News Briefs for May 24, 2019
News reports from National Public Radio, Walla Walla University, Germany, the Society of Adventist Philosophers, SDA Radio and Loma Linda University
National Public Radio ran a story this week titled “How The Fight For Religious Freedom Has Fallen Victim To The Culture Wars.” In it, Todd McFarland, associate general counsel at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, was quoted extensively. The story looks at how the term “religious freedom” has become politicized and claims Adventists blame both sides of the political aisle for this evolution. Read the article here.
A group of Walla Walla University students, faculty, and staff spent spring break in Paradise, California. They helped with a number of community projects as part of the effort to help the town recover after the Camp Fire that destroyed much of Paradise late last year. Paradise is home to a large Adventist population. The fires destroyed Paradise Adventist Church and caused severe damage to both Paradise Adventist Academy and Adventist Health Feather River, the local hospital.
The Adventist faith was represented with an informational booth at the German Congress on Crime Prevention, Monday and Tuesday (20-21 May) in Berlin. A total of 171 publishers and professional organizations had exhibits on the theme “Crime Prevention & Promotion of Democracy.” Representatives of the women’s ministries department of the Adventist denomination in Germany and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) shared information about the “enditnow” campaign against domestic violence.
The Society of Adventist Philosophers has issued an invitation for proposals for papers and panels to be presented at its tenth annual meeting in November in San Diego, California. The theme is “Truth Matters,” and topics should focus on issues related to the philosophy of truth. Proposals should be at least 300 words and no more than 1,000 words. The deadline for submission is 30 June. Proposals should be sent by email to adventistphilosophy@gmail.com.
SDA Radio has started providing a children’s story hour from 6 to 7 pm Eastern Time daily. It includes Classic Eric B. Hare Stories, dramatized stories from the Adventist missionary to then-Burma who thrilled children around the world in the 1960s, Uncle Arthur’s dramatized Bible stories, My Bible Friends with Uncle Dan and Aunt Sue, John Bunyan’s Pilgrims Progress dramatized for children, the Schwirzer Family presenting the closing scenes of Christ’s life in a musical narration, children singing and adults singing to children. The service is available online at https://sdaradio.com. For more information, email glen@loudcryradio.com.
A total of 714 runners participated in the third annual “Stand Up to Stigma” 5K on Sunday (19 May), hosted by the Loma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Center. The goal is to increase awareness of the behavioral health treatment available for the local community. The event brought together people of all ages to show support for mental health issues, sending a message of hope and healing to the communities in the region.
Dear Adventist Today readers: I’m inserting this note to tell you that we are right now conducting our spring fundraiser. Adventist Today is largely a volunteer organization, but if we’re going to continue to provide you with stimulating news—often news you get nowhere else—and fascinating commentary by some of the best writers in the denomination, we do need some financial support. If you want to see us continue to do the journalism that you’ve been accustomed to from Adventist Today, become an AT member now or or give us a one-time gift. Loren Seibold, Executive Editor, Adventist Today website and magazine.