Mar. 28, 2006 Silver Spring, Maryland, United States

Compiled by ANN Staff

Women Learn to Sew to Earn Income ... Women in Tajikistan who had no way to earn an income before are now learning how to become seamstresses because of a partnership between the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs).  On Feb. 8, ADRA provided the local NGO Khairia, with raw material for sewing training, as well as clothes for the women involved in the training classes. ADRA contributed 10 bales of clothing, valued at an estimated US$3,300. The project will last for three months. ADRA is also planning to work with 10 additional NGOs in Tajikistan, providing raw material for sewing, and distributing clothing among more than 11,000 persons in need. In total, ADRA will contribute more than 55 tons of clothing and raw material, valued at US$369,600.

Adventist Church in Iraq Has a New Leader ... The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Iraq, beset by war and the loss of members who have emigrated to other nations, has a new president: Basim Fargo, formerly secretary-treasurer of the church there. He was elected by leaders of the church’s Middle East region, who met with Iraqi Adventist leaders. During the meeting, according to Pastor Kjell Aune, regional church president, it was disclosed that membership, formerly at 250, has probably dropped to around 100 Adventists in Iraq, although two people were baptized there in 2005.

Jamaican Adventist Leader Honored ... Dr. Herbert Thompson, president of Northern Caribbean University (NCU), a Seventh-day Adventist Institution, was recognized by staff and community members for his 15 years of service to the university. A thanksgiving service was held on NCU’s campus March 27. Last November, the Board of Governors of the institution elected Dr. Thompson to serve as president for another five years. Under his leadership, the then West Indies College was elevated to university status in 1998, and today, of the 100-plus Adventist tertiary institutions across the world, Northern Caribbean University is one of the largest.

Ministerial Broadcast Airs Globally ... Pastors, clergy and laypersons around the world came together to participate in this year’s Ministry Professional Growth Seminar, held at Sligo Seventh-day Adventist church in Takoma Park, Maryland, United States. The March 21 broadcast was transmitted live globally via satellite, webcast and the Hope Channel, with a satellite rebroadcast the following day. The event included both presentations and discussions, allowing members of the worldwide audience to ask questions of the speakers and distinguished panelists.  In his welcome address, president of the Adventist world church Jan Paulsen echoed the need for clergy of all faiths to continue in education and growth. Speakers included Adventist Review associate editor Roy Adams, Fuller Theological Seminary professor Marguerite Shushter, Adventist World editor William Johnsson, and Haddon Robinson, the Harold John Ockenga Distinguished Professor of Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts.

Adventist University Symposium Discusses the Sabbath ... Scholars at Friedensau Adventist University in Friedensau, Germany recently discussed the Sabbath at an on-campus symposium. They discussed what Sabbath means for Jews and Christians and how many with no traditional ties to the 24-hour period embrace it as an important time of rejuvenation and rest in an increasingly fast-paced society. Some 70 people attended the March 19 event. The speakers included: Dr. Franz Segbers, professor for ethics and social politics; Dr. Susanne Talabardon-Galley, Seminar of Rabbinic Theology, University of Potsdam; Dr. John Webster, professor for Systematic Theology, La Sierra University, United States; Dr. Udo Worschech, professor for Old Testament and Biblical Archaeology, Friedensau Adventist University. A publication summarizing the topics presented will be issued within the year to reach an even broader audience.

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