Tips for Ministering to the Sick and Dying

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Ministering to the sick and dying are great opportunities to demonstrate unconditional love, but it is also scary. It is often scary because many do not know what to do or say when someone is sick or dying.  
Even though ministry to the sick and/or dying should be understood as a natural part of the Gospel, this caring ministry does not come naturally or by happenstance. It requires a level of training, compassion, and understanding. Too often more pain is inflicted, and more emotional injury caused simply by the things said, done, or not done to the one who is sick, dying or grieving.

Here are two of six tips to assist in this ministry. The remaining four will be in a future article.

1.      Respect privacy and do not gossip. It is so important to respect the privacy of those who are sick and/or dying. There are some people who do not want to tell anyone or only a few persons, what illness or medical condition they have. Respect that by not asking a direct question. Do not probe. On the other hand, if someone does tell what illness he or she has, do not gossip about it. Seek permission to share it. There are some people who have no scruples with sharing anything about their lives. However, this is not true for everyone. It is deeply disrespectful to share personal information one is not authorized to give. You do not need to know what the problem is in order to care or to pray for comfort or healing. When it is time to pray, do not ask “What illness do you have so I can pray about it.” That is intrusive. What you can do is ask “Is there anything specific you would like me to pray for?”  

2.      Remember, silence is golden. One of the greatest gifts one can give to someone who is ill or dying is the gift of being there--your presence. There is a warm and cuddly feeling we get to know that some care and that caring is best demonstrated by just being there and being attentive to the needs of the person. There is a beautiful secular song of the 1960s by the singing group called The Tremeloes, entitled “Silence is golden, but my eyes still see.” The storyline is not directly relevant to this topic, but I will make an effective application. More often than we believe, it is best to keep our mouths shut and our hearts and eyes open. When visiting the sick and/or dying, this is most applicable. Just your presence is powerful. That’s the silence. “But my eyes still see” is the keenness and awareness of the one who is visiting the sick or talking to someone at church who is not well. It is noticing the dropping shoulder, the tear-stained face, the sudden loss of weight, the broken windows at the home, the empty food cabinets, etc., and then responding passionately. Too often we hear people say, “I did not even notice,” or “I did nothing,” or “I never cared.” It is true, silence is golden, but we can still see the pain. So lovingly respond.

Standby for Part 2.
--Barrington Brennen, a Marriage and Family Therapist and the Co-President, Sounds of Encouragement Association


CONFERENCE CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT A GLANCE
February 2020
Evangelistic Reaping Season for Pastors
1: Mission Transform 242 Sick & At Home Members (Local Church/District)
1: Reach the World: Personal Outreach
1: Fact finding at churches (Music Ministries) 2020 begins
2: Men and Boys Prayer Service
3: 8 Weeks to Wellness start
7 – 9: Family Island Youth Congress
7 – 9: CHAM Workshop/Certification
9: Personal Ministries Leaders & Retention Committee Meeting
8 – 15: Christian Home and Marriage Week
10 – 12: ATCU Education Summit (Nassau)
15: IAD Virtual Elder’s Council
15: Elder’s Certification/IAD Virtual Elder’s Council
16: PARL Conclave
21 – 22: Choral Conducting Workshop for Choir Directors (p.m.)
23: Local Publishing Coordinators Training
23 – 27: Sabbath School and Personal Ministries International Congress (Mexico)
24 – 27: ATCU Treasurers’ and Accountants’ Training (Nassau)
29: 1st Quarter Youth Day (a.m) Local Church)
29: Youth Church (p.m) Joint AY


ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES
Treasury Department
There will be a meeting for all Treasurers and Assistant Treasurers on Sunday February 9th, 2020 at the Conference office at 10:00 a.m. All treasurers are encouraged to please attend.

Risk Management 
There will be a meeting for all local church leaders at the New Providence Seventh-day Adventist Church on Sunday February 23, 2020 at 6:00 p.m - 8:00 p.m. All are encouraged to attend especially those that are affiliated with the children, youth and church safety. The topic will be Child Safety and Church Safety.
--Mrs. Kimberley Bryan, Chief Financial Officer


PLANT SERVICES INVITATION FOR BIDS
The South Bahamas Conference is accepting bids for the cleaning (pressure washing) and painting of our office building and perimeter wall on Tonique Williams Darling HWY.  Bids can be submitted to the office on or before Thursday February 6, 2020. 
--Elder Anthony Burrows


SOUTH BAHAMAS CONFERENCE BIBLE CLASS
Bible Class resumes on Sunday February 9, 2020 at 6:30p.m, the New Englerston Seventh-day Adventist Church. Initial subjects will include Sabbath, Second Coming, State of the Dead, Sanctuary, Seal of God, Spirit of Prophecy, Salvation. The lessons will be interactive, and attendees will be furnished with links to free online information for further reading. Attendees are encouraged to download the Logos Bible Software app for their phones/tables and computers. Other topics to be covered this year include: Why your Bible has 66 books and not 88, how to discover the author of a Bible book, using Greek and Hebrew words, finding themes in a book of the Bible the authors core message and much more. bible@sbcadventist.org.bs for further information.


CHILDREN & ADOLESCENT MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATION LEVEL ONE
February 7 - February 9, 2020.
This training is for leaders and persons involved in the CHAM department.
Session Times:
Friday evening - 6:30p.m
Saturday afternoon - 4:00p.m
Sunday morning - 8:00a.m.
Presentation topics: Understanding Gracelink, Active Learning, Faith Development of Children, Raising Children to Adore God, Positive Class Discipline, Protecting Children From Abuse, Safety & Emergency Procedures For Children, Understanding Child Development & How They Learn.
--Mrs. Lavern Sturrup, Children & Adolescent Ministries Director

COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT BEHRINGER CONSOLE TRAINING 
February 2, 2020 session continues.
PLEASE NOTE:
Participants from last week’s session are asked to download the X32 App to your tablets or laptop computers before the training session on Sunday. For download to android tablets: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.davidgiga1993.mixingstation.ah_qu&hl=en
For iPads: Go to the Apple Store and download the X32 app.
– Mrs. Lavern Sturrup, Communication Director.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
There will be a very important meeting for all local church Education Secretaries on Wednesday February 5, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at the Conference office. Please be on time as the meeting will only be for 30 minutes.
–Elder Anthony Burrows, Education Director


HEALTH MINISTRIES
Health Leadership Training
Thank you to all the Health leaders, assistants and the AHPA Executives who attended the Leadership training on Sunday, January 26, 2020.  We would also like to express our appreciation to the presenters, namely Dr. Keith Major, Mr. Larnardo Rolle, Ms. Shandera Smith, Pastors T. Basil Sturrup and Lynden Williams for their dynamic and motivational presentations. 
--Mrs. Nathelyn LaCroix, Health Ministries Director


MEN’S MINISTRIES CAMP KALAQUA TRIP
Adventist Men can now register for the Florida Conference’s Men’s Ministries Convention, Camp Kalaqua to be held on March 13-15, 2020.  The event is for males 13 and older. Register online as soon as possible.
Convention Theme: “Ready for Take-off”.
Speakers: Robert Stevenson, Dr. Lincoln Reo McKenzie and Dr. Bertram Melbourne.
Deadline for payment for this Conference is Friday, February 7, 2020. For more information, please contact Bro. Clayton Forbes, Centreville church.
-- Elder Curtis Bryan, Men’s Ministries Coordinator


PUBLIC AFFAIRS & RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (PARL) DEPARTMENT
PARL Conclave February 16, 2020
The General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist has expanded the borders of the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department of the Church to include persons who have served or are presently serving in the following capacities.
·         An elected representative of any public decision-making body (state legislator, national congress, city council, etc.)
·         An elected executive (President, Prime Minister, Mayor, etc.)
·          A politically appointed member of any public body
·          An executive member of any public body
·          A member of the judiciary or of any national or international legal panel
·          A member of the diplomatic corps of a country
·          A representative to, or executive member of any international body such as the United Nations, etc.
·         A lawyer
If you fit into any of the categories mentioned above and are a member of any of the Seventh-day Adventist churches within the South Bahamas Conference, you asked to attend this very important meeting at the Conference Office at 11:00 a.m.      
--T. Basil Sturrup, PARL Director


STEWARDSHIP DEPARTMENT
There will be a very important meeting for all local church Stewardship Secretaries on Monday February 3, 2020 at 6:00p.m at the Conference office. Please be on time so that we can complete our agenda in 45 minutes. 
--Elder Anthony Burrows, Stewardship Director


WOMEN’S MINISTRIES  
First Quarter (January - March)
“WE” (Women Empowerment) – Q1 Forecast:      
February, 2020
2          “Beauty for Ashes”,  Widows Ministry Prayer Breakfast - 7:00a.m, Berea Church
7          SBC WM Consecration Service 7:00p.m, Berea Church
March, 2020
1-7        SBC “Women Saved by Grace” Evangelistic Series - 6:45p.m, New Providence Church
7            International Women’s Day of Prayer
20-22    WM “God’s Daughters Embrace” San Salvador Mission Retreat & Zone 1- Outreach

Upcoming Events
March 1-7, 2020
Do you want to exchange your average life for deeper faith, greater power and more ministry impact? Join the women of the South Bahamas Conference as they “Meet Jesus at the Well”, exchanging their dry, thirsty and sometimes broken service, for a Grace that is greater than all our sin.
Come and drink of this life changing water, that will spiritually quench and hydrate us, as Sis. Beverley Williams ministers to us nightly. You don’t want to miss this exciting, power packed week, as we delve into issues where others dare not go. See You at the Well!

All ladies interested in the South Bahamas Conference Women’s Ministries, God’s Daughters Embrace Mission Retreat in San Salvador, kindly call 357-8030 to reserve your space.

Pause and Pray Wednesday
Don’t forget our weekly Pause and Pray appointment on Wednesdays at noon.

Donation Request Used, But In Good Condition Devotionals
Kindly donate to your local Women’s Ministries leader for distribution during our community outreach projects this year. 
--Mrs. Jacqueline Gibson, Women’s Ministries Director


YOUTH TIDBITS 
New Schedule
Monthly Meetings:
AY Leaders - Monday, February 3, 2020 - 7:00p.m - 8:00p.m. - Conference Office.
Adventurer & Pathfinder Directors - Tuesday, February 4, 2020, 7:00p.m - 8:00p.m - Conference Office.
--Pastor Jamal Franklyn, Youth Director

Assistance Needed
On Monday February 3, 2020 at 6:30p.m at the Conference office a meeting will be held for all persons interested in assisting with the coordination of sporting events for the Department in 2020. All are welcomed to be a part of this great work. 
–Mr. Patrick Wilson Jr., Assistant Youth Director


GRANT’S TOWN CHURCH EVANGELISTIC SERIES
The Grant’s Town Seventh-day Adventist Church invites you to the "Revelation Now Evangelistic Series"
February 2 - 29, 2020.
Guest Speaker:
International Evangelist
Pastor Helvius Thompson, Dallas, Texas.
Meetings will be held nightly except on Monday & Thursday nights.
Venue: Grant's Town Church
#18 Wellington Street.
Come bring a friend and hear powerful truths revealed from the Scriptures.
Opening night's topic: "The Real Star Wars."
Connect with us @ facebook.com/grantstownsda.


ADVENTIST BURIAL SOCIETY MONTHLY MEETING
The Adventist Burial Society will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday February 3, 2020 at 6:30 p.m at the Grant’s Town Church, Annex. Members are encouraged to become financial and persons wishing to join the Society are invited to attend. 
-- Elder R. Henry Moncur


                   Please Email Weekly Announcements
                              To: sbclogos@gmail.com 
                          Or logos@sbcadventist.org.bs 
                                 By Tuesday at 3:00p.m.