5th Annual Bible Conference In Session

This afternoon the Bible Conference continues at three o' clock. Members and visitors can anticipate another thought-provoking presentation on end-time events and the opportunity to ask questions and to have them answered. Additionally, a number of books written by Dr. LaRondelle will be on sale following the Sabbath. Dr. LaRondelle will accommodate persons wishing to have their books autographed.

As Dr. LaRondelle welcomes every opportunity to share God's word he will be in attendance at the Centreville Church during the Sabbath School period. In place of the regular lessons conducted by teachers he will present an overview of the theme of this quarter's lesson. Thereafter, hewill make his way to Grant's Town to deliver the midday message.

. The Conference's Administration is pleased to have Dr. Hans LaRondelle, a former teacher of many of our ministers and a noted scholar of our church, along with his wife as our special guest for this weekend. As noted, Dr. LaRondelle, Professor Emeritus of Andrews University Theological Seminary. Known as one of the church's most pre-eminent scholars on eschatology or last-day events, Dr Hans has authored 16 books in three languages and co-authored another ten books. Among his works are Perfection and Perfectionism (Dissertation); Christ Our Salvation (in 10 languages); Deliverance in the Psalms; The Israel of God in Prophecy: Principles of Prophetic Interpretation; Chariots of Salvation: the Biblical Drama of Armageddon; The Good News about Armageddon; How to Understand The End-Time Prophecies of the Bible: The Biblical Contextual Approach; Assurance of Salvation; and Light for Last Days.

Plan to attend.

Adventists in Political Office: ANN Poll Reveals Conflicting Views

Seventh-day Adventists have a legitimate role to play in political leadership say a large majority of those responding to a recent online poll conducted by Adventist News Network. The poll, in which visitors to the Adventist Church's web site registered their opinion on the question "Should an Adventist run for political office" drew some 2,800 responses. Sixty-six percent of respondents said that Adventists should run for office; 28 percent disagreed, and 6 percent were undecided.

Dr. Angel Rodriguez, an associate in the Adventist Church's Biblical Research Institute, says that there is no official Adventist Church position on whether individual church members should, or should not, run for political office. "It is a matter for the individual, and his or her conscience," adds Rodriguez. He says that some elements of political life can prove difficult for people of faith and for Adventists in particular.

"Campaigning doesn't automatically stop on Sabbath [or Saturday]," says Rodriguez, who adds that an individual's commitment to Sabbathkeeping may often be challenged by the demands of political office. He also points out that truth is often perceived to be a casualty in the political process, and that the culture of political give-and-take and compromise may also make it difficult for people of faith to maintain allegiance to their principles in some circumstances.

Tim Poirier, an associate in the Ellen G. White Estate located at the Adventist Church's world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, points out that Ellen White, a pioneer of the Adventist Church, counseled against the church as an institution becoming involved in partisan politics. He adds, however, that she did not take the position that individuals should refrain from playing a role within the political sphere.

Addressing Adventist teachers and students in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1883, White said: "Have you thoughts that you dare not express, that you may one day . . . sit in deliberative and legislative councils, and help to enact laws for the nation? There is nothing wrong in these aspirations."

According to Rodriguez, the Adventist Church's caution regarding partisan politics does not indicate social apathy; the church has a long history of engaging in social issues that have political significance, he says. He cites the strong anti-slavery position taken by many founders of the Adventist Church. The church also subsequently became known for its global anti-tobacco push, long before the issue became a popular political agenda item.

"Today, the church continues to release official statements on issues ranging from gambling, to religious liberty, to public health; statements that clearly show that the Adventist Church is engaged with social realities, and that it seeks to have its voice heard in the public sphere," says Rodriguez.

"One can cite many countries where Adventists have played a sometimes prominent role in legislative activity including Uganda, Papua New Guinea, and the United States, to name just a few," says Ray Dabrowski, communication director for the Adventist Church worldwide. "Some church members feel strongly that they have a responsibility as Adventist Christians to get involved and make a difference in the public life of their country."

John Beckett, an assistant director in the Adventist Church's communication department and webmaster for its site, says that ANN's poll results do not reflect a scientific sampling. The exercise, he says, is intended to raise questions that are of interest to Christians and to "get a sense of what our site visitors feel about the issue."

"AIDS is Everyone's Problem:" Adventist Church Establishes New HIV/AIDS Committee.

Continued from last week

Drawing parallels with Biblical times, Hopkins says that "AIDS is the leprosy of today. And where we have tended to step back, Jesus would be stepping forward."

Contrary to widespread assumptions, says Hopkins, some 85 percent of new HIV/AIDS cases are the result of heterosexual, rather than homosexual, contact. Approximately 50 percent of new cases globally are in the 14 to 25-year-old age group. In fact, Hopkins says, the most vulnerable group, in physiological terms, are young women, whose thin cervical tissue offers reduced protection against infection.

When asked why the Adventist Church has a responsibility to AIDS sufferers, Elder says it is a matter of Christian integrity. "No church that claims Christ can fail to respond to the AIDS crisis," he says. "We are called, as a church, to be a city of refuge, yet on the whole we are not. We need to develop a willingness to hold and to love, to be open to people, and to let the Gospel and the Holy Spirit work on their hearts."

Now a clinician at the County AIDS Clinic in San Bernardino, California, Elder says that many of his AIDS patients are responsive to the message of hope in Christ. He says that, in his experience, around a third of the patients become Christian believers, because "for many of these people, sex or drugs had been their god, and their god attacked them. They are searching for a God who will love them."

Elder says that the international composition of the newly established AIDS committee is a step forward in developing a worldwide, integrated response to the HIV/AIDS crisis. The 31-member committee includes Adventist health professionals and church leaders from Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

The committee will make recommendations on strategies for "prevention and control of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among Seventh-day Adventists," for "ministry and service" to church members with HIV/AIDS, and for "advocacy for individuals with HIV/AIDS which address such areas as acceptance within the community of believers, housing, insurance, medical care, and employment." The committee will also make recommendations on the "appropriate involvement of Church resources and personnel to address the HIV/AIDS crisis." The first meeting of the committee is scheduled for mid-January 2001. ANN

Health Ministries

The Health Ministries Department will be hosting a very special Cocktail Reception for all Health professionals, health ministries directors and their assistants. Reception will be held at the Centreville Church Hall at 4 pm on Sunday, November 19^th. Dress: Semi-formal

New Domain for Conference's Websites

It is now official our new and simple domain name is as follows:

www.bahamsconference.org, or bahamasconference.net or bahamasconference.com. Take your pick and access our Website where ever you are in the world. Also the Adventist Counseling Website is fully operational. It is www.adventistcounseling.org. In addition, you would be pleased to know that since recent upgrading and the transfer of Pastor Brennen, Coordinator of Internet Ministries to the Department our hits have increased significantly. Keep up the great work Pastor Brennen.

NEW MEMBERS INVITED TO JOIN MASS CHOIR 2001

The Mass Youth Chorale will meet for rehearsal today at 4 pm at Bethany. Interested persons are invited to become members.

COMING SOON HARMONIOUS PRAISE IN CONCERT

Harmonious Praise will be performing in concert Saturday, November 25, 2000, at the Holy Trinity Centre. You are invited to make a special effort to attend. Tickets are available from members.

Sun sets today at 5:22 p.m.

Sun sets next Sabbath at 5:20 p.m.

PRE-SCHOOL TEACHERS PROGRAMME

Bahamas Academy Continuing Education Division is now offering a certificate course for pre-school teachers. Classes begin November 27, 2000. Call 393-9362 for details regarding registration, or stop by the office at Bahamas Academy on Wulff Road.

BANQUET OF THE NEW CENTURY

SDA Children's Ministries Banquet will be held at the Nassau Marriot Crystal Place November 26, 2000, from 1 p.m. until. The banquet is open to children ages 5 plus. Tickets $15. See your Children's Ministries Leader or contact R. Smith at 325-6885.

**VIDEO TAPES of the Memorial and State Funeral for Sir Lynden Pindling, former Prime Minister of the Bahamas, are available for $25 at the ABC.

DEL ROSA STEEL BAND COMMITTEE TO MEET

Members of the Del Rosa Steel Band Committee are reminded of their meeting on Tuesday, November 21, at 2 p.m. at the Conference Office. Children's Day Sabbath, November 25. Morning Services will be held in the individual Churches. The Evening Service will be a Joint Children's Concert at the Hillview Church.

Children's Ministries Leaders meeting immediately after the Bible Conference on Saturday, November 18, in the east wing upper room at the Hillview Church. Please plan to meet with us.

The Adventist Health Ministries will be hosting a Health Seminar Cruise, Sunday, July 29 ­ Sunday, August 5, 2001. Seminar such as, "How to Live A Stress Free Life, Changing your Body one Step at a time. How to keep a Positive Mind Set, Men/Women Health Issues, Activities for Children and the whole family." You can't afford to miss it. Further details at Convention 2001. If Interested, contact Mrs. Joan Duncombe at the Office and leave your name and Phone Number.

First Annual Health Ministries

Corporate Fun-Run will be held, February 19, 2001. Please call Joan Duncombe for further information.

BA SECONDARY

**BA Secondary is in urgent need of a substitute English teacher for grades 9 and 10 for the period November 27, 2000, to March 9, 2001. Interested persons should contact Principal Rolle at the school or call 393-3381 during business hours