Keeping Our Children Safe Online

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The Convention on the Rights of the Child, of which The Bahamas is a signatory, speaks directly to a child’s right to protection, guidance, information, and privacy. With regard to information and privacy, a balance must be maintained and any action regarding children must be done in their best interest. It is against this backdrop that this article speaks.The world continues to advance technologically. The information on the world-wide web is so vast, books are practically obsolete. It affords great opportunities for learning, for research, for socializing, for entertainment, and so many other positive things. It is hard to imagine how we lived so long without it.

Like anything else, there are positive and negative aspects of cyberspace. However, many parents are not aware of what is happening online and what they can do to protect their children. Therefore, the first action parents should take is to become educated on what is out there, then steer their children in the right direction.

How can children be protected in a changing world?
1. Place the computer in an open space where everyone has access to it. It cannot be over- stated how important this is. Putting the computer in a place where the user is easily observed can serve as a deterrent to visiting harmful and questionable sites.
2. Place blocks on risky sites. Many persons who are addicted to gambling or pornography first visited a site in secret during an unguarded moment.
3. Warn children to be careful about the types of messages they send, encouraging them to ensure that the messages are appropriate at all times. Once the “Send” button is clicked, the message is in the public domain and cannot be retrieved. For older children, one type of negative messaging is “sexting”, which is sending, receiving, or forwarding sexually explicit messages, photographs, or images to others. This can have devastating consequences, particularly if it involves the sender.
4. As a child gets older, he/she becomes more secretive; but parents can look at the child’s phone to see what apps are installed. If the apps are not familiar, parents should go online and not only find out about the app but sign up for the service. If the content is not healthy, do not allow the child to continue visiting the site, pointing out the dangers.
5. Finally, encourage your children not to form online relationships with persons they do not know. Ask them not to share private information which may place them in danger. The internet allows a person to be anyone they wish, therefore, not everyone who appears to mean well, really does.  

It is a parent’s responsibility to keep abreast of technology and they should not make excuses for not doing so. The internet opens up a whole new world of good and evil, therefore, it is incumbent upon parents to know the dangers so that they can protect their children.

Mrs. Lorraine Duvalier is the Assistant Director in the Department of Social Services for the Government of The Bahamas, and a member of the Centreville Seventh-day Adventist Church.
--This article was sponsored by the Children and Adolescent Ministries Department of the South Bahamas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Let’s continue to keep our children safe online during the summer months and beyond.

                                                                       

CALENDAR OF EVENTS JULY 2020 
Youth Month/Vacation Bible School
3 – 4: Climax to 100 Days of Prayer Initiative - IAD  IAD Prayer Celebration July 4, 2020 @5:00p.m. South Bahamas Conference Zoom Prayer Relay Beginning 8:00p.m.
18: God in Shoes
18: Reach the World: Media Ministry 24-25: Virtual SBC Pathfinder Camporee
25: Children’s Sabbath

                                               

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES 
Treasury Department Important Meeting
There will be a meeting for all church treasurers on Sunday, July 12, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. Please note that a zoom link will be emailed prior to the meeting. Please be advised that the following persons are authorized to conduct business on behalf of the Treasury Department for South Bahamas Conference:
1. Kimberly Bryan, Treasurer / Chief Financial Officer - Email: kbryan@sbcadventist.org.bs
2. Michael Toote Jr., Chief Accountant - Email: mtoote@sbcadventist.org.bs
3. Dwight Brown, Accountant - Email: dbrown@sbcadventist.org.bs
4. Tania Nomafo, Accountant - Email: tnomafo@sbcadventist.org.bs
5. Stanley Philord, Accountant - Email: sphilord@sbcadventist.org.bs
Please note that inquiries can be submitted to accounts@sbcadventist.org.bs
--Mrs. Kimberly Bryan, Chief Financial Officer, Administration


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 SPECIAL REQUEST
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 5, 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.
--Mrs. Lavern Sturrup, CHAM Director

                                               

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Bahamas Academy is seeking to enter into a contract for the management of its cafeteria services for the 2020 - 2021 school year. Interested parties may contact the Director by sending applications to aburrows@sbcadventist.org.bs. Sealed bids/envelopes can be delivered to the Education Director at the South Bahamas Conference office. Deadline for all submissions is July 15, 2020.
– Mr. Anthony Burrows, Education Director


Women's Ministries  
Please note that due to this COVID19 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 Dr. Stephanie P. Hutcheson, Clinical Psychologist and member of Bethany Church.

Truths that Guide
How do we get through the difficult times?

One thing I know for sure is that we don’t just get there overnight. It’s a process. It’s a journey. The apostle James said we will go through “many kinds of trouble.” It’s a certainty. Some of you are going through now!

And in our going through- how do we get through? What truths about God do we rely on that guides us and strengthens us? Let’s be clear that we can’t separate the truths of God’s character from our relationship with Him. What we know about Him is based on our relationship with Him and revealed through His Word. And those truths - the words to live by are tested out in the crucible of our experiences.

But It all begins with relationship! Knowing God...

God is Sovereign 
Deuteronomy 3:24 (NLT)
24 ‘O Sovereign Lord, you have only begun to show your greatness and the strength of your hand to me, your servant. Is there any god in heaven or on earth who can perform such great and mighty deeds as you do?

I think of this as the ‘Godness’ of God. ‘Godness’ may not be a word but I like describing Him like that. As Sovereign, He is Creator in ultimate control of all things and everything- whatever comes whether individually, nationally, regionally or globally must pass through His hands and His plans.

God is Good
Exodus 34:5-6 (NKJV)
Now the Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, God testifying of who He is.

In trusting and believing His sovereignty, hold on to the goodness of Him. This may be the hardest to hold on when troubles come. How can God be good because of what I’m going through or what’s happening around us? It’s a truth! It’s who He is despite what He allows as Sovereign. He is good! His plans and ways are truly beyond us that’s why we have to believe, trust and embrace these truths to guide us, to live by.

God is Love
John 3:16 is the fullest expression of love in His sacrifice for us on Calvary, taking our place, bearing our sins and the penalty for sin so we could be positioned again in His kingdom as His children, as His Sons! Yes women - Sons! We are Beloved.

My own difficult journey of breast cancer and my mother’s death in 2019 made these truths more real and it’s how I filter everything. Don’t just trust Him for eternity. The greater challenge is trusting Him in the now.

God. He is Sovereign. He is Good. He is Love.

Upcoming Events
“Loaves of Love”
This distribution will take place on July 18, 2020. Please see your local leader for more details on how you can participate.

“UNPLUGGED...BUT STILL CONNECTED?” 
Embracing Our Resilience
Join us on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 6:00 pm
In the Comfort of Your Own Home Zoom ID to follow.

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’
SBC Joint AY will be held on Sabbath, July 4, 2020 at 6:15p.m. Via Zoom, Facebook, IG and YouTube. Join Youth as they talk about the New Economic, Academic and Prophetic Normal after Covid19!

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

                                   

Please Email Weekly Announcements
To: sbclogos@gmail.com
Or logos@sbcadventist.org.bs

Call 341-4021
Sunsets next Sabbath
July 11, 2020 8:03p.m.

                                    Happy Sabbath!