N  E  W  S  B  R  E  A  K
 

Uganda Responds to Pleas of Sabbath-keepers

lection officials in Uganda have rescheduled a national election following a public protest by local leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Originally set for Saturday, February 16, the election has been brought forward to Thursday, February 14. The change of date heads off plans by Adventists in Uganda to hold a peaceful street demonstration to draw public attention to their plight.

People of faith should not be excluded from public life simply because government agencies fail to accommodate religious practices, such as Sabbath-keeping, said Adventist leaders at a press conference January 22.

"A peaceful protest would tell the world that we are being marginalized as a church and as a people," says John Wani, president of the Uganda Union. He explains that Adventists encounter problems not only at the polls, but in other aspects of public life as well. "As far back as 1997, our students in government institutions of higher learning have had the same problem, with examinations and lectures scheduled on Sabbath. We have repeatedly appealed to the government and to heads of those institutions to accommodate our students, but to no avail."

Following media coverage of the Adventist protest, "many people, including Catholics, Anglicans, and even Muslims, rang our office [and said] they would march with us if we announced the day and time for them to assemble." According to Wani, one caller suggested that marches be held in cities across Uganda to "march in support of the brave Adventist spirit, for the benefit of all faiths."

Although thankful for this latest reprieve, Wani says that there is still a long way to go before Uganda's approximately 120,000 Adventist Sabbath-keepers receive adequate public accommodation. "We appeal to the community of faith to pray for us in Uganda," he says, "especially for our students who are being persecuted in universities and colleges."

Youth Make a Difference in New York City
Project We Care: NYC, a response to September 11 by North American Adventist youth, reports completing its first successful week in early January. Coordinated by the Youth Net eXtreme Team, part of the Center for Youth Evangelism, plans are laid for more than 1,000 young people to visit New York City for one week of mission opportunity between January and May 2002. The week is spent demonstrating God's love and care for the people of New York in real and practical ways.

Brian Yeager, project leader, reports that 55 participants from Walla Walla College, Ohio, and Oklahoma were the first to complete a week on the streets of New York City. "The week was fantastic!" says Yeager, "During the week, participants logged over 1,300 hours of volunteer service and distributed more than 6,000 pieces of literature."

The ministry has two separate components: an evangelistic thrust which involves street, prayer, and literature ministry, and an emphasis on service which asks participants to simply be the hands and feet of Jesus meeting whatever needs are uncovered.

This first week found youth performing random acts of kindness, singing in subways and on ferries, working in shelters, helping victims of September 11 find financial assistance, and visiting fire stations. Other unique opportunities for witnessing, conversation, and personal ministry are presented each week.

More information concerning Project We Care: NYC, can be found at www.nycwecare.org.

Parsonage Purchased for Adventist Presidents
The General Conference Corporation Board has purchased a parsonage to be used by presidents of the Seventh-day Adventist world church.

"Many of us felt that such a decision was long overdue," said Robert L. Rawson, treasurer of the General Conference. "The public prominence of the office of the world church leader and on-going issues of security have been matters for church leadership to consider." The decision to purchase the property was made on the advice of the General Conference and world division officers.

Larry Colburn, assistant to the president, explained some of the background which led to the decision to purchase the residence. Concern for security was certainly a driving factor, reports Colburn, but the need to entertain guests also played a role in the overall plan. The president of the General Conference is often called upon to greet dignitaries and there is a need at times for a reception area outside of the business office setting. This residence will meet that purpose.

Pastor Jan Paulsen and his wife, Kari, are the first to occupy the parsonage located in Spencerville, Maryland, a community just outside Washington D.C. They moved from their townhouse to the new parsonage on January 22 and will pay a monthly rent equal to that of their townhouse. The difference between the monthly rent and the market rental value will be taxable income.

Recent Media Focus on SLA Bank Slaying
Highlights Adventist Connection
Five members of the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) have been arrested and charged with murder committed during a 1975 bank robbery in California. While the media is largely focused on justice delayed 25 years after a crime, it has also highlighted the murder victim, Myrna Opsahl, a member of the Carmichael Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Three women, including Opsahl, arrived at the bank Monday morning, April 21, 1975 to count the previous Sabbath's offering already deposited earlier. Caught in the line of fire, Opsahl died at the scene. The discovery and arrest of fugitive Sarah Jane Olson, a former SLA member, in 1999 prompted the effort to solve the crime. Olson, convicted in January 2002 of an attempted police bombing while part of SLA activities, now faces charges for Opsahl's death, along with four others.

News Notes

The General Conference Youth Department is offering Accent, a unique tool for youth ministry. The publication contains ideas and ready-to-use programs focused on effective youth ministry. For more information, contact Alfredo Garcia-Marenko, General Conference Youth Department, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

More Religious News
Adventist News Network
Religion News Service
Religion Today