SDB Exec

SCSC goes YouTube!

2009-11-12T10:54:00.006-06:00

This from our intrepid webmaster (who is also our mail clerk and SCSC Committee chairperson) Linda Lawton.

A DVD about Summer Christian Service Corps (SCSC) has been posted on YouTube.

Click here to see the first of five sections, where young adults in the program tell what SCSC means to them. Other sections include two SDB pastors reflecting on how SCSC impacted their congregations, and a challenge to join.
You can access the other sections under “more from sdbwebmaster” or by searching “SDB SCSC.”

Applications for both churches and students have been posted at www.sdbwomen.org. Deadline for student applications is January 11, 2010, and for church applications is February 1, 2010.

Your survey input will help

2009-11-11T08:48:00.003-06:00

Last week an important survey went out to pastors and churches via the SDB E-mail Network. While not identified in the body of the e-mail, the attached survey comes from the newly appointed Ad hoc Committee for Denominational Restructuring.

As stated in the survey, the focus of this Committee is to “demonstrate good stewardship, clear accountability, and productive unity among many different parts. Your feedback will help us better target improvements in these areas.”

If you did not receive a survey (or trashed it by mistake) and still want to participate, please e-mail the Center. The Committee would like your responses by December 1. Thank you for your help!

SDBs Chuck Pumpkins—again

2009-11-10T12:33:00.004-06:00

Seventh Day Baptist youth (and not-so-youth) from the Shiloh and Marlboro, New Jersey, churches competed once again in the nearby Punkin Chunkin event.

This year they devised more of a “cannon” than a catapult (or trebuchet). It certainly helped hurl the poor gourds much farther. The SDB team took honors in the distance category, easily besting their own first-place finish from last year.

The fun day of activities included hay rides, pumpkin seed spitting, skillet throwing, and scarecrow making—AND a time of praise and worship to share the Gospel. You’ll hear more about the Great Punkin Chunkin 2009 event in a future Sabbath Recorder.

You can check out a video of the Shiloh-Marlboro pumpkin-cannon story on YouTube. (Search “Shiloh Marlboro SDB Pumpkin Chuckin 2009” or click here.)

Last chance for lost Conference item

2009-11-05T08:46:00.003-06:00

Some of the items lost/found after our General Conference are on their way to the local Goodwill store.

But we want to put the word out on one special item: a "Book of Birthday Messages" given to an Eric Gregory. It is a small black journal that contains photos and messages for his birthday. We're not sure if this is from an SDB family or someone connected with Lancaster Bible College.

If you think you know where this journal belongs, please contact Charlotte Chroniger at 856-455-0488. Thanks!

Election Day = Turkey Supper in Milton

2009-11-03T08:39:00.004-06:00

For the last 60+ years in Milton, Wisconsin, the SDB Church has served family-style turkey suppers on the night of the November elections.

Tonight the tradition continues. The many volunteer workers are expecting to serve over 700 meals (both sit-down and takeout) of fresh turkey with all the fixins! It really is like a preview of Thanksgiving.

This year the proceeds will go toward a long-awaited Teen Center in Milton. Details of the center are still in the works, but we hope the financial boost can push this outreach dream toward reality.

Another dose of reality: I'll get my wife "back" after many hours/days of lists and shopping and baking and phone calls and organizing-- just in time for me to go on a church trip this weekend. Maybe we'll eat together at the real Thanksgiving dinner later this month. :)

Worship Resources a hot item

2009-11-02T11:36:00.004-06:00

A recent addition to our website has proven to be a valuable ministry tool.

Thanks to Gordon Lawton and the Coordinating Leadership Team, our list of “Worship Resources” contains ideas for printed Bible studies (including The Helping Hand), along with a link to an on-line Bible study with Seventh Day Baptists (started by members at our Boulder, Colo., church).

The resources continue with links to help you find worship and praise music.

Then we again get SDB-specific. Our “Worship Resources” include links to Seventh Day Baptist churches that provide files of their Sabbath morning messages in audio or video (or printed) format. Remote Sabbathkeepers, or those who are simply curious about what our churches are like, can click on these links and “worship” with us.

[To go to the Worship Resources, see the link at the bottom/right on our website front page, or find "Worship Resources" under the "Community" tab at the top.]

Here’s where you can help. Go to our Worship Resources list and check it over. If your church has a resource on your website that we could link to, please let us know. Also if your site has not been updated in a long time, we should probably remove your link from our list so we’re not sharing outdated material. Thank you for letting us know and helping with our worship resources.

TCC Annual Meeting here

2009-10-29T09:14:00.004-05:00

Eleven members of the American Sabbath Tract and Communication Council, service agency for the SDB General Conference, will meet this weekend at the Center in Janesville for its annual gathering.

This year will be different: We're starting a whole day early (depending on those who can make it through the snow out west) to discuss some important matters. Retired banker Ron Ochs, representing the Conference's ad hoc committee set up a year ago, will help lead the Tract Council toward new goals and eventually a strategic plan for the organization and ministries.

The Council will also hear reports from our subcommittees (Sabbath Recorder, Sabbath Promotion, Electronic Media, and Publications), review our financial status, review actions from Conference that affect our work, elect officers and committee chairs, and do a performance review for the Director of Communications.

We would appreciate your prayers for safe travel and Spirit-led discussion. May each of our agencies work toward the mission of our Conference--to unite, encourage and equip our local churches in their endeavors to fulfill the Great Commission.

Cell Phone vs. the Bible

2009-10-27T14:00:00.003-05:00

Got this in an e-mail from my daughter-in-law’s mom, Danita.

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible the way we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

Does this make you go, “Hmm... Where is my Bible?”

One more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think, “Where are my priorities?”
And no dropped calls!

BJC Scholarship

2009-10-26T16:47:00.003-05:00

Scholarship contest asks students to revisit JFK speech on separation of church and state

The Religious Liberty Council of the Baptist Joint Committee announces the 5th annual Religious Liberty Essay Scholarship Contest, which is open to all high school students in the graduating classes of 2010 and 2011. This year’s contest will commemorate the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s landmark speech about the relationship between his religion and his politics and the separation of church and state. The scholarship contest offers a grand prize of $1,000 and airfare and lodging for two to Washington, D.C. Second prize is $500, and third prize is $100.
Complete information on the contest can be found online at www.BJConline.org/contest
Students enter the scholarship contest by writing an essay addressing the following topic: The year 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of presidential nominee John F. Kennedy’s speech to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association about the relationship between his religion and his politics. On September 12, 1960, the Roman Catholic politician spoke to the group of Protestant ministers about his religion and the way it would – and would not – affect his decisions as president. In an essay, discuss whether you think Kennedy was correct in advocating an absolute separation of church and state. Also, discuss the implications of his speech and how the principles he laid out are – or are not – followed by politicians and other leaders 50 years later.
More on the topic and links to the complete text and video of the speech are available online at www.BJConline.org/contest. The Web site also has all of the requirements and necessary forms available for download. All entries must be postmarked by March 1, 2010.
Winners will be announced in the summer of 2010, and the grand prize winner’s essay will be featured in the BJC’s flagship publication, Report from the Capital. The winner will also be recognized at the BJC board meeting in Washington, D.C., in October 2010.
Essays will be judged on the depth of their content, the mastery of the topic, and the skill with which they are written. Students should develop a point of view on the issue and demonstrate critical thinking, using appropriate examples, reasons and other evidence to support their position.
Visit www.BJConline.org/contest for more information on the topic and contest rules.

November SR on-line

2009-10-26T10:18:00.004-05:00

Are you a THANKFUL Christian? Could you thank God in the midst of getting deported, or being relocated after a hurricane, or discovering that your husband has fallen down a 60-foot bluff?

The latest Sabbath Recorder contains those powerful testimonies. Accept the challenge to be thankful! Also, read about better nutrition, being a mentor, the life of our greatest Sabbath reformer, and much more.

Thank you for your readership and support.

Biggest Loser underway

2009-10-23T12:37:00.004-05:00

I just heard from Peggy Chroniger with some "Biggest SDB Loser" weight-loss competition updates.

She got word from 14 of our churches, and 12 of them have signed on officially. I told her that when I visited in Verona, N.Y., they had 22 participants. Our Milton, Wis., church has 39 people involved, so we split into three teams to have some friendly competition among us.

I loved what she said about her group in Alfred Station, N.Y.:
"We have 16 from Alfred Station. We are competing with a local Baptist church for fun. The loser has to cook dinner for the winner. Their coordinator keeps them motivated by telling them they are NOT cooking dinner for a bunch of Seventh Day Baptists!"

Hey-- whatever sheds those pounds!

The Biggest SDB Loser competition runs through the end of June next year, so your church can still join the fun. Contact Peggy at chroniger@frontiernet.net. Ready, Set, LOSE!!

Many meetings coming up

2009-10-21T15:33:00.002-05:00

Many SDBs will soon be traveling for weekend meetings out East:

The Memorial Fund trustees are to gather in Alfred Station, N.Y. on Sabbath night,
then have a joint session with the Directors of the SDB Board of Christian Education on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, the SDB Missionary Society meets in Ashaway, Rhode Island.

Please keep these meetings on your prayer calendar, that the Lord's will would be done, and that we would all minister with His power and grace.

SDB's at BJC

2009-10-15T08:13:00.002-05:00

SDB Pastors David Taylor and Ken Chroniger joined Executive Director Rob Appel at the recent BJC Board meetings in Washington DC. Standing with the SDB bunch is Brent Walker, Executive Director of the Baptist Joint Committe on Religious Liberty, who also celebrated 20 years with the BJC.

This is the first time in years that SDB's have had three people in attendance at a BJC function.

BWA observes Hunger Month

2009-10-15T08:05:00.004-05:00

From the Baptist World Alliance

Washington, DC -- The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) is observing October as Hunger Month.

During October, the BWA appeals to all Baptists for donations to relieve hunger around the world. Baptist World Aid (BWAid), the relief and development arm of the BWA, handles the appeal on the behalf of the international Baptist organization.

The BWAid Hunger Fund aims to help fulfill the first of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted by 192 countries in September, 2000.

The full list of MDGs are: to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and work toward the development of a global partnership for development.

BWAid has joined with other Christian organizations in the formation of Micah Challenge, an international campaign that encourages Christians to support the Millennium Development Goals.

Baptists everywhere are urged to educate themselves during this month about hunger issues, to pray for those who are hungry and those helping them, and to give generously so that the BWA may respond expeditiously to the many requests it receives.

Resource materials may be downloaded from and donations made at the BWA website.

Contributions may also be mailed to:
Hunger Month Appeal
Baptist World Aid
405 North Washington Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
USA

CLT to meet

2009-10-14T14:12:00.003-05:00

The denomination's Coordinating Leadership Team is gathering to meet at the SDB Center in Janesville on Thursday and Friday.

Some of the agenda items will include:
• Executives or Presidents of our SDB Agencies providing recent updates from their ministries;
• Discuss the work of the Ad Hoc committee on administrative improvement;
• Communication and new contact issues;
• Coordinated budgeting procedures; and
• Every-member mailing schedules.

We ask for your prayers as we meet and for God's blessing of wisdom and vision.

SDB Teacher Honored

2009-10-13T09:59:00.004-05:00

On October 6, business retailer Office Max honored school teachers across the country with their "A Day Made Better" campaign. Their goal is to "Erase Teacher-Funded Classrooms" by providing supplies to deserving and gifted teachers.

The only teacher honored in Janesville, Wisconsin (pop. 60,000) was long-time public school teacher Cheri Appel, wife of SDB Executive Director Rob Appel. Cheri teaches at Jackson Elementary and is a member of the Milton, Wis., SDB Church.

The story about Cheri's nomination and coverage (with fun photos) of her being surprised by over $1,000 of school supplies is found at the "A Day Made Better" website. You can view the history behind the campaign, then click on "The 2009 Stories," click on the state of Wisconsin, then scroll down to "Janesville."

Congratulations, Cheri, for a job (and career) well done!!

More Sermons On-Line

2009-10-12T06:45:00.004-05:00

Let's add another Seventh Day Baptist church that has gone on-line with their sermons.

The Verona, New York, SDB Church has started posting both their written outlines and an audio file of Pastor Steve James' messages. Click here to go to their website.

For a more complete list of SDB churches that share their Sabbath messages, go to our website and look for "Worship Resources."

Baptists and Human Rights

2009-10-07T20:51:00.001-05:00

From the Baptist World Alliance

Washington, DC --The Baptist World Alliance position on human rights has had three major emphases—war, racism, and religious freedom.

Stating that "the BWA has maintained constant vigilance in the area of human rights," General Secretary Neville Callam said that "the BWA has repeatedly affirmed its opposition to war," constantly "opposed racial discrimination and its parent, racism," and declared that "the very identity of the Baptist movement is inextricably bound up with the issue of religious freedom."

Speaking during the annual Pruit Memorial Symposium at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, on October 2, Callam informed the audience of mainly university faculty and students that "the BWA understanding of human rights fits well into, and is continuous with, the general human rights theory advanced within the wider ecclesial community."

Offering a sweeping overview of the BWA long tradition on human rights issues, Callam drew upon the many addresses, statements, manifestos, and resolutions of Baptist World Congresses and BWA General Council meetings over the past 104 years.

The international Baptist leader declared that the worldwide Baptist organization also paid keen attention to social, economic and political rights, especially to children and women's rights. Also affirmed were the right of disabled persons to participate in their community, the right of the sick to receive care and dignity, the rejection of torture and inhumane conditions in prisons and institutions for the mentally disturbed, as well as the right to maintain cultural identity.

Callam said that scriptural and theological understandings of creation, redemption and covenant, all help to undergird the BWA's longstanding position in defense of human rights.

The symposium theme was "Religion, Politics and Society: The Baptist Contribution." Callam spoke on the topic "Human Rights and the Baptist World Alliance."

Baptists Respond to Disasters

2009-10-05T11:19:00.002-05:00

Washington, DC --Baptist World Aid (BWAid), the relief and development arm of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA), is coordinating relief efforts to the Philippines and Indonesia after these countries were badly affected by a typhoon and earthquakes.

A team from BWAid Rescue24, the rescue and recovery arm of BWAid, is in the Philippines and is working with Baptists in that Southeast Asian country. The main island of Luzon bore the brunt of Typhoon Ketsana which made landfall on September 26, and has killed many.

A second BWAid Rescue24 team is in Padang on the Indonesian island of Sumatra after the island was affected by strong tremors on September 30 and October 1. At the time of reporting, at least 1,100 people were killed as a result of the earthquakes, with thousands more trapped in collapsed buildings. Indonesian Baptists are organizing volunteers and coordinating relief and rescue operations.

The Rescuer24 teams, which are coordinated by Hungarian Baptist Aid, consist of doctors, rescuers and dog handlers, and include volunteers from Singapore, Hungary, Germany, and the United States.

Baptists from Hawaii and New Zealand are offering assistance to the Pacific islands of Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga after tsunamis, which resulted from earthquakes, caused widespread devastation and death.

The BWA and its affiliates continue to appeal to Baptists from across the globe to offer assistance. "We need your financial giving," pleaded Paul Montacute, director of BWAid. The Asia Pacific Baptist Federation, one of six regional fellowships of the BWA, has made "appeals to Baptist partners in [the] Asia Pacific region for prayer support and generous contributions to respond to the needs arising due to natural calamities in [the] Asia Pacific region."

Assistance may be made at http://www.bwanet.org, or sent to:
Baptist World Aid
Baptist World Alliance
405 North Washington Street
Falls Church, VA22046, USA

Phone: +1 703 790 8980
Fax: +1 703 790 5719
Email: BWAid@bwanet.org
Contacts: Paul Montacute or Lee Hickman

Please designate for "Asian Disaster Relief"

The Seventh Day Baptist General Conference USA and Canada is a member of the BWA.

Here is the little Berg

2009-10-01T08:29:00.005-05:00

Thank you Kevin for posting this announcement. (See end of next blog below.)

Life gets busy with all the changes a new little one brings. Here are a couple of snapshots. This is a picture of the proud parents and Elijah. He is about 10 hours old in this pose. Miriam was worn out AND is a good actor.

The pictures do a good job of telling what I need to say. Thank you all for your prayers.

October To Be BUSY

2009-09-30T18:02:00.005-05:00

Welcome to October and a busy Fall season, SDB workers!!

Ron Elston will be heading to the Southwest while Nick Kersten hits the Northwest.
Althea Rood heads to Wisconsin for the first meeting of the new Women's Society Board while Kirk Looper is in the middle of the country.

October also brings meetings for all the execs on the Coordinating Leadership Team; quarterly gatherings of the Missionary Society, Memorial Fund, and Board of Christian Education; plus the annual meeting for the American Sabbath Tract and Communication Council (TCC).

Where do I find all this information? Check out page 26 of the new Sabbath Recorder, on-line here.

I also encourage you to read the main feature by Leanna Wethington. Not one to be up-front, her General Conference experience propelled her to the pulpit to share her Conference overview, which became a personal testimony and a salvation message!

Oh, and for a sneak preview of the November issue, SDB Center workers Gordon and Linda Lawton are grandparents!! A certain birth announcement will list Elijah James Berg born to Matthew and Miriam (Lawton) Berg on September 26. Praise the Lord!!

Attn: Salem College grads!

2009-09-24T16:11:00.003-05:00

We just received this from Salem, WV:

J.W. Brooks, Chancellor,
invites you to attend
Salem International
University Homecoming

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Brunch/Registration
Lawn of Jennings Randolph House
9:00 - 11:30 am

Parade on Main Street
Noon

Reception/SIU Through the Years
TED Gymnasium
Campus Tours
5:00 - 7:00 pm

Banquet $25 per person
TED Gymnasium
7:15 - 8:45 pm

Homecoming Dance
TED Gymnasium
9:00 pm - 1:00 am

Apple Butter Festival
Salem Depot
October 1-4, 2009

Please RSVP right away to
crogers@salemu.edu or
304-326-1344

Recall to Active Duty for Memorial Fund Financial Director

2009-09-24T10:59:00.003-05:00

Most of you by now have heard that I have been recalled to active duty by the U.S. Navy. I report the end of November ’09 and will be serving in Djibouti, Africa through the end of 2010. Djibouti is a small country on the eastern coast of Africa in what is called the “Horn of Africa”. During my deployment I will be overseeing construction contracts for the US Navy.

The Memorial Fund is developing plans to ensure that business will continue as usual. The quarterly distributions, loan requests, grant requests will continue with minimal (if any) interruption. I would also ask your prayers for my family as they stay behind. I firmly believe that my wife will have the harder job of keeping up with two little boys :-). I’ll keep in touch during my deployment so keep watching.

See You at the Pole?

2009-09-22T15:39:00.006-05:00

Wednesday, September 23, marks the annual "See You at the Pole" student prayer gatherings at our nation's schools.

J. Brent Walker, Executive Director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, writes about this event in The Washington Post:

How to Pray at School

This week, millions of students all over America will attend "See You at the Pole" prayer meetings in public as well as private schools. The annual event leads students to gather around their school flagpole for prayer on the fourth Wednesday of September. First begun by Texas Baptists almost two decades ago, "See You at the Pole" has spread across the country, and it now garners participation by students of many denominational ties. It is important to highlight this program because it provides an example of how students can properly engage in religious exercises, even in the public schools.

As the Supreme Court pointed out, "nothing in the Constitution as interpreted by this Court prohibits any public school student from voluntarily praying at any time, before, during, or after the school day."

"See You at the Pole" prayer meetings - along with Bible clubs, prayer before meals and tests and silently throughout the day and neutral moments of silence - provide ample opportunity for students to communicate with God while at school.

It is important, however, to understand some areas of concern and possible pitfalls.

For the complete article, click here.

More Towels!!!

2009-09-21T15:17:00.003-05:00

We just received more towels that were available at the end of the Conference sessions this past summer. If you would like to order these, they are available at the SDB Center at a cost of $1.00 each + shipping.

Seventh Day Baptist Center
P.O. Box 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
608.752.5055
sdbgen@seventhdaybaptist.org