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News of December 2003
EDITORIAL: A LITTLE BOY HAS MADE A DIFFERENCEA baby has interrupted the natural rhythm of a home! This is undeniable, everybody has done it. But, a little baby who can ennoble a whole nation of rude and ignoble people! This is something difficult. Though it happens on Campo Rugiente, California, at times of the golden fever. When some rudes, avaricious men took care of an orphan baby, son of the only lady of the town, who was Indian and of doubtful morality. When the rude and pestilent men found a little baby swaddled inside a rough box, their sleepy feelings of paternity suddenly were awaken and their eyes were opened to a more valuable and penetrating reality than gold. That baby grew up on a cradle made of sticks and swaddled on clean-white clothes. Spiritual and social reality of Campo Rugiente suddenly changed, because a baby made a difference. A baby who can make a total overturn of history, philosophy and global spirituality! It’s impossible, but the sole expectation of Jesus birth’s prophecy made the whole nation turns its culture and religion to that creature. Since 2 millenniums the world has been different, because a baby who was born on an ordinary village of Palestine, in a stable, surrounded by animals, lay on fresh hay, has made humbles shepherds gave him worship, princes offered him tribute, kings almost loosing authority, angels praising and stars changing its orbit. That baby can make a difference in your life today. A LOOK INSIDE:Short News: January 2004 - Month of festivity to Santa Clara and Graduation of the Curses of The Voice of HopeJanuary 2004 will be a month of festivity to Santa Clara, with the Three Wise Men Celebration, the Graduation of The Voice of Hope from the Central Delegation with the presence of its leader Pastor Frank González and members of his team. Also the Small Groups Festival. Find out about it in our next news. Christmas in Santa Clara ChurchDecember in Santa Clara was characterized by a Christmas atmosphere reflected as much in the programming, decoration of the temple as in the confraternity between the siblings, and siblings with the community. Among the special programming can be mentioned the ones Friday night, the broadcast of Antesala Sabatina Radio program focused to Christmas topics, sermons, a special supper of December 24 in the small groups of different neighborhoods with the attendance of visitors and members who are joining together every week to study the Bible, the Christmas Concert of December 25, where we were rejoiced by praising music and dramatic scenes of Jesus’s birth, also the participation of the Choir, vocal groups, singers and the congregation, who joined voices to the hymn which closed the programming of the night: the well-known “Silent Night.” When the activity finished a group of youth went to some homes of siblings to sing serenades to them. The 31 of December we had a new style programming, it started at 8 pm with Holey Supper, min-concert, a special drama performanced by youth, some testimonies of the Small Groups and finally a meditation sermon by Pastor Samuel Díaz. At 12 pm we had a light snack. First meeting of Christmas Confraternity in the branches of Mataguá and ManicaraguaIn December 27 and 28 the churches of Mataguá and Manicaragua (branches of Santa Clara Church) developed some programmings and activities of brotherhood. In Sabbath was celebrated the Holey Supper and the next day a lunch of confraternity. It constitute the first meeting of confraternity of these churches which were united in making vows of consagration to the Lord. Youth Convention of the Central DelegationOn December 19 to 21 was held the Youth Convention of the Central Delegation, called “One step to eternity”. It has the participation of youth and leaders of this region. This Convention was directed by Pastor Gilberto Moral, Director of Youth Ministry at the Central Delegation. The cold temperatures of the weather (about 10 – 20 0 C) doesn’t cold the spiritual temperature of the attendants, thanks to the sermons in charge of Pastor Eusebio Ojeda, leader of the Central Delegation, who was the speaker of Friday night. Sabbath’s speech was in charge of Pastor Daniel Fontaine, President of Cuban Union Conference who made a call to be “A remnant of the Remnant.” On Saturday afternoon, four youth gave testimony for Jesus by means of baptism. The just-baptized girl of Placetas, Villa Clara, surprised everyone because of her talent for singing. In the evening of Sabbath was a Special Concert, dedicated to Christmas,
the opening was the Concert Band of Federation 3, conducted by Yaiselé
Ramírez. Other musicians who took part were: Duo “Axa”
from Placetas Church, Hosanna from Santa Clara Church, the Quartet of
Ministries from Havana and the male quartet from Baracoa. Prayer Days in Camajuaní ChurchOn December 10th – 14th was developed the Prayer Days “Family in Adoration” at Camajuaní Church. This programming was in charge of Pastor Samuel Díaz. On Sabbath 13th they had Holy Supper. Camajuaní Church is part of Santa Clara District and it’s located in Camajuaní municipium, 28 miles from Santa Clara. Leaders and members have expressed their rejoice because of this Prayer Days, which have made families of this town get closer to Adoration. Special Report: The history of this siteOn December 6th 2002, this site www12.brinkster.com/iasdcu had it first publication in Internet, what means (to the glory of God) the first site of the Cuban, Seventh-Day Adventist Church, the first Cuban web to Christ's service. From its beginnings it only had a simple presentation page where the webmaster began in the space of Internet. Later is was transferred to www.tagnet.org/iasdsc with novelties in its design, presentation and exposed topics, but maintaining the objectives of its creation: To offer the world an opportunity of knowing about the Gospel and about Santa Clara's Church from Cuba; trying to satisfy the spiritual and informative needs of everyone who visits this site, as well as to diffuse a healthy lifestyle which is part of the God’s message for nowadays: our "Present Truth." This project, a dream of Communication Department of this church for a long time, has became reality thanks to our Heavenly Father, contributing modestly to "A Million in Action" and Evangelism World Plan. Our Communication team thanks once again God and also to TAGnet to put it free. The Vision of this place is to achieve its own address.org
in Internet and the Gospel of God could be proclaimed
until the most remote places in the Earth through its
seemingly silent influence. The mission of this site can be resumed, in these words of the servant of God: "… GOD has given a great light regarding to important truths, and this light must reach the world" (Letter 1, 1875) Elena White. “Central Impact” Annual SummaryOnly few days for 2003 year passes away and begin a new year. Central Impact doesn’t want to pass overhead the main news published in this period. Now that we are celebrating the first anniversary of this site, we offer you a Summary, wishing all our readers and visitor a Happy New Year 2004 blessed by our King of King and Lord of Lord Jesus Christ. On November 2002 was written a new page in the history of this church, more than 120 people attended this temple in the mark of the Prayer’s Week "A New Creature". We exceeded “120 Plan”, a plan that aspires having the presence of 120 people at least in each evening service. More than 600 young Adventists of the center of Cuba were met on December 20th and 21st , to celebrate the Youth Convention “I will rejoice in Jehovah”. Santa Clara’s church stood out for the almost massive attendance of its youths and for the Oratorical Competition, where the first and second places were grated to the youths of this church: Yosvel and Daniel. “The Solution arrived with Jesus” was the Christmas program developed in this church along December 2002. Its emphasis was centered in what represents Christ's birth for the humanity and the way it still affects the life of thousands people, for whom Christ has become the incarnated solution, more than a solver of some problems. The Health Department of this church has projected its
programming with variants A, B, C
Praising music has been present in all the cults of the church and in the diverse activities developed by the different Departments. Special mention to the Concert “We’ll be United", performanced by Hosanna group in their 8th anniversary, on Sunday July 6th. Some of the several musical events are these: “Melodies of Love” concert organized by the Youth Ministry of the Central Delegation on February 22nd . Seminary of Choral Direction held on march 30th –31st
some of the topics were: “The Choir conductor and
his suitability”, “The choir, my small church”,
as well as seminaries and conferences by Mrs. Yolanda
Martínez, Directress of the Choir of Santa Clara's
city who approached important thematic such as: Coral
Conduction, Choir essay, Vocal technical and choir practice. Evangelism has been present in this year 2003 through the activities carried out by the different departments, and Santa Clara's Church has been hostess of different programming: On December 7th was held the pre-campaign Encounter named “That it doesn't lack the Spirit” as a part of leaders and layman preparation for the Missionary Plan 2002 – 2003 “A Million in Action.” The Prayer Week “Draw up lots with Jesus” as a part of the spiritual preparation for the Evangelistic Campaign, was in charge of young preachers invited: Eliecer, elder of Ranchuelo’s Church (Villa Clara); Juan Carlos Viera, seminarist; and Elisabel Flores, Directress of youth Ministry in Santa Clara’s Church. The activity also had the presence of Evelio Miranda Páez, coordinating of Your Story Hour in Havana city. He had the opportunity of Preaching next to another 13 youth from different parts of the world in the Campaign “Live without Fear” held in Mexico on November 19th December 2nd , 2002. This Campaign was broadcasted by satellite and Internet to the three Americas. The Evangelistic Campaign “Jesus my best election” presented by Samuel Díaz Fontaine on March 16th to 26th . This one constituted a new effort to diffuse the salvation message of Jesus Christ. Though it concentrated the member’s forces only in one area of the city, visitors were received from every corner of the city. In the first time of the meeting was presented a Seminary of Family Life and in the second praises, musical program and finally the conference of the night. Santa Clara's Church was headquarter of the Confirmation meeting of the Central Delegation on Sunday May 18th , where seminars were imparted to foment an awakening of the churches and to confirm the new converts and members in general. May 31st , 7 beautiful souls descended to the baptismal water, giving testimony of their acceptation of Christ as a personal Savior. Inside “A Million in Action”, Cuban Union presented all the churches of the country the program “Three Thousand in Action completing the mission”, through Lay Festivals with the presence of Pastor Luis A. Fajardo, Director of Personal Ministries and Sabbath School of the Inter-American Division and Alejandro Morgado, Director of Personal Ministries, Sabbath School and Communications of Cuban Union both with the same objective: trying that at least 3 000 lays could be doing an active missionary work. The Lay Festival of the Western Area of the Central Association was held on Sunday September 14th at the Adventist Church of Santa Clara. It has the participation of leaders and lays of churches from Villa Clara, Cienfuegos and Sancti Spiritus provinces. Its programming was pointed to Instruction Seminars by Pastor Luis A. Fajardo, Which treated about Small Groups and its importance for the development of the church, and the importance of the use of technology to evangelism. Also the presentation of projects or plans, by the churches involved, to make extensive this great Missionary Plan to the towns which doesn’t have Adventist presence. Santa Clara’s Church when presenting its report made emphasis in involving most of its active congregation and to reach a bigger mark above the established one: 13% of its lays completing their mission, 41 lays in action getting souls for Christ. Among the reports given in the Lay Festival was of relevance the one offered by Antonio Rosabal Mora, leader of a Small Group in Trinidad city, one of the main tourist poles of Cuba, at Sancti Spiritus province. In an interview carried out in this event, Pastor Fajardo was asked about year 2004 declared Year of World Evangelism. To an exclusive report to Central Impact, he expressed: “The Year of World Evangelism has just been inaugurated recently last week, September 9th – 11, 2003 at the Evangelism Symposium taken place in Jamaica, with the participation of the World leadership of the General Association and the whole Inter-American Division. In which attended leaders of all the church levels, pastors and leaders of local fields and presidents of Unions. Fajardo added: “The Campaign begins exactly on January 2004 and will finish on November, with the Great Satellital Campaign that will be carried out from Puerto de España, Tobago. Everything will follow an established plan: Vivangelismo Symposium of República Dominicana and finally the Satellital Campaign.” The leader of Inter-American Division concluded: “This Year of World Evangelism has just been inaugurated, I would say that Cuba is the first place in having a first hand information, of what will happen in 2004, you are the first ones in putting the big poster in the temple (of Santa Clara's Church) so everyone could know that 2004 Campaign is named: “Picking up the Harvest of God.” Communications have also been active at Santa Clara's Church: February 23rd of this year, Impact Newsletter arrived to its Fourth Anniversary. Impact is the local informative of Santa Clara-Camajuaní district, under the direction of Communication Department of Santa Clara's Church. It has a monthly frequency and it is distributed by subscription to more than 100 people on the church, and many siblings from abroad also receive it. So it appears Central Impact in digital form, a new project which reflects the most important topics of this local Newsletter. Santa Clara's Church presented a Communication Seminary from the Central Delegation called: “Let’s communicate our faith”, with the representation of every church of the Central delegation, as well as the presence of the Leader of this department at the Cuban Union, Pastor Alejandro Morgado and his homologous of the center, Pastor Carlos J. Madrigal; Pastor José Alfonso, secretary of Central delegation and some other pastors who were invited. These seminars were guided to motivate, forming and preparing communicators in their workspaces. In this unforgettable meeting received recognitions two communicators due to their indefatigable work: Mrs. Coralia García (Santa Clara’s Church) and Mr. Oscar Leyva (Cienfuegos’s Church). On May 2nd – 3rd was developed in this church the 5th Communication Encounter and 4th of “Comunicamil Club: "Communication, Mission and Gospel, an integrative Proposal." This Event, known as “Comunicamil” (Communication in the new millennium), it is made annually, the first weekend of May, celebrating the Adventist Communicator Day of Santa Clara, which was created 5 years ago by a proposal of the directive of this Department. It was made emphasis in demonstrate how communications is implicit in each department of the church and it is focused to the mission, as well how Public Affairs should prevail and be present in each activity carried out. “The Adventist Communicator of the XXI Century” was a proposal thrown in this encounter. If consists in some courses on the thematic of Journalism, Public Relations and locution leaded in special way to the technical training of communication leaders and all those who want to get ready to carry out any of these functions inside this department. On July 6th , Santa Clara's Church celebrate the Encounter of Correspondents of number 3 Federation of Central Delegation. It was presided by Pastor Carlos J. Madrigal, Director of Communication at this Delegation. These encounters were carrying out in the 3 Federations of this Delegation. Their objective was to get the information flows at all levels of the Adventist fields, the happening of the local churches can be known and the most important of them can be published. The Biblical School by correspondence, which was born in Santa Clara's Church, (on April 5th , 1998) arrived at its 5th anniversary with more than 1.800 graduated souls in 4 of the different courses of The Voice of Hope and in two courses of own making. This little branch of The Voice of Hope has the objective ob being a messenger of the Voice of Hope at this city. At the moment it has surpassed the limits of its perspectives, because it has graduated not only people of this town, but in different municipalities and counties of the country; being considered as a model to imitate in the Cuban Union, as expressed Pastor Alejandro Morgado, Communication Leader of Cuban Union, last march 28th at the Communication Encounter of the Central Association A new Graduation of the Biblical School by correspondence was carried out on August 3rd . People graduated from 4 courses of The Voice of Hope: Youth Time, Treasures of Life, Advanced Treasures of Life and Happy Home. On February 18th we received the visit of Jaime Jorge, Associated Director of the Voice of Hope Ministry , and other members of his team. This visit of Cuba was in order to coordinate new plans for this world Ministry in this country, and as he expressed: “to help and share the resources of The Voice of Hope to continue preaching the gospel as much as possible”. The cooperation between Cuban Union and The Voice of Hope has been for some years, this world ministry is providing the greater part of the printed material used in Evangelistic Plans of the Cuban Union. Jaime Jorge, besides being the Associated Director of “The Voice” he is part of the cast of artists of the program. Being asked about plans for a new disc, he answered: “There are plans of making two records this year, may be three, one of them will be only for classic music since I’ve recorded classic pieces in other discs, and until now I haven’t recorded a whole album to classic music, and other could be for well-know hymns”. “Antesala Sabatina” (which means in Spanish The first hours of Sabbath) it’s a 15 minutes radiobroadcast launched by a Communication Department of our Church. It comes out every Friday night at 8 pm. This program, which precedes the youth programming of the night, arrived last October 1st to its 4th anniversary, what was celebrated with a special broadcast of Friday October 10th. Children have been present a every programming carried out in this church: On May 16th – 18th was celebrate on the Cuban Union the Pathfinder’s Day, for such a reason Santa Clara had a programming dedicated to them. It includes, beside the Sabbath service, a recreative programming for the Sunday. The next week-end, it had the presence of Abel Vázquez, Director of Pathfinders of the East Delegation and a representation of a Club from that Church. Here were developed encounters with parents, leaders, pathfinders and all those who could support this Club at Santa Clara. The pathfinders also received instructions, march classes, etc. By reason of International Day of Infancy, June 1st , the Children’s Ministries, pathfinders, Communication Department, Health Ministries and its Naturist Club were gathered to give a social an sport activity to the children of the church. It was held on Capiro hill, in the suburbs of the city. The directive of the Holiday Biblical School in coordination with the Communication Department of Children’s Ministries offered on Saturday July 12th an special Sabbath School as preamble to the Holiday Biblical School. It consisted on an Informative magazine conducted by the kids Jennifer Sánchez Pérez and Edwin Rodríguez Mesa. Through it the achievements of the Children’s Ministries in this ecclesiastical year were informed, also the revival of the Pathfinder’s Club, the results of Your History Hour Contest, as well as the news of the general happening of Santa Clara. On the other hand the praise music didn’t lack, through the children voices; demonstration of marches, message with language of flags and deaf-mute by “Orion” Pathfinder’s Club, whom was one of the 3 best clubs of the Central Delegation. On Saturday July 5th , was held in Santa Clara the Oratorical Provincial Competition of Your History Hour named “Children also preaches about Jesus”. It had a participation of 12 contestants representing different Churches of Villa Clara province. “Growing for Jesus” was a title of the Adventist Children's Day programming on Santa Clara Church held on Sabbath 18th . I had the participation of children and directive of Children’s Ministries. Principal sermons of the morning were imparted by 6 kids: Miguelito, Dayaní, Yamil, Elizabeth, Yordany and Emilito. Pastor Samuel Díaz made a conclusion with a call to the church for the challenge made by children to Grow for Jesus. On October 4th as part of the Evangelistic World Plan “Million in Action”, we gained 6 children souls to Christ, which gave public testimony by means of baptism. Five of them from the “mother church” Santa Clara and one from the branch of Manicaragua. The baptismal ceremony was in charge of Pastor Samuel Díaz Fontaine, leader of this church and district, who made call to children to get ready and making decisions for the Lord; and parents to help in their instruction and being the children’s guide to the Lord ways. Another activities carried out in the year: In the mark of “Mothers Day” on May 9th to 11th, Youth Ministries presented a special programming. Sabbath School paid homage to all mothers in its programming, with a delivery of a greeting card and a flower. Was offered also a lunch to those old women who can’t attend the temple because of their age or illness. In this time they were picked up at their houses. At night a group of youth offered serenades to some mothers. On Sunday the programming closed with a program “A Flower to Mom”, in where was listened testimonies of gratefulness and children's letters for their mothers. “Christian Woman and the Challenges for the XXI Century” was the title of Days of Women’s Ministries Emphasis directed by Elizabeth Flores, directress of this Ministry in Santa Clara, on June 13th – 15th. Through a group-work, the most crucial challenges were exposed, as well as it was demonstrated that the solution for them we have it on our hands, it is the Holy Word of God. On Saturday July 26th was held in our church the Adventist Sub-Pastor’s Day, where was recognized for their prominent work on this ecclesiastic year. To Luis Alberto Rodríguez Delgado (post mortem) who died on July 4th and was elder and leader of this church, Jesús Aparicio Rodríguez and Alfredo J. Valdivia Valle was given the order “Ramón Morales Pérez”. Others sub-pastors who were recognized are: Emilio Alfonso Carpio, Yosvel Águila Domínguez, Oscar Pichardo Ramírez, Ihosvany Ybargollín Sánchez and Andrés Mesa Coello, with a diploma “Honor to Merit”in recognition to the work developed by them. Wit the deliveries of these orders, Santa Clara’s Church becomes the first church of the Cuban Union that institutes an Order to sub-pastors and diploma “Honor to Merit”. Friday October 17th most of the families of the church, shared the first hours of Sabbath at their homes, on a supper with spiritual activities, where one or two families where gathered in different homes. This initiative began in our Church on Friday September 19th , favored by Youth Ministries and with the approval of the whole congregation: the third Friday of every month will be Familiar Friday, to make emphasis on family unity and Christian love. On October 31st to November 2nd was carried out a Youth Camporee of Federation # 3 in the private farm “El Porvenir”. It had the participation of Santa Clara's youth, Placetas, Remedios, Caibarién and Cruces. This camporee was directed by Pastor Samuel Díaz, leader of Santa Clara's Church and Secretary of the Federation # 3 from Central Association. The Pastor’s Day was celebrated in our church on November 25th . Not only was paid homage to Samuel Díaz, our pastor, it was extended to honorary ministers: Virgilio Zaldivar Marrero, member of this church, and to pastor José Díaz Sablón. This last one developed a series of Conferences titled: “An Encounter with God”, on October 22nd to November 2nd. On November 7th – 9th was held in Santa Clara’s Church the First Simposium about Ellen White: base, validity and transcendency of Ellen’s thought. This Simposium had the presence of Pastor Francisco Hernández of the Cuban Adventist Seminary and Pastor José Alfonso Carballo, Secretary of the Central Association, ministerial workers and members of ACUPA (in Spanish Cuban Association of the Adventist Professionals). We had reports by siblings of abroad, such as Dr. Daniel Oscar Plenc, Director of the Ellen White Center in Argentina, coordinator of the Spirit of Prophecy Center of the Southern Union and professor of Theology at the Adventist College of Plata; Silvia Scholtus de Roscher, graduated in Theology and Librarian of the Helen White Investigation Center. They couldn’t be here, but they sent their works. In Cuba we’re receiving again the sign of Adventist World Radio, at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 pm hours, through Short Wave of 6.165 KHz and Universal Band of 49 m. Cuban Adventists really appreciate listening again this friendly transmission: Adventist World Radio. On November 20th, 2003, “AHORA” News Reporter arrived to its 5th anniversary. “Ahora”, which is the reporter of Santa Clara’s Church, is aiming to be “the speaking trompet of 3000 in Action”. If you want to know more about this Journalist and how to make an efficient one, contact us through our e-mail: iasdsantaclara@yahoo.es As opening to the Prayer Week “The Adventist Family joined in praying” was held a Concert by the Adventist Culture Council of Santa Clara on November 21st. It had special guest such as the Professional Choir of Santa Clara city conducted by Yolanda Martínez and the duo formed by Roberto Gascón and Juana Zuazo from the local Metodist Church Santa Clara had the participation of the Chorus, "Hosanna” and “Shekinah”vocal groups. This prayer week, extended until novembre 29th , was in charge of Pastor Juan Guerrero, ministerial Secretary of the Western Association. It concluded with the Holey Supper. International News has been present through ANN (Adventist News Network) in where our country has been included: February 15th, on the dedication of “Garrido” Church, on Camagüey province, the third bigger city of Cuba. Referring that there was only space to be standing, there was present more than a thousand Adventists and visitors.
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