Canadian Adventist Messenger for 1996 - Vol. 65 - No. 11

28 Pages·2013·3.42 MB·English

CANADIAN ADVENTIST
November 1996
Spectators Not
Wanted
by Claude Sabot, Secretary
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada
Being a spectator isn't all bad. replaced with another. The picture 2. Spiritual gift—Spiritual gifts are
Watching a master craftsman may be very simple, perhaps only a more familiar to us, as many
shape hot liquid glass into a tree in a field under a blue sky. But if churches have already been
stunning bowl. Smiling as a even one of the plain blue pieces is involved in workshops that help
nervous ten-year-old performs in the missing, the picture is flawed. members identify how their indi-
school band. Cheering on profession- The picture can change when you vidual talents can be used in
al athletes as they strive to deliver add new pieces. With the new pieces church administration, mainte-
their best performances ever. Being a you may expand the scene to include nance, youth programs, personal
spectator can be enjoyable, worth- a weathered barn, distant hills, a contacts, and more.
while, and rewarding. winding river. So it is with the 3. Temperament—We each have dif-
But in our church, I believe there church-the ministries offered by the ferent ways of approaching tasks
is no place for spectators, only partic- church will change with the addition and different styles of operating.
ipants. In Romans 12 and 1 of new members. By recognizing our own tempera-
Corinthians 12, the church is com- How can we discover our min- ments, we will understand why
pared to a body with different mem- istry? By exploring and identifying we react in certain ways or are
bers and senses, where each individ- our passion-where to serve; our spir- frustrated by other's styles.
ual part has an essential role in con- itual gift-what to do where we serve; Understanding and accepting the
tributing to the well-being of the and our temperament-how to serve. temperaments of those around us
whole. Without exception, we should 1. Passion—Passion is what gives us will build unity.
each have a ministry in our church. energy, the activities that we look I know a couple who are blending
Members give many reasons for forward to spending time on. God their talents to reach out to young
their reluctance to be involved in asks us to serve in projects that are people. The husband's passion is
church ministries and activities: enjoyable for us. Unless we serve water skiing, and his spiritual gift is
• "I'm too busy during the week; I in the areas of our passion, we will teaching. His wife's spiritual gift is
have no energy left to serve in not maintain our involvement for hospitality. So every weekend they
the church." very longS. 02 invite young people out for water
• "I'm afraid to fail and be criti- skiing lessons, followed by time in
cized by the brothers and sis- the evening to share the Word of
ters." God. This couple looks forward to
• "I feel inadequate to serve; I It 16 the weekends and enjoys every
have no talents to contribute to minute of the time they spend in
mowfaMrPairgprowwwwm
the ministries offered in the their ministry.
church." My dream is that every member of
• "I feel as though I have no talent the church will find a ministry that
whatsoever." E matches his or her passion, spiritual
I like to compare the church to a RC gift, and temperament. To help you
E
puzzle, where each piece is needed to D PI in this quest, you may obtain materi-
complete the picture. Even if you AVI al called Connection, which is avail-
D
only have a small puzzle, each piece o - able from Advent Source in Lincoln,
fills a specific spot and cannot be Phot Nebraska.
2(cid:9) Messenger/November 1996 — Cover : Canadian Union College
g
oef 93' lax is
Cre-atiox
J.D. Victor Fitch
Volume 65, No. 11, November 1996, Oshawa, ON
June Polishuk / Copy Editor
"For this is of redemption. This is the object of educa- Allan Colleran / Art Director
what the Lord tion, the great object of life."6 Robin Carby / Associate Art Director
says—he who cre- Seventh-day Adventist education, di-
CONFERENCE EDITORS
ated the heavens, vinely revealed to Ellen White, is a central
(cid:9) / Alberta
he is God; he part of God's plan for the salvation of Ken Wiebe / British Columbia
who fashioned souls. It must, therefore, be an integral Dan Jackson/ Manitoba-Saskatchewan
Robert Lehmann / Maritime
and made the part of the mission of the church.
David Crook / Newfoundland
earth, he found- Parents and teachers may have the joy Dirk Zinner / Ontario
ed it; he did not of following God's plan in the salvation of Georges Hermans / Quebec
create it to be the young. All, however, cannot afford the
empty, but he cost of an Adventist education. God,
formed it to be inhabited—he says: I am the again through His servant, revealed a
Lord and there is no other."' plan to assist those who were unable to This Issue
God had a plan for His creation. Man, pay the full cost of their education.
created in the image of His Maker "was to
bear God's image, both in his outward God's Plan of Financial Support Heart to Heart
resemblance and in his character."2 (cid:9)
When Battle Creek College was first Claude Sabot 2
It was God's plan "that the longer man
started, a fund was placed in the Review
lived, the more fully he should reveal this
and Herald office to assist those who
image—the more fully reflect the glory of God's Plan in Creation
wished to receive an education but lacked
the Creator."3 the means. Victor Fitch (cid:9) 3
Man, however, failed to follow God's
"Some provisions should now be made
plan for his life. As a result of Adam and
for the maintenance of such a fund to lend Significant Changes to
Eve's disobedience, mankind was con-
demned to death. to the poor but worthy students who Income Tax Act
desire to prepare themselves for mission-
"But divine love had conceived a plan ary work. The youth should have it plain- Karnik Doukmetzian 4
whereby man might be redeemed."4
ly set before them that they must work
their own way as far as possible, and thus A Multitude of 7,687
God's Plan of Redemption
defray their expenses."7
and Growing
Man, created by God, could only be In harmony with God's plan for His
redeemed by one who had recreative creation, Canadian Union College has Kay Bacchus 8
power. He who breathed into his nostrils developed The Plan, whereby each of us
the breath of life was the only one capable has an opportunity to invest in young
of bringing new life. people. The Plan has five areas of empha-
Plus
The plan was extremely costly. It was sis and allows the giver to choose the area
an expression of God's infinite love to fall- of support. Canadian Union College(cid:9) 6,7
en mankind. It required the death of the Each of you has received information Healthwise(cid:9) 10
Son of God. regarding The Plan in a mail—out to your Kingsway Corner(cid:9) 11
To assist in the redemption of fallen home. Conference News(cid:9) 12-19
humanity, God initiated another plan. Will you prayerfully study The Plan, Bulletin Board
God's plan, and ask Him for guidance in Anniversaries, Births,
Weddings, Tributes
God's Plan of Education your gift decision? Only eternity will
reveal the results of our giving. Obituaries(cid:9) 20-22
"In the highest sense the work of edu- Classifieds(cid:9) 22-26
Thank you for joining me in this vital
cation and redemption are one, for in edu- Voice of Prophecy(cid:9) 27
project for the youth of Canada.
cation, as in redemption, other foundation
1 Isa. 45:18 NIV
can no man lay than is laid, which is Jesus
2 PP 45
Christ."5 The Canadian Adventist MESSENGER is the official
3 Ed 15 organ of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada.
"To restore in man the image of his 4 PP 63 Issued monthly, annual subscription price in Canada
maker, to bring him back to the perfection $5 00. Out of union $10.00. Printed by Maracle Press
5 Ed 30 Limited. Second class mail registration number 0912
in which he was created, to promote the
6 Ed 15/16 Address all inquiries to 1148 King Street East, Oshawa.
development of body, mind, and soul, Ontario L1H 1H8
7 CT 70
that the divine purpose in his creation ISSN 0702-5084
might be realized—this was to be the work
Messenger / November 1996 3
Significant Changes Made to Income Tax
Act Regarding Charitable Donations
by Karnik Doukmetzian
Legal and Public Affairs
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada
The day started innocently enough; it There are those individuals who have • Income $70,000
was supposed to be a typical budget contributed over the years amounts in • Charitable donations $30,000
brought down by the Federal Finance excess of the 20% limit and have been car- • Tax payable before
Minister. Little did charities, and those rying those amounts forward year after tax credit $25,478
who financially support those charities, year. With these changes, deductions • Tax credit for donations $14,550
know that the budget would contain the which individuals were unable to fully • Tax payable $11,198
most significant changes since charitable utilize in previous years can be used this
deductions were first introduced. The year or in any future year up to the maxi-
news which the Minister of Finance pre- mum of 50% of net income. Any dona- Bequest by Will
sented caught charities by surprise as pre- tions which cannot be utilized in the year
Another change that was made in the
liminary indications from the Ministry given can be carried forward for a 5-year
budget was to increase the amount of
did not disclose any new initiatives period.
charitable donations which could be
toward charitable gifts. The changes intro- The taxation system in Canada for the
claimed in the year of one's death. Under
duced will have a major beneficial impact past number of years has given credits for
the old tax rules, charitable bequests made
on the financial supporters of charities. items such as charitable deductions. This
by will were limited to 20% of income.
credit is calculated in such a way as to
Unlike donations made while living,
Charitable Donation Limit reduce the amount of tax payable by the
which could be carried forward for a 5-
taxpayer rather than reduce the income.
Raised
year period, gifts made by will could only
The basic Federal tax credit is calculated
be used in the year of death and carried
The change which will have the most at 17% of federal tax for any donations
instantaneous impact is the jump of the under $200. Donations in excess of $200 back one year. Under the changes
charitable donation limit from 20% of are calculated so as to provide a tax credit announced by the Finance Minister, chari-
income to 50% of income. From a review at the rate of 29%. Provincial income tax is table bequests made by will are fully
of the examples below, one can readily a percentage of the federal tax. As a result, (100% of income) deductible in the year of
observe the benefit of being able to fully when the provincial tax credit is added to death and can be carried back one year to
utilize all of one's charitable donations in the federal credit, the actual credit reduce additional income.
the year of donation rather than carrying depending on the province of one's resi-
forward. dence would range from 44% to 50%. Note the impact in the example below:
• Income in year
Gifts While Living (cid:9)
of death $70,000
• Increase from 20% to 50% of income Tax Credit • Donations during
(cid:9)
• Unused tax credits from past years • First $200 of gift-(cid:9) 17% year $14,000
can be claimed and carried forward • Excess over $200-(cid:9) 29%
5 years • Provincial tax is a percentage of Assume death occurs before the end
Federal tax of the calendar year.
1995 • Combined tax credit, depending on
(cid:9)
Net income $70,000 Province of residence, is in the • Bequest in will $56,000
(cid:9)
Donations $30,000 range of: • Total donations $70,000
Usable donations $14,000 • First $200(cid:9) 24-28% • Tax liability without
(cid:9)
Tax Payable $15,838 • Excess over $200(cid:9) 44-50% accounting for bequest $15,838
• Amount of bequest
As a result of Budget Changes: required to fully
As can be seen from the example reduce tax liability in
1996 (cid:9)
below, depending on the province of resi- year of death $33,840
Net income $70,000
Donations $30,000 dence, for each dollar contributed to char- • Amount available to
ity a tax reduction equivalent to approxi- reduce previous year's
Usable donations $30,000 (cid:9)
mately fifty cents would be received by income $22,160
Tax payable $11,198
the taxpayer.
Savings $ 4,640
4(cid:9) Messenger / November 1996
This new rule could be of great signifi- Since these funds have been placed into ADRA Welcomes
cance to those individuals whose estates these accounts without the payment of
New Staff
might be faced with substantial capital taxes and since the funds accumulate tax
gains at the time of death and which could free, the Government had taken the posi-
result in an immense tax burden on the tion that any transfer of these funds other
family. A gift to charity at the time of than to a spouse, at the time of death,
death with the proper planning could would accrue a tax liability. The net result
assist the estate planning of individuals so was that if a person wanted a family
as to minimize the tax consequences and member other than a spouse to receive
unexpected disposition of assets to fulfil these funds, the individual or his/her
obligations due to the taxing authorities. estate would have to pay a tax on the
withdrawal.
Donation of Appreciated Assets As a result to changes made to charita-
ble bequests, that being the 100%
The third area of change announced by
deductibility in the year of death, it is now Oliver Lofton-Brook has accepted the
the Minister of Finance was with respect
possible for the bequest of RRSP funds to position as Executive Director for ADRA
to capital appreciated property. This refers
charity to be made tax free since the dona- Canada. Formerly, Oliver was working as
specifically to assets which have increased
tion receipt would more than offset the the Director for National Programs.
in value from the time they were pur-
income tax attribution thus leaving other Previous to that assignment, he and his
chased. In this class might be investment
funds on which taxes have already been wife, Tasma, spent four years working for
property such as apartment buildings,
paid to be distributed to other family ADRA in Bangladesh. Welcome to your
rental homes, cottages or stocks and
members. new assignment and responsibilities.
bonds. These types of investments must
account at the time of their disposition for
Beneficial Changes
any increase in value from the time they
were purchased. Based on this increase, a The changes announced by the
capital gains tax is assessed. The changes Minister make it much less financially
announced now allow for the donation of onerous for individuals to become finan-
capital appreciated property to charity cial supporters of charities. If individuals
which would be 100% deductible. The committed to the support of the church
donor would receive from the charity a would simply contribute, in addition to
donation receipt for the amount of the their regular contributions, the tax savings
value of the donation. The donor would resulting from being able to use the excess
then be able to offset any capital gains tax charitable donations made in prior years,
assessed by the deduction, and in addi- a significant amount of donations would Lisa Mercer is not new to ADRA Canada,
tion, a portion of the capital gain would be be available to the church and its min- but she has accepted a new position as
forgiven thus resulting in a no tax conse- istries to carry out their work in the com- well. Formerly ADRA Canada's Treasurer,
quence to the donor. In fact, in some ing years. This is one of those opportuni- Lisa will now be the Associate Director for
instances the donation could also be used ties which comes forward as additional Programs. This will be a different focus on
to offset the tax liability from income other incentive, if we needed one, to increase ADRA's work for Lisa, and we wish her
than the capital gains. Note the impact in our stewardship in support of the church's all the best.
the example below: mission. As we draw toward the end of
another year, this is an appropriate time
Stocks / Property for us to consider our financial commit-
Market Value of Stock ment to God's work.
$125,000 (donation) This article is rather technical in nature
Purchase price(cid:9) $ 25,000 and may generate additional questions in
Capital gain(cid:9) $100,000 your mind as you consider your particular
Income(cid:9) $100,000 situation. There are qualified individuals
Taxable capital gain(cid:9) $ 75,000 within each conference whom you can
Deductions: contact for further information.
50% of net income(cid:9) $ 87,500 • British Columbia: William Olson,
50% of capital gain(cid:9) $ 37,500 Treasurer, and Bob Burton, Trust
Nola Pal is joining our ADRA Staff as the
Total Deductions Director
Associate Director for Finance. Previously,
from Income(cid:9) $125,000 • Alberta: Keith Heinrich, Treasurer
Nola was the Associate Treasurer for the
Manitoba / Saskatchewan: John
Ontario Conference for 10 years. Her
Bequest of RRSP Funds Bullock, Treasurer, and Graham
career change to ADRA Canada was a dif-
Glover, Trust Director
The final area which drew attention of ficult decision, and we are excited to have
• Ontario: Barry Bussey, Trust Director
tax planners was the area of funds held in her join our team.
• Other areas: Karnik Doukmetzian,
a Registered Retirement Savings Plan. Congratulations and welcome!
SDA Church in Canada.
Messenger / November 1996 5
CANADIAN UNION COLLEGE
(cid:9)
College Days '96 Brings program designed to meet rigorous stan- Ontario: 17%
(cid:9)
dards of excellence developed by the pro- Quebec: 3%
Over 100 Guests to CUC fession. New Brunswick:(cid:9) 10/0
The department of education at CUC (cid:9)
Seven to a room! College Days 1996 Nova Scotia: 3%
has been working tirelessly to complete
brought 126 visitors to the CUC campus Newfoundland:(cid:9) 4%
this process as quickly as possible and
(not counting the 60+ seniors from our We wish all of our students God's
things are progressing rapidly; God is to
own Parkview Adventist Academy) and richest blessings and safe keeping
be given our thanks and appreciation for
sleeping space was at a premium! The throughout the school year.
our continued success in this area.
weekend was a blur of activities, includ-
ing presentations from academic depart-
Business Department
ments and the student finance office, a
Facts 'n' Figures
trip to West Edmonton Mall, a Saturday Seeks to Make
night program featuring the Silverwinds
band and other campus performers, acad- Canadian Union College would like to Education Practical
emic awards, games in the gym and other extend a warm welcome to each of its 314
great activities. The highlight of the week- students enrolled for the fall semester of The Department of Business has sever-
end, as expressed by both guests, stu- the 1996-97 school year. Nine of ten al practical mechanisms in place for a
dents, staff and faculty alike, was the Canadian provinces, numerous American well-rounded education in the area of
tremendous spiritual atmosphere that states and foreign nations such as Japan, business administration; they range from
enveloped the vespers, Sabbath School, India, Ethiopia and the Ukraine help business internships, where students have
church and afternoon concert on Sabbath. make the CUC campus a place of rich the opportunity to get hands-on working
Mr. Burkhard Heimann, son Luke, daugh- diversity. The actual breakdown by area is experience with full accreditation, to visit-
ter Karla Dubyna, her husband Dave, as follows (according to percentage): ing companies, interviewing with top
business executives and working on local
Cheryl Stubbs and Pastor Todd Miller British Columbia:(cid:9) 17%
business projects. As well, the department
each challenged their listeners to line up United States:(cid:9) 6%
is planning on regularly scheduled lec-
on the winning side—God's side—and let Alberta:(cid:9) 40%
tures, presentations and seminars by vari-
Him rule their lives. God blessed tremen- International:(cid:9) 4%
ous authorities in the business communi-
dously and we look forward to seeing Saskatchewan:(cid:9) 4%
ty, who will share their expertise with our
many of our visitors here in the near Manitoba:(cid:9) 1%
students and faculty.
future.
CUC Seeks NCATE
Accreditation for
Education Degree
Canadian Union College is currently in
the process of revamping its degree pro-
gram in Education to meet the accrediting
standards of the prestigious National
Council for the Accreditation of Teacher
Education (NCATE). This is an indepen-
dent accrediting agency of teacher educa-
tion programs and is considered to be one
of the most prestigious accrediting bodies
in the field. Only 55% of US colleges of
education possess NCATE approval and
only three Adventist colleges fall into this
category—Andrews University, Union
College and Oakwood College.
NCATE approval offers the students of
Canadian Union College the advantages Pictured here is the SWAT (Student Welcome Affirmation Team) team who lead in the new
student orientation get-acquainted weekend sponsored yearly by the Student Services
of knowing that their education degree is
Department of Canadian Union College. Left to right, first row: Zaak Robichaud, Susanna
recognized in all 50 US states (and this
Schildknecht, Marlon Peter, Natasha Ramalingam, Cheryl Hort, David Nelson; middle
should carry over into Canada), as well as
row: Melody Rhine, Myra Nicks; back row: Myrna Tetz, Bob Tetz, Donna Hodgins, Shari
the assuredness of having completed a Macdonald, Keith Leavitt, Brian Leavitt, Dai Okamoto, Dene Shipowick.
6(cid:9) Messenger / November 1996
"The Best Feeling
in the World"
Young people in College Heights
Adventist Junior Academy, Parkview
Adventist Academy, young people from
churches in Alberta, Canadian Union
College students and others who partici-
pated in the Gospel Detonation evangelis-
tic thrust in Calgary this summer testify to
a vibrant renewed commitment to Christ
and witnessing for Him.
It all began in the summer of 1995 dur-
On September 21, four individuals were baptized in a lake in southeast Calgary culminat-
ing camp meeting when Kelly Schultz ing the summer's Gospel Detonation program. In the back row, left to right, are Pastor John
enthusiastically led in the Canmore, Adams, Meryl Carey, Frederic Cherenfant, Franz Seidel, and Pastor Kelly Schultz who were
Alberta, Gospel Detonation program and participants in the summer's campaign. Front row, left to right, are the individuals who
later in Olds, Alberta. Dozens of young were baptized and accepted into church membership in the new Calgary Southeast
people knocked on thousands of doors Company, Duval Pounall, Colter McMannes, Jorel McMannes, and Pauline McMannes.
inviting people to take Bible studies and
Dale Kongorski, gave the church- organiz- Clarke who opened her heart and home to
attend the evangelistic meetings which
ing message with Schultz, Adams and the all of them.
followed. (See story, Messenger, September
students who reminisced about the sum- The cooperative efforts of Canadian
1996)
mer's experience. Union College (who offered scholarships
In May, Schultz and Pastor John
Meryl Carey, one of the students, wrote to these young people), the Alberta
Adams were ready to lead a group of stu-
an article about her experience which has Conference (who supported the project
dents (Gospel Commanders) in a Calgary
been accepted by the Adventist Review. It is with finances, encouragement and
evangelistic and church planting crusade
titled "I Can't (not work for the Lord)." She prayers) and the home churches (some
entitled GEMS Unlimited (Gospel Explo-
explains how the Lord has led her, step by who also gave financial support in the
sion Missionary Soldiers).
step, in her willingness (and unwilling- form of scholarships), gave Meryl, and the
In addition to the core group of stu-
ness) to work for Him. At first she found others, the opportunity to discover they
dents from Canadian Union College and
it scary not to be able to hold God at arm's "Can't NOT work for the Lord."
one from Calgary, two students from the
length. But she says "it's fast becoming the A video is available for those who
College Heights Adventist Junior
best feeling in the world." She calls Pastor might wish to adopt the program in their
Academy were active participants in the
Kelly Schultz "our fearless leader" and territory. To order call the College Rela-
initial Calgary experience. Eight Canadian
pays tribute to Pastor John Adams who tions Office at 1-800-661-8129. Cost: $10
Union College students (Jenny Chamorro,
lent his car to nine youth, and Sister Beryl each.
Meryl Carey, Shannon Hudema, Franz
Seidel, Prem Nathan, Frederic Cherenfant,
Burkhard Heimann from Armstrong, BC,
Louis King, Eyitwoyo Natufe) participat-
members of his family and Cheryl Stubbs
ed in the entire Calgary gospel-sharing
presented personal testimonies of God's
experience. Wendy Gilliand, from Calgary leading in their lives at vesper time on
and now attending CUC, was another College Days weekend.
young person who worked with the pro-
ject. They moved into the home of Mrs.
Beryl Clarke who housed, fed and cared Luke Heimann and Burkhard Heimann lis-
for them. There was a lot of prayer, Bible ten as others testify of God's leading.
study, and soul searching as daily the
group knocked on doors, first of all selling
books through the Mega-Book plan, then
later inviting whole communities to the
series of meetings.
On September 21, in a lake in the
southeast Calgary area, four individuals
were baptized as a result of the evangelis-
tic meetings. Several of the students who
participated in the summer project attend-
ed the baptism and the Inaugural
Ceremony for the beginning of a new
(cid:9) (cid:9)
church. Alberta Conference president, David Dubyna Karla Heimann Dubyna Cheryl Stubbs
Messenger / November 1996 7
located in Oshawa, next to the College quilt," she said. My eyes stung at her
Park SDA Church. This unassuming lit- statement.
tle building houses all sorts of items, Sadie Brown met Doris and me as
from dishes to shoes, from coats to we were about to leave the cramped
nightgowns, from infants clothing and room. Sadie is the director of this
toys to pasta, soups, and milk. Doris Community Services Centre. She gave
ushered me from the "office" (the room me a quick hug, and then took over
with the computer), to the quilting from Doris to show me around. The lit-
room. I almost dropped my notepad in tle room next to the quilting room had
surprise. These wonderful volunteers women's clothing neatly hanging on
labour for hours over hand-me-down racks. A young woman quietly
materials and transform the pieces they browsed through the articles as her son
salvage into some of the most exquisite wandered in and out of the racks, a
quilts I have ever seen. I had to grab sort of hide-and-seek game he played
my camera. Two quilts were stretched by himself. Sadie directed me up the
out on frames, while quilting materials stairs of the house.
A Multitude
stuffed out of an already full cupboard. "This is where we have all of the
Doris informed me that they make pil- children's clothes and over here is
lows as well, using even the cotton where we keep the winter items like
of 7,687 and
from pill bottles to help them with the heavy sweaters and coats," she
stuffing. informed me. "There are crawl spaces
Growing "Many people are so appreciative along both sides of this room, and they
for a simple, clean pillow and a warm are full of toys we have been stockpil-
by Kay Bacchus
I shivered in my overcoat as the
wind whipped around me. The fall
weather was gray and dismal, with
rain drizzling from a depressing sky.
As I parked my car in front of the little
white house, I wished for the comfort
of a fireplace, a good book, and a cup
of hot chocolate. Rainy days should be
compulsory holidays, I grimaced as I
lugged my camera bag out of the car.
Dashing to the doorway of this little
abode, I noted the splash of colours
that swayed in the trees as the wind Joyce Piggott displays a beautiful hand- Dishes ready for use, maybe by a burned-
stitched quilt.(cid:9) out family.
rustled relentlessly.
I had visited this house before, but I
had never been inside. As the door
creaked open, I was met with a lot of
warmth, both in smiles and tempera-
ture.
"Good afternoon." The kind woman
greeted me with a surprisingly firm
handshake. "How can I help you?"
I felt a little shy in telling her my
mission, but I explained why I was
there. Doris was very happy to have
me.
"Let me show you around," she
exclaimed, "and by then Sadie should
be here."
I was visiting the Seventh-day
Adventist Community Services Centre
Community Services Staff—Sadie Brown and Doris Von Gunten, seated.
8(cid:9) Messenger / November 1996
ing for Christmas. The only way you
can access them is to get on your hands
and knees and crawl around for a few
hours." As I looked at Sadie's aging
frame, I considered that this must be
pretty tough for someone who has
been retired for a number of years.
The young woman had now made
her way upstairs, and we stood aside
so that she could get over to the winter
stuff. Sadie directed me down to the
basement of the house.
"This room is where the men's
clothes are kept, and this little room is
where we hand out our food baskets."
We excused ourselves past two women "Crowded" is the word Sadie uses to describe their building. They are desperate for more
waiting patiently for their supplies. As room.
I entered the very back room, behind
the furnace, I noticed the cramped were served monthly at the simply can't use here at the centre?" I
shelves. There was barely enough room Community Services Centre. Pulling asked.
for one person to maneuver, and most out her records, we went through the "We send them to ADRA to be sent
of the shelves were bare. statistics. I was astounded at the fig- overseas, or they are given to a
"We get food coming in from ures for this year. Imagine! Since Catholic gentleman who runs a similar
Toronto, from the food bank down January 1996, this community centre program to ours. We trade stuff back
there. Unfortunately, we don't get has served 7,687 people. Of this total, and forth," Doris explained.
bread anymore. There isn't any to be 3,207 were children. That means on Sadie joined me again. "What is the
found. I really feel terrible that I can't average, this community service centre greatest need here at the centre?" I
give any of these people something as serves approximately 854 people a asked her.
simple as bread." A lump formed in my month, 356 of them are children. "Space! We don't have enough room
throat. Sadie then proceeded to show Essential items such as food, clothes to do anything comfortably anymore. I
me a room full of dishes, and another and bedding have been given to many wish we could have a waiting room
with soups and some packages of Kraft families. I was overwhelmed. I couldn't where someone could occupy the chil-
Dinner. The shelves were getting quite believe there were so many people in dren. I would prefer to talk to our
empty here as well. A young man had my community that needed this kind clients privately, but there's no room
come into the house during my visit. It of assistance. for that here. When it comes to making
was obvious he was in desperate cir- I asked Sadie if any of the staff were our Christmas baskets, things get
cumstances. His little boy shyly tucked paid. extremely cramped. We don't have the
his chin into his chest as I tried to coax "We're all volunteers, and most of room to spread things out while we
a friendly hello from him. Sadie ush- them aren't Seventh-day Adventists. make up the baskets. We also have a
ered me upstairs. Many of these people come here to do problem with things being stolen. We
"This is the receiving room. what they can for others who are in don't have the room or the staff to
Sometimes, we have so many bags of difficult circumstances." accompany someone as they "shop" for
stuff to sort through that we have to Sadie's community services centre items, and then check them out at the
stand waist deep in clothes. has served a staggering number of peo- end of the visit."
Unfortunately, we don't have the kind ple. "The centre is quite well known in Under less than ideal conditions,
of room that we need to make this the community," she told me. Sadie Brown and her volunteers, moti-
place efficient. It's frustrating when you Doris came to talk to me while Sadie vated by love for others, are giving
have long lines of people waiting and welcomed a client. their best in unselfish service to those
kids are running around creating a "A lot of people have told me that in need. Says Martin Luther, "Love is
ruckus. We don't even have space to sit they prefer to donate to us, because we an image of God, and not a lifeless
and have lunch. Right now, we eat don't sell anything in return. image, but the living essence of the
with our plates on our laps. We can't go Everything is given freely to families divine nature which beams full of all
any faster because it's impossible to who have a real need. And the mothers goodness." Serving others does not
have more than two or three people that come here have told me that they mean going overseas to be a mission-
making food boxes at a time. They feel really welcomed. They don't feel ary or great preacher. Sometimes, it's as
keep bumping into each other down like they are being put down, there's an easy as going next door and lending a
there. We really need more room. This ambience here at our centre," Doris helping hand to someone who really
project has exploded on us." said. needs it.
I asked Sadie how many people "What happens to articles that you
Messenger / November 1996 9
Maranatha Volunteers
International Becomes a
JAC/a dVaee by Raymond 0. West, M.D.
Recognized Canadian
Charity
In response to the many requests that
have come from our Canadian friends to
Cow's Milk-Is It Only For Calves?
become incorporated in Canada, we are
pleased to announce that Maranatha is
now a registered charitable organization
with Revenue Canada. Our official name
in Canada is Maranatha Volunteers
"Milk—it does a body good." That's
International Association and the organi-
what the advertisements say. And, yes, it's
zation is now able to issue Official
probably true for the most part. But not
Receipts for gifts of cash and property. The
always, not inevitably. Allergists and
effective date of the Association was set at
allergy sufferers all agree that the only
December 5, 1995, making all donations
milk that's good for everyone is the "milk
retroactively deductible to that date. Your
of human kindness."
donations can be handled by sending it to
Some physicians (including your
either address as listed:
Healthwise columnist) have speculated Canadian address: Maranatha
that lots of mothers tend to feed their
Volunteers International Association
infants foods for which their miniature
c/o C. Singbeil
digestive systems are simply not ready.
45175 Wells Road, Unit 20
It's true that many young parents take
Chilliwack, B.C. V2R 3K7
pleasure in seeing their two- and three- United States address:
month-old babies smacking their lips on
Maranatha Volunteers International
peas and carrots, applesauce, and apri- that constantly manufacture insulin year
Association
cots. Maybe they consider it a mark of after year, throughout our lifetime.
1600 Sacramento Inn Way, Suite 116
maturity, of precocious development. True, it's a tentative link, but it's more
Sacramento, CA 95815
Some baby experts have wondered if, than idle speculation. The cause / effect
If you have any questions, please call
in the natural course of things, foods other relationship is firm enough that the AAP
Susan Bushnell at the Maranatha office
than milk should be withheld until at least recommends we avoid cow's milk (at least
[phone].
four of the baby teeth (2 upper and 2 the protein therein) for "the first several
lower) are in. Maybe that's what our months of life." If we heed this, we may
Creator intended—teeth to chew with and prevent thousands of unfortunate cases of
food (semi-solid, that is) for the chewing. that severe kind of insulin-dependent dia-
So in the meantime, what? Well, milk, betes. And what a blessing that would be Legal Notice
of course. But then comes the ques- to the tens of thousands of youngsters
Christian Record Services, Inc.
tion—just any kind of milk? who must mature into adulthood depen-
And then the other question: If we feed dent upon daily injections of insulin and
Notice is hereby given that the
foods like eggs and bananas and squash still risk the diabetic complications that
Annual Meeting of Christian Record
to baby too soon, is it liable to cause food invariably ensue.
Services Inc., will be held at the
intolerance, allergies that may surface What's better than cow's milk? Well,
Seventh-day Adventist Church in
only later in life? Some say yes, and others mother's milk, of course. Still, sometimes
Canada Board Room, Oshawa,
disagree. And some admit that they don't mother's milk is not available. So what
Ontario, Thursday, November 21,
know for certain. then? The AAP statement admits that it is
1995 at 1:30 p.m.
There are, however, some piquant not yet known if cow's milk protein (as
The purpose of the Annual
observations from the American found in the many commercial infant for-
Meeting is to elect the officers and
Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Their com- mulas) or the whole, non-processed milk
Board members for the ensuing
ments suggest that we should put a hold is the felon.
year; to consider possible changes
on this bent to feeding cow's milk to Time will tell, though, because you
in the constitution and by-laws; and
babies. It turns out that there could be a may be certain that this American
to transact any other business that
link between early exposure to cow's milk Academy of Pediatrics statement will be a
may properly come before the
and diabetes, the "worst" kind. The genre clarion cry for experts the world over to
Board. Each constituent is urged to
of diabetes that begins in childhood and delve deeper into this baby food fascina-
attend.
lasts a lifetime. That ruthless diabetes that tion.
0. Parchment, Chairman
results from destruction of those mar- Watch for more on this in your
P Page, Secretary
velous little beta cells resident in the tail Healthwise column as further studies
of the pancreas—those remarkable cells develop.
10(cid:9) Messenger / November 1996