News of March 2005
EDITORIAL: WOMAN
Within the events and dramas which take place in the Bible, appears the
figure of the woman. Bible was written by men since a patriarchal culture,
however, though she is put into indifference and anonymity, there’s
always a story where woman is present and taking and active behave.
Gospels give us an image of Jesus’ position regarding to woman.
In the story of the anointing of Jesus’ feet, the Lord related
the message with her act of love. “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever
this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will
also be told as a memorial to her.” (Mat. 26:13)
The most simple and elemental gesture of Jesus was to accept women’s
company as a natural way, not paying attention to social, cultural and
religious prejudices. Lucas said that Jesus, during his public ministry,
counted not only with the company of the twelve apostles, but also some
women.
In the gospel and in the early church, begin to emerge women’s
names with identities and specific stories, with were related to Jesus
and his ministry: Mary, Mary Magdalene, Susan, Mary the mother of James,
Martha and Mary, sisters of Lazarus. In times of Christian church appear
some other women with leadership and influence: Phoebe, Priscilla, Persida,
Dorcas, Lidia, etc.
New Testament more than the Old one, contains many stories where women
joint their efforts with men because of a fair cause: the preaching and
spreading of the gospel and communion with brothers and sisters.
As Paul said, talking about the ceasing of racial, social and sex boundaries:
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither male nor female,
for you are all one in Christ Jesus”. (Gal. 3:28).
A LOOK INSIDE:
Small Group Festival
Santa Clara. Cuba
March 25. In this festival were gathered the Small Groups and the Groups
of prayer, having activities on Friday and Sabbath. We also have a graduation
of The Voice of Hope.
Saturday night, Pastor Samuel Diaz presented some seminars to improve
the quality of the activities in those groups. We concluded with a confraternity
lunch.
Santa Clara Church participates for second
time in the Terry Fox Maratón
Santa Clara, Cuba
Sunday, March 20. Seventh-day Adventist Church of Santa Clara participates
for second time in the Terry Fox Marathon of Hope, at 10:00 am, time of
Cuba.
Our leaders send the invitation to all the churches on the district, then
were joined the churches of Manicaragua, Matagua, Encrucijada and Santo
Domingo. Some other churches participated on their respective places.
This time our church was represented by 90 parishioners and members
of the Small Groups : children, youth, adults and also aged. They handle
the flats of Youth Ministry & Pathfinders. Also we exposed some drawings
by our children, as much as posters where we gave to know some of our
lifestyle, different ways to fight against cancer.
The Seventh Day Adventist Church from its beginning, has been promoting
a healthy lifestyle through keeping our body as a temple of the Holy Spirit
(1 Cor. 3: 16 ; 6: 19- 20) being pioneer of preventive and natural medicine
, nutrition and vegetarianism, the battle against alcohol and drug addiction.
We also have a large network of clinics and hospitals in all over the
world, also Collages and Medical Research Centers of international prestige
such as Montemorelos University in Mexico, Andrews Hospital and Loma Linda
Hospital, in US.
Terry Fox is consider the Second National Hero in Canada. He was a young
man who suffer from cancer , at the age of 18 was amputated his right
leg six inches above the knee. In such conditions he started a Marathon
of Hope on April 12, 1980 in his country Canada. Though his health doesn’t
allowed him to finish the ride, because he died on 1981, a month before
getting his 23 years old, he achieved to cross 6 Canada provinces with
an average of 43 km per day.
Since 1981, Canadian people makes the Terry Fox Marathon to continue
what he began: a battle against cancer, promoting also better lifestyle,
and also collecting funds to investigate about this desease.
This ride has been spread through more than 50 countries all over the
world. Our country joined to this program in 1998, only in Havana. Since
2003 was extensive to all provinces of Cuba. People participates by running,
walking, bycicle, skates and even in wheel chairs.
Me and my home: a relationship of love
Santa Clara, Cuba
11 – 12 March Santa Clara celebrated a Ministerial Retire of a
Central Delegation. We had the presence of Pastor Facundo Perugorría,
secretary of this Delegation, and other pastors, elders and their respective
wives.
Seminaries were in charge of Pastor Samuel Díaz, Ministerial
Secretary. Friday night, the topic was “A Christian marriage”
and Sabbath morning was “Communication in a conflict resolution”
and “Christian life and sex”.
These seminaries were chosen of a group prepared by the couple Mr. Gordon
Martinborough and Mrs. Waveney, who taught in the Cuban Theological College
to all pastors, for they can present them in each church.
In the afternoon, was made emphasis in the leadership, family life and
the most important tasks to make in the year.
Prayer walk
Matagua, Villa Clara, Cuba
March 6. Three missionary couples from Matagua, a little church near
Santa Clara, made a walk for prayer “Jesus’ coming soon.”
They walked through 14 km (9.3 miles), visiting the houses of that zone.
They talked to the people about Jesus’ coming, offered literature
about this topic and prayed for those people who requested it.
About the plans of this zone, is leader Alberto Luis Rodríguez
expressed: “This first contact was for friendship. The second step
is offering courses of The Voice of Hope and the third is to after them
bible studies.”
Let’s pray for these members, always willing to spread the message
of salvation to all people.
Women’s prayer Day
Santa Clara, Cuba
March 5. Santa Clara celebrated a special programming for the International
Women’s Prayer Day, leaded by Women Ministry in this church.
Sabbath school was about this topic, and the sermon was preached by
the leader of this Ministry, Mrs. Elizabeth Flores and three other women:
Elizabeth Mesa, Rebeca Mesa and Zurisaday Penton, they all talked about
women in the bible.
In the afternoon, all the ladies had a meeting in where were touched
some interesting topics and future plans, among them is to offer a spiritual
retire to ladies in next months.
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