Hurricane Preparedness

Click here to download for print distribution.

Disasters can happen at anytime and anywhere, and when it strikes, you may not have sufficient time to respond. Families are able to cope best with emergencies by devising a plan in advance and working together before a disaster strike. The adage is still valid, "an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure." During the past 2 to 3 months, the South Bahamas Conference Disaster Preparedness Committee has been in meetings to discuss and devise plans in preparation for the 2020 hurricane season.

As with all countries within close proximity to the Caribbean Sea, The Bahamas is potentially at risk from hurricanes. The official hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, although storms have formed in other months. Historically, August, September, and early October are traditionally the months of highest risk.

Simple actions such as developing a family plan, being prepared, and keeping up to date with all weather-related announcements will save lives, not just for a hurricane, but for any type of disaster.

In the event that a disaster occurs during the COVID-19 public health emergency, communities will be faced with the additional challenge of possibly housing COVID-19 carriers in the designated shelters, should there be a need to evacuate from unsafe areas.

How Should We Prepare
Make an Emergency Plan – Have an emergency plan of how your family would communicate, evacuate, and shelter in a place that addresses the needs of all family members, including seniors, children, individuals with access and functional requirements, as well as pets.

Build an Emergency Kit – Build or customize an emergency kit that will sustain your household for three to five days without power. Drinkable water, non-perishable food and canned goods, manual can opener, medicines, first aid kit, candles or flashlights, matches, and a portable stove. During the COVID-19 pandemic, include face coverings or masks, disinfectants, hand sanitizers, and other cleaning supplies that you may need in an emergency.

Stay Informed – Every family should have multiple methods for receiving emergency alerts. A battery-operated radio should be readily available, with extra batteries; you can also use your smart devices while still operating for legitimate state-sanctioned news and information and not relying on or listening to unauthorized social media chatter.

Know Your Evacuation Zone – Verify if you live or work in an area prone to flooding. Know which route you will use to evacuate safely.

During COVID-19, your family emergency plan should include what you might do differently, given the public health guidance.  Your plan to evacuate should include where you might vacate to, given your family's circumstances.

If you have to evacuate, consider going to a hotel or other locations where you may have less contact with others. Bring critical emergency supplies, including face coverings, disinfectants, and hand sanitizers. Wear face coverings in public places, maintain social distancing six feet apart with those outside your household.

Please remember to keep your Bible and Sabbath School Quarterly safe, available and ready to go in case you have to leave.  The word of God will sustain you during these difficult moments.  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and He shall direct your path.”  Proverbs 3:5,6.  Remember, the Lord has promised to always be with you, even in a hurricane or other disasters. 

--Pastor Kenny Deveaux, President, South Bahamas Conference

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
July 2020 Youth Month/Vacation Bible School
18: God in Shoes
18: Reach the World: Media Ministry
24-25: Virtual SBC Pathfinder Camporee
25: Children’s Sabbath


ADVENTIST BOOK & NUTRITION CENTER
Adjusted Store Hours
The Adventist Book Center is now open: Monday- Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. –2:00 p.m. Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.


SOUTH BAHAMAS CONFERENCE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE
First Responders Volunteers
All persons interested in volunteering as First Responders in the event of a disaster, please contact Nathelyn LaCroix, Health Ministries Director at 323-0610 or 826-8486 (Whatsapp). 
–Committee Correspondence


BIBLE CLASS
The South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists continues its Bible Class on Sunday July 19, 2020 from the book of Revelation with Pastor Lynden Williams. The session will begin at 6:30p.m. to 8:00p.m. For further information please contact Pastor Lynden Williams via email at lwilliams@sbcadventist.org.bs

-- Pastor Lynden Williams, Bible Studies & Spirit of Prophecy Coordinator


CHILDREN & ADOLESCENT MINISTRIES (CHAM) DEPARTMENT
Vacation Bible School Xperience
Theme: HEREOS - ‘Making a Big Difference in Small Ways.’ This year the exciting program will be held online.
Each church will host a customized VBS program for their church family and community friends.
Dates for Church VBS Programs:
Good News Church – July 20 - 24, 2020 @ 6:30p.m. nightly.
Bethany Church – July 20 - 24, 2020 @ 5:30p.m – 7:00p.m nightly.
Hillview Church July 27 – 31, 2020 @ 6:00p.m – 8:00p.m nightly.

August 1st - Drive through graduation @ 6:30p.m.

Statistical Reports Due
CHAM leaders are kindly asked to submit their church’s statistical reports for the 1st and 2nd quarters if you haven’t done so already.

--Mrs. Lavern Sturrup, CHAM Director

 

HEALTH MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT 
8 Weeks To Wellness 2020 continues on Monday, July 20th at 6:00p.m. The following topics will be covered:
July 20 - Growing Your Own Food
July 27th will be the Graduation.

All are welcomed!
Zoom admission: Free
Meeting ID: 925 1030 8786
Password: 156339

--Mrs. Nathelyn LaCroix, Health Director

 

WOMEN’S MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT
Please note that due to this COVID-19 pandemic, our regular submission format has changed. This week and every week thereafter, we will stay connected thorough our “Sisters for Sisters” words of empowerment and inspiration, coming from women across our Conference. 
--The submission this week is from Sister Sonea Durant from the Kemp’s Bay Church, South Andros.

Watch and Pray
First Things First.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints. Ephesians 6:18.

Prayer and watching thereunto are necessary for advancement in the divine life... Your only safety is to live like a watchman. Watch and pray always. Oh, what a preventive against yielding to temptation and falling into the snares of the world!

“Take ye heed, watch and pray.” Mark 13:33.

First, you are to watch. Watch, lest you should speak hastily, fretfully, and impatiently. Watch, lest pride should find a place in your heart. Watch, lest evil passions should overcome you, instead of your subduing them. Watch, lest ... you ... become light and trifling, and your influence savor of death, rather than life.

Second, you are to pray. Jesus would not have enjoined this upon you unless there was an actual necessity for it. It is well known to Him that of yourself you cannot overcome the many temptations of the enemy, and the many snares laid for your feet. He has not left you alone to do this but has provided a way that you can obtain help. Therefore, He has bid you, pray.

To pray aright is to ask God in faith for the very things you need. Go to your chamber, or in some retired place, and ask your Father for Jesus’ sake to help you. There is power in that prayer that is sent up from a heart convinced of its weakness, yet earnestly longing for that strength that comes of God. The earnest, fervent prayer will be heard and answered.

Faint not. Cast yourself at the feet of Jesus, who has been tempted, and knows how to help such as are tempted... Plead your case before God, through Jesus, until your soul can with confidence rely upon Him for strength, and you feel that you are not left to do the work of overcoming alone. God will help you. Angels will watch over you. But before you can expect this help, you must do what you can on your part. Watch and pray. -The Faith I Lived By page 224 - Ellen G. White.

Say like the songwriter, "He’s able, He’s able, I know He is able. I know my God is able to carry me through." Whatever situation we find ourselves in, call on God. He promised to be with us always. He holds us in His right hand. Give Him the praise and thanks that is due unto His name. Whenever you awake in the morning give Him praise. Do not do anything before you pray and praise God. When you are covered by Him in the mornings you will be able to go through the day without fear. Your strength, faith, and hope will be renewed. “Put your hand in the Hand of the man who still the waters. Put your hand in the Hand of the Man who calms the seas. Take a look at yourself and you would look at others differently. Put your hand in the Hand of the Man from Galilee.” God's blessing.

Upcoming Events  
“Loaves of Love”
Taken from the text in Isaiah 33:16, today, July 18, 2020 , Women and GEMS from across Nassau and the Family Islands will distribute various types of homemade breads, rolls, water and other goodies to designated target areas of need due to the Covid-19 pandemic, beginning with families in their own congregations. Please contact your local leader on how you can participate in this wonderful initiative.

“Unplugged…but Still Connected?” Embracing Our Resilience
Covid-19 “unplugged” us, as it were, from everything that was normal in our world, but did it keep us connected to God and each other or did it create distance along with emotional and financial discomfort?

Join us on July 19, 2020 at 6:00 p.m as we have the open and honest conversation on how we coped spiritually, relationally, emotionally and financially and how we birthed and developed new gifts from God, with special guests, Pastor Brenda Billingy, Sis. Beverly Williams and for our young ladies, Evin Nazya, Artist.

You don’t want to miss this informative and exciting interactive session. Bring your purple cup with your favorite drink and snacks in tow and enjoy “the best spent hour and a half” with us.

Meeting ID: 974 6555 3874
Password: 221990

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

--Mrs. Jacqueline Gibson, Women’s Ministries Director


YOUTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Youth Month Is July! In Every Local Church! Theme: ‘Hear Me Know

Virtual SBC Pathfinder Camporee 2020
Date: July 24-25, 2020
Theme: ‘Gideon – Favored For Life’
Registration is free!

Bible Connection 2020
Adventurers- Ages 6-9
SBC Final- August 1st
Study- Bible: Job 1-6 & 38-42, Books: The Great Controversy, Chapter 32
Cash Prizes:
David = $300.00
Esther = $200.00
Joseph = $100.00

Pathfinders- Ages 10-15
SBC Final - August 8th
Study-Bible: Job 1-6 & 38-42, Proverbs 1-10, Books-The Great Controversy 31-32, Messages to Young People 111, 119
Cash Prizes:
Jeremiah = $500.00
Samuel = $300.00
Miriam = $150.00

Youth- Ages 16-30
SBC Final- August 15th
Study- Bible: Job 1-42, Books: The Great Controversy 17, 19, 31,32
Cash Prizes:
Ruth = $1000.00
Daniel = $500.00
Josiah = $300.00

--Pastor Jamal Franklyn, Adventist Youth Ministries Director

BAHAMAS ACADEMY 
Dr. Shaneeta Johnson's Scholarship
This annual scholarship provides opportunity for a student to attend Bahamas Academy for Grades 10-12. The scholarship is academic and need-based, and will cover tuition, books and laboratory fees. It is given in honor of the valuable contributions to education made by educators Mrs. Cynthia Johnson and Dr. Ruth White.

Applicants may be Adventist or non-Adventists and from public or private schools (including Bahamas Academy). The Scholarship Committee will interview short-listed candidates before the final selection is made.

The selected student will be required to maintain a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher during the scholarship period and is also expected to remain in good standing while matriculating at Bahamas Academy of Seventh-day Adventists. Access to academic and leadership mentorship will be provided for the scholarship recipient.

Applications may be submitted to Bahamas Academy at #73 Marshall Road, Nassau, N.P., or to the office of the South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists at #135 Tonique Williams-Darling Highway. Contact information: Tel: 341-4021/2 Fax: 341-4088

The following documents are required:
1. Completed application
2. A 350-500-word essay
3. Copies of applicant’s last 2 report cards
4. A letter of recommendation.
Deadline for submitting the application is July 31st, 2020. Alternatively, persons can complete and submit an electronic application using the following link: https://drjohnsonscholarship.wufoo.com/forms/zase0l70nki4zl/

--Mrs. Cynthia C. Johnson


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

CALL 341-4021
SUN SETS NEXT SABBATH
July 25, 2020 - 7:58p.m.

 Happy Sabbath!