THE LOGOS A Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Weekly Publication Volume 8, Number 34, August 25, 2001

In his address to the graduates at the Commencement Service, Professor Kenneth Hall, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal of the Mona Campus, University of the West Indies, spoke on the theme "New Roads...New Destiny." He commented that the world has become saturated with materialism, and that a resurgence of interest in spiritual values is taking place. The education provided at Northern Caribbean University, he said, can create graduates who are materially ambitious, and spiritually balanced. According to Professor Kenneth Hall, the new road which the graduates take requires that they build on the achievements of his own generation, to create the new age of globalization and social and economic well-being. He encouraged the NCU graduates to develop the scientific, agricultural, industrial and entrepreneurial breakthroughs that will help to make this possible.

In presenting a review and forecast of Northern Caribbean University, President Herbert J. Thompson spoke of the successes of the past year, including the construction and development of a new 220-vehicle parking area, as well as a 500,000-gallon reservoir, currently under construction, which is being funded by the Government of Jamaica. Dr. Thompson also spoke of plans for the opening of a new university extension campus in Brown's Town, St. Ann, in September, 2001, bringing the number to four of the existing extension campuses, which include Kingston, Montego Bay, and Mandeville. The NCU President presented the President's Medallion for Distinguished Service to Mrs. Venetia Douce, who served Northern Caribbean University in various academic and administrative capacities since January 1962.

A former President of the West Indies Union Conference of SDA, Pastor Hiram S. Walters, was conferred with the Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree. The conferral, which took place on August 4 during a Special Graduation Commencement Service in Orlando, Florida, where Pastor H.S. Walters lives, was well supported by persons whose lives he had touched from the Caribbean, United Kingdom and all across the USA and Canada. Dr. Silas N. McKinney, former president of West Indies Union, was the main speaker. Also attending were Pastor and Mrs. K.D. Albury of the Bahamas Conference. An edited video version of the August 4 conferral of the honorary degree was presented at the Commencement on Sunday, August 12. Due to failing health, Pastor Walters could not travel to Jamaica for the conferral and so a team of administrators led by NCU President Dr. Herbert J. Thompson journeyed to Orlando to participate and officiate in this very important day in the life of Dr. H.S. Walters.Public Relations/NCU

WIU President Speaks

On Flexi-Week Proposal

The President of West Indies Union, Dr. Patrick Allen, has addressed the Jamaican Government's flexible work week proposal, charging that it does not allow Sabbath keepers to have corporate worship and it does not encourage them to have quality family time. Dr. Allen said that the Government's Green Paper, which is being circulated for deliberation, has missed the mark.

"The Green Paper does not specify or guarantee that individuals will be allowed that period of time God has given them for worship. Too many things are left up to the employers," he said following a luncheon he and other senior pastors had with the Gleaner's Managing Director, Oliver Clarke, Editor-in-Chief Garfield Grandison and Managing Editor Jenni Campbell.

Dr. Allen, who is also chairman of Northern Caribbean University, added that the Government is responsible to protect citizens' rights whether they be religious or otherwise. He said as far as the Seventh-day Adventist Church is concerned, this has not been addressed in the Green Paper and his church will be meeting with the Government to discuss it.

"We don't have a problem with flexi-week, but there should be built into the whole proposal the right of individuals to their day of worship and time to spend with their families because we don't want family values to erode any further," he said.

He reasoned that if people spend an unusual amount of time at work, there could hardly be left quality time for "family, fellowship and worship," elements, he said, which were not addressed in the Green Paper.

He said people's religions are very important to them and he urged the Government to closely consider these issues.

"You want a satisfied work force, and if these critical values are left out you are going to have a dissatisfied work force and maybe an absentee work force," Dr. Allen said. "Give the people what is fundamentally theirs and you can get back from them as much as you want from them."

The group of churchmen who visited the Gleaner (a daily Jamaican newspaper) included Pastor Everett Brown, president of Central Jamaica Conference, Pastor Derek Bignall, president of East Jamaica Conference, Pastor Basil Reid, president of West Jamaica Conference, and Elder Aston Barnes, a former treasurer of the West Indies Union. PR/WIU

Men's Convention 2001

The first all-Bahamian Seventh-day Adventist Men's Convention will be held October 19-21 at Clarion South Ocean Beach Hotel & resort.

This convention will be attracting participants from our Adventist Church family through our commonwealth.

All Seventh-day Adventist men and boys are asked to register early. This convention will be on a first- come, first-confirmed basis...please register as soon as possible.

Presenters are: Eric Allen, H.A. Roach, Richard O'Ffill, Joseph Evans, Alfred Sears and Isaac Collie. There will be 200 all-male voices in congregational singing. You don't want to miss it!

Veteran Pastor Observes 40^th Wedding Anniversary

Pastor and Mrs. H.A. Roach will observe their 40^th wedding anniversary on Wednesday, August 29. A weekend of activities is planned beginning at Grant's Town Church, continuing at Centreville and Maranatha Churches. A luncheon is also planned for Sunday afternoon, September 2, at the Radisson Hotel. Congratulations to Pastor and Mrs. Roach as they look forward to reaching 40 years of marriage bliss. Golden Memories for the Golden Couples

History was made as the Ephesus Church held a grand fellowship dinner on Sunday, August 19, 2001 in honor of three outstanding couples who were celebrating a total of 140 years of marriage. Elder & Mrs.Stanley Major and Elder & Mrs. Alfred Brennen headed the list with 50 years each and Elder & Mrs. Wendell Albury followed closely with 40 years.

The church hall was transformed into a banquet hall with beautiful decorations and melodious music. The Mistress of Ceremonies, Cheryl Forbes, did a wonderful job in entertaining everyone with her anecdotes and activities. The walk down memory lane was hilarious as the couples diapered, dressed and plaited the hair of doll babies. It was evident that the couples love each other deeply as they re-enacted how they cut their cakes at their weddings. The Ephesus family expressed their love by showering plaques, flowers and cards on the honourees. The couples gave words of advice and expressed their surprise, shock and appreciation for the surprise event held in their honour -Charisee Neely, Church Clerk