News Briefs for June 14, 2019
News reports about Refugee Sabbath as well as from Oakwood University; England; Ogden, Utah; and Loma Linda University Health
15 June is Refugee Sabbath for Adventist churches. Many will show “The Tenth,” a 3-minute video available online at refugeeministries.org or on YouTube. Adventist congregations that are involved in sponsoring refugees in their community may introduce them to the congregation or host a service witness on Sabbath afternoon.
On Sunday (16 June) the Juneteenth celebration in Huntsville, Alabama, will feature several alumni of Oakwood University, the Adventist institution located there. Juneteenth commemorates the 1865 abolition of slavery in the United States toward the end of the Civil War. Costumed actors will portray famous African Americans from the city such as Arna Bontemps, the Buffalo Soldiers, Dred Scott and Alex Haley. Included will be Anna Knight, one of the first Adventist overseas missionaries; Dr. Eva B. Dykes, the first African American woman to earn a PhD and a faculty member at Oakwood; Dr. Robert Shurney, an engineer at the Manned Space Flight Laboratory who played a key role in putting a human on the moon; Mrs. Inez Booth, a music professor at Oakwood and noted for her leadership in prison ministry; Mrs. Chessie Harris, the founder of the Harris Home for Children as a shelter for abused and orphaned children, who was recognized with a presidential award by U.S. President George H. W. Bush.
From APD, the official news agency for the Adventist denomination in parts of Europe – On May 27, Pathfinders in Hackney, London, led an Adventist peace march against the increase of gun crime and stabbings in the UK. The march was widely reported in both denominational and regional news. Pathfinders from across London joined the march. The event was attended by the mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville. UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid has described the escalation of stabbing crime as a “national emergency.”
In mid-May, an Adventist-church owned juice bar opened in downtown Ogden, Utah, that is providing unique ministry opportunities for young people. Press Together Juice Bar is a sustainable urban ministry that gives young people a new platform for outreach. In addition to offering healthy food options, they’re working to become the hub of community service projects in the Ogden area.
From Loma Linda University Health – Loma Linda University Medical Center – Murrieta was recognized for excellence in stroke care by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. The facility won the 2019 Get With The Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus and the Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Quality Achievement Award from the associations on May 31. This is the third year LLUMC – Murrieta has been recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association for quality stroke care.
