Adventist Education—Applying Basic Christian Dogmas y career in elementary education ers. It prepares the student for the joy of began at Whispering Pines school on service in this world and for the higher joy Long Island in New York. To be state of wider service in the world to come”— M DUCATION certified, it was necessary to take additional E , p.13. courses in reading. I enrolled at C. W. Post. Adventist Education is necessary! It pro- The first class began with introductions. vides roots essential for the development of Each student announced their name, the a successful life. An alumnus of Adventist K-16 education, now an anesthesiology stu- school at which they were teaching, and the dent conceded it was easier to perform his type of reading textbook used in their function knowing he could count on God’s school system. Everyone knew the schools presence. Another alumna, a recent law “Adventist mentioned until it came to me. No one had school graduate, attributes the poise and ever heard of Whispering Pines Seventh-day clarity in presenting cases to the preparation Education is Adventist School. For what felt like eternity for education days at church. A CPA has everyone’s attention was centered on me as I given up the opportunity of lucrative explained the uniqueness of the reading employment to open a day care center in necessary! It textbook with less than a year’s experience Bermuda. The impact Adventist education to draw on. At the end of my faltering pres- had on her life made her determined to provides roots entation, the professor graciously conceded make children’s first experience in education that if I preferred I could select another distinctively Adventist. As a teacher, it is essential for the reading textbook to analyze. exhilarating to listen to former students I decided to remain with the Adventist share how experiences in schools of no par- development Reading series. It was providential that I did. ticular renown have enabled them to be Each session, as components of exemplary successful professionals. basal readers were discussed, they were This issue features people whose lives of a identified in the Adventist textbook. At the have been molded by Adventist education end of the course not only did my textbook K-16. Eternity will unfold many more. I successful life.” meet all requisites of a perfect basal but, in want to pay tribute to the unsung heros addition, principles of Seventh-day behind these success stories—Church Adventist values were part of the text. What members whose sacrificial offering funds a validation for a first year teacher! Adventist education and who spend hours “Our ideas of education take too narrow on school boards. Pastors who rally church and too low a range. There is need of a boards to maintain financial assistance and broader scope, a higher aim. True education regularly schedule visits to schools, con- means more than the perusal of a certain ducting worships for students and associat- course of study. It means more than a ing with them on the playground. preparation for the life that now is. It has to Principals, teachers and staff for countless do with the whole being, and with the hours of preparation and planning. whole period of existence possible to man. Conference administrators who allocate It is the harmonious development of the substantial sums to support Adventist edu- physical, the mental, and the spiritual pow- cation. Education superintendents who DITORIAL April 2002, Vol. CI, No. 4 The Atlantic Union GLEANER is published monthly by the Atlantic Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 400 Main Street, South Lancaster, MA 01561. Printed by Review and Herald® Publishing Association, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Standard postage paid at Hagerstown, MD 21740. Annual subscription price, $8.00. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Review ® E and Herald Publishing Association, 55 West Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740. 2 Atlantic Union GLEANER, April 2002 Editorial...continued labor continually to strengthen the spiritual and academic climate. Parents who sacrifice to provide their children with Adventist education. The testimonies we read are only a foretaste of the far reaching influence of Adventist education. Let us not lose sight of the evangelistic potential in Adventist education. A recent report points out that only one-third of insideAPRIL Adventist school age children are in Adventist schools. I encourage every 2002 constituent in the Atlantic Union to think of creative ways to ensure that every Adventist child is enrolled in an Adventist school. Let us all make Adventist Education— Adventist education our mission field. “Every soul that has made a profes- EDITORIAL: Applying Basic Christian Dogmas sion of Christ has pledged himself to be all that it is possible for him to be as 2 a spiritual worker, to be active, zealous, and efficient in his Master’s service. Absolute Perspective 4 Christ expects every [person] to do [their] duty; let this be the watchword throughout the ranks of His followers”—COUNSELS ON STEWARDSHIP, p.43. Focus on Feet 5 Astrid Thomassian is the associate director of education for COVER STORY: Adventist Education the Atlantic Union Conference. Pays… The Work Continues 6 2002 Summer Camp Schedule 14 UPCOMING EVENTS ¿Qué Está Pasando? 26 Atlantic Union College: Quoi de Neuf? 27 ALUMNI HOMECOMING WEEKEND — APRIL 12-14, 2002 Youth Connections 28 Friday, April 12, 2002 12:30 p.m. New England Historical Tour with David Knott OLLEGE EWS 7:30 p.m. Vespers Service in the College church C N Speaker: Anthony Romeo Atlantic Union College Featuring: Pro Arts International Choir under the direction of 7 Francisco de Araujo and the New England Youth Ensemble under the direction of Virginia-Jean Rittenhouse with six-year-old CONFERENCE NEWS pianist, Noah Caby. Performing the Hayden Concerto. Greater New York Saturday, April 13, 2002 16 11:00 a.m. Divie Service Speaker: Dr. Lilya Wagner Featured choir will be the Cantus Reunion Choir Bermuda 18 8:00 p.m. Piano Recital by AUC Alumnus Nerva Altino from New York Red Room, Thayer Mansion New York 19 Sunday, April 14, 2002 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mabel Bartlett Art Gallery—Art Exhibition Northeastern 20 FINE ARTS WEEKEND — APRIL 19-20, 2002 Northern New England Friday, April 19, 2002 22 7:30 p.m. Vespers—AUC Music Department Southern New England 24 Saturday, April 20, 2002 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. An Evening with Beethoven and Mozart Pro Arts International Choir and the New England Ensemble INFORMATION GRADUATION — MAY 10-12, 2002 Bulletin Board Baccalaureate Service Speaker: 29 Walter Pearson Breath of Life Television Classifieds 30 For more information call (978) 368-2340 BOUT THE OVER Using the theme, “AAdventist Education PaysC … The Work: Continues,” this spe- cial education issue focuses on individuals who have received their educatin through the Adventist system from K-16. For information on upcoming events, news items, and the GLEANER online visit our web site at: ASI: To learn more about becoming a member of ASI con- www.atlantic-union.org tact you local conference ASI director. Atlantic Union GLEANER, April 2002 3 AbsoluteAbsolute PerspectivePerspective think I must have been in standard three, the an opinion based on his or her personal home expe- British equivalent of grade four, when as a class we riences and exposures, but each with one common Iread aloud the poem entitled, “The Blind Men and purpose—to receive an education. The responsibility the Elephant.” At that tender age my mind could not of Christian Seventh-day Adventist educators is to begin to grasp the lessons the author, John Godfrey provide an absolutely Christ-centered education. An Saxe, intended. As the story unfolded, six learned education that shares knowledge that absolutely blind men sort to describe an elephant. Each reveals the true nature and character of Christ. One approached the elephant from a different angle. Each that absolutely invites students to pursue godliness rendered an opinion based on his personal experi- and godlikeness. One that absolutely encourages the ence and perspective. Each had one common pur- attainment of excellence for the honor of God and pose, defining the elephant. But, Saxe concluded the good of humanity. that each in his own opinion was right, and yet all For many years, our office of Education has were in the wrong. Our teacher’s question to us at shared with you, our constituents and supporters, the end of that reading experience was, what do you the goals of Seventh-day Adventist education, they think the author was really saying? Since the teacher have been absolute and sustained. We have been took no clear position, I was left to conclude that continually blessed by your unselfish, unwavering right was relative and there were no absolutes. commitment to support the program. In this our My perspective and my life changed while attend- fourth annual education edition we seek to share ing our church school. It was then that I challenged with you some recognizable, measurable outcomes. John Saxe’s conclusion. It became more and more Outcomes that are grounded in absolutes. We difficult to argue that right was relative when encourage you to read and be blessed. encouraged on a daily basis to stand like Daniel, Joseph, and so many others who found favor with Rosemary Tyrrell is the director of education for the God; who experienced enviable status not because Atlantic Union Conference. of their blind pursuits or personal perspectives but “because they kept before them the glory of God and were obedient to His word.” Obedience I con- cluded was an COMING THIS FALL absolute.