News Briefs for October 6, 2022
News reports from Germany, Mexico, Southern Adventist University, Southwestern Adventist University, and Leoni Meadows Summer Camp:
Royally Inspired
On September 22–25, 2022, around 220 women attended a Women’s Ministries (WM) congress in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, organized for the three German-speaking countries. There were participants from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany, as well as several other countries.
The congress concentrated on lessons from the life of Queen Esther, encapsulating her decision to save her people in the words of the congress motto, “And NOW I will go.” In a monologue written by Dany Canedo and beautifully presented by Dilruba Kam, Queen Esther reflected on her life and her struggle to go forward and save her people.
Social Smarts
The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Chiapas, Mexico, is serious about providing opportunities for hundreds of young people across the region to become digital evangelists. During a recent communication training, more than 800 young people from hundreds of local churches met to create or optimize their digital ministries on social media platforms to spread the message of the gospel.
The one-day training saw hundreds gather at five different locations throughout Chiapas on August 21–27, 2022, to learn how to be creative disciples when producing short films, taking photographs and videos with their smartphones, writing news stories, and more. Church leaders called it the “Communication and Hope Media” training tour.
Serious Autographs
A new exhibit showcasing verified original signatures of prominent historical figures from around the world is currently hanging on the walls of Southern Adventist University’s McKee Library. The display is open to the public and includes 75 autographs spread across 24 frames, each of which includes historically significant objects. The collection belongs to alum Rahn Shaw (class of 1978), M.D.
“I want to inspire students,” Shaw said. “This collection represents people who aimed and strived for great accomplishments. For learners with all kinds of passions and interests, this can encourage them to dream big within the realms of their own fields of study.”
Shaw’s collection will remain on the library’s main floor until December 9.
Free Fossils
On Sunday evening, August 14, 2022, 253 kids received real fossils for free as they entered The Depot at Cleburne Station, home of the Cleburne Railroaders baseball team in Cleburne, Texas. Just inside the gate, full-scale exhibits of a Nanotyrannus and an Oviraptor greeted kids. Behind the dinosaurs, a “bone bed” begged kids to discover dinosaur bones for themselves before the Cleburne Railroaders took the field on Johnson County Jurassic Night at the ballpark.
This was the second year the Cleburne Railroaders and Southwestern Adventist University’s Dinosaur Museum and Research Center partnered to bring this free children’s event to the community. John Junker, owner of the Cleburne Railroaders, said, “We’re really excited about this event. It’s always great to partner with Southwestern Adventist University, and what a unique opportunity to promote the university and the museum. The artifacts they give away — just everything for the kids — raises awareness. I think it’s really great.”
Back Up and Camping
Leoni Meadows Summer Camp in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains reopened this summer after the Caldor wildfire caused significant damage in 2021.
June 26, 2022, was the first day of family camp, and a soft opening for the reconstructed venue. “From day one following the fire we have battled challenge after challenge to get the camp ready,” said Craig Heinrich, camp director. Heinrich continued, “God has provided, time and again, the resources, materials, permits, employees, contractors, and volunteers to rebuild, refurbish, and restore our camp.”
The 2021 Caldor Fire, which started near the camp, burned nearly 220,000 acres during its rampage. Nearly 1,100 structures in its path were destroyed or damaged. The camp also took a hit. Ten buildings key to the camp, including two staff houses, were total losses.
Image credit: Northern California Conference
