Canadian Adventist Messenger for 1987 - Vol. 56 - No. 02

28 Pages·2013·4.17 MB·English

11W hat
This is the title of
the chapter in Prophets
by F.R. Stephan(cid:9) eiSt & Kings based upon the
,.
A experience of Elijah as recorded
thou
ll (cid:9)
in I Kings 19:9-18. You know
the story well. Elijah had fled from
Jezebel and found safety in a cave on
•
Mount Horeb. After 40 days of travel
Elijah was tired, hungry, alone and very discouraged. At the entrance to
the cave, God met His prophet. He inquired of the prophet's needs and He also
wanted to make plain to Elijah His divine purpose. Calling Elijah out
of the cave an angel told Elijah to stand before the Lord God and listen.
— a great strong wind blew so that it moved the rocks of the
mountains. This was followed by an earthquake that shook the very
foundation of the mountain, followed by a consuming fire and then a
still small voice. Elijah heard that voice, wrapped his face in his mantle,
and bowed before God.
God was now to teach Elijah that it Putting second things first will not
was not always the work that makes produce that which should be fore-
the greatest demonstration — that is Not by most, most prominent, that for which
most successful in accomplishing his we should seek. Could it be possible
purpose. Elijah's spirit was softened eloquence or that we today might be looking for the
and subdued, he now understood mighty rushing wind, the impressive
that a quiet trust, a firm reliance on logic are men's earthquake or the searing fire and
God would ever find for him a miss the still small voice, is it
present help in time of need, and his hearts reached, possible? In education jargon today
discouragement was lifted. the world has come to the place
In that chapter in Prophets & but by the where we no longer show and tell, but
Kings, on p. 169, we read that "It is not we want play and brag. It is difficult
always the most learned presentation sweet influences for us to live under these conditions.
of God's truth that convicts the soul. Now we all agree, that goals,
Not by eloquence or logic are men's of the Holy slogans, programs, plans such as
hearts reached, but by the sweet corporate management by objectives
influences of the Holy Spirit ... It is Spirit . . . and even a bureaucratic structure —
the still small voice of the Spirit of all may be necessary, but there is a
God that has the power to change the real danger involved as we become
heart." more acquainted with and tamper in
There may be a very real lesson in probably lose his job, lose his health, these areas. It's a danger that these
this for us today in the recounting of and even his ability to enjoy alcohol things might substitute for the seeking
this experience of Elijah. It may be any longer; he loses all. of the Holy Spirit and the hearing of
even more than a lesson, it might be You cannot experience a growing the still small voice. It is the Holy
what C.S. Lewis calls a universal law. faith if you consider first the out- Spirit that has the power to produce
"You cannot get second things by comes or the results of an experience. even greater works than we might
putting them first." The man who Faith is obedience to God. This is first, ever imagine if we would but stop and
makes alcohol his chief god or prime the result is secondary. While faith is listen.
concern to achieve happiness and followed by good works, good works I also believe that it is all too
satisfaction in life will eventually do not necessarily produce faith. possible today to de-christianize the
2(cid:9) MESSENGER/FEBRUARY 1987
What about our children, our homes and our families.
I am convinced that the great war we have to fear is not a nuclear war,
but it's the war that Satan is raging within our homes,
resulting in the destruction of our families.
I
by (cid:9) church. The work of Elijah was not me it was suggested that an emphasis first.
Car one of compromise with the world, should be placed upon the home, the In the Phi Delta Kappan recently
n
bi but reform. I'm assuming that when family, and Adventist education. Now the former Commissioner of Education,
o
y R these topics of the life of Elijah were this is a very difficult assignment in Mr. Harold Howe II, has an article
b
o selected for these devotionals, some- many respects because there are entitled "The Prospect for Children in
to
Ph one felt that there was a need for such some things that should be said that the United States." Notice what he
reform. We need to consider what we are not always the easiest to say. In says. "Efforts to provide children with
are doing here, what must be done if fact, they are painful to say and that's healthy, rewarding lives are declining
we are to finish the work of God. because in many instances our church even as the needs for such are
Elijah's work was not one of con- is suffering much like the world is growing. The self-interest of adults is
forming or compromise. Jesus himself suffering. Look at the family, the taking centre stage and the interests
did not say go into the world and tell home of today. Biblical history tells us of children are being shoved into the
the world that it's quite all right. The that the family was first, then came the wings." He says "Major changes in
gospel is different. It is in opposition school, followed by the church. You the structure of the American family
to the world. The real message is cannot look at the school and the and the work habits of women have
repent, be changed, be different. church first, that is second. It's the combined to create new demands for
When this assignment was made to family. You cannot put second things Continued on page 5
MESSENGER/FEBRUARY 1987 3
CANADIAN ADVENTIST
eSSE11Q
EY From The President's Diary
VoL 56, No. 2, February 1987, Oshawa, ON
G.E. Maxson/Editor
June Polishuk/Associate Editor
Allan Colleran/Art Director
CONFERENCE EDITORS
L. Larsen/Alberta
M. Tetz/British Columbia
D.M. Maclvor/Man.-Sask.
P.A. Parks/Maritime
D. Crook/Newfoundland
D. Melashenko/Ontario
C. Sabot/Quebec
Official Organ of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada:
President, J.W. Wilson; Secretary G.E. Maxson; Treasurer, G.B.
DeBoer; Vice-President, LG. Lowe; Associate Secretary, R.
Adams; Under Treasurer, R.L Coolen; Departmental Directors:
Education, J.D.V. Fitch; Associate Education, J. Saliba; Public
Affairs and Religious Liberty, D.D. Devnich; Literature Ministries,
P.R. Cordray; Church Ministries, E.R. Bacchus: Service Directors:
Assistant Treasurer, Revolving Fund and Trust, F.L. Bell;
Assistant Treasurer, Computer Services, R. Sullivan; Assistant
Treasurer, HHSC, W. Ruba: Consultant to Health Care Institutions,
A.G. Rodgers. Once Upon a Time . . .
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Conference Directory
THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN CANADA —
J.W. Wilson, President; G.E. Maxson, Secretary; G. DeBoer,
Treasurer; 1148 King Street East, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 1H8
[phone].
ALBERTA CONFERENCE — H.S. Larsen, President; W. Olson,
Secretary-Treasurer; Box 5007, Red Deer, Alberta T4N 6A1. (403)
342-5044. HE PHILOSOPHER PLATO WAS PENSIVELY STROLLING
BRITISH COLUMBIA CONFERENCE — C. Sorenson, President;
E. Tetz, Secretary-Treasurer, Box 1000, Abbotsford, British along a beautiful sandy oceanside beach. Rippling brooks,
Columbia V2S 4P5. [phone]. Trunning streams, undulating ocean tides, all lead to careful
MANITOBA/SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE — D.M. Maclvor,
President; M.D. Suiter, Secretary-Treasurer; 1004 Victoria Ave. reflection.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0Z8. [phone].
A young man, also walking the beach, quietly approached Plato, no
MARITIME CONFERENCE - P.A. Parks, President; M. Weststrate
Secretary-Treasurer; 121 Salisbury Rd., Moncton, N.B. E1E 1A6. doubt sensing the opportunity of a lifetime and querried, "How can I
[phone].
ONTARIO CONFERENCE — 0. Parchment, President; L accomplish in life what I so much wish to do?"
Carney, Secretary; G. Gray, Treasurer; Box 520, Oshawa, Ont.
L1H 7M1. [phone]. Quickly Plato responded, "Come with me and I will answer your
QUEBEC S.D.A. CHURCH ASSOCIATION — C. Sabot, President; question."
LM. Abel, Secretary; Y. Colas, Treasurer; 940 Ch. Chambly,
Longueuil, Quebec J4H 3M3. [phone]. With that they, hand in hand, waded into the ocean waters. From
NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR MISSION OF SEVENTH-
DAY ADVENTISTS — D. Crook, President; B. Christenson, ankles to knees, to waist, to shoulders and then to the upraised chin of
Secretary-Treasurer; 106 Freshwater Road, St. John's, Newfoundland the youth, they finally stopped in the water.
AIC 2N8. [phone].
As they stood there, Plato took him by the nape of the neck and
Legal Directory
For the information of members and friends who wish to plunged him under the water till he bubbled profusely. Finally the
remember the Church and its institutions in preparing wills and philosopher raised him from his unceremonious dunking.
legacies.
ALBERTA CONFERENCE CORPORATION of the Seventh-day "What did you think of while you were under the water?"
Adventist Church - Box 5007, Red Deer, Alberta T4N 6A1.
THE BRITISH COLUMBIA CORPORATION of the Seventh-day "All I wanted was air — do you hear — I wanted air!"
Adventist Church - P.O. Box 1000, Abbotsford, B.C. V2S 4P5. "When you are as interested about what you wish to do in the future
MANITOBA CONFERENCE CORPORATION of the Seventh-
day Adventist Church - 1004 Victoria Avenue, Saskatoon, as you were in getting your lungs filled with air, nothing will ever stop
Saskatchewan, S7N OZ8.
MARITIME CONFERENCE CORPORATION of the Seventh-day you!"
Adventist Church, Inc. - 121 Salisbury Rd., Moncton, N.B. E1E 1A6. That was excellent counsel. Do we each need a prod of some type to
ONTARIO CONFERENCE CORPORATION of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church - P.O. Box 520, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7M1. help us focus on what life is all about?
SASKATCHEWAN CONFERENCE CORPORATION of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church - 1004 Victoria Avenue, Saskatoon, No matter where we are in life, we all need to take inventory,
Saskatchewan S7N OZB. redefine our objectives, determine what our mission is and how our
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN CANADA - 1148
King Street East, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 1H8. present sense of direction helps to "finish the work."
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH in Newfoundland and
Labrador - 106 Freshwater Road, St. John's, NOd. A1C 2N8. It is never too late to realign, evaluate, or change direction. Keeping
SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH - Quebec Conference, our focus heavenward will result in renewal, revival and reformation.
or Eglise Adventiste du Septieme Jour - Federation du Quebec -
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ISSN 0702-5084
(cid:9)
4(cid:9) MESSENGER/FEBRUARY 1987 Cover Photo — "Winter Dawn'; Euchimko Lake, British Columbia, by T Corbett
public services for children and youth, the world and the mother's presence
and at the same time the political should be its greatest attraction."
leverage on their behalf is declining One of the signs What has happened? You will note
... The United States is the wealthiest that I haven't even mentioned latch-
nation in the world, but it is rapidly that a society is key children or abused children. We
becoming a nation whose political had a tragedy here in this city not long
will to provide for its children the beginning to ago, when a 14-year old girl threw
necessities for physical, intellectual, herself in front of a train and died
emotional and moral growth is lose its vitality because she was being abused in the
weakening . . . Where is our sense of home. A real tragedy.
balance?" he asks. "Do Americans still is that children Edward Hallowell, M.D., who is an
care for children, especially poor instructor at Harvard Medical School,
children, or are we willing to sacrifice cease to be has written in the journal Independent
them to the political imbalance School, Fall 1986, an article on "How
between the young and the old that central in the Can Teachers Cope?" While this
now exists in the United States." deals primarily with education, he
What about our children, our lives of people. also reflects upon the home — the
homes and our families. I am con- conflict between parents and teachers,
vinced that the great war we have to how to serve children, how to educate
fear is not a nuclear war, but it's the children, and how to nurture children.
war that Satan is raging within our Speaking of so many parents today he
homes, resulting in the destruction of was only 11% of our homes, and in says "they're too wrapped up in
our families. 1985 it is 7%, an astonishing change. themselves and their careers to be
In an article from LISA Today, ... Of our 80 million households, bothered. They see kids as narcissistic
attention is drawn to the present crisis almost 20 million consist of people extensions of themselves, not as
of caring for children. A study was living alone. The census tells us that growing individuals. Some parents
completed and released just recently 59% of the children born in 1983 will only see children as being around to
indicating that "the number of children live with only one parent before they reflect well or poorly of themselves."
in need is increasing" in this nation. reach the age of 18. Of every 100 Now, if you were a teacher you would
"The birth rate for unmarried girls children born today, 12 will be born know exactly what I'm talking about.
between 15 and 19 doubled between out of wedlock, 40 will be born to No one is implying that mothers
1955 and 1983. Among whites it parents who will divorce before the should not work or that the society we
tripled. Babies born.to teens are more child is 18, 5 will be born to parents find ourselves in is not a difficult
likely to be underweight and die who will separate, 2 will be born to society. It is a society fraught with
within a year." If they do survive they parents of whom one will die before problems. This man goes on to say
oftentimes present monumental the child reaches 18, and 41 will reach that "some of these parents who are
problems in their education down the 18 'normally.' " In this shocking so apparently devoted to their careers
line. "The divorce rate tripled between statistic the situation is most striking do it just so they can make things as
1960 and 1980 and divorce now with very young mothers, ages 13 and good as possible for their children."
affects about one million children a 14. "Indeed, every day in America, 40 They want to give their children all
year through emotional stress and teen-age girls give birth to their third that they can give them, but they don't
financial problems. The percentage of child." give themselves. "When a teacher is
working mothers has tripled between These statistics are going to have a worrying more about a child than a
1947 and 1984, and that means more tremendous impact and are having a parent is, then something is out of
children are left without caretakers tremendous impact upon our church. whack," this man says, "and the more
and sometimes with inappropriate, What are we going to do about it? Are teamwork that can be promoted the
abusing caretakers." we just going to stand here and say it's better" for all concerned. There needs
I found a fascinating study that bad and tell people they're bad and to be a much closer working relation-
came to my desk recently written by lay a guilt trip on them by saying it ship between parent and teacher,
Harold L Hodgkinson of Washington, shouldn't be this way? Can we go on home and school. It is absolutely
D.C. It is a briefing on demographics living as though we never knew that it necessary. But this frightful condition
of education in this country. It is was happening? Or are we going to in our country, in a nation such as we
entitled, "All One System." He was recognize these problems and attempt have, is shameful and truly it should
addressing problems in education to resolve them and give these not exist.
and he had a section on family status. individuals the help that they need I can imagine that when Elijah
Notice what he says. Family status: and an opportunity to know Jesus heard the voice of God at the front of
"Major changes have taken place in Christ and find salvation? Did not that cave he was greatly relieved. In
the way we live together. In 1955, Jesus Himself say "suffer little children, fact, I believe that he was overjoyed
60% of the households in the United come unto me"? It was Ellen White that it was not the voice of Jezebel. He
States consisted of a working father, a who said our children are our first was happy to hear the voice of
housewife mother and two or more responsibility, and in Adventist Home, God.
school-age children." Now that was in p. 21, "The home should be to What do you like to hear? Music is
1955, 60%. "In 1980, that family unit children the most attractive place in marvelous. I like to hear the wind in
MESSENGER/FEBRUARY 1987 5
the tops of evergreen trees. I like to families on the other, and we've got to iencing declining enrollments and
hear water rushing over rocks. Our reorder things so that the human problems. Let me just remind you that
generation seems to have lost the values can again get some recognition. in Counsels to Parents and Teachers and
desire for much of this. So many seem . One of the signs that a society is in volume 6 of the Testimonies the
to like the sounds of the marketplace beginning to lose its vitality is that word is very clear. Churches should
or the enticements of the world. But, children cease to be central in the have schools. Children should be
as I was thinking about this, I thought lives of people. If you want to turn a taught by God-fearing teachers.
there is one sound that I really do society around, it's around children Instruction in religious lines is
cherish probably as much as anything that you have the hope of doing it." essential. The church has a special
else in the world, and you know what Our church is vibrant with children work to do and in volume 6, p. 196,
that is? The infectious, bubbling laugh and youth and we must save them. "The work that lies nearest to our
of a child. When I pick up the phone Our church must grow with what church members is to become inter-
and on the other end one of my God has given us, our greatest heritage. ested in our youth. . ." The question
grandkids says "hi Papa", and chuckles, We cannot afford to lose our children. is asked, "Oh, where are the mothers
I think there's nothing like it. Nothing Now, something else that appears and fathers of Israel today?" Samuel
like it. You know what I'm talking to be a bit difficult for folks today is founded two of the schools of the
about. A laughing, happy child secure Adventist education. We are exper- prophets. The record tells us that they
in the atmosphere of a Christian
home where angels love to dwell.
The Canadian Family
These are some of the sounds we're
losing.
But you say it's not always possible.
is inTrouble!
Yes, I know it's not always possible.
I'm all too well aware of that. You see,
my mother died when I was five years
of age. I'll never forget that cold The Canadian family is in trouble! Marriages are hurting, even Seventh-
February morning as I pressed my day Adventist marriages!
face against the glass and saw them Current family trends and statistics clearly show that marriage and family
put her into an ambulance. I didn't problems are on the increase.
know she was never coming home • 40% of Canadian marriages end in divorce.
again, but she didn't. I know what it's • The average years of marriage has dropped from 14.9 in 1969 to 10.7 in
like with five brothers and sisters to 1984.
struggle through a depression time • The number of couples living together as common-law partners has more
trying to find happiness and fulfillment than doubled in the past 15 years.
in a home, and I shall never forget, I'll • Single parent families have increased from 8.4% in 1961 to 11.3% in 1981
always remember and be thankful to and yet the birth rate has dropped from 26.1 per 1,000 population in 1961 to
my father who held the family 15 per 1,000 population in 1984.
together. I'll never forget one particular Statistics offer cold information. But who can measure the heartaches, the
morning — we were Christian Reform broken feelings, the loneliness and despair? How can one explain the loss of
people at that time and not Seventh- peace and joy, the warmth and togetherness, the feelings and relationships
day Adventists — when one of our that once were there but now are gone?
friends came over to the house and The question which arises from all this is "What can be done to change the
we kids were asked to leave the room. course of seeming disaster that many marriages are headed for? What can
I was standing in another room, and I Seventh-day Adventist Christians do, first in strengthening their marriage
overheard the DeGroot family say, and family bonds, and secondly, to bring about healing to the many who are
look, we would like to have Fred, we'll already hurting?"
take him, and I froze with terror. I It is very important to understand that the family has always been and still
thought my father might give me is the basic unit of society. The family unit was established before the Sabbath.
away because times were difficult. The family unit was in place before there was a community, or before there
However, he said no and he held the was a church. "Whatever the time in history, and whatever the challenges
family together. We didn't have a they face, families remain the foundation of society. If we lose sight of family
mom in the home but he held the as our richest national resource then our society is weakened." (The Vanier
family together. You cannot put Institute of the Family)
second things first and by that I mean One of the reasons for family breakdown is not knowing how to properly
we cannot put wealth or possessions, communicate. Communication is not only an exchange of words, thoughts,
not even our education, not even ideas, and information. It is feeling the hurt. It is listening to the inner
position, we cannot put that first. The thoughts. It is showing appreciation. It is understanding and caring. It is that
home is first. touch of the hand, the embrace, the caress.
Dr. Urie Bronfenbrenner, who Too often the only communication that a family experiences is in the form
teaches at Cornell University, says of information, expressing needs, and giving instruction. Computers can do
"The battle today is not between the same. True communication is more than this.
children and parents, the battle is Jesus communicated with people in His day, in a way that built up hope
between society on one side and and encouragement. When He rebuked the Pharisees, He did so "with tears
6 MESSENGER/FEBRUARY 1987
fell into decay after approximately A work similar to that which was these. From the wordly secular point
100 years and it was Elijah who was conducted with the ancient schools of of view divine wisdom is foolish.
commissioned to bring reform to the prophets is to be done by God's From the divine point of view the
those schools. He not only brought people today before the coming of the world's wisdom is foolish. The
reform, but he opened a couple of great and dreadful day of the Lord. Adventist method of teaching is
other schools and still other schools Eduction reform is just as much a part bibliocentric. God is the authority.
were fostered by Elisha. of this church as health reform, The Holy Scriptures are the means of
Now, I would like to have you note Sabbath reform, and other essential appreciating right from wrong, distin-
something. Elijah was the agent used features that we might identify. guishing truth from untruth, the
by God to reestablish the schools. He The apostle Paul reminds his important from the unimportant.
did not start out, or set out, to fellow Christians that the worldly When Elisha went into Gilgal, and
establish an alternative program, concept of intellectual greatness must visited the school of the prophets,
another system, with options available be firmly rejected by the true follower they had a problem with wild gourds
to everyone. He worked with God's of Christ in 1 Corinthians 1:17-19. in the food. They were facing a severe
schools, the existing schools, and he The Lord has a different set of problem. As I read through the
brought the necessary reform. intellectual values and the child of Commentary and in Harding's book
That is the challenge for us today. God upon conversion must adopt on the life of Elisha, I was somehow
convinced that the problem was not a
physical problem, but that it was a
famine for the word of God. That was
by Don Melashenko the real problem.
Director Family Life and Stewardship, The study of the scriptures takes
Ontario Conference precedence over all other studies. The
Bible is not only a separate study in
itself, but it permeates all lines of
in His voice." What an example for us to follow! intellectual pursuit — that is the goal
We are counselled to "be kind in speech and gentle in action, giving up and objective of Adventist education.
your own wishes. Watch well your words, for they have a powerful influence We must put first things first and the
for good or ill. Allow no sharpness to come into your voice. Bring into your second shall be added unto us. If we
united life the fragrance of Christlikeness." AH 107 have problems as a system, if we have
Some helpful suggestions in family communication: problems as a family or as individuals,
1. Avoid correcting your spouse. I would suggest that we stop looking
2. Words don't mean — people mean. for a scapegoat. Let's look at ourselves.
3. Learn each other's interests. Make the necessary confessions and
4. Ask advice from your spouse and your children. reforms. The counsel of Ellen White
5. Communicate with God individually and collectively. might be very appropriate here when
6. Express feelings kindly. she says we should talk less and pray
7. Avoid nagging. more. Good counsel — talk less and
8. Don't be opinionated. pray more. Let us ask ourselves the
9. Watch the tone of your voice. question, What are we doing here?
10. Speak so as to build up self-worth in each other. Well, the answer is very comforting.
A great challenge faces the Adventist church today in reaching the millions Jeremiah 31:16 & 17 — "Refrain thy
who have not heard about the gospel. God has ordained that the home should voice from weeping, thine eyes from
be an evangelistic centre. "One well-ordered, well disciplined family tells tears, for thy work shall be rewarded,
more in behalf of Christianity than all the sermons that can be preached." saith the Lord, and they shall come
AH32. Oh that each of our homes would speak for Christ in such a manner! again from the land of the enemy, and
"By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by there is hope in thine end, saith the
knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches." Lord, that the children shall come
Proverbs 24:3-4. again to thine own border."
"For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and And in Fundamentals of Christian
understanding." Proverbs 2:6. Education, p. 290, "Our institutions of
The Lord alone can give us the skills needed to bring about family unity, learning may swing to worldly con-
and to restore love. Apart from His leading, we will accomplish nothing. This formity, step-by-step they may advance
means that we need to study God's blueprint for marriage and home — to to the world, but they are prisoners of
learn how to love, cherish, and honour each family member. And the time to hope and God will correct them and
start is now! bring them back to the right position
Perhaps the person who needs to change is you — not your spouse or your of distinction from the world."
children, or the circumstances. With wisdom, understanding, and knowledge Thank God for Adventist education
you can experience a whole new frame of mind, and establish a new loving and what it can do. We have only to
relationship. remember that the successful ministry
Charlie Shedd, in his book Letters to Karen said it right. "Marriage ... is not of Elijah was not due to any inherited
so much finding the right person as it is being the right person." By God's qualities that he possessed as a man,
grace and love may we each be that right person. Continued on page 20
MESSENGER/FEBRUARY 1987 7
1
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-1*lar4
Photo at Right:
Ribbon Cutting —
East Park Lodge, Inc.
Left to Right:
Reg Wyatt,
The Honourable Wilson Parasiuk,
Donald Maclvor,
The Honourable Felix Holtmann,
Charles Toop, Jim Wilson,
Mervin Kempert.
Photos Below:
Special speaker
Jim Wilson, President
of the Seventh-day Adventist
Church in Canada and
Charles Toop,
Administrator of
East Park Lodge, Inc.
Official Opening East Park Lodge
attendance and the gathering was themselves and the waiting list of
by Charles L. Toop
ably coordinated by Donald Maclvor, over 200 attests to the need for such
Administrator President of the Manitoba-Saskat- accommodations in the Transcona
chewan Conference of Seventh-day community. A unique feature of this
Adventists and Chairman of the complex is the medical emergency
Boards of Park Manor Personal Care call system which is connected to the
Home and East Park Lodge, Inc. He Park Manor Personal Care Home
introduced, in order, special speakers nursing station. The suites are con-
Jim Wilson, President of the Seventh- sidered very spacious and included in
day Adventist Church in Canada, a basic subsidized rent are heat, light,
Felix Holtmann, Member of Parliament water, carpets, fridge and stove,
for Selkirk-Interlake on behalf of the curtains and laundry facilities on each
Honourable Stewart McInnes, Minister floor. As well, there are lounges on all
responsible for Canada Mortgage and floors. In addition to medical emer-
Housing Corporation, the Honourable gency services provided, those tenants
Wilson Parasiuk, Minister of Energy who so desire may purchase their
and Mines and Minister responsible meals in Park Manor's dining room.
for Manitoba Hydro and M.L.A. for The Park Manor Personal Care
Transcona on behalf of the Honourable Home kitchen was almost doubled in
Maureen Hemphill, Minister of floor space with the addition of dry
Housing for Manitoba and the storage space, walk-in coolers and
Honourable Larry Desjardins, Minister freezer and new equipment. The
of Health for Manitoba, and Reg dining room was also doubled in size
Wyatt, the City Councillor for the which has enabled many more of the
Transcona Ward. Home's residents to fellowship together
After the speeches two ribbon during meals. This has proven to be
cutting ceremonies took place, one very beneficial to these people. As
S
for East Park Lodge and one for the well, the additional kitchen space has
UNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, Park Manor kitchen/dining room enabled Park Manor to participate in
1986, marked the long- addition. the Meals on Wheels program, a
awaited official opening of This was followed by a light lunch valuable community outreach.
East Park Lodge, Inc., a sixty-suite and tours of the facility provided by All told, these projects have signifi-
seniors' housing complex located in the tenants of East Park Lodge and cantly enriched the lives of countless
the community of Transcona in staff of Park Manor Personal Care seniors in the city of Winnipeg. Many
Winnipeg. The additions to the Park Home. thanks to all who have made this a
Manor Personal Care Home kitchen East Park Lodge, with a total capital reality. May the efforts of East Park
and dining room were also officially cost of $3,473,906, is sponsored by Lodge and Park Manor Personal Care
opened at this time. the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It Home always glorify and honour the
More than 300 guests were in is designed for seniors able to care for God whom we serve.
8(cid:9) MESSENGER/FEBRUARY 1987
OW
41
0
I.W .
(cid:9) 6 19.1
Have a Heart that
p
"
ASTORS, ELDERS, TEACHERS, PARENTS, TRUSTEES,
CHURCH MEMBERS — we are all responsible for the
heritage of the Lord."
Youth need to be understood, appreciated and loved. They
Nancy Killman
need to know that we will always love them, no matter what they
do. Never, never give up.
Someone has aptly said, "Have a heart that never hardens and
a touch that never hurts." Discouragement of children and youth
need the healing love of those who care deeply. The following
family's story will illustrate. Kingsway
The lightning, thunder and driving rain awakened and College
frightened the little girl who was sleeping upstairs. She shivered
Box 605(cid:9) Kym King
and quaked, could stand it no longer, and ran downstairs to
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7M6
mother for comfort and courage.
[phone]
"It's all right, darling. Don't be afraid. You can go back to your
room because God is near and He'll watch over you." Witnessing any baptism is exciting.
It is even more exciting when we see
"Yes, mommy, I know God is near, but I'm scared, and when
young people giving their lives to
there's thunder and lightning, I want someone near that's got God. On January 17, three precious
skin on 'em!" Kingsway College students were
baptized in the College Park Church.
Now, that's you pastor, parent, teacher, trustee, elder and
It was the second baptism of K.C.
church member. God has put us here with "skin on us" to guide students this school year.
with firm, loving hands. Dean Ryan who baptized the
three students harked back to the
We may dry the tears, may allay the fears, may provide a big
time when the great preacher Dwight
smile, or occasionally a pat on the back — hard enough, long
L Moody pointed out the significance
enough, and low enough — to be effective. of baptizing youth. When young
A reminiscent father asked his married daughter this people surrender their lives to God
they have a complete lifespan in
disturbing question. "What would you have done differently if
which to follow and serve Him.
you had been raising me?" Even the frigid waters of the
"Daddy, why did you stop hugging me when I was a baptismal pool were no deterrent to
the practice of baptism by immersion
teen?"
our outward way of declaring our
Have a heart that never hardens and a touch that never
hurts! Continued on page 13
MESSENGER/FEBRUARY 1987 9
In the minds of some Canadians,
the outcome of the recent Sunday law crisis
has weakened their faith in the
Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
by Douglas Devnich
S
INCE THE PROCLAMATION of the Constitution Act on
April 17, 1982, a series of legal cases consistently
evoked liberal judgments from Canada's Courts in the
matter of freedom of conscience and religion. At the
ceremonies proclaiming Canada's new Constitution,
then Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau promised
Canadians that the Charter will forever protect
minorities from the "tyranny of the majority". Over the
years the hopes and dreams of individual Canadian
religious freedomists and of minority groups soared
when politicians promoted their platforms as paralleling
the Charter.
On June 2, 1984, the aspiring became a haunting echo as the conduct. A free society is one
Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney said Supreme Court of Canada catapulted which aims at equality with
in an address to a Multicultural Canadian society into an uncertain respect to the enjoyment of
Conference "Multicultural diversity nightmare in which the religious fundamental freedoms.. . . Freedom
(inclusive of religious culture [ed.] ) is freedom of Canadians may be violated can primarily be characterized by the
an absolutely indispensible part of by majoritarianism. It was on that day absence of coercion or constraint. . . .
our national identity, to reject it is to that the Supreme Court, following a Coercion includes not only such
reject the essence of our society. year of deliberation on the matter, blatant forms of compulsion as direct
Unity does not depend on uniformity. declared that the Ontario Sunday law commands to act or refrain from
It depends on shared experiences, was written for a secular purpose, but acting on pain of sanction, coercion
shared values, mutual respect and that it does significantly abridge the includes indirect forms of control
mutual goals." freedom of religion of Seventh-day which determine or limit alternative
In October 1985, a report of the Adventists and devout Jews. Yet, in courses of conduct available to others."
Parliamentary Committee on Equality our free and democratic society, the The Chief Justice continued, "What
Rights urged Parliament and the Court wrote, such a limitation of may appear good and true to a
Provincial Legislatures that any legis- freedom is reasonably justified. majoritarian religious group, or to the
lation which relates to business and Strange Conundrum? Read on! state acting at their behest, may not,
employment should "ensure that In 1985 the Supreme Court of for religious reasons, be imposed
those who observe a Sabbath other Canada rendered Canada's national upon citizens who take a contrary
than Sunday are not treated any Sunday law (Lord's Day Act, 1907) as view. The Charter safeguards religious
differently from those who observe unconstitutional. Chief Justice Brian minorities from the threat of 'the
Sunday as their day of rest." Dickson wrote: "A truly free society is tyranny of the majority'."
Alas! On December 18, 1986 the one which can accommodate a wide Then, as it were, to make it
utopian words of secured religious variety of beliefs, diversity of tastes abundantly clear that the Lord's Day
freedom for Canadian minorities and pursuits, customs and codes of
Continued on page 12
10 MESSENGER/FEBRUARY 1987