An Inauguration, Constituency Sessions, and more...
On Wednesday, January 20, we were all inspired and encouraged as we witnessed a peaceful transition of power in Washington, D.C.
Despite the unrest of recent weeks, the peaceful transition from one administration to another went forward in our American government this last Wednesday. There have been so many prayers ascending, asking for God’s blessing on the affairs of our nation. As we continue to express thankfulness and gratitude for God’s grace, let us also continue to pray for our leaders, that they will be led by God and will govern with integrity, compassion, and justice.
There is news this week that impacts our church as well. For the second time in 10 months, members of the Executive Committee of the global Seventh-day Adventist Church have voted to postpone the quinquennial session of the denomination, originally scheduled for late June of 2020, due to challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The General Conference session is now scheduled for June 6-11, 2022, in Indianapolis. Read the Adventist Review article via the link below.
adventistreview.org/church-news/story15892-leaders-vote-to-postpone-general-conference-session-2020-for-a-second-time
The Pacific Union Conference Constituency meeting is scheduled to take place August 15-16, 2021, in Tucson, Arizona. More information and details about the meeting will be coming in the weeks ahead.
News from Adventist Health
Adventist Health serves more than 80 communities in the West Coast and Hawaii. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in hospitals, clinics, home care agencies, hospice agencies, and joint-venture retirement centers in both rural and urban communities.
Their compassionate and talented team of 35,000 includes associates, medical staff physicians, allied health professionals, and volunteers driven in pursuit of one mission: living God's love by inspiring health, wholeness, and hope. Their efforts in caring for COVID-19 patients, distributing vaccines, and providing for their workers have been highlighted in the media these past months.
Adventist Health White Memorial hospital, a facility that's been besieged by the COVID-19 virus and inundated with patients, is getting some help now from the California National Guard, the state, and the Army Corps of Engineers. Read more from NBC Los Angeles news via the link below.
nbclosangeles.com/news/coronavirus/boyle-heights-hospital-gets-help-from-national-guard-state-army/2497199/
Hospitals have been offering the first vaccinations against COVID-19 in their communities. Just as crucial as properly storing the vaccine or administering shots is the health education that accompanies them. One of those on the frontlines of health education is Dr. Ronald Reynoso, chief medical officer at Adventist Health Bakersfield and Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley. Read the informative Q & A with Dr. Reynoso about how the vaccine works via the link below.
bakersfield.com/news/q-a-with-adventist-healths-dr-ronald-reynoso-about-the-covid-19-vaccine/article_3a22122c-4c6d-11eb-912c-b775ed241f15.html
And from Hawaii—Adventist Health Castle begins vaccinations for seniors over 75 who live or work in Windward Oahu. See link to this story below.
hawaiinewsnow.com/2021/01/08/windward-oahu-hospital-begins-vaccinations-kupuna-frontline-workers/
Religious Liberty Focus, Jan. 23
Every year on the third Sabbath in January, Seventh-day Adventists around the world take time to remember the God-given gift of religious freedom.
On Religious Liberty Sabbath, we take time to reflect on the precious gift of religious freedom and we pray for the many millions of men, women, and children who continue to suffer harassment, discrimination, and even imprisonment or physical harm because they choose faithfulness to God, no matter what.
Religious Liberty Sabbath in North America will be commemorated tomorrow, on January 23. Through our prayers, we can support our brothers and sisters around the world, and we can express our support for freedom for all people, no matter what their faith.
In the January Recorder, we have a special four-page insert on Religious Liberty that you can download from our website. These four pages are a great way to share Religious Liberty with your family and friends.
Special Religious Liberty Insert
sda.faith/ChurchState2021
Religious Liberty Sabbath
adventistliberty.org/religious-liberty-sabbath
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“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
– John 8:36
