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Cont inued on page 2
The exact historical origin of the Thanksgiv-ing Day is uncertain. Alt-hough the Americans commonly believe that thanksgiving first took place at Plymouth Plan-tation, in Massachusetts, in 1621. In Canada, also, there is strong evidence for earlier celebrations in 1578 and in 1565 by Spanish explorers in Flor-ida. Moreover, Thanksgiving Day is also observed in Leiden, the Netherlands. In the island of Grenada, there is a different holi-day however which is celebrated at a similar time of year using the same name. Continued on page 4
2011 CONSTITUENCY REPORTS
TT he month of Septem-
ber 2011 will long be
remembered for unusual events. Those
events proved once again that no one
really knows what is going to happen at
a Conference Session. The best laid
plans of…
On these occasions Christians rest com-
fortably knowing that all things are in
the hands of the Lord. What
He does not ordain, He does allow.
As you read these reports I pray that you
will do it prayerfully. We must always
remember that this is the Lord’s work
and the way we handle it has eternal im-
plications.
SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE CON-
STITUENCY
The South Atlantic Conference elected
the Secretary, Elder William Winston to
fill the office of president. Elder Vanard
Mendinghall, previous president, did
not stand for re-election. Elder Winston
comes from a family historically active
in denominational service. They have
distinguished themselves for genera-
tions in a diverse number of positions in
the Church. He simply is the latest in
that family tradition.
The South Atlantic conference serves
the predominantly Black congregations
in the States of Georgia (with the excep-
tion of a few counties in the south of
that state), North and South Carolina.
They have a membership that ap-
proaches 40,000.
That conference followed what seems
to be an emerging pattern in that the
people rejected the initial recommenda-
tion coming out of the Nominating
Committee in two other Regional
Conference Sessions this year. El-
this issue
2011 Constituency Reports P.1
Things You Should Know About Retirement P.3
Historical Origins of Thanksgiving Day P.4
Something to Think About... P.5
Fourth Quarter 2011
THE NEWS LETTER FOR
REGIIONAL CONFERENCE RETIREES OF
THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST
ISSUE
04 FO URTH Q UARTE R 2011
The Vote...
“Elder Mendinghall’s service in that
office will go down as one of the best
in the history of that conference...he
will have few if any peers.”
der Winston was the
second name out of
the Nominating Com-
mittee and was ap-
proved and voted over-
whelmingly. Elder
Mendinghall had
served the conference
as president for 14
years. He notified the
members that he would
not stand for re-
election in a letter
weeks before the Ses-
sion. In that letter he
revealed his plan to
retire from active full
time ministry during
2012 which would be
far short of serving a
full new term.
Elder Mendinghall’s
service in that office
will go down as one of
the best in the history
of that conference. In
terms of baptisms,
church growth, finan-
cial stability and camp
ground development,
not to mention im-
proved local church
construction, he will
have few if any peers.
Soon we will welcome
him into the ranks of
retired workers. His
distinguished service
will be celebrated
larger than that of any other larger than that of any other
Union Conference in the Di-Union Conference in the Di-
vision. vision.
Elder Smith, who holds aElder Smith, who holds a
PhD in Psychology, has PhD in Psychology, has
served the Church success-served the Church success-
fully as a pastor in the North-fully as a pastor in the North-
eastern conference which eastern conference which
includes serving the historic includes serving the historic
Ephesus SDA Church in Ephesus SDA Church in
Harlem New York and Editor Harlem New York and Editor
of the Message Magazine of the Message Magazine
before being invited to serve before being invited to serve
the Southern Union as Sec-the Southern Union as Sec-
retary in 2006.retary in 2006.
among us for
years to
come.
SOUTHERN SOUTHERN
UNION UNION
CONFERENCE SESSIONCONFERENCE SESSION
Ron C. Smith, the Union Secre-Ron C. Smith, the Union Secre-
tary was elected President of the tary was elected President of the
Southern Union. The Southern Southern Union. The Southern
Union serves the eight local con-Union serves the eight local con-
ferences in the Southern States ferences in the Southern States
of Alabama, North and South of Alabama, North and South
Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Ken-Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Ken-
tucky, Mississippi and Tennes-tucky, Mississippi and Tennes-
see. It is the largest Union in see. It is the largest Union in
membership in the North Ameri-membership in the North Ameri-
can Division and has a tithe base can Division and has a tithe base
In a regular In a regular
constituen-constituen-
cy meeting cy meeting
held in At-held in At-
lanta, Geor-lanta, Geor-
gia he be-gia he be-
came the came the
first minister from the first minister from the
Black community to Black community to
serve that great union serve that great union
as its leader. He is the as its leader. He is the
ninth person from the ninth person from the
Black community to Black community to
serve as the president serve as the president
of a Union Conference of a Union Conference
in the history of the in the history of the
North AmeriNorth American Divi-can Divi-
sion.sion.
“His election is especially significant
in that this Union is located in the
American South...the Old South has
become the New South.”
William Winston
To page 6
Vanard Mendinghall
2
The Vote...
Want a Bigger Check? Go Back to Work… Most people within ten years
of age 62 have already started doing the Social Security math problem: How much do I get if I wait one year to take pay-ments? How much if I wait two years? To get the biggest bump in payments? How much if I wait two years? To get the biggest bump in bene-fits, workers have to delay their benefits beyond full re-tirement age—around 66 for people born before 1957, clos-er to 67 for people born after. (to find your exact date, see Social Security Online. For every additional year you wait,
you’ll get an 8% increase in pay-ments until you hit age 70. Some-one who earned, on average, $50,000 per year over their work-ing life would get $1,900 per month at 66, but $2,505 if he waited until age 70 — a 32% boost. “You’ll get a bigger benefit amount for the rest of your life,” says Dennis Marvin, a financial planner in Cleveland.
If you’ve already started collecting benefits and you’re under full re-tirement age, it’s not too late to get a raise. One strategy: Go back to work. If you earn more than $14,160, the Social Security Admin-istration will dock $1 in benefits for every $2 you earn.
But once
you reach full retirement age, your benefits will be recalculated to account for the mon-ey you didn’t get while working. So, for ex-ample, someone who took their benefits at 62 — at a 25% reduction compared to full benefits — but went back to work from ages 63 to 66 and earned enough to zero out his entire Social Security check could end up collecting close to full benefits at age 66. SOURCES FOR THIS ARTICLE: Smart Money and Forbes Magazine On-Line September, 2011
Some Things You Should Know About
Retirement And Social Security
manage your retirement plan around
that possibility since you may not be
able to sell exactly when you want
to. Keep in mind that if you rent,
you can still benefit from the
$250,00 or ($500,000 if you are mar-
ried filing jointly), capital gain tax
exclusion if you lived in the home
two of the previous five years.
The More You Make,
the Less You Get Back
It’s common to think of Social Secu-
rity as an individual account of sorts;
what you pay in, you get back, more
or less. That’s far from accurate. By
design, the Social Security Admin-
istration says, the system is tilted in
favor of lower-income workers who
have fewer resources to save for re-
In the not so distant past I went to a retire-
ment presentation by the NAD Retirement
Office, One of the cornerstones of the
presentation emphasized the importance of
having your home mortgage free. Just
incase you did not achieve that very desir-
able feat consider the following:
Your Home Won’t Sell
Along with home prices being
down, there may be the similar is-
sue of not being able to sell the
home at all. Hindsight is twenty-
twenty, and I am sure there are
plenty of homeowners who are
kicking themselves for not selling
their homes when they could have
instead of waiting for the perfect
time or the perfect price. If your
retirement plan is contingent on
being able to sell your home, make
sure you also have a plan B and
tirement. In practice, that means that
the more money you make, the less
you get back, at least as a percentage
of your salary. For example, a sin-
gle, 66-year-old man who earned
$50,000 per year on average and
retired in 2011 would get an annual
benefit payment of about $22,800,
or about 45% of his annual salary.
If he had earned $150,000 per year,
he would get annual benefits of
about $30,670 — just 20% of his
annual salary. “People act like the
percentage of benefits of your salary
you get is the same for everyone and
it really isn’t, “ says Jo Anne Barn-
hart, former Social Security Com-
missioner.
To page 6
3
Origins of Thanksgiving Day in the Origins of Thanksgiving Day in the
United States:United States:
Thanksgiving has been an annual tradition in the United Thanksgiving has been an annual tradition in the United States in thanking the Lord for all His blessings. Modern States in thanking the Lord for all His blessings. Modern Thanksgiving celebrations are primarily identified as a Thanksgiving celebrations are primarily identified as a secular holiday. Thanksgiving dinner consisting of baked secular holiday. Thanksgiving dinner consisting of baked or roasted turkey is usually the main highlight of the holi-or roasted turkey is usually the main highlight of the holi-day. day.
MassachusettsMassachusetts—— The celebration that occurred in Massa-The celebration that occurred in Massa-chusetts, particularly in Plymouth Plantation in the year chusetts, particularly in Plymouth Plantation in the year 1961, was believed to be the traditional origin of the mod-1961, was believed to be the traditional origin of the mod-ern Thanksgiving in the United States. ern Thanksgiving in the United States. This festive gathering occurred early in history and was This festive gathering occurred early in history and was practiced after harvest festivities.practiced after harvest festivities.
FloridaFlorida—— According to Robin Gioia and Michael Gannon, According to Robin Gioia and Michael Gannon, Author and teacher at the University of Florida the earliest Author and teacher at the University of Florida the earliest “thanksgiving” celebration in the United States was first “thanksgiving” celebration in the United States was first celebrated on September 8, 1565 by the Spaniards . celebrated on September 8, 1565 by the Spaniards .
Thanksgiving Observance Around Thanksgiving Observance Around
the Worldthe World
CanadaCanada —— Thanksgiving in Canada, is a special holiday to Thanksgiving in Canada, is a special holiday to show gratitude to the Lord during the closure show gratitude to the Lord during the closure of the harvest season. While the actual Thanksgiving holi-of the harvest season. While the actual Thanksgiving holi-day is on a Monday, Canadians might eat their Thanksgiv-day is on a Monday, Canadians might eat their Thanksgiv-ing meal on any day of the threeing meal on any day of the three--day weekend, though day weekend, though Sunday and Monday are the most common.Sunday and Monday are the most common.
NewfoundlandNewfoundland—— In Canada the history of thanksgiving In Canada the history of thanksgiving was after Martin Frobisher, who is a traveler trying and was after Martin Frobisher, who is a traveler trying and searching a way to find a northern passage to the Pacific searching a way to find a northern passage to the Pacific Ocean, thus, when he returned after his voyage safe and Ocean, thus, when he returned after his voyage safe and sound, he then conducted a ceremony in thanksgiving for sound, he then conducted a ceremony in thanksgiving for surpassing the long journey.surpassing the long journey.
New FranceNew France—— In the early 17th century, French settlers In the early 17th century, French settlers celebrated their successful harvest and had their food celebrated their successful harvest and had their food shared with the natives, setting up the well known Order shared with the natives, setting up the well known Order of Good Cheer.of Good Cheer.
The NetherlandsThe Netherlands—— Thanksgiving Service is held annually at Thanksgiving Service is held annually at Pieterskerk, a Gothic church in Leiden, on the morning of Pieterskerk, a Gothic church in Leiden, on the morning of the American Thanksgiving Day, to honor the kindness and the American Thanksgiving Day, to honor the kindness and generosity the Pilgrims enjoyed had on their way to the generosity the Pilgrims enjoyed had on their way to the New World. New World.
Grenada Grenada —— In Grenada’s West Indian Island, there is a holi-In Grenada’s West Indian Island, there is a holi-day celebrated on October 25, known as the Thanksgiving day celebrated on October 25, known as the Thanksgiving Day. It marks the anniversary of the invasion by the United Day. It marks the anniversary of the invasion by the United States in the Island in 1983, in response to the deposition States in the Island in 1983, in response to the deposition and execution of their prime Ministerand execution of their prime Minister..
Historical Historical
Origins of Origins of
Thanksgiving DayThanksgiving Day
Homestead Thanksgiving ...Homestead Thanksgiving ... 4
Something to Think About…Something to Think About… What Happens When a Conference President Is Not Returned to Office?What Happens When a Conference President Is Not Returned to Office?
I t happens to all who serve in elective offices in our Church. It is inevitable.
The day will come when a re-placement is chosen no matter how long the position is held. The elective office that gets the most notoriety is the office of the conference president. It is also the office that carries the heaviest responsibility and suf-fers the most from public and private disappointment, even embarrassment. Feelings of rejection, a sense of absence of appreciation for honest ef-forts, and the simple pain and loss of approval and confi-dence follow in its wake.
One day the reins of leadership are in your hands, the pull of the horses is real, powerful and present and, the next day the reins are in the hands of anoth-er. The horses are hitched to another wagon the surge of power is gone and you are left alone with your thoughts. One former president was heard to remark that he felt alone, unin-volved, unneeded and unap-preciated. When in office your opinion seems to count with everyone.
People want to be near you, they want to know what you think about everything and suddenly it is gone. The fel-lowship with other leaders is significantly altered — no more Black Caucus, General Con-ference Fall Council, Division Year-end Meetings or Media Center, Health System, Pub-lishing House Board meetings. There are no more Conference Executive or Union Committee meetings. No more Camp meetings to plan, pastors to install, church openings to at-tend, housing project opening ribbons to cut, Workers’ Meet-ings to manage or constituen-cy meetings to plan. The list seems endless and takes us back to our point of departure — not returned to office. What shall we say to these things? We all know and re-member that one should not develop a sense of entitlement or forget that we are called to life-long minister and not life-long office. What shall we say to these things? Some holding offices have been heard to ex-claim that they would “go back up to pastoring any day.” I was around when some were not returned to office and sum-marily sent “back up to pastor-ing” only to discover that any day was that day and they were not ready for it.
Two wonderful examples of how to leave office after long tenure are known to this writ-er—the legendary Elder George R. Earle of the North-eastern Conference in St. Al-
“...no more Conference Executive or Union Committee meetings.”
bans, NY who voluntarily left the of-fice of President after 18 years in the 1980’s. Just last month, Elder Vanard J. Mendinghall of the South Atlantic Conference in Atlanta, GA voluntarily left office after 14 years. So, what shall we say to these things? Here is something to think about:
1. What about a transition period of at least 60 days to facilitate an orderly change in administration with an official beginning date for the new administration and an inauguration?
2. How about a lifelong privilege-to-attend all meetings of the Con-ference for him and spouse at conference expense including General Conference Sessions.
3. What about a home office privi-
lege complete with clerical sup-port to work on his Presidential Papers (official documents and papers) to be placed in the Con-ference Presidential Library to be housed in each of the Nine Regional Conference offices for their own previous presidents.
4. Finally, a formal well-planned appreciation event to be held shortly after the new president has assumed his new responsi-bilities.
Continued on page 6
5
“...embarra
ssment….re
jection...
the simple pain and lo
ss of
confidence…
”
His election is especially signifi-His election is especially signifi-
cant in that this Union is located cant in that this Union is located
in the American South. It is a fur-in the American South. It is a fur-
ther signal that the Old South has ther signal that the Old South has
become the New South. One become the New South. One
unsubstantiated report of the unsubstantiated report of the
Session is that the support of one Session is that the support of one
predominantly white conference predominantly white conference
was pivotal in his election. Only was pivotal in his election. Only
three of the eight conferences three of the eight conferences
are historically composed of are historically composed of
Black members. Black members.
Additionally he is reported to Additionally he is reported to
have had the unequivocal sup-have had the unequivocal sup-
port of one of the large institu-port of one of the large institu-
tions in that Union.tions in that Union.
Another emerging trend for 2011 Another emerging trend for 2011
saw the Union President declare saw the Union President declare
his intention to retire long before his intention to retire long before
the day of the Session. It fol-the day of the Session. It fol-
lowed the events of the South-lowed the events of the South-
west Union headquartered in west Union headquartered in
Texas where its president an-Texas where its president an-
nounced his retirement before nounced his retirement before
the Session began the normal the Session began the normal
electoral processes.electoral processes.
We pray God’s blessings upon We pray God’s blessings upon
Dr. Smith and Yolanda’s service Dr. Smith and Yolanda’s service
to the faithful members of the to the faithful members of the
Southern Union, these next five Southern Union, these next five
years.years.
Dr. Ron and Yolanda Smith
From page 3
That’s particularly true for the high-
est earners. Benefits are calculated
on a maximum average salary of
$106,800, which means anyone who
made that much or more —whether
by a few dollars or by a few hundred
thousand dollars — gets the same
annual Social Security payment.
To be fair, earnings over that thresh-
old aren’t taxed, either, and the agen-
cy spokeswoman says benefits
are meant as supplemental retire-
ment income, not full freight.
SOURCES FOR THIS ARTICLE:
Smart Money and Forbes Magazine On-Line,
September, 2011.
Surely there are a multitude of “what ifs” that will follow Surely there are a multitude of “what ifs” that will follow these suggestions. Let each conference be persuaded in it’s own these suggestions. Let each conference be persuaded in it’s own mind. There is at least one conference that has done some of the-mind. There is at least one conference that has done some of the-se things already. Who will be next? The major obstacles to these se things already. Who will be next? The major obstacles to these things are to overcome the worse case scenario syndrome and the things are to overcome the worse case scenario syndrome and the tendency to allow envy and jealousy to rule the day yet again. Too tendency to allow envy and jealousy to rule the day yet again. Too often they lead to inactivity and lost opportunities to do justly, act often they lead to inactivity and lost opportunities to do justly, act honorably and celebrate good works. The Regional Conference honorably and celebrate good works. The Regional Conference Retiree community is small and perhaps has little if any influence, Retiree community is small and perhaps has little if any influence, but the fervent prayer of a dedicated retiree community may avail but the fervent prayer of a dedicated retiree community may avail much.much.
From page 5
6
Have a LOOK…
NAD Year-End Meeting - October 27— 31 G.C. Headquarters, Silver Spring, MD
Retirement Application Processing Personnel Training— November 1—3 Bradford-Cleveland-Brooks Leadership Center, Oakwood Univ. Huntsville, Alabama
CALENDAR EVENTS:
Seasoned Mashed Potatoes Cranberry-orange Relish French –cut Green Beans with slithered almonds or crispy onions
Homemade Dinner Rolls Roasted Turkey with gravy
Cornbread Stuffing Mashed Turnips
Pumpkin or Sweet Potato Pie Apple Spice Raisin Cake
The Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner...
T hanksgiving meals vary
around the globe. Most families
use this time of year to call family
from far and near. From simple
to the elegant spread…’family
and friends’ remain the real rea-
son behind the dietary logic of a
‘traditional’ Thanksgiving dinner.
Most families put in their orders
for fabulous ‘sides’ to compli-
ment the 12 pound turkey and
dressing and pumpkin pie with
whipped cream topping. Every-
thing seems to taste better with
family, good friends and neigh-
bors. It’s a time of peace, joy,
and thanksgiving to God for providing not
just food but the blessings associated with
family, good health, and being together yet
one more year around the table of bounty.
This year why not add dishes for diabetics
and vegetarians, making for an even more
joyous occasion. Something for everyone!
Vegan or vegetarian recipes are available
on-line. Vegetarian turkeys, non-dairy
frozen desserts , pies and cakes are found in
your local natural food stores.
Menu
7
Pumpkin Muffins
Pumpkin Tofu Pie
Pumpkin Custard
Pumpkin Chili
Pumpkins are rich in calci-
um, iron, magnesium, po-
tassium, zinc, selenium, nia-
cin, folate, and vitamins
A,C, and E.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Tech Times Issue 00 Month Year
CREDITS EDITOR: Joseph W. McCoy ASSISTANT EDITOR: Judith B. McCoy LAYOUT/DESIGN: Paula E. Thompson
Laugh Out Loud…
TURKEY DAY HUMOR —
T’was the night of Thanksgiving, but I just couldn’t sleep. I tried counting
backwards, I tried counting sheep. The leftovers beckoned — The dark
meat and white, but I fought the temptation with all of my might.
Tossing and turning with anticipation...The thought of a snack became
infatuation...So I raced to the kitchen, flung open the door, and gazed
at the fridge full of goodies galore. I gobbled up turkey and buttered
potatoes, pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes. I felt myself swelling
so plump and so round, ‘till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground!!
I crashed through the ceiling. Floating into the sky...with a mouthful of
pudding and a handful of pie, but I managed to yell as I sored past
the trees…
HAPPY EATING TO ALL!! PASS THE CRANBERRIES PLEASE!!
7000 Adventist Blvd Huntsville, AL 35816 256.830.5002 off 256.830.5078 fax www.regionalretirement.org