2013 1st Quarter Passport

Laugh Out Loud…

Tech Times Issue 00 Month Year

SeventhSeventh--day Adventist Regional Conference Retirement Planday Adventist Regional Conference Retirement Plan

The PASSPORT is the official newsletter for Seventh-day Adventist Regional Conference retirees through-out 9 Regional Conferences in the North American Division.

EDITOR: ASSISTANT EDITORS: LAYOUT/DESIGN EDITOR: ASSISTANT EDITORS: LAYOUT/DESIGN

Continued on page 2

Two elderly women were out driving in a large car. Both could barely see over the dash-board. As they were cruising along, they came to an intersection. The stoplight was red, but they just went on through. The wom-an in the passenger seat thought to herself, "I must be losing it. I could have sworn we just went through a red light." After a few more minutes, they came to another intersection, and the light was red again. They went right through it yet again. This time, the woman in the passenger seat was almost sure that the light had been red and was really concerned that she was losing it. She was getting nerv-ous and decided to pay very close attention to the road at the next intersection to see what was going to happen. At the next intersection, the light was definitely red, and sure enough, they went right through again. She turned to the other woman and said, "Mildred! Did you know we just ran through three red lights in a row? You could have killed us!" Mildred turned to Daisy and said, "Oh my... am I driving?"

Who’s Driving Miss Daisy? The older a man gets, the more ways he learns to part his hair. Some men pull what little bit of hair they have around on their head to cover their baldness. However, as a man gets even older, he realizes there are basically only three ways to wear his hair--parted, un-parted, and departed.

A Hairy Experience

Reporter: "So you are 100 years old. How did you manage to live so long?" Old man: "Well, sonny boy, I got married when I was 21. The wife and I decided that if we had ar-guments, the loser would take a long walk to get over being mad. I suppose I have been benefitted most by 79 years of fresh air and exercise to these here old legs"

The Longest Walk

is it the measurable long-term growth impact, of your visits from the conference office position, on the congregations after you have served them and gone to the next church.. Certainly, a huge amount of success depends on pastoral follow through. If the pastor is ab-sent from the room when the Departmental Di-rector comes to train the church officers (or is multi-tasking in the same room), then success-ful “follow-through” is impossible without his participation, knowledge and consent about the instructions given. Pastoral Absences on Sabbaths My current illness has caused me to become an Internet church member. Beginning on the East Coast I travel through the time zones all the way to the West Coast. In just these few weeks Sen-ior Pastors have deferred to an associate, an elder, an intern or a guest speaker on several occasions. While the associate, guest or elder may be good preachers, the Senior pastor’s thread of continuity is broken.

this issue

ISSUE

01 PASSPORT FIRST QUARTER 2013

TheThe EnergyEnergyEnergy of the sda movementof the sda movement

I was preparing to leave a pastoral posi-

tion in one conference to take a position

as a departmental director in another. The

wife of one of our legendary pastors in the

conference called me and said, “I am happy

for you. The farther you get away from the

people in the churches the better off you are

going to be.”

I did not see the move as such then but it was

an insight into what the overwhelming majori-

ty of Adventist workers believed then and still

hold as truth today; in fact, it appears to be

the energy and flow of perceptions about the

SDA ministry prevailing among us.

The increased size of your congregation with

each assignment or the loftier titles you as-

sume in the conference office or hierarchy of

the church, is the yardstick that measures

your progress in “The Work”.

Seldom is it the increase in real membership

produced under your pastoral hand. Neither

The Energy of the SDA Movement P 1

Not Bad Just Different P 3

Farewell Tribute—Antoinette Wilson P 4

Alumni Weekend P 7

Regional Conference Retirees P 9

2013 Camp Meeting Schedules P 10

THE NEWS LETTER FOR

REGIONAL CONFERENCE RETIREES OF

THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

“The Energy Of The Movement” still flows away

from our congregations and, in my opinion, as

long as this continues the future growth is not

too bright for the Seventh-day Adventist mes-

sage in these United States.

Joseph W. McCoy,

Executive Director

To page 11

PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013

PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013

History TidHistory Tid--Bit...Bit...

“UNBRIDLED DEFIANCE”

As was covered by the New York Times, this statue of the late Rosa Parks was unveiled and dedicated by President Obama and Congressional leaders as the first black woman to be honored with a life-size statue in the Capitol. This past February 4 marked the civil rights activist’s 100th birthdate. It is noted that after her death in 2005 she was the first woman to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda. President Obama commented on her small stature but that she was ‘big’ on courage. “In a single moment, with the simplest of gestures, she helped change America and change the world”, the President stated. Although March was ‘Reading Month’, many children will en-joy reading or being read to by parents and grandparents across the nation in any month. Visit your local library. Why not choose History ‘HerHerHerstory’.story’.story’. Paula E. Thompson

11

face the tough issues, take the proper positions, fix the broken places, refine the soul winning processes, call the faithful to full God-fearing service and change the face and the energy of The Movement. Things to Consider There are reasons why the energy of The Move-ment flows away from the congregation: Ingathering/Fall Drive goals Message Magazine goals Religious Liberty offerings Conference-wide development goals Baptismal goals and expectations Members who were prepared for full time pas-

toral ministry but were never hired by a con-ference

A few highly successful members who do not have their work celebrated around the dinner table each Sabbath after church (professional jealousy)

The “incentives/perks” enjoyed at other lev-els of church administration

Earned honoraria for guest speaking engage-ments

There are additional reasons: Members who resist taking leadership advice

from pastors whose salaries are 1/4 of their own

Members who want the preacher to preach, leaving the ”driving” to them

Members who see the pastor as their employ-ee instead of God’s appointed spiritual leader

Members who want pastoral accountability without corresponding membership account-ability

Members who see the pastor as the only soul winner instead of viewing him as co-laborer for the salvation of souls

Surely there are many more reasons but these are some of the things from which most pastor’s flee, consciously or unconsciously. In my 40 years of ministry I have found exactly 4 who vig-orously resisted fleeing the full service congre-gational pastoring; 3 were eventually persuaded to take positions in administration and are “among men most miserable”.

One of the 3 pastors who went into administra-tion served for a short time and asked to return to congregational pastoring. He eventually went back into administration but in the end re-turned to the congregation. One went into ad-ministration for a few weeks and ‘demanded’ to return to his pastoral assignment and has never looked back. Today he is one of our most suc-cessful pastors. So what are the few things we can learn from this discussion? I do not have all the answers No one has all the answers Someone needs to keep asking questions Some brave hearts need to step up and do

something different because the current growth strategies are not working too well and are working less effectively with each passing day.

On Sundays, in the first-day congregations by contrast, the Senior Pastor seldom if ever gives way to anyone and often preaches 4 times every Sunday. Yes, it is the same ser-mon but a different group of listeners. Often he will have a membership that exceeds his facility’s capacity but instead of building a larger “storehouse” he increases the num-ber of services. This action reserves finan-cial resources that are put into other minis-tries that nurture his congregation and en-rich the surrounding community. One thing that is noticeable in many cases. The longer the pastor remains with a congre-gation, the more the membership increases. Adventist traditions are different. We assign a pastor for a few years then we move (“promote”) him. He serves that church a few years and many times nothing apprecia-ble happens in growth terms. Even if it does, in rare cases, it is time to go to the next “larger” assignment. In too many in-stances whether serving as a pastor or in a conference office position, what is measured isn’t what you have done but where you have been. It is called “experience”. Too often that means the pastor has mastered the system. In this age of slowing SDA membership growth in the United States, among our tar-get population, it is time we take a look at these things. This does not take a General Conference Executive Committee action. It will take some brave stout-hearted men and women of courage and resolve on the local conference level; however, stout-hearts that are not intimidated by pending constitu-ency meetings. Brave hearts leading our conferences who as a group of leaders can

“Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” Matthew 15:6-9

From page 1—The Energy...

Ellen White and Leaders

Oakwood Meeting 1904

Oakwood Nostalgia...

From page 2—The Energy...

2

New Rosa Parks Statue

60th

General Conference Session

Guidelines, applications, and shipping instructions for exhibitors will be available in January, 2013. Musician

Applicant Packet (PDF) —The divisions will accept applications for music performance from June 1, 2013 until Jan 1,

2014 only. Visit www.2015.gcsession.org for detailed information.

Courtesy of General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist

6060thth

General Conference SessionGeneral Conference Session

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center 200 East Market Street - San Antonio, TX 78203

PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—2013

ALLEGHENY East Conference CampgroundsALLEGHENY East Conference Campgrounds

Pine Forge Academy CampusPine Forge Academy Campus

Jun 27 - Jul 7

ALLEGHENY West Conference CampgroundsALLEGHENY West Conference Campgrounds

Jun 28-29

CENTRAL States Conference CampgroundCENTRAL States Conference Campground Jun 7-8 Rky Mt. - Denver, CO Jun 14-15 Cen. Region - Kan. City KS Jun 21-22 East. Reg. - St. Louis, MO

Jun 28-29 Grt. Plains - Omaha, NE

Jul 5-6 Grt. Lakes - Minn., MN

LAKE Region Conference CampgroundLAKE Region Conference Campground

Camp WagnerCamp Wagner

Jun 14-22 English Aug. 29-Sept. 2 Hispanic

“WHEREAS, The present development of the work among the colored people in North America has resulted, under the signal blessing of God, in the establishment of some 233 churches with some 17,000 members and

WHEREAS, It appears that a different plan of organization for our colored membership would bring further great advance in soul winning endeavors, therefore

WE RECOMMEND, that in the unions where the colored constituency is considered by the union conference committee to be sufficiently large, and where the financial income and leniency warrant, colored confer- ences be organized.”

That Action was taken at the Spring Council of the General Conference in 1944. It set in motion the establishment of Regional Conferences in the North American Division (NAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church with 17,000 members in 233 congregations. Most conferences had 1 state or 2 as their assigned territory. Because member-ship in the proposed “Colored” conferences was too scattered to make them viable, Union Executive Com-mittees had to enlarge the territories to encompass several states in a region of the nation, hence the

term “Regional” Conferences.

The 2010 NAD Statistical Report showed the “different plan of organization” with 279,072 members in the 9 Regional Conferences. That year Regional Conferences employed 719 ministers who shepherded 1004 congregations. These conferences are now predominantly composed of members who are Black but not exclusively for members who are Black.

The Formation of Regional Conferences is

consistent with Biblical principle:

NORTHEASTERN Conference Campgrounds Camp Victory Lake

Jun 28-29; Jul 5-6 English May 23-25 Hispanic Aug 14 - 18 Haitian

SOUTHATLANTIC Conference CampgroundsSOUTHATLANTIC Conference Campgrounds River Oaks

Jun 6 -15

SOUTH CENTRAL Conference CampgroundsSOUTH CENTRAL Conference Campgrounds Oakwood UniversityOakwood University May 30-Jun 8

SOUTHEASTERN Conference CampgroundsSOUTHEASTERN Conference Campgrounds HawthorneHawthorne

Jun 20-29

SOUTHWEST REGION Conference Campgrounds Lone Star Camp

Jun 7-16

PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013 3 10 PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013

Not Bad Just DifferentDifferentDifferent

I Corinthians 12:4-6 —”Now there are diversi-ties of gifts (gifts of grace produced by the indwelling Holy Spirit), but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations (service to the Christian community such as serving tables—deacons), but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations (“working” - The Greek word indicates power in operation that produces obvi-ous results), but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”

The existence of Regional Conferences frequent-ly calls legitimacy and relevance into question. The growth of the SDA Message among Black people in the United States speaks for itself.

In 2000 the Regional Conferences created a different retirement plan for its employees. To-day, they are more than 50% toward fully funding their liabilities; contribute more than $2 million annually to the NAD to assist them with their un-derfunded liability, all with the same percentage of tithe sent by them to the NAD for the pre 2000 retirement plan.

The fact is, Regional Conferences have always been part and parcel in the official SDA Church organization. Just as in a family home there are bedrooms for sons, daughters, and parents, Re-gional Conferences is the “bedroom” where Black people identify initiatives that grow the Lord’s work in their part of our North American Division “home.” Not Bad Just Different; not segregated, not separate and unequal, not ostra-cized and excluded, not for Black people exclu-sively, just different and, by the Grace of God, productive and all in the household of faith.

Joseph W. McCoy, Executive Director

This article is a reprint published in the NAD Adventist World, February, 2013.

Arise! Shine! Jesus Is Coming

20132013 CAMP MEETING SCHEDULES

2015

REGIONAL CONFERENCES

RetireesRetirees Through 1st Quarter 2013Through 1st Quarter 2013Through 1st Quarter 2013

NAME CONFERENCES POSITION YEARS Janet Arms AEC Administrative Assistant 41.9 Loretta Black SAC Principal/Teacher 22 James Clark NEC Pastor 22.9 Jasper Dawkins SAC Camp Superintendent 34.2 Reva Glaze NEC Administrative Secretary 12.4 John E.C. Hill SEC Teacher 8.6 Kwang Oh Kim SAC Pastor 7.9 Orlando King SAC Principal 5 Sally Morris LRC Teacher 3.9 Richard Reeves AEC Pastor 30.5 Beverly Smith LRC Teacher 24.4 Garnet Spencer SEC Pastor 10.9 Marc Thevenin NEC Pastor 29.3

9 PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013 PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013

Currently Serving

385385 Retirees

W e honor the memory of Antoinette Snodgrass Wilson. While she was not a denominationally em-ployed retiree, her service to the Sev-enth-day Adventist Church, primarily her dedicated service at the First SDA Church of Huntsville, is noteworthy.

It is in that context that we acknowledge her contribution as a re-tired Adventist. She dedicated her life to serving her Lord, her community, and her church.

She was born on April 17, 1947, in Scottsboro, AL, to the late Dr. Horace P. Snodgrass and Mrs. Katherine Walk-er Snodgrass. Antoinette LaFayette was the only girl; her siblings Horace Nathaniel, Lamar, and Benny Lee have all preceded her in death. Unlike most children, she was far beyond her years. At the early age of three, she began playing the piano. By age four, aided by a stack of phone books, she started playing for her father’s church services. After leaving Scottsboro, her family moved to Huntsville. Soon after, Antoinette attended Council High School and later graduated from Alabama A&M University with a degree in Elementary Education. She perfected her craft of teach-ing, beginning at Terry Heights Elementary School and con-tinued at The Academy for Academics and Arts (AAA). While teaching, Antoinette developed a program that taught different skills through music called Sing to Improve Reading (STIR). It was not uncommon to hear music flowing down the hallways as her students sang about verbs, adjectives and nouns to her amazing piano accompaniment. Later she was able to help implement STIR in classrooms and school systems across the country and ultimately recorded a CD that is used in classrooms today. Her passion for teaching was evident through each lesson she gave her students— focusing on developing critical, educated thinkers and re-sponsible citizens in their community. She loved all of her students as if they were her own children, giving them indi-vidual hugs at the end of each school day. Antoinette’s music ministry for the church began with the formation of a youth choir at First Missionary Baptist Church,

A Farwell Tribute

Antoinette Snodgrass Wilson

where she served as the pianist. Throughout her early years, her talent as a gifted musician was noted as she opened up for major gospel artists in-cluding Andre Crouch, James Cleve-land and Shirley Caesar. She was sought out by local artists and choirs for accompaniment as well as for piano performance.

“As I Look Back Over Our Lives” As told by “Murphy”

“On December 26, 1971, Antoinette married the love of her life, Cleveland Thaddeus “Murphy” Wilson. First Mis-sionary Baptist Church was where it all began for us. Our fathers, Pastor Rus-sell T. Wilson and Rev. Horace P.

Snodgrass united us in Holy Matrimony; the absolute greatest day of my life! We realized early in our marriage why God put us together. We were an evenly balanced mixture of patience, impatience, fire, calmness, methodical thinking and impulsiveness, sprinkled with a heavy dose of commitment, and smothered in love for God and each other. It never occurred to us this would be the foundation for a music ministry of almost 38 years. I always likened Antoinette and myself and our 41 years of marriage to other (well) known duos: The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans; at choir rehearsals, Abbott and Costello or my personal favorite for us — George Burns and Gracie Allen. So many times in trying to hurry Fayette along when she’s talking to people on the phone or in person, I would finally say to her, “Say goodnight Gracie.” She would look at me with love, and then say, “Goodnight”. It is without question that Antoinette lived a life for the Lord using the talent that He gave her to serve others. Because of this, her family and friends can look forward to the day when they shall see her again in the Kingdom. Antoinette will be missed by her devoted husband, Murphy; her daughters — Gina and Danita and sons in-law; her loving mother — Mrs. Georgia P. Snodgrass; her brother — Dr. Wayne Snodgrass; grandchildren, extended family, a host of friends, and church family, and the staff from the office of the Seventh-day Adventist Regional Conference Retirement Plan.

”She was a great lady, with great hands, and an even greater heart for

great service to a greater God…who was greatly loved.”

A thank-you to the family for sharing excerpts from the obituary to complete this tribute.

April 17, 1947 — March 12, 2013

The Oakwood Education Experience

Read more on page 7 4

Anna Knight

Educator

Medical Missionary

Arna Bontemps

Harlem Renaissance

OC Junior College

1931-1934

Dr. Gaines Partridge Educator

Alumnus Oakwood Junior

College

Eva B Dykes

Educator

1893-1986

Easter/Alumni Weekend came and went quickly. However, there’s still time to pledge or send dollars to Oakwood. Nothing has changed...students still need the help of generous alumni. The University has many projects— pick one and make a donation. Perhaps you remembered your camera and smiled. Perhaps you ran into your roommate! Perhaps you now have more great memories of the celebrated Alumni Weekend. Just perhaps...

The ‘o‘o‘ouuu’ ’ ’ Experience Pictorially speaking...

Under which name did you or someone you know attend Oakwood?

1896 – Oakwood Industrial School 1904 – Oakwood Manual Training School 1917 – Oakwood Junior College 1943 – Oakwood College 2008 – Oakwood University How many Alumni Weekends have you attended?

MORAN HALL

Award winning

COMMITTED

PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013

Dr. John Nixon, Sr.

Former OU Pastor

Dr. Leslie L. Pollard

2011

11th OU President

Calvin E Moseley

1st Black OU

Church Pastor

1932

Harman Lindsay

Former GC

Treasurer

G.S. Irwin

Superintendent

of So. Region

O. A. Olsen

GC President

Charles E. Dudley Former SCC

President

Calvin B. Rock 1971-1985

8th President

5

James I. Beardsley

1917-1921

1st President

J. L. Moran

1932-1945

3rd President

F.L. Peterson

1945-1954

4th President

Garland Millet

1954-1963

5th President

Addison V. Pinkney

1963-1966

6th President

Frank W. Hale

1966-1971

7th President

Benjamin F. Reaves

1985-1996

9th President

Joseph A. Tucker

1922-1932)

2nd President

Lewis C. Scheafe

1st Black Board

Member 1902

More Nostalgia page 8

Charles D. Brook First Speaker for

Breath of Life TV

Walter Pearson Former BO Life

Speaker

Dr. Carlton Byrd OU Senior Pastor

Breath of Life Speaker Delbert W. Baker

1996-2010

10th President

Walter Arties

Founder/Producer

Breath of Life ‘75

Award Winning Vocal Group ‘COMMITTED’

Heather Knight

OU Alumna 1982 1st Female President

Pacific Union College

2009

Wintley Phipps Pastor/CEO

Dream Academy

Mervyn Warren

Conductor/Lyricist

Songwriter

Harman Lindsay

Former

GC Treasurer Ellen G. White

G.A. Irwin

Superintendent

O.A. Olsen GC President

E. E. Cleveland

Evangelist, Civil

Rights Activist

Joseph W. McCoy SDA Regional

Retirement Plan 2000

Rosa Banks 1st Female GC

Field Secretary

Charles Bradford 1st Black NAD President

John Street Mayor of Philadelphia

November 2, 1999

Aeolians 2012 World Choir Games Spiritual Champions

Organized by Eva B. Dykes

1948

Jason Ferdinand

Arranger/Director

Aeolians Wayne Bucknor Songwriter/Arranger

Aeolians

8

The O

U Music

Experience

Oh, Sing Oakwood, SingSingSing for His Glory!

Janice Chandler

Lyric Soprano

Inez Booth

43 Years of Service

Music Instructor

Alma Blackmon Director -Aeolians

1972

Lloyd Mallory Conductor/Director

Aeolians

Grammy Award Winning TAKE 6

Alumnus Become Ambassadors

Harold Anthony, Sr. Choral Director

Arranger Alma Mater

Who Remembers? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke at Oakwood College in 1962,

during the heat of the Civil Rights Movement in Ashby Auditorium.

Barry Black 1st Black Chaplain

US Senate Appointee

2003

Brenda Spraggins Vocalist/UNCF

OU 1st /National

Queen 1969

Marcus Thompson

Violist/Recitalist Aeolians

M ost people know that eating more fresh fruits and vegetables are vital to good health. But more important is

the quality of those fruits and veggies. Certified organic produce is being suggested as the pro-duce of choice by today’s Nutritionists. Food Scientists state pesticides and other harmful chemicals have a negative impact on how the nutrients of our foods are absorbed. It is a known fact that chemically engineered food is injurious to healthy cells in our body systems and may cause life threatening diseases. It may take a little more time to identify the market resources that provide the best quality of organic produce. Hook up with whole food or health food stores in your area, in the long run it’s worth the research. Take time—read labels. Additionally, a good rule of thumb— if you can’t pronounce it you probably don’t want to eat it. Carefully choose your vegetarian packaged foods. According to the Cornucopia Institute, the food buzz word now is ‘hexane’. This is a by-product of gasoline, hidden in many soy products. It has been found in well known food brands, except certified organic products. Don’t be afraid to do research and ask questions concerning your labels; remember, your health is at stake! Stay well and be well, remembering that we must eat to live and not live to eat. So if we eat well, we can be more proud of being what we eat! Paula Thompson

2013 Dates & Events...

HEALTH TRIVIA

Did you know the heart pumps blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels? WOW! Why do we yawn? Research can pinpoint what happens to the body when we yawn...but they’re not sure why we yawn. Research shows our lungs fill up. Our abdominal muscles flex as the diaphragm pushes down. Our lungs seem to

s-t-r-e-t-c-h to capacity and our heart rate in-creases. Yawning is still a mystery to science. It seems to show up when tiredness is evident in both mind or body, and more oxygen is needed. Google 2007 University of Albany study on ‘yawning’.

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Ps. 139:14

Tips for Washing Fruit

Rinse fruit in colander Drain and damp dry Combine 2 T salt, 2 T baking soda in

large zip lock bag or container with top Place damp fruit in bag/container;

shake vigorously Rinse Notice film is gone Enjoy!

“Brethren, I wish above all things that you prosper and be in good health.” 3 John 2

PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013

By birth many of us were born into small or large families. There are 8 in my family, and 5 in Jo-seph’s. We are blessed to have 3 daughters 4 grand children, and 2 son’s in-law. Although today, the aver-age size of a family is 4, Seventh-day Adventist Christians are blessed to be a part of a family too large to count. If you have children, think about the number of people they call “auntie” or “uncle” that do not have a trace of related blood running through their veins. This extended family has its negatives and positives. Family gossip runs quickly on the telephone and social networks as alleged secrets leak out. How-ever, on a positive note, that same family sends out words of hope, encouragement and prayers, when another family member has met with a crisis. So, this article, though small in size, is a dedicated word of thanks to all that have prayed the

McCoys through Joseph’s recent health challenges. We feel loved and blessed to be a member of this big SDA family. Judith B. McCoy, Assistant Editor

March 28-31— Was Oakwood Alumni Home-coming

NOW thru April 15 —Grant Program to benefit Oakwood University’s campus enhancement projects. Retirees VOTE NOW! www.retoolyourschool.com

Consumers may vote once a day during the voting period. Home Depot prizes range from $10,000—$50,000

May 11— OU 2013 Baccalaureate/Commencement

May 12— Mother’s Day PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013

2013 Dates & Events...

Alumni-Weekend was originally focused on Acade-my recruiting efforts for the then, Oakwood College. One could circle their calendar for Easter Weekend years in advance, knowing that a big reunion was planned. As retirees, we now represent “the old people” that attended the banquets, went to church on time, did not congregate in the hallways, did not hang out on Friday or Saturday nights. Do you remember gathering in the college cafeteria on Friday night for a spaghetti supper and having enough food for all and enough room to mill around and meet and greet old friends? We have outgrown the cafeteria, the campus church for Sabbath wor-ship and we have outgrown using the gymnasium for one basketball event for the entire crowd on Saturday night. We stay in hotels instead of sleep-ing on the floor of old friends living in the Huntsville area. We have seen warm weather, cold weather, rainy weather and have even had threats of snow from time to time. No matter the weather, our hearts were warmed as we greeted one another. Our chil-dren laugh at us as we speak to people that we do not remember. Just wait, forgetting names and faces will happen to them too. We are repeating stories that are 50 plus years old. Somebody needs to write a book chronicling the events (good and questionable), that transpired on the OC/OU campus from years gone by. One thing is for certain...good music, dedicated instructors and students committed to learn have always been part of the Oakwood experience.

7

Continued on page 8

Are We Really Are We Really

What We What We

Eat?Eat?

6

By Judith McCoy

Website:

www.regionalretirement.org

M ost people know that eating more fresh fruits and vegetables are vital to good health. But more important is

the quality of those fruits and veggies. Certified organic produce is being suggested as the pro-duce of choice by today’s Nutritionists. Food Scientists state pesticides and other harmful chemicals have a negative impact on how the nutrients of our foods are absorbed. It is a known fact that chemically engineered food is injurious to healthy cells in our body systems and may cause life threatening diseases. It may take a little more time to identify the market resources that provide the best quality of organic produce. Hook up with whole food or health food stores in your area, in the long run it’s worth the research. Take time—read labels. Additionally, a good rule of thumb— if you can’t pronounce it you probably don’t want to eat it. Carefully choose your vegetarian packaged foods. According to the Cornucopia Institute, the food buzz word now is ‘hexane’. This is a by-product of gasoline, hidden in many soy products. It has been found in well known food brands, except certified organic products. Don’t be afraid to do research and ask questions concerning your labels; remember, your health is at stake! Stay well and be well, remembering that we must eat to live and not live to eat. So if we eat well, we can be more proud of being what we eat! Paula Thompson

2013 Dates & Events...

HEALTH TRIVIA

Did you know the heart pumps blood through 60,000 miles of blood vessels? WOW! Why do we yawn? Research can pinpoint what happens to the body when we yawn...but they’re not sure why we yawn. Research shows our lungs fill up. Our abdominal muscles flex as the diaphragm pushes down. Our lungs seem to

s-t-r-e-t-c-h to capacity and our heart rate in-creases. Yawning is still a mystery to science. It seems to show up when tiredness is evident in both mind or body, and more oxygen is needed. Google 2007 University of Albany study on ‘yawning’.

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Ps. 139:14

Tips for Washing Fruit

Rinse fruit in colander Drain and damp dry Combine 2 T salt, 2 T baking soda in

large zip lock bag or container with top Place damp fruit in bag/container;

shake vigorously Rinse Notice film is gone Enjoy!

“Brethren, I wish above all things that you prosper and be in good health.” 3 John 2

PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013

By birth many of us were born into small or large families. There are 8 in my family, and 5 in Jo-seph’s. We are blessed to have 3 daughters 4 grand children, and 2 son’s in-law. Although today, the aver-age size of a family is 4, Seventh-day Adventist Christians are blessed to be a part of a family too large to count. If you have children, think about the number of people they call “auntie” or “uncle” that do not have a trace of related blood running through their veins. This extended family has its negatives and positives. Family gossip runs quickly on the telephone and social networks as alleged secrets leak out. How-ever, on a positive note, that same family sends out words of hope, encouragement and prayers, when another family member has met with a crisis. So, this article, though small in size, is a dedicated word of thanks to all that have prayed the

McCoys through Joseph’s recent health challenges. We feel loved and blessed to be a member of this big SDA family. Judith B. McCoy, Assistant Editor

March 28-31— Was Oakwood Alumni Home-coming

NOW thru April 15 —Grant Program to benefit Oakwood University’s campus enhancement projects. Retirees VOTE NOW! www.retoolyourschool.com

Consumers may vote once a day during the voting period. Home Depot prizes range from $10,000—$50,000

May 11— OU 2013 Baccalaureate/Commencement

May 12— Mother’s Day PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013

2013 Dates & Events...

Alumni-Weekend was originally focused on Acade-my recruiting efforts for the then, Oakwood College. One could circle their calendar for Easter Weekend years in advance, knowing that a big reunion was planned. As retirees, we now represent “the old people” that attended the banquets, went to church on time, did not congregate in the hallways, did not hang out on Friday or Saturday nights. Do you remember gathering in the college cafeteria on Friday night for a spaghetti supper and having enough food for all and enough room to mill around and meet and greet old friends? We have outgrown the cafeteria, the campus church for Sabbath wor-ship and we have outgrown using the gymnasium for one basketball event for the entire crowd on Saturday night. We stay in hotels instead of sleep-ing on the floor of old friends living in the Huntsville area. We have seen warm weather, cold weather, rainy weather and have even had threats of snow from time to time. No matter the weather, our hearts were warmed as we greeted one another. Our chil-dren laugh at us as we speak to people that we do not remember. Just wait, forgetting names and faces will happen to them too. We are repeating stories that are 50 plus years old. Somebody needs to write a book chronicling the events (good and questionable), that transpired on the OC/OU campus from years gone by. One thing is for certain...good music, dedicated instructors and students committed to learn have always been part of the Oakwood experience.

7

Continued on page 8

Are We Really Are We Really

What We What We

Eat?Eat?

6

By Judith McCoy

Website:

www.regionalretirement.org

Easter/Alumni Weekend came and went quickly. However, there’s still time to pledge or send dollars to Oakwood. Nothing has changed...students still need the help of generous alumni. The University has many projects— pick one and make a donation. Perhaps you remembered your camera and smiled. Perhaps you ran into your roommate! Perhaps you now have more great memories of the celebrated Alumni Weekend. Just perhaps...

The ‘o‘o‘ouuu’ ’ ’ Experience Pictorially speaking...

Under which name did you or someone you know attend Oakwood?

1896 – Oakwood Industrial School 1904 – Oakwood Manual Training School 1917 – Oakwood Junior College 1943 – Oakwood College 2008 – Oakwood University How many Alumni Weekends have you attended?

MORAN HALL

Award winning

COMMITTED

PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013

Dr. John Nixon, Sr.

Former OU Pastor

Dr. Leslie L. Pollard

2011

11th OU President

Calvin E Moseley

1st Black OU

Church Pastor

1932

Harman Lindsay

Former GC

Treasurer

G.S. Irwin

Superintendent

of So. Region

O. A. Olsen

GC President

Charles E. Dudley Former SCC

President

Calvin B. Rock 1971-1985

8th President

5

James I. Beardsley

1917-1921

1st President

J. L. Moran

1932-1945

3rd President

F.L. Peterson

1945-1954

4th President

Garland Millet

1954-1963

5th President

Addison V. Pinkney

1963-1966

6th President

Frank W. Hale

1966-1971

7th President

Benjamin F. Reaves

1985-1996

9th President

Joseph A. Tucker

1922-1932)

2nd President

Lewis C. Scheafe

1st Black Board

Member 1902

More Nostalgia page 8

Charles D. Brook First Speaker for

Breath of Life TV

Walter Pearson Former BO Life

Speaker

Dr. Carlton Byrd OU Senior Pastor

Breath of Life Speaker Delbert W. Baker

1996-2010

10th President

Walter Arties

Founder/Producer

Breath of Life ‘75

Award Winning Vocal Group ‘COMMITTED’

Heather Knight

OU Alumna 1982 1st Female President

Pacific Union College

2009

Wintley Phipps Pastor/CEO

Dream Academy

Mervyn Warren

Conductor/Lyricist

Songwriter

Harman Lindsay

Former

GC Treasurer Ellen G. White

G.A. Irwin

Superintendent

O.A. Olsen GC President

E. E. Cleveland

Evangelist, Civil

Rights Activist

Joseph W. McCoy SDA Regional

Retirement Plan 2000

Rosa Banks 1st Female GC

Field Secretary

Charles Bradford 1st Black NAD President

John Street Mayor of Philadelphia

November 2, 1999

Aeolians 2012 World Choir Games Spiritual Champions

Organized by Eva B. Dykes

1948

Jason Ferdinand

Arranger/Director

Aeolians Wayne Bucknor Songwriter/Arranger

Aeolians

8

The O

U Music

Experience

Oh, Sing Oakwood, SingSingSing for His Glory!

Janice Chandler

Lyric Soprano

Inez Booth

43 Years of Service

Music Instructor

Alma Blackmon Director -Aeolians

1972

Lloyd Mallory Conductor/Director

Aeolians

Grammy Award Winning TAKE 6

Alumnus Become Ambassadors

Harold Anthony, Sr. Choral Director

Arranger Alma Mater

Who Remembers? Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke at Oakwood College in 1962,

during the heat of the Civil Rights Movement in Ashby Auditorium.

Barry Black 1st Black Chaplain

US Senate Appointee

2003

Brenda Spraggins Vocalist/UNCF

OU 1st /National

Queen 1969

Marcus Thompson

Violist/Recitalist Aeolians

REGIONAL CONFERENCES

RetireesRetirees Through 1st Quarter 2013Through 1st Quarter 2013Through 1st Quarter 2013

NAME CONFERENCES POSITION YEARS Janet Arms AEC Administrative Assistant 41.9 Loretta Black SAC Principal/Teacher 22 James Clark NEC Pastor 22.9 Jasper Dawkins SAC Camp Superintendent 34.2 Reva Glaze NEC Administrative Secretary 12.4 John E.C. Hill SEC Teacher 8.6 Kwang Oh Kim SAC Pastor 7.9 Orlando King SAC Principal 5 Sally Morris LRC Teacher 3.9 Richard Reeves AEC Pastor 30.5 Beverly Smith LRC Teacher 24.4 Garnet Spencer SEC Pastor 10.9 Marc Thevenin NEC Pastor 29.3

9 PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013 PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013

Currently Serving

385385 Retirees

W e honor the memory of Antoinette Snodgrass Wilson. While she was not a denominationally em-ployed retiree, her service to the Sev-enth-day Adventist Church, primarily her dedicated service at the First SDA Church of Huntsville, is noteworthy.

It is in that context that we acknowledge her contribution as a re-tired Adventist. She dedicated her life to serving her Lord, her community, and her church.

She was born on April 17, 1947, in Scottsboro, AL, to the late Dr. Horace P. Snodgrass and Mrs. Katherine Walk-er Snodgrass. Antoinette LaFayette was the only girl; her siblings Horace Nathaniel, Lamar, and Benny Lee have all preceded her in death. Unlike most children, she was far beyond her years. At the early age of three, she began playing the piano. By age four, aided by a stack of phone books, she started playing for her father’s church services. After leaving Scottsboro, her family moved to Huntsville. Soon after, Antoinette attended Council High School and later graduated from Alabama A&M University with a degree in Elementary Education. She perfected her craft of teach-ing, beginning at Terry Heights Elementary School and con-tinued at The Academy for Academics and Arts (AAA). While teaching, Antoinette developed a program that taught different skills through music called Sing to Improve Reading (STIR). It was not uncommon to hear music flowing down the hallways as her students sang about verbs, adjectives and nouns to her amazing piano accompaniment. Later she was able to help implement STIR in classrooms and school systems across the country and ultimately recorded a CD that is used in classrooms today. Her passion for teaching was evident through each lesson she gave her students— focusing on developing critical, educated thinkers and re-sponsible citizens in their community. She loved all of her students as if they were her own children, giving them indi-vidual hugs at the end of each school day. Antoinette’s music ministry for the church began with the formation of a youth choir at First Missionary Baptist Church,

A Farwell Tribute

Antoinette Snodgrass Wilson

where she served as the pianist. Throughout her early years, her talent as a gifted musician was noted as she opened up for major gospel artists in-cluding Andre Crouch, James Cleve-land and Shirley Caesar. She was sought out by local artists and choirs for accompaniment as well as for piano performance.

“As I Look Back Over Our Lives” As told by “Murphy”

“On December 26, 1971, Antoinette married the love of her life, Cleveland Thaddeus “Murphy” Wilson. First Mis-sionary Baptist Church was where it all began for us. Our fathers, Pastor Rus-sell T. Wilson and Rev. Horace P.

Snodgrass united us in Holy Matrimony; the absolute greatest day of my life! We realized early in our marriage why God put us together. We were an evenly balanced mixture of patience, impatience, fire, calmness, methodical thinking and impulsiveness, sprinkled with a heavy dose of commitment, and smothered in love for God and each other. It never occurred to us this would be the foundation for a music ministry of almost 38 years. I always likened Antoinette and myself and our 41 years of marriage to other (well) known duos: The Lone Ranger and Tonto, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans; at choir rehearsals, Abbott and Costello or my personal favorite for us — George Burns and Gracie Allen. So many times in trying to hurry Fayette along when she’s talking to people on the phone or in person, I would finally say to her, “Say goodnight Gracie.” She would look at me with love, and then say, “Goodnight”. It is without question that Antoinette lived a life for the Lord using the talent that He gave her to serve others. Because of this, her family and friends can look forward to the day when they shall see her again in the Kingdom. Antoinette will be missed by her devoted husband, Murphy; her daughters — Gina and Danita and sons in-law; her loving mother — Mrs. Georgia P. Snodgrass; her brother — Dr. Wayne Snodgrass; grandchildren, extended family, a host of friends, and church family, and the staff from the office of the Seventh-day Adventist Regional Conference Retirement Plan.

”She was a great lady, with great hands, and an even greater heart for

great service to a greater God…who was greatly loved.”

A thank-you to the family for sharing excerpts from the obituary to complete this tribute.

April 17, 1947 — March 12, 2013

The Oakwood Education Experience

Read more on page 7 4

Anna Knight

Educator

Medical Missionary

Arna Bontemps

Harlem Renaissance

OC Junior College

1931-1934

Dr. Gaines Partridge Educator

Alumnus Oakwood Junior

College

Eva B Dykes

Educator

1893-1986

60th

General Conference Session

Guidelines, applications, and shipping instructions for exhibitors will be available in January, 2013. Musician

Applicant Packet (PDF) —The divisions will accept applications for music performance from June 1, 2013 until Jan 1,

2014 only. Visit www.2015.gcsession.org for detailed information.

Courtesy of General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist

6060thth

General Conference SessionGeneral Conference Session

Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center 200 East Market Street - San Antonio, TX 78203

PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—2013

ALLEGHENY East Conference CampgroundsALLEGHENY East Conference Campgrounds

Pine Forge Academy CampusPine Forge Academy Campus

Jun 27 - Jul 7

ALLEGHENY West Conference CampgroundsALLEGHENY West Conference Campgrounds

Jun 28-29

CENTRAL States Conference CampgroundCENTRAL States Conference Campground Jun 7-8 Rky Mt. - Denver, CO Jun 14-15 Cen. Region - Kan. City KS Jun 21-22 East. Reg. - St. Louis, MO

Jun 28-29 Grt. Plains - Omaha, NE

Jul 5-6 Grt. Lakes - Minn., MN

LAKE Region Conference CampgroundLAKE Region Conference Campground

Camp WagnerCamp Wagner

Jun 14-22 English Aug. 29-Sept. 2 Hispanic

“WHEREAS, The present development of the work among the colored people in North America has resulted, under the signal blessing of God, in the establishment of some 233 churches with some 17,000 members and

WHEREAS, It appears that a different plan of organization for our colored membership would bring further great advance in soul winning endeavors, therefore

WE RECOMMEND, that in the unions where the colored constituency is considered by the union conference committee to be sufficiently large, and where the financial income and leniency warrant, colored confer- ences be organized.”

That Action was taken at the Spring Council of the General Conference in 1944. It set in motion the establishment of Regional Conferences in the North American Division (NAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church with 17,000 members in 233 congregations. Most conferences had 1 state or 2 as their assigned territory. Because member-ship in the proposed “Colored” conferences was too scattered to make them viable, Union Executive Com-mittees had to enlarge the territories to encompass several states in a region of the nation, hence the

term “Regional” Conferences.

The 2010 NAD Statistical Report showed the “different plan of organization” with 279,072 members in the 9 Regional Conferences. That year Regional Conferences employed 719 ministers who shepherded 1004 congregations. These conferences are now predominantly composed of members who are Black but not exclusively for members who are Black.

The Formation of Regional Conferences is

consistent with Biblical principle:

NORTHEASTERN Conference Campgrounds Camp Victory Lake

Jun 28-29; Jul 5-6 English May 23-25 Hispanic Aug 14 - 18 Haitian

SOUTHATLANTIC Conference CampgroundsSOUTHATLANTIC Conference Campgrounds River Oaks

Jun 6 -15

SOUTH CENTRAL Conference CampgroundsSOUTH CENTRAL Conference Campgrounds Oakwood UniversityOakwood University May 30-Jun 8

SOUTHEASTERN Conference CampgroundsSOUTHEASTERN Conference Campgrounds HawthorneHawthorne

Jun 20-29

SOUTHWEST REGION Conference Campgrounds Lone Star Camp

Jun 7-16

PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013 3 10 PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013

Not Bad Just DifferentDifferentDifferent

I Corinthians 12:4-6 —”Now there are diversi-ties of gifts (gifts of grace produced by the indwelling Holy Spirit), but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations (service to the Christian community such as serving tables—deacons), but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations (“working” - The Greek word indicates power in operation that produces obvi-ous results), but it is the same God which worketh all in all.”

The existence of Regional Conferences frequent-ly calls legitimacy and relevance into question. The growth of the SDA Message among Black people in the United States speaks for itself.

In 2000 the Regional Conferences created a different retirement plan for its employees. To-day, they are more than 50% toward fully funding their liabilities; contribute more than $2 million annually to the NAD to assist them with their un-derfunded liability, all with the same percentage of tithe sent by them to the NAD for the pre 2000 retirement plan.

The fact is, Regional Conferences have always been part and parcel in the official SDA Church organization. Just as in a family home there are bedrooms for sons, daughters, and parents, Re-gional Conferences is the “bedroom” where Black people identify initiatives that grow the Lord’s work in their part of our North American Division “home.” Not Bad Just Different; not segregated, not separate and unequal, not ostra-cized and excluded, not for Black people exclu-sively, just different and, by the Grace of God, productive and all in the household of faith.

Joseph W. McCoy, Executive Director

This article is a reprint published in the NAD Adventist World, February, 2013.

Arise! Shine! Jesus Is Coming

20132013 CAMP MEETING SCHEDULES

2015

“The Energy Of The Movement” still flows away

from our congregations and, in my opinion, as

long as this continues the future growth is not

too bright for the Seventh-day Adventist mes-

sage in these United States.

Joseph W. McCoy,

Executive Director

To page 11

PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013

PASSPORT Newsletter 1st Quarter—3/2013

History TidHistory Tid--Bit...Bit...

“UNBRIDLED DEFIANCE”

As was covered by the New York Times, this statue of the late Rosa Parks was unveiled and dedicated by President Obama and Congressional leaders as the first black woman to be honored with a life-size statue in the Capitol. This past February 4 marked the civil rights activist’s 100th birthdate. It is noted that after her death in 2005 she was the first woman to lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda. President Obama commented on her small stature but that she was ‘big’ on courage. “In a single moment, with the simplest of gestures, she helped change America and change the world”, the President stated. Although March was ‘Reading Month’, many children will en-joy reading or being read to by parents and grandparents across the nation in any month. Visit your local library. Why not choose History ‘HerHerHerstory’.story’.story’. Paula E. Thompson

11

face the tough issues, take the proper positions, fix the broken places, refine the soul winning processes, call the faithful to full God-fearing service and change the face and the energy of The Movement. Things to Consider There are reasons why the energy of The Move-ment flows away from the congregation: Ingathering/Fall Drive goals Message Magazine goals Religious Liberty offerings Conference-wide development goals Baptismal goals and expectations Members who were prepared for full time pas-

toral ministry but were never hired by a con-ference

A few highly successful members who do not have their work celebrated around the dinner table each Sabbath after church (professional jealousy)

The “incentives/perks” enjoyed at other lev-els of church administration

Earned honoraria for guest speaking engage-ments

There are additional reasons: Members who resist taking leadership advice

from pastors whose salaries are 1/4 of their own

Members who want the preacher to preach, leaving the ”driving” to them

Members who see the pastor as their employ-ee instead of God’s appointed spiritual leader

Members who want pastoral accountability without corresponding membership account-ability

Members who see the pastor as the only soul winner instead of viewing him as co-laborer for the salvation of souls

Surely there are many more reasons but these are some of the things from which most pastor’s flee, consciously or unconsciously. In my 40 years of ministry I have found exactly 4 who vig-orously resisted fleeing the full service congre-gational pastoring; 3 were eventually persuaded to take positions in administration and are “among men most miserable”.

One of the 3 pastors who went into administra-tion served for a short time and asked to return to congregational pastoring. He eventually went back into administration but in the end re-turned to the congregation. One went into ad-ministration for a few weeks and ‘demanded’ to return to his pastoral assignment and has never looked back. Today he is one of our most suc-cessful pastors. So what are the few things we can learn from this discussion? I do not have all the answers No one has all the answers Someone needs to keep asking questions Some brave hearts need to step up and do

something different because the current growth strategies are not working too well and are working less effectively with each passing day.

On Sundays, in the first-day congregations by contrast, the Senior Pastor seldom if ever gives way to anyone and often preaches 4 times every Sunday. Yes, it is the same ser-mon but a different group of listeners. Often he will have a membership that exceeds his facility’s capacity but instead of building a larger “storehouse” he increases the num-ber of services. This action reserves finan-cial resources that are put into other minis-tries that nurture his congregation and en-rich the surrounding community. One thing that is noticeable in many cases. The longer the pastor remains with a congre-gation, the more the membership increases. Adventist traditions are different. We assign a pastor for a few years then we move (“promote”) him. He serves that church a few years and many times nothing apprecia-ble happens in growth terms. Even if it does, in rare cases, it is time to go to the next “larger” assignment. In too many in-stances whether serving as a pastor or in a conference office position, what is measured isn’t what you have done but where you have been. It is called “experience”. Too often that means the pastor has mastered the system. In this age of slowing SDA membership growth in the United States, among our tar-get population, it is time we take a look at these things. This does not take a General Conference Executive Committee action. It will take some brave stout-hearted men and women of courage and resolve on the local conference level; however, stout-hearts that are not intimidated by pending constitu-ency meetings. Brave hearts leading our conferences who as a group of leaders can

“Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” Matthew 15:6-9

From page 1—The Energy...

Ellen White and Leaders

Oakwood Meeting 1904

Oakwood Nostalgia...

From page 2—The Energy...

2

New Rosa Parks Statue

Laugh Out Loud…

Tech Times Issue 00 Month Year

SeventhSeventh--day Adventist Regional Conference Retirement Planday Adventist Regional Conference Retirement Plan

The PASSPORT is the official newsletter for Seventh-day Adventist Regional Conference retirees through-out 9 Regional Conferences in the North American Division.

EDITOR: ASSISTANT EDITORS: LAYOUT/DESIGN EDITOR: ASSISTANT EDITORS: LAYOUT/DESIGN

Continued on page 2

Two elderly women were out driving in a large car. Both could barely see over the dash-board. As they were cruising along, they came to an intersection. The stoplight was red, but they just went on through. The wom-an in the passenger seat thought to herself, "I must be losing it. I could have sworn we just went through a red light." After a few more minutes, they came to another intersection, and the light was red again. They went right through it yet again. This time, the woman in the passenger seat was almost sure that the light had been red and was really concerned that she was losing it. She was getting nerv-ous and decided to pay very close attention to the road at the next intersection to see what was going to happen. At the next intersection, the light was definitely red, and sure enough, they went right through again. She turned to the other woman and said, "Mildred! Did you know we just ran through three red lights in a row? You could have killed us!" Mildred turned to Daisy and said, "Oh my... am I driving?"

Who’s Driving Miss Daisy? The older a man gets, the more ways he learns to part his hair. Some men pull what little bit of hair they have around on their head to cover their baldness. However, as a man gets even older, he realizes there are basically only three ways to wear his hair--parted, un-parted, and departed.

A Hairy Experience

Reporter: "So you are 100 years old. How did you manage to live so long?" Old man: "Well, sonny boy, I got married when I was 21. The wife and I decided that if we had ar-guments, the loser would take a long walk to get over being mad. I suppose I have been benefitted most by 79 years of fresh air and exercise to these here old legs"

The Longest Walk

is it the measurable long-term growth impact, of your visits from the conference office position, on the congregations after you have served them and gone to the next church.. Certainly, a huge amount of success depends on pastoral follow through. If the pastor is ab-sent from the room when the Departmental Di-rector comes to train the church officers (or is multi-tasking in the same room), then success-ful “follow-through” is impossible without his participation, knowledge and consent about the instructions given. Pastoral Absences on Sabbaths My current illness has caused me to become an Internet church member. Beginning on the East Coast I travel through the time zones all the way to the West Coast. In just these few weeks Sen-ior Pastors have deferred to an associate, an elder, an intern or a guest speaker on several occasions. While the associate, guest or elder may be good preachers, the Senior pastor’s thread of continuity is broken.

this issue

ISSUE

01 PASSPORT FIRST QUARTER 2013

TheThe EnergyEnergyEnergy of the sda movementof the sda movement

I was preparing to leave a pastoral posi-

tion in one conference to take a position

as a departmental director in another. The

wife of one of our legendary pastors in the

conference called me and said, “I am happy

for you. The farther you get away from the

people in the churches the better off you are

going to be.”

I did not see the move as such then but it was

an insight into what the overwhelming majori-

ty of Adventist workers believed then and still

hold as truth today; in fact, it appears to be

the energy and flow of perceptions about the

SDA ministry prevailing among us.

The increased size of your congregation with

each assignment or the loftier titles you as-

sume in the conference office or hierarchy of

the church, is the yardstick that measures

your progress in “The Work”.

Seldom is it the increase in real membership

produced under your pastoral hand. Neither

The Energy of the SDA Movement P 1

Not Bad Just Different P 3

Farewell Tribute—Antoinette Wilson P 4

Alumni Weekend P 7

Regional Conference Retirees P 9

2013 Camp Meeting Schedules P 10

THE NEWS LETTER FOR

REGIONAL CONFERENCE RETIREES OF

THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH