News Briefs for March 30, 2018
News reports from Adventist Peace Fellowship, the Philippines, Germany, Andrews University, Southern Adventist University, Sonora, California; Australia and Kenya.
The Adventist Peace Fellowship has written an open letter to Elder Ted Wilson, the president of the General Conference headquarters of the church. The letter calls on the GC to stop investing in weapons manufacturers. The matter of church investments in defence contractors will be discussed in this year’s GC-based Spring Meeting.
From Adventist News Network (ANN): A Seventh-day Adventist medical student has earned the top spot on the Philippines Physician Licensure exam according to the March 15 results released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). Jerald Pelayo is the fourth Adventist medical student to take the top spot on the national exam in the past 12 years. He also earned first-place on the national nursing board exam in 2011.
The Hope Channel in German will begin to reach into Luxemburg in mid-April as it starts to be distributed by Easyplay TV and Ulango TV. About 235,000 households in Germany and Luxembourg currently use these systems. The necessary app is available from the Google Store or Amazon. Hope Channel is the primary television ministry of the Adventist denomination around the world, produced in many media centers.
Andrews University Department of Engineering & Computer Science students Darrick Horton, Eric Anderson and Justin Wiley were part of the Michigan College Alliance team that placed second in the 2018 Stryker Engineering Challenge. According to an Andrews University report, the main event of the challenge involved designing and constructing a remotely controlled vehicle. The vehicle had to cross an obstacle course. It also had to find, pick up and transport Lego figures.
Southern Adventist University’s I Cantori student singers performed a selection of music including “We Shall Overcome” at the National Civil Rights museum on March 25. The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr. was present and posted on Facebook: “Recollections with Ambassador Andrew Young today. We were moved to tears when a Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN college choir sang “We Shall Overcome” across the street from the Lorraine Motel. The spirit of Dr. King continues to guide us. #MLK50”
The Union Democrat announced that Sonora, California-based Discover Life Seventh-day Adventist Church will provide free clothing for children in an April 20 event called God’s Closet. Parents will be given clothing for children ages birth to 18. All are welcome, and no documentation is required. The event charges a $1 donation to enter.
From ANN: A team of volunteers from the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) have been personally thanked by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian for their efforts responding to the devastating bushfires in south-eastern New South Wales. Hundreds of people were evacuated to Bega and Bermagui following the Tathra bushfire that rapidly spread on March 18. The fire destroyed 69 homes, while dozens of others were partially damaged. Some residents were forced to flee their homes at short notice and take shelter on the beach as the fires raged.
Kenyan news site hivisasa ran an informational piece this week titled ‘Food SDA’s don’t eat and Why?’ “Apart from convening their worship congregations on Saturdays and their peculiar style of singing, the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA) is also widely known for its strict doctrines on diet,” read the article before singling out Coca Cola, red meat, coffee, tea, wine and alcohol as Adventist no-nos.
