Russell Andrew Russell Arthur Hudson (Associate) Arthur Hudson (Associate)
Hurstville Chinese SDASDA Group Hurstville Chinese Group Soman Chu Soman Chu
Hurstville SDASDA Church Hurstville Church Jimmie Cha Jimmie Cha
Indian Fellowship SDASDA Group Indian Fellowship Group Shiu Kumar Shiu Kumar
InDONESIAN CHURCH InDONESIAN CHURCH John Wells John Wells
Ingleburn Group Ingleburn Group Edvard Miler Edvard Miler
Katoomba SDASDA Church Katoomba Church Tuni Laikum Tuni Laikum
Kellyville SDASDA Church Kellyville Church
Martin Vukmanic Martin Vukmanic Justin Boyd (Intern) Justin Boyd (Intern) Aubree Harrington (Intern) Aubree Harrington (Intern)
Kings Langley SDASDA Church Kings Langley Church Chris Manthey Chris Manthey
Lakemba SDASDA Church Lakemba Church Ana Lolohea Ana Lolohea
Liverpool Samoan SDASDA Church Liverpool Samoan Church Asofitu Leatuavao Asofitu Leatuavao
Living Water Group Living Water Group
Joshua Gonzalez Joshua Gonzalez
Lord Howe Island SDASDA Church Lord Howe Island Church
John Wells
Marrickville Spanish SDA Church Carlos Hernandez
Mile End Community SDA Company
Daniel Chong Toon (Robert) Zhang (Associate)
Sydney Cook Island SDA Church Tai Mokoroa
Craig Vanas Mark Baines (Associate)
Sydney Indonesian SDA Group
Minto Samoan SDA Company
Sydney Portuguese SDA Church
Ramese (Rams) Tupe
Mount Colah SDA Church Carlos Hernandez
Mountain View SDA Church
John Wells
Andre Vieira Richard Valenza (Intern) Igor Shemet
Sydney Tongan SDA Church
Mt Druitt Samoan SDA Church
Mario Guzman
Asofitu Leatuavao Brian Leuluai (Associate)
Mt Druitt SDA Church Warwick Sawyer
New Hope SDA Company
Lloyd Grolimund Fred Chileshe (Associate)
Daniel Przybylko
Parramatta SDA Church
Roger Govender Panapa Leuluai (Associate)
Chaplain - Hills College @ Castle Hill Jessica Laws
Cassandra (Cassie) Wallace
Anders Svensson
Chaplain - Macarthur College
Thornleigh SDA Church
Panapa Leiluai Alexis Ratu Bernard Deojee Jacqui Namakadre Pate Namakadre
Mark Baines
Toongabbie SDA Church Janusz Jagiello
Wahroonga SDA Church
Chaplain - Auburn School
Chaplain - Hurstville School
The Way SDA Group
Parramatta Central SDA Group
Roger Vince
Richard (Richie) Reid
Justin Boyd Joshua Stothers Phil Yates
Tahmoor SDA Company
Ubuntu SDA Group
Director of Spiritual care Greater Sydney Schools
Chaplain - Hills College @ Kellyville
Sitiveni Teaupa
Norfolk Island SDA Church
Edison Akrawi
Fabian Edian
Sydney Russian SDA Church
Jonathan Valls Patricia Goncalves (Associate) Richard Valenza (Intern)
Director of Middle-eastern Relations
Chaplain - Mountain View College
Eddy Johnson
David McKibben Igor Shemet (Associate Executive) Eden Ashcroft
Raul Moran Soman Chu Terence Greenfield Chris Manthey (Counsellor)
Chaplain - University Students Abigail Figueroa
Waitara SDA Church
Pendle Hill SDA Church Timothy Shelton
Barend Nieuwstraten Joshua Gonzalez (Associate) Fred Chileshe (Associate)
Penrith SDA Church
Wantok SDA Company
Andrew McCrostie Nick Kross Jr (Associate) Eden Ashcroft (Associate)
Pittwater Community SDA Church
Warrimoo SDA Church
Chaplain - Prisons
Janusz Jagiello
Dwayne Manoa
Predestined Group/Riverstone SDA Group Andrew Russell Arthur Hudson (Associate)
Punchbowl Samoan SDA Church Brian Leuluai
Joseph Talipuan
Frank Ropati Taunese (Toni) Marsh (Intern)
Wetherill Park Spanish SDA Church Jonathan Valls Patricia Goncalves (Associate) Richard Valenza (Intern)
Ryde Korean SDA Company
Windsor SDA Church
St Marys Samoan SDA Company
Wollongong SDA Church
Stanmore SDA Church
Woollahra SDA Church
Tuni Laikum
Ramese (Rams) Tupe
Geoff Youlden Senior Elder under the supervision of Terry Johnson, GSC President
Sydney Central Korean SDA Church Kenneth Lee
Chaplain - Wahroonga School
Tuni Laikum
Long Bay Prison Chaplain
Wellington Caqui Bazan
Chaplain - Kings Langley Aged Care Alwin Hilton
Chaplain - Wahroonga Aged Care
Christopher Campos
Tuni Laikum Nigel Ackland (Assistant)
Allen Bierschbach Benjamin Turner Daniel Przybylko
Xcell SDA Company
Frank Ropati Taunese (Toni) Marsh (Intern)
Sydney Chinese SDA Church
INTRASYD April April 2021
9 2021
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health The Power of choice to eat right By Dr Christiana Leimena Coming up, is National Vegetarian Week (10–16 of May). But what is its purpose? What might it achieve? Let’s begin with you and your food choices, and what might a change of diet do for you. We live a privileged life in this country, spoiled with myriad of choices of everything from toothpaste to cars. But especially foods and processed food products. The smorgasboard includes whatever cultural flavour you desire, and whatever food definition you fall into, be it carnivore, omnivore or herbivore. And if your basic preference is to eat more plant foods, then your options run from fruitarian, vegan, lacto-ovo-vegetarian, lacto-vegetarian, ovo-vegetarian, pescatarian to flexitarian. The vegetarian diet has risen in popularity recently with more restaurants offering wide vegetarian/vegan menus. There’s also a rise in the number of actual vegetarian and vegan restaurants. The choice to go vegetarian or vegan is driven by a variety of motivations. The trend to “saving the planet” is an increasingly popular one, especially among younger people, and has led to an increased motivation for veganism. And there are many great options for those transitioning to a no-meat diet, such as Veggie Delights, V2 Foods, Beyond Patties, Impossible Burgers, Lamyong
soy-based foods and Gardein Golden Fish Fillets, to name but a few. The question is, does dining on this smorgasboard of mock meats encompass what it means to be a nutritionally healthy plant-eating, and/ or planet-saving activist?1 There is plenty of evidence of the physical and mental health benefits from removing animal products from one’s diet. A vegetarian/vegan diet has demonstrated benefits, including lowering the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers and the severity of inflammatory disorders1, 2. But a vegan diet doesn’t automatically make for a healthful diet. There are still important intentional food choices to be made by the vegan/vegetarian-oriented person. It is not just about cutting out meat from your diet. For example, one can be a vegetarian/vegan but still consume mostly foods that are highly processed, high in sugar, salt, unhealthy fats and imbalanced in nutrition3. We have the power and privilege of choosing how we can eat more healthfully as a vegetarian or vegan, or as any one of the variations mentioned above. And that comes down to motivation and purpose. The whole-food, plant-based diet takes in veganism with a new approach in returning the intent of going back to the basics to eating whole-plant foods. Vegetables, fruits, legumes and beans are created with a plethora of levels of textures, colour and hardness,
and contain numerous anti-ageing 4, 5 and anti-inflammatory properties 6. They can be enjoyed in their wholeness, with the accompaniment of grains and herbs that enhance their flavour. Having whole-food plant-based with a rainbow of colours on your plate reduces inflammation 6, 7 and cholesterol levels 8, renews your gut microbiome 9, 10, reduces the risk of cancer development 2 and slows ageing 4. During Vegetarian Week (and beyond), take up the challenge of choosing a more balanced and colourful food platter, one that contains more whole-food choices and meets the recommended 5–6 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit per day 11. If you aren’t a vegetarian, try it just for this week. You have nothing to lose when it comes to investing in your health. With your choice you have the power to make positive changes for a life-changing experience.
April
For more information on Vegetarian Week and good food choices, or for article references and sources, go to our health page at sydney.adventist.org.au/ ministries/wholistic-health.
12th April – Monday 10am 13th April – Tuesday 11am 19th April – Monday 5:30pm 25th April – Sunday (all day)
May
26th-29th April – Monday-Thursday 6-8pm 6th May – Thursday 10am 16th, TBA
June
27th May – Thursday 7pm
CHIP Program (Online) ELIA Wellness – Online partner training (for pastors) ELIA Wellness – Online partner training Journey to Wholeness – Online training program Day 1 Journey to Wholeness – Online training program Day 2-5 CHIP Program (Online) Daytime GSC Health Expo Day (for people passionate about serving in health) Facilitator Training – 3 sessions 27th May to 13th June – including. new & updated material, (for volunteers and professionals)
3rd June – Thursday 7pm
CHIP Program (Online) Evening
6th June – Sunday 5:30pm
ELIA Wellness: Online partner training
INTRASYD
April April 2021
11 2021
11
Tick nsport tra berra” d e e “n om Can egister fr ou r get n y ill whe we w here! & ou t y
Long Weekend 11-14 June 2021 Adventist Alpine Village
An 5th $265 nual Cam $35/ acco p nigh m/m ! t e $20 stay als line lon Ski/ n hire ger own Lifts expe nse Annu 5th al $ $35/ 265 acco Camp! nigh m/ $20 t stay meals line lon Ski/ n hire ger own Lifts expe nse
Singles Jindabyne Snow Camp EDUCATION Long Weekend 11-14 June 2021 Tick nsport tra berra” d e e “n om Can egister fr ou r get n y ill whe we w here! & ou t y
Adventist Alpine Village
SNSW Single Adventist Ministries invites all Aussie & Kiwi Singles Pr. Cristian Copaceanu presents “Dare to be ...” Enjoy friendships, activities, fun & snow!
R R
egister
snswsinglesministries@adventist.org.au snsw.adventist.org.au/events/#singles
online from 19 March. Applications close 26 May at midnight.
ADVENTIST VIRTUAL GLOBALMinistries CAMPMEETING, MAY 19-23 SNSW Single Adventist
The Seventh-day Campmeeting the weekend of May 19–23. But with a difference. It invites allAdventist AussieGlobal & Kiwi Singles will be help EMAIL snswsinglesministries@adventist.org.au will be unique “Dare opportunity organizations, supporting ministries and businesses Pr.virtual, Cristianproviding Copaceanuapresents to be ...” for our church snsw.adventist.org.au/events/#singles egister to reach the vast membership church worldwide. online from 19 March. Applications close 26 May at midnight. Enjoy friendships, activities,of funthe & snow! It will include many of the activities that you enjoy at a physical campmeeting—uplifting and inspiring speakers, informative seminars, interactive workshops, a virtual booth zone featuring Adventist entities, prayer sessions, networking, connection and fellowship with friends and, most importantly, a “mountain top” experience that will draw participants closer to God. Those of us who have grown up in the Adventist Church have fond memories of campmeetings, or Big Camp as it is traditionally been called. So, while many of our church members can’t meet physically, we can still have a memorable and impactful campmeeting. It will include many world church leaders and influential speakers sharing with a global audience. The Adventist Virtual Global Campmeeting replaces the GC2021 Virtual Exhibition Experience, which was to have coincided with the 2020 General Conference Session, which was postponed to 2022 due to the on-going pandemic. Find out more at https://gc.adventist.org/2021-virtual-exhibition.
Applications close August 31, 2021 for the 2022 school year
The school year is now well under way, but before it began the Greater Sydney Conference Education officers met with school principals, teachers and staff to share not only donuts but experiences, and to be affirmed in their invaluable roles of caring for our children across the Sydney basin. And new teachers were officially welcomed to the team. Said David Hobson, “Our focus this year is to have children meet Christ, and they do that through your hands and feet ministry.” Jo Medbury, associate director for Education, echoed the sentiment, adding that she “is looking to work together to bring staff and students closer to God. “Taking care of more than 3,400 students and some 600 staff, the Conference Education company is a treasure. God has blessed and protected us, and we give him praise and we are looking forward to this year.”
INTRASYD
April April 2021
13 2021
13
ADVENTIST
EDUCATION EDUCATION
Wahroonga Adventist School
Hurstville Adventist School
Sydney Adventist School Auburn
“I love learning and was born with teaching in my blood, being a third-generation educator.
“I’ve been teaching for 41years, teaching at Tweed Valley College in North New South Wales, and in five Adventist Schools across Sydney. This is my fourteenth year as principal of Hurstville Adventist School.
“My teaching career began at Sydney Adventist School, Auburn. This is my nineth year as principal.
With 30 years of experience in schools and tertiary institutions, both inside and outside of the Adventist system, I continue to find joy every day in interactions with students, staff and parents." Having lived and worked in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Korea, I feel blessed to have had a wide variety of experience that now enables me to serve at Wahroonga Adventist School where God is at the core of what we do."
“Our school has been around since 1960. It is now a thriving Pre-Kindy to Year 6 school. We have a mission field at Hurstville, and we know that the Holy Spirit is working in the lives of our students, preparing their hearts to hear how much God loves them, and we’re praying that they will ultimately make the decision to follow Jesus and be part of His kingdom.”
“The school is more than 100 years old, and so is quite special. We are a Prep to Year 6 single-stream school, with a caring and nurturing culture that strives for everyone to feel safe, accepted, valued and special. Our approach is Christ-centred, underpinning Adventist World beliefs with an emphasis on the social and emotional learning skills of organisation, getting along, resilience, persistence and confidence.”
Macarthur Adventist College
Mountain View College
Hills Adventist College (HAC)
“During my 43 years of teaching I have taught in various State schools, managed my own pre-school for 16 years, and taught at Macarthur Adventist College. I was appointed Head of Primary in 2004 and Principal in 2012.
“I was born and raised in South Africa where I completed my teacher training. When I graduated, I volunteered as a missionary teacher to South Korea to teach English and Bible. What was to be a one-year sabbatical turned into almost 10 years. In that time, I completed a bachelor’s degree at Avondale College and a Masters in Religious Education at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) in the Philippines.
“I began my career in 2003 in the Catholic system as a Food Technology teacher. I then undertook a Masters degree in Human Nutrition and worked in industry for a number of years.
“In 2005, I answered a call to work at Sydney Adventist College where I served as the Head of Biblical Studies and Year Coordinator. In 2011, I was called to Hills Adventist College where I served for 10 years as Head of Campus and Deputy Principal.
“HAC has a proud heritage as a provider of quality Christian education for nearly 60 years. We seek to graduate students with a Christ-centred faith, the knowledge and skills for a wide range of employment pathways, and a positive sense of the satisfaction that arises from service to others. Hills is an amazing community of staff, students and parents and it is my honour to serve here.”
“Our school was established in 1973. I’ve had the privilege of seeing the school grow from just a primary school to a Year 12 College, and I look forward to the amazing plans God has in store for Macarthur based on His promise of Jeremiah 29:11. “At Macarthur our mission is to uphold Christ as the model for all to follow, to develop in our students an understanding of the importance of lifelong learning, and to embrace diversity. Each year we dedicate our school to His service and accept the huge responsibility we share with our parents in educating our students and leading them to our Saviour."
With the vision that education and redemption are one, I lead the community at MVACas we prepare students with skills for the future and nurture a saving relationship with Christ.”
INTRASYD
“God led me back into teaching in 2015, and in 2016, I was asked to be Head of Technology and Applied Studies at Hills Adventist College. I’ve had various roles at the College, including Deputy Principal, then Principal in 2020.
April April 2021
15 2021
15
#30DoP #SydneyAdventists
prayer
An exercise in conversing with God.
30 DAYS OF
Self-guided resources available on demand at sydney.adventist.org.au
@SydneyAdventists
