News Briefs for November 4, 2022
News reports from Venezuela, Brazil, Ukraine, Australia, and Southern Adventist University:
Caracas Cinematography
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the East Venezuela Union recently held a territory-wide film festival where hundreds gathered to view more than a dozen evangelistic short films and celebrate their production. The event took place at the Cultural Central Park Center in Caracas, Venezuela, on October 1, 2022.
“We are breaking paradigms with these films prepared by our media teams across the eight conference and mission fields here,” said Hernavid Torres, film director for the East Venezuela Union. The cinematography film festival, coined UVOFilms, became the first to feature 16 short films based on the parables of Jesus. The union held its first film festival in 2019 on a smaller scale.
No Relic
The Brazilian Creationist Society (SCB) will complete 50 years in 2022. Its history is linked to the pioneering spirit of the family of engineer Ruy Carlos de Camargo Vieira, now 92 years old, with the support of Francisco Batista de Mello, Nahor Neves de Souza Júnior, Humberto Ricci, and other Adventists from São Carlos, São Paulo. They took the first steps towards the formation of the entity that promotes creationism in the country. Over the decades, several other people have used their knowledge and talents in this cause.
Partnering for Ukraine
On October 26, a delegation of the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag (Parliament) visited the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Ukraine. The delegates spoke with ADRA staff from Germany and Ukraine about ongoing projects, upcoming challenges, and the work in general. The focus of the conversation was ADRA’s emergency aid “for particularly vulnerable population groups” in Ukraine itself.
“We are very pleased that we were able to present ADRA’s work to the representatives of the German Bundestag,” said Christian Molke, chairman of the board of ADRA Deutschland e.V. The relief organisation accompanies people from Ukraine and ensures their survival. Together with local partners and the Federal Foreign Office, it takes care of more than 50,000 refugees in Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Moldova. Food parcels, hygiene articles, and cash are distributed to the people to cover acute needs.
Ellen White and Contemporary Adventism
The relationship between Ellen White’s writings and the Bible will be the focus of an online symposium to be held on Sunday, November 6.
Featuring a top line-up of presenters from the Ellen G White Estate and Andrews University, the “Ellen White and Contemporary Adventism” symposium aims to provide clarity around how to interpret Mrs White’s writings correctly and responsibly.
“We want people to walk away from the symposium with an appreciation of the Spirit of Prophecy gift in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and proper understanding of its role within the Church,” said Dr Darius Jankiewicz, Field and Ministerial secretary and Spirit of Prophecy coordinator at the South Pacific Division (SPD).
“All the speakers are experts in their areas; their presentations will be balanced and in easy-to-understand language. Everyone is welcome to tune in from around the SPD.”
Topics include Ellen White and Scripture, The Nature of Inspiration and How it Works, The Godhead in the Writings of Ellen White, and How to use Ellen White’s Writings Properly. The event will also include newly produced video clips about Ellen White’s years in Australia and a Q&A session with the guest speakers.
Hosted by Adventist Record editor Jarrod Stackelroth and former assistant editor Maryellen Hacko, the symposium is being sponsored by the South Pacific Division, the Ellen G White Research Centre at Avondale University, and the Adventist Heritage Centre.
Click here for information on the schedule, guest speakers and viewing platforms.
All the President’s Men
From a Southern Adventist University Facebook announcement:
Mark your calendars! 50 years after Watergate, join us for a riveting conversation with Carl Bernstein, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and best-selling author of All the President’s Men.
This free event sponsored by the School of Journalism and Communication will take place on December 1 at 7 p.m. in Iles P.E. Center. RSVP is highly recommended, as seating is limited. Learn more at southern.edu/truth.
