Latest News (Page 58)
News from around the Australasian Union Conference. Also visit the Good Tidings News page for downloadable back issues.
Reflections on Nature’s Catastrophes
No doubt the events of recent months have been a cause for all of us to take stock of our spiritual life. The floods in Queensland and Victoria, Cyclone Yasi, the Christchurch earthquake, and just this past weekend the Japanese earthquake, subsequent tsunami and exploding nuclear power station are strong signals that time is short. The devastation of thousands of people’s homes and lives must touch all of us. Repairs to homes and infrastructure will take time. But nothing could be worse than the…
Christchurch Earthquake Update
On the afternoon of February 22nd, 2011, Bro. Matthias Thiel, New Zealand Field Leader, reported that we have two members and one regular church visitor living in the area of Christchurch. All are safe. We are told that the church visitor was staying in a two storey building, and as the earthquake struck, rushed down outside, only to see the SDA Independent Samoan church next door come crashing down right before his eyes. Two days after the earthquake, Bro. Mathias Thiel reported “We thank…
Japanese Tsunami and Earthquake Update
No doubt many are in a state of distress as a result of the Friday, Mar 11, Japan earthquake and subsequent Tsunami. We are greatly saddened by the terrible loss of life—the large majority a result of the Tsunami. Following so soon on from the Christchurch earthquake, no one can but wonder, in the words of one Facebook member, “Unbelievable…..what is going on?” Bro. John Ciric, Pacific Regional Secretary, contacted our representative in Japan and he has confirmed that so far none of…
Baptism of Matthew Boje – Brimbank, Keilor, Victoria
On Sabbath, the 5th of March, 2011, the Lord blessed us with wonderful weather as we rejoiced to see another soul make their covenant with the Lord. Members and friends from the local Melbourne churches and from around Australia and abroad gathered to witness the baptism of Matthew Boje. The Lord's presence was felt by all who attended. Our prayers are with Bro. Matthew as he begins his new life in Christ. We especially remember him as he has just undergone a major heart surgery. Latest reports…
Some History
Since hearing of the February 15 meeting of our brethren with some SDA leaders, I was reminded of some notable discussions that occurred some 30 years ago in the USA. At that time, Elder Robert H. Pierson, the then most recently retired SDA General Conference President, approached our General Conference leadership for talks. I understand Elder Pierson had a burden to see the various groups of ‘separated’ Adventists reconciled to 'the church'. Together with a like-minded SDA minister and elder, Elder Pierson met with our…
SDA Leadership Talks
Recently, two leaders within the Seventh-day Adventist church in Australia contacted our office in Sydney. They expressed a desire to meet with us as we had not had contact for some years. They wished to discuss the issues concerning our origin and existence as a separate organisation from the SDA Conference. Our brethren sensed a genuine interest from these leaders in understanding the reasons for the Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement and so agreed. The meeting was held on February 15, 2011. From all reports, the…
Australasian Union Conference Officers for 2011-2013
32nd Delegation Session, December 2010 Offices and Departments President Ben Thiel (Public Relations Officer) Vice Presidents Alasdair Pow, John Ciric Secretary / Treasurer Joe Voncina Executive Committee Ben Thiel, Alasdair Pow, John Ciric, Joe Voncina, Brian Jaksic, Peter Szabo, Nathan Tyler AUC Council Exec. Comm Dept Leaders, Field Leaders Ministerial Committee B. Thiel (chair) P. Chapman, J. Ciric, P. Lausevic, A. Pow M. Thiel, N. Tyler Advisors: Retired Ministers Ministerial Council All Credentialed Ministers in the AUC Missionary…
Report of the AUC Spiritual Conference
Thursday, 30th December 2010 People from across Australia and overseas met together to sing praises to God in heaven. All voices united with enthusiasm and joy as we felt another conference had come. At 7:30pm, Br. Ben Thiel shared the word of God for opening of conference —the meeting was entitled, ‘Almost Eleven’. The speaker began by pointing to the Conference Program which had a front cover printed almost wholly black and said, “people have asked me why we have a program that is so dark.…
Floods in Australia – Update
In what has become another catastrophic summer for Australia, large portions of the country which have endured drought conditions for the past 10 years have now experienced torrential rain and flooding. Queensland In the aftermath of the Brisbane River flooding church leaders in Queensland have been in touch with all of our church members and friends. Some are still cut off from access to commercial centres, however all are safe. Some have reported their local supermarkets are running low on…
Queensland Floods: Mercy Revealed
The Brisbane River peaked early this morning, much lower than was expected. While thousands of homes were still flooded and extensive damage was seen, it could have been much worse. We received word yesterday evening that one of our members residing in the Lockyer Valley region was evacuated on Tuesday. We understand they are now safe. The Wivenhoe dam upstream of Brisbane was built with a direct purpose of flood mitigation in the wake of the 1974 floods. The dam…
Queensland Floods: An Ongoing Crisis
Floods Escalate This week in Queensland, the flood situation has gone from bad to worse. The capital city of Brisbane and nearby Ipswich are bracing for unprecedented flooding. The latest floods have claimed at least 10 lives, with a further 90 persons still reported missing. Hundreds of people were evacuated last night, with about one-third of the city of Ipswich expected to go under water today. Brisbane is expecting the worst on Thursday (it “will be devastating” in the words…
Stewardship Seminar – Schofields Church
9-11 April 2010 It was a great privilege to have Br David Zic, General Conference Stewardship Department Leader visit Australia and have a financial seminar at the AUC Headquarters Schofields NSW. The Schofields centre was full for all the meetings with many visitors attending. The opening meeting on Friday evening was: “Setting Your Priorities.” Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” All our means belong to God; we are only custodians of some of…