Showing posts with label Community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Community. Show all posts

Friday, July 9, 2010

Vacation Bible School

Children across America have been looking forward to the end of June since the beginning of September. They all know that the end of June equals summer, and that means vacation. Time to drop the books and uniforms and get ready to play!

Well, life isn't all about playing, and summer isn't about doing nothing. The children need something constructive to do with their time and talents. True, children need to play. And it's also true that they need recreation. But temperance should prevail: don't give them too little to do and don't give them too much to do.

We at South Brooklyn believe that one of the most wholesome activities children can immerse themselves in during the summer months is Vacation Bible School (or just VBS for short). Our VBS this year is based on the "Castles & Crowns" evangelism curriculum. It runs for two weeks, from June 5 to July 16, 2010, from 8:30AM to 1:00PM. During that time, the children sing Bible songs, play Bible games, engage in physical activity like bike and skateboard riding, meet new friends, create arts and crafts, and make new friends, all under the watchful eyes of dedicated staff in a Christian environment.

You should see the children. They're enjoying themselves so much they don't want to go. Instead of reciting the words to songs that talk about negative lifestyles they're singing about Jesus being good to them. Instead of talking about the Diary of a Wimpy Kid they're talking about King Joash. Instead of running the streets they're riding bikes and skateboards.

Click the white triangle to see a slideshow


Elder Marcia Phillip, our Sabbath School Superintendent, implemented the program this year. She is supported by Sisters Diana Cato, Akesia Phillip, Anika McShine, Akilah Phillip, and a few volunteers. They are responsible for sharing Jesus Christ and a safe, Christian environment with your children.

Do you have children that would benefit from such a program? Maybe you know someone with children who would do well to enroll their children? Come out and join us. Spread the word. It's better for your children to be in such an environment instead of places where they would not get the same nurturing.

There's only one week left, so take advantage of the opportunity while you can. Once it's over there won't be another VBS until next year. We have a graduation planned at the end for all of the children who participated. Why not come out and support them? They would love it. (Stay tuned for details of the graduation.)

God bless you, as you bless others.
Elder Scott Hampton

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Tragedy in Haiti

On Tuesday, the nation of Haiti was rocked with a devastating earthquake that registered an astounding 7.0 magnitude, which sent aftershocks of up to 5.9 further across into the Dominican Republic. Without a doubt, something major happened that should send a message to Haitians, Haitian-Americans, Americans, and humans in general.

One message that the earthquake should have sent is that, as predicted eloquently in the Bible, there will be a time when strong buildings, cities, and nations will not be able to stand. There will be earthquakes and famines. Major tragedies.

But another message is sent, one that pulls at the heartstrings of every human with compassion. What is that message? That we love one another. That, I believe, is a message that we can all accept.

Jesus Christ said "…by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another", and I believe that. In this time of tragedy for the Haitians, we as humans have to rise to the occasion and take a firm grip of the indomitable "human spirit"—the same one that New Yorkers resorted to during the tragedy of 9/11—and show our love to our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

What can you do to support? Find what you can satisfactorily do and exert the effort to see it through to fruition. There are humans in legitimate need depending on your benevolent assistance. Find the most wholesome resource to give to, and then trust that God will do the rest. If you need help choosing a place to give, consider ADRA. Their track record is impeccable.

God bless you, as you bless others.
Elder Scott Hampton

Friday, January 1, 2010

Welcome to South Brooklyn!

"Ye are the salt of the earth...ye are the light of the world...let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven". 
— Matthew 5:13, 14, 16

Welcome!
The doors and hearts of the South Brooklyn Seventh-day Adventist Church are always open to welcome you. We are not unique in that we too experience the daily vicisitudes of life.  As you visit or join with us in worship or other activities you will find us to be individuals of like passion.

We have re-examined our position in the community where we serve and we want to expand our services to include the needs we have neglected.  Please do not hesitate to call on us whenever there is a family, social or spiritual need. Because there are a broad range of health concerns in our communities today we are prepared to offer counsel in food preparation as well as other counsels on health and wellness.

Safety is another very big concern to many parents and guardians today. At South Brooklyn we offer excellent counsel for keeping safe and becoming a part of the solution for such a vital concern.

It is not a surprise that worship has declined among the churches in the black community, here again we invite you to come and join with us at South Brooklyn where we will listen to your opinions and suggestions. We know that traditionally we have looked to the church for leadership in our community, at South Brooklyn we want to rebuild the "old waste places" and offer the spiritual and social security which has been the backbone of our families for centuries.

We are most interested in the youth of our community because in reality we will look to you as leaders in the future. We invite you to come and dialogue with us in an exchange of ideas for the development of spiritual growth in our neighborhood.

Finally, as pastor of this great institution in this community, please feel free to call upon me for all your spiritual needs. I gladly offer a broad range professional counsel. Call for marriage, premarital, divorce recovery, or other social needs. We look forward to seeing you at South Brooklyn Seventh-day Adventist Church in the near future.

God bless you,
Pastor Jones