19 Sep 2022, 12:39
World Pathfinder Day Celebration in Stanborough Park
The 72nd anniversary of World Pathfinder Day was celebrated by the SEC and NEC on Saturday, September 17th with an outdoor service hosted by the SEC in Stanborough Park. Over 2000 Pathfinders from more than 80 clubs attended in their uniforms and sashes decorated with a colourful array of badges and pins. Its return as an in-person event followed the lifting of COVID restrictions in the UK. In scenes not seen since the 2019 celebrations hosted by the NEC in Hull, smiles, laughter and hugs were exchanged throughout the day under the banner and theme, 'Change the World'.
The opening ceremony began with the sound and marching of the SEC Pathfinder Drum Corps as it led the Colours Party bearing the Union and Pathfinder flags toward the stage, situated against the backdrop of the BUC Headquarters.
After repeating the Pathfinder, pledge, law, aim, and moto, and singing the Pathfinder song, the crowd was greeted by SEC Pathfinder Director, Pastor Clifford Herman, and NEC Pathfinder Director, Pastor Ikwisa Mwasumbi. Before the main service commenced the attendees also observed two minutes of silence to acknowledge the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The morning and afternoon worship sessions that followed featured contributions of prayer, singing, mime and special items by Pathfinders representing clubs from all areas of the two Conferences.
Among the special guests were TED Youth Director, Pastor Dejan Stojkovic, and Margaret Johns, the wife of the BUC Director, Pastor Kevin Johns who promoted Stanborough School and the value of Adventist education.
The sermon was delivered by guest speaker, SEC Teen's Ministries Director, Pastor Juan Carlos Patrick. Through a series of real-life stories and illustrations, he challenged Pathfinders to "Change the world... one person at a time" and model their behaviour on how Jesus treated people. Patrick reminded the congregation, "the only time when you should look down on someone is when you are about to help them get up."
The afternoon programme featured the highlight of the day, as 11 SEC Pathfinders confirmed their faith and commitment to Christ in baptism.
The candidates representing Bournemouth, Newbold, Welling, Stevenage and Weston-super-Mare all made their decision during the SEC Camporee in July.
The day also included an investiture for those who participated in "Wear Your Scarf Week", a witnessing initiative to attract enquires start a conversation about Pathfinders. Special pins were awarded and handed out by Warren O'Hara, who in 1991 became the first Pathfinder Area Coordinator appointed in the British Union.
Music during the day was provided by the Praise Team and several groups, soloists, and instrumentalists, with notable performances by Pathfinders from Central London, Manchester Southern Asian, Sutton Coldfield, and Weston-super-Mare, including a piano arrangement of 'There is Sunshine in my Soul Today'.
Other highlights included an intricate display of synchronized marching by the SEC Area 5 Drill Team, and a "Walk around" activity, led by SEC Area 6C Coordinator Alberto Francis, where Pathfinders interacted with others outside their club, church and area to make new friends.
The programme then concluded with a closing ceremony and an invitation to next years World Pathfinder Day celebration. In prayer, the SEC Pathfinder Director summed up the day's event as "a beautiful experience helping young people to connect with God."
The 72nd anniversary of World Pathfinder Day was celebrated by the SEC and NEC on Saturday, September 17th with an outdoor service hosted by the SEC in Stanborough Park. Over 2000 Pathfinders from more than 80 clubs attended in their uniforms and sashes decorated with a colourful array of badges and pins. Its return as an in-person event followed the lifting of COVID restrictions in the UK. In scenes not seen since the 2019 celebrations hosted by the NEC in Hull, smiles, laughter and hugs were exchanged throughout the day under the banner and theme, 'Change the World'.
The opening ceremony began with the sound and marching of the SEC Pathfinder Drum Corps as it led the Colours Party bearing the Union and Pathfinder flags toward the stage, situated against the backdrop of the BUC Headquarters.
After repeating the Pathfinder, pledge, law, aim, and moto, and singing the Pathfinder song, the crowd was greeted by SEC Pathfinder Director, Pastor Clifford Herman, and NEC Pathfinder Director, Pastor Ikwisa Mwasumbi. Before the main service commenced the attendees also observed two minutes of silence to acknowledge the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The morning and afternoon worship sessions that followed featured contributions of prayer, singing, mime and special items by Pathfinders representing clubs from all areas of the two Conferences.
Among the special guests were TED Youth Director, Pastor Dejan Stojkovic, and Margaret Johns, the wife of the BUC Director, Pastor Kevin Johns who promoted Stanborough School and the value of Adventist education.
The sermon was delivered by guest speaker, SEC Teen's Ministries Director, Pastor Juan Carlos Patrick. Through a series of real-life stories and illustrations, he challenged Pathfinders to "Change the world... one person at a time" and model their behaviour on how Jesus treated people. Patrick reminded the congregation, "the only time when you should look down on someone is when you are about to help them get up."
The afternoon programme featured the highlight of the day, as 11 SEC Pathfinders confirmed their faith and commitment to Christ in baptism.
The candidates representing Bournemouth, Newbold, Welling, Stevenage and Weston-super-Mare all made their decision during the SEC Camporee in July.
The day also included an investiture for those who participated in "Wear Your Scarf Week", a witnessing initiative to attract enquires start a conversation about Pathfinders. Special pins were awarded and handed out by Warren O'Hara, who in 1991 became the first Pathfinder Area Coordinator appointed in the British Union.
Music during the day was provided by the Praise Team and several groups, soloists, and instrumentalists, with notable performances by Pathfinders from Central London, Manchester Southern Asian, Sutton Coldfield, and Weston-super-Mare, including a piano arrangement of 'There is Sunshine in my Soul Today'.
Other highlights included an intricate display of synchronized marching by the SEC Area 5 Drill Team, and a "Walk around" activity, led by SEC Area 6C Coordinator Alberto Francis, where Pathfinders interacted with others outside their club, church and area to make new friends.
The programme then concluded with a closing ceremony and an invitation to next years World Pathfinder Day celebration. In prayer, the SEC Pathfinder Director summed up the day's event as "a beautiful experience helping young people to connect with God."
