BREAKING NEWS
Alleged Abusers Must Step Down
eventh-day Adventists in local church leadership positions who are being investigated for claims of child sexual abuse will have to step down while they're being investigated, according to a statement released by church leaders in the South Pacific Division (SPD).
At its year-end meetings, the division executive committee took a tough stance on sexual abuse, putting responsibility on local church boards to ensure this happens until allegations are proven or disproved.
Bryan Craig, SPD family ministries director, said the denomination must uphold its duty of care to its members. "We have a responsibility to make the church and its ministry activities a safe place for all worshipers, young and old," said Craig.
The statement said church boards must reinstate and reaffirm as a member in regular standing anyone cleared by an authority or the committee. However, it must also censure for one year or remove from membership an individual who has not been found innocent.
Individuals not cleared cannot hold any position of responsibility while under censure, and may never hold any church office or position of responsibility that places them in contact with children or young adults.
The board of a local church can reinstate censured individuals after one year, but only in offices or positions that do not place them in contact with children, and only after acting on the advice of an authority or the committee.
"As a church we must be up front and not hide any perpetrator of sexual abuse. We need to be open and deal with the problem when it occurs," said Bronwyn Mison, division spokeswoman. --Adventist News Network
Adventist World Radio Station
Suffers Damage by Typhoon
Transmission from Adventist World Radio's powerful shortwave radio station on Guam had to be suspended on December 8 as the island was battered by super typhoon Pongsona. One hundred and fifty-five mph (250 kph) winds and torrential rains pounded the island. By late afternoon, wind gusts reached 185 mph (300 kph), according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center on the island.
The island suffered extensive damage to its electrical distribution system, especially in the southern part of the island where the station is located. Many power poles carrying electricity snapped, leaving most island residents without power, including the radio station. Government officials predict it could take more than a month to restore power to the island.
Repair work to the antennas began the following day and within 48 hours the station was back on the air with one antenna and with the help of an emergency generator.
Another tragedy struck on December 12 when the emergency generator experienced non-repairable mechanical failure, knocking the station back off the air. The Guam Power Authority has assured the staff that island power should be restored to the south end of the island, where the station is located, by mid January 2003.
Croatian President is Patron for ADRA Program
ADRA-Croatia sponsored an event in early December to launch and promote its development program for Lika, a city in western Croatia. The president of the Republic of Croatia, Stjepan Mesic, was the special patron of the event.
"Lika in Focus" was developed by Tihomir Lipohar, ADRA-Croatia director. Over 200 invitees attended representing more than 30 different organizations. The program included a video presentation of the Lika region and information on ADRA's current activities. Speakers included Dragutin Matak, president of the Adriatic Union, and Roy Richardson, regional ADRA director for the Trans-European Division.
President Mesic spoke of the importance of the proposed ADRA program in light of the country's entire development plan and repeatedly expressed admiration for the work of Seventh-day Adventists.
"As you have seen, the Adventists offer their help unconditionally" said Mesic. "Their wish is to help, with the message that there is always room for those in need. Just as a marathon starts with the first step, such is the development of Lika. Lika's potential lies both in its people and its economy. . . . ADRA is helping people to return and fulfill their maximum potential. It is for this reason that this enterprise is worthy of all praise."
"ADRA-Croatia staff are to be congratulated for this fine exhibition and an ADRA first in regional development advocacy," Roy Richardson says. "The Adventist Church can be proud of ADRA and its role in helping to develop communities and change people's lives. In Croatia, the 'Lika in Focus' launch is a start. We hope that it will be the catalyst for greater funding and more donor support, so that the region can realize its full potential."
News Notes
Glynn Scott, associate treasurer of the Lake Union Conference, was elected treasurer of the Lake Union Conference. Scott replaces Norm Klam, who was elected treasurer of the North Pacific Union.
Halvard (Hal) Thomsen, president of the Southern New England Conference, has accepted the position of assistant to the president of the North American Division. He will begin his new duties in January 2003.
In November 2002, a Bible camp for young adults was held in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. More than 6,000 people attended the week-long event. Campers willingly sat in the rain to listen to topics on spirituality, family, and nutrition. About 300 people made decisions for baptism at the end of the camp. "The attendance exceeded all my expectations," says Timothy Sandau, youth director for the church in the Western Highlands.
Empowering Leaders for Health Ministries, a premier health ministry event, convenes scheduled for February 2-8, in Orlando. Sponsored by the North American Division Heath Ministries Depeartment, the conference offers 15 "Level 2" training programs, including vegetarian cuisine, hydrotherapy, addiction ministry, depression recovery and much more. "Level 3" training will also be offered. To register click here or call Adventist Plusline at 1-800-732-7587 for more information.
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