BREAKING NEWS

Cloning Report Raises Questions

he announcement that a human being has been "cloned" by a group of scientists--a claim for which no evidence has yet been seen--rekindles interest in, and speculation about, how far science can and should go to alleviate human suffering. Considering its longstanding involvement in health care and cutting edge techniques, such as infant heart transplants, professionals and lay members of the Adventist Church might well ask if there are instances where cloning is permissible, or is all cloning always wrong?

According to Dr. Gerald Winslow, dean of the Faculty of Religion and professor of ethics at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California, "attempting to clone a human being at this point in human history would be irresponsible, and the main point [is] it would be highly dangerous. We don't know what the likely risks are for any baby that would or might be produced in this way."

Such uncertainty about the results--would a "cloned" human experience immediate or unforeseen illness or impairment, for example, and would society treat such persons as less desirable or expendable--raise moral issues Christians will need to confront, Winslow said.

"What gets altered is the set of questions we bring to the topic of the essence of human existence. The basic question that arises in the minds of a lot of Christians is whether we've overstepped the boundaries," Winslow told Adventist News Network in a telephone interview. "It's fairly evident that we won't be able to look up a passage of scripture, so we will have to do something that Christians have always had to do, and that is search for underlying biblical principles," he said.

He added, "Part of the Adventist commitment in ethics is to say this is a responsibility that each member has as a matter of personal accountability before God. We're given instruction and the power of the Holy Spirit, and we're asked to be thoughtful. I think it's a good opportunity for Christians to think about basic principles."

The Adventist Church, in a 1998 statement drafted in part by Dr. Winslow and Loma Linda University School of Medicine microbiology and biochemistry professor Dr. Anthony J. Zuccarelli, said that while cloning to produce a human being was morally unacceptable, the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer, which creates genetic material that can be used to prevent or repair damage from disease, can be allowed.

"It is a Christian responsibility to prevent suffering and to preserve the quality of human life (Acts 10:38; Luke 9:2)," the Adventist statement said. "If it is possible to prevent genetic disease through the use of somatic cell nuclear transfer, the use of this technology may be in keeping with the goal of preventing avoidable suffering."

The 1998 statement notes that "the rapid pace of progress in this field will require periodic review of these principles in light of new developments."

Loma Linda University Medical Center, established by the Adventist Church in 1905, is internationally renowned for its medical research and treatments in areas such as heart transplant surgery and non-invasive proton beam therapy for prostate and breast cancer.
                                                          --Advnetist News Network

Sacramento Pastor Becomes
California State Assembly Chaplain
Ivan L. Williams, senior pastor of Capitol City Church in Sacramento, California, was sworn in as alternate chaplain of the California State Assembly on December 2, 2002. Williams was told of his appointment by the office of the Speaker of the Assembly, Herb J. Wesson, Jr., the day before Thanksgiving.

The pastor of the San Diego Maranatha Church at the time, Williams met Wesson when Wesson and former lieutenant governor Kevin McCarthy visited the Maranatha Church. McCarthy had attended Seventh-day Adventist schools in Trinidad.

Williams (right), greets Herb Wesson, Speaker of the California State Assembly. Photo by Vikki Montgomery.

When Wesson heard that Williams was moving to Sacramento, he told Williams that he would "be in touch" with him. Williams said the request to serve as chaplain came "out of the blue." A non-church member apparently recommended Williams for the post.

Williams' primary duty as alternate chaplain will be to pray at assembly functions when the main chaplain, Reverend Constantine Pappademos of St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Elk Grove, is unavailable. Reverend Pappademos also took the oath of office. Both are non-Assembly officers, which means they are non-voting members.

Wesson received the oath of office from former Speaker of the California State Assembly and the present San Francisco mayor, Willie L. Brown, Jr.. Williams, along with other assembly members, was sworn in by California Supreme Court Justice, Joyce L. Kennard.

"I don't plan on this appointment taking away from my pastoral duties," says Williams, who also serves as a reserve Air National Guard chaplain. "I see it as a confirmation of the call to come to Sacramento."

First Biblical Stewardship
Institute held in Inter-America
Delegates representing each Spanish-speaking union field throughout the Inter-American Division (IAD) met in Miami this past December to receive training in the first Biblical stewardship institute in the division territory. The institute, held at the IAD headquarters, is part of a new strategy by the IAD Strategic Plan for the 2000-2005 quinquennium.

"This institute includes a curriculum of classes with biblical foundation in the Adventist theological framework, and its purpose is to offer a high academic quality in the area of stewardship for pastors, church elders, and other local leaders," said Mario Niņo, stewardship director for IAD. "The institute fulfills an urgent need, since it will train each delegate to preach stewardship principles with authority as well as how to promote these principles effectively at the local church level," he added.

Classes included church stewardship strategies, fundamentals of stewardship, how to study the Bible, personal finances, and the power of preaching.

"This stewardship institute is a new experience in the way it has been organized and the subjects taught," says German Alferez, stewardship director for the church in Colombia. "The beauty of this institute is that the stewardship is centered in God, in who God is. When we get to that point of knowing God and loving Him, the rest will happen in a spontaneous and pleasant way. This institute has impacted all of us attending, and it will surely impact our congregations in our fields."

Feliberto Martinez, dean of the theology department at the Adventist University in the Dominican Republic, believes that the stewardship institute will greatly benefit the development of the church. "It is a way for the newly learned knowledge to multiply and get to the basic fundamental levels of the church, so that the church members can have a clear concept and can then fulfill the role as stewards with greater effectiveness," he said.

Instructors at the institute included Ben Maxson, General Conference stewardship director, Angel Manuel Rodriguez, General Conference Biblical Research Institute director, Edgar Escobar, director of the Andrews University Extension at the Antillean Adventist University, Ramon Maury, IAD vice president, and Rafael Gomez, retired Bible professor.

King's Medal Presented to Norwegian College Worker
Edith Takle, longtime worker at Tyrifjord Junior College located in Royse, Norway, was presented an honorary silver medal from the King of Norway for long and faithful service on December 14, 2002 during the worship service.

Takle, 85, has worked at the school for more than 40 years and is still working 7-8 hours a week, although she retired years ago. She has worked as a dormitory dean, in the kitchen, in the laundry, and many other areas of the school.

The medal was presented by Per R. Berger, mayor of the city of Royse. He pointed out that although the medallion was silver, the lady was "good for gold." Tor Tjeransen, Norwegian union president, noted that Takle had followed generations of young people in her service at Tyrifjord, and she had earned the title of "sister" in a special way. He rejoiced with her that she was awarded this honorary medal from the King of Norway, but pointed out that she still had an award to come from the King of Kings who would say, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

The medal came as a complete surprise to Takle. She told the congregation she has enjoyed working with the young people and will continue to work at Tyrifjord Junior College as long as her health allows her to do so.

First Ghanian Church in North America
Celebrates Grand Opening
The Columbus Ghanaian Seventh-day Adventist Church in Columbus, Ohio, made history by building the first church facility to house a Ghanaian congregation in North America.

On hand to celebrate the grand opening of the church in October 2002 were Matthew Bediako, secretary of the General Conference, Luka Daniel, president of the African-Indian Ocean Division, Peter Mensah, president of the Ghanian Union, Agyemang Duah, minister consul of health and public affairs, representing Alan Kyerematen, Ghanian Ambassador to the United States, Larry Price, special assistant to the mayor, representing Michael Coleman, mayor of Columbus, and guests from several parts of North America and Europe. A crowd of 800 was present for the occasion.

The Ghanian congregation, which had its beginnings in Columbus in 1998, has experienced dramatic growth. Following the grand opening celebration, a public evangelistic campaign began with Peter Mensah as speaker.

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