3 Oct 2024, 20:30Dušanka Rančić, Stanborough Press Editor
Celebrating 140 years of God’s blessings
The lyrics 'Jesus is a Rock in a weary land; He's a shelter in the time of storm' have resonated with me since Sunday, 8 September. This was the final message delivered through song by the London Adventist Chorale to all who visited Stanborough Press Open Day. What an appropriate and encouraging thought to conclude the celebration programme since Jesus has been the true Rock and Shelter to all who have worked at the Stanborough Press for the last 140 years.
What a milestone celebrating 140 years of the unwavering dedication of our predecessors and the current team. But let's start from the beginning.
A rainy start
Open Day got off to a wet start in the car park as parking attendants juggled setting up gazebos and directing those who had come to set up their stalls, but the weather soon brightened up, and all visitors were welcomed with cheery smiles, programmes, and a free book.
Multiple drivers testified to answered prayers for God to calm the stormy weather on the roads, and soon, the car park filled with numerous vehicles of various shapes and sizes.
'It was a joy to see so many people arrive, all eager for spiritual nurture and fellowship,' reflected Andrew Puckering, Stanborough Press Assistant Editor, 'and parking staff who went on to serve at the tills could tell that their needs were being amply satisfied.'
'The challenge of trying to identify and find a particular title is combined with the pleasure of meeting old and new church members,' said Ian Clutton, Stanborough Press Sales Assistant, who continued: 'You can put a face to the person you have spoken to numerous times over the phone, as well as seeing a person you have known personally for many years. Their stories and updates reflect how time is passing as we all journey through life. For many, Open Day is an annual marker to refresh their joy in both books and in each other.'
Sunshine and smiles
Among the army of visitors, we welcomed some special guests, such as Steve Apola, GC Associate Publishing Director; Dr Philip Baptiste, ASI Liaison to the North American Division; Dr Kevin Burton, Director of the Centre for Adventist Research at Andrews University; Dr Herma Percy, Director of the International Humanitarian Advocacy Unit, ADRA International; Marcos Paseggi, from Adventist Review; Vanesa Pizzuto, TED Communications and Media Associate Director; Pastor Eglan Brooks, BUC President; many other BUC directors, conference and mission presidents; and the Principal of Newbold College of Higher Education, Dr Stephen Currow, and his team.
Some of the Stanborough Press authors who joined the celebration, such as Sharon Platt-McDonald, Dr Philip Baptiste, one of our guest speakers, Dr Herma Percy, and some self-published authors, enthusiastically signed their books while exchanging pleasantries with visitors.
The gloomy morning turned into a sunny day that buzzed with activities, filled with joy and laughter. A visitor commented, 'It is marvellous that believers from all parts of BritIsh Union and beyond can come together to support one another and enjoy the day as a family.'
I learnt that two young men had come to Press Open Day every year since they were toddlers. They love books, and, above all, they love God. The weather did not scare them away. On the contrary, they encouraged their families to join them since they 'wouldn't break their families' tradition due to the unfavourable weather'.
As in previous years, the Press was privileged to welcome children to its Open Day. We intentionally invest in our children because they are the future of our church. They had their own activities while their parents and grandparents enjoyed worshipping, browsing and buying books, and socialising. Sharing favourite book stories, making key rings and bookmarks, and following a treasure trail were just a few of the activities the children could participate in on the day. The dedicated Children's Activities team enjoyed interacting with the little visitors, ensuring that the children's area was a busy, funny, and interactive corner throughout the day.
Satisfied hearts and minds
The attendees benefitted from two heartily-delivered presentations by our guest speakers. Elisabeth Sangüesa, Stanborough Press General Manager, introduced the first speaker, Dr Kevin Burton, who challenged the audience with the thought-provoking presentation 'Ellen White's body: retrospective diagnosis and plagiarism'. In this gender analysis of critics and apologists, he addressed the question, 'To what extent does Ellen White's gender affect public opinion of her visions and writings?'
He disarmed two common weapons that her critics used to destroy her credibility: the allegation that she was mentally unstable and plagiarism. 'Through her writings, Ellen White transgressed a sacred male domain,' Dr Burton said. In the nineteenth-century mindset, good writing could only be associated with men, while weak or bad writing was associated with femininity. Expectedly, things are not much better today. Dr Burton shared that observation, saying, 'The critics are continuously at work, building on the aforementioned premises of their predecessors, and their influence is still being felt today.' 'Will she ever be free?' was his concluding remark.
Yet we are witnesses to the amazing positive influence that her writings have had on people throughout the years. God is using her work to transform lives, and people have been guided by the Holy Spirit to engage in studying the Bible and becoming disciples of Christ. The second presentation focussed on studying God's Word.
While presenting her latest book, Sabbath School Reboot, Dr Herma Percy emphasised the importance and role of Sabbath School. She reminded attendees, 'Our pioneers prioritised studying God's Word over the founding and the development of the church structure.' However, 'Sabbath School today faces many challenges,' she said, adding that 'we see a decline in Sabbath School attendance and participation.' Hence, there is a need for the book that, using Dr Percy's words, 'was a call for a revival in our church of the study of God's Word'. The goal is to help and motivate all, but especially young people, to deeply and passionately study God's Word.
People left Grantham with the commemorative book as a souvenir, but more importantly, with hearts and minds filled with satisfying and uplifting food for thought.
While writing this article, the song lyrics have echoed in my head. In these times of challenges and troubles, ‘God is our Shelter’; in these times of uncertainty and despair, ‘He is our Rock’.
'As we write, a raw autumn wind swirls leaves and dust in small tornadoes and sends pedestrians scurrying for indoor warmth. It speaks of melancholy and winter soon to come. Open Day was at once a last taste of summer and a foretaste of a summer soon to be when God's people will be forever united.'
Links to two other articles published originally by the Adventist Review 1 and Adventist Review 2
[1] Messenger, vol. 84, no. 21,12 October 1979, p. 5
The lyrics 'Jesus is a Rock in a weary land; He's a shelter in the time of storm' have resonated with me since Sunday, 8 September. This was the final message delivered through song by the London Adventist Chorale to all who visited Stanborough Press Open Day. What an appropriate and encouraging thought to conclude the celebration programme since Jesus has been the true Rock and Shelter to all who have worked at the Stanborough Press for the last 140 years.
What a milestone celebrating 140 years of the unwavering dedication of our predecessors and the current team. But let's start from the beginning.
A rainy start
Open Day got off to a wet start in the car park as parking attendants juggled setting up gazebos and directing those who had come to set up their stalls, but the weather soon brightened up, and all visitors were welcomed with cheery smiles, programmes, and a free book.
Multiple drivers testified to answered prayers for God to calm the stormy weather on the roads, and soon, the car park filled with numerous vehicles of various shapes and sizes.
'It was a joy to see so many people arrive, all eager for spiritual nurture and fellowship,' reflected Andrew Puckering, Stanborough Press Assistant Editor, 'and parking staff who went on to serve at the tills could tell that their needs were being amply satisfied.'
'The challenge of trying to identify and find a particular title is combined with the pleasure of meeting old and new church members,' said Ian Clutton, Stanborough Press Sales Assistant, who continued: 'You can put a face to the person you have spoken to numerous times over the phone, as well as seeing a person you have known personally for many years. Their stories and updates reflect how time is passing as we all journey through life. For many, Open Day is an annual marker to refresh their joy in both books and in each other.'
Sunshine and smiles
Among the army of visitors, we welcomed some special guests, such as Steve Apola, GC Associate Publishing Director; Dr Philip Baptiste, ASI Liaison to the North American Division; Dr Kevin Burton, Director of the Centre for Adventist Research at Andrews University; Dr Herma Percy, Director of the International Humanitarian Advocacy Unit, ADRA International; Marcos Paseggi, from Adventist Review; Vanesa Pizzuto, TED Communications and Media Associate Director; Pastor Eglan Brooks, BUC President; many other BUC directors, conference and mission presidents; and the Principal of Newbold College of Higher Education, Dr Stephen Currow, and his team.
Some of the Stanborough Press authors who joined the celebration, such as Sharon Platt-McDonald, Dr Philip Baptiste, one of our guest speakers, Dr Herma Percy, and some self-published authors, enthusiastically signed their books while exchanging pleasantries with visitors.
The gloomy morning turned into a sunny day that buzzed with activities, filled with joy and laughter. A visitor commented, 'It is marvellous that believers from all parts of BritIsh Union and beyond can come together to support one another and enjoy the day as a family.'
I learnt that two young men had come to Press Open Day every year since they were toddlers. They love books, and, above all, they love God. The weather did not scare them away. On the contrary, they encouraged their families to join them since they 'wouldn't break their families' tradition due to the unfavourable weather'.
As in previous years, the Press was privileged to welcome children to its Open Day. We intentionally invest in our children because they are the future of our church. They had their own activities while their parents and grandparents enjoyed worshipping, browsing and buying books, and socialising. Sharing favourite book stories, making key rings and bookmarks, and following a treasure trail were just a few of the activities the children could participate in on the day. The dedicated Children's Activities team enjoyed interacting with the little visitors, ensuring that the children's area was a busy, funny, and interactive corner throughout the day.
Satisfied hearts and minds
The attendees benefitted from two heartily-delivered presentations by our guest speakers. Elisabeth Sangüesa, Stanborough Press General Manager, introduced the first speaker, Dr Kevin Burton, who challenged the audience with the thought-provoking presentation 'Ellen White's body: retrospective diagnosis and plagiarism'. In this gender analysis of critics and apologists, he addressed the question, 'To what extent does Ellen White's gender affect public opinion of her visions and writings?'
He disarmed two common weapons that her critics used to destroy her credibility: the allegation that she was mentally unstable and plagiarism. 'Through her writings, Ellen White transgressed a sacred male domain,' Dr Burton said. In the nineteenth-century mindset, good writing could only be associated with men, while weak or bad writing was associated with femininity. Expectedly, things are not much better today. Dr Burton shared that observation, saying, 'The critics are continuously at work, building on the aforementioned premises of their predecessors, and their influence is still being felt today.' 'Will she ever be free?' was his concluding remark.
Yet we are witnesses to the amazing positive influence that her writings have had on people throughout the years. God is using her work to transform lives, and people have been guided by the Holy Spirit to engage in studying the Bible and becoming disciples of Christ. The second presentation focussed on studying God's Word.
While presenting her latest book, Sabbath School Reboot, Dr Herma Percy emphasised the importance and role of Sabbath School. She reminded attendees, 'Our pioneers prioritised studying God's Word over the founding and the development of the church structure.' However, 'Sabbath School today faces many challenges,' she said, adding that 'we see a decline in Sabbath School attendance and participation.' Hence, there is a need for the book that, using Dr Percy's words, 'was a call for a revival in our church of the study of God's Word'. The goal is to help and motivate all, but especially young people, to deeply and passionately study God's Word.
People left Grantham with the commemorative book as a souvenir, but more importantly, with hearts and minds filled with satisfying and uplifting food for thought.
While writing this article, the song lyrics have echoed in my head. In these times of challenges and troubles, ‘God is our Shelter’; in these times of uncertainty and despair, ‘He is our Rock’.
'As we write, a raw autumn wind swirls leaves and dust in small tornadoes and sends pedestrians scurrying for indoor warmth. It speaks of melancholy and winter soon to come. Open Day was at once a last taste of summer and a foretaste of a summer soon to be when God's people will be forever united.'
Links to two other articles published originally by the Adventist Review 1 and Adventist Review 2
[1] Messenger, vol. 84, no. 21,12 October 1979, p. 5
