WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES
Concern Over Proposed UK "Religious Hatred" Legislation
dventist church leaders in the United Kingdom are concerned about new legislation proposed by Britain's Home Secretary David Blunkett to outlaw incitement to "religious hatred." Cecil Perry, president of the Adventist Church in Britain and director of its Public Affairs and Religious Liberty department, commented on the "baleful and demoralizing effects that the fear of terrorism can have on our society." He also expressed concern over some of the broader implications of the proposed legislation. "Although the introduction of the legislation is unfortunately associated with events of terror perpetrated by extremists associated closely with an identifiable religious group, the passing of such legislation, although well intentioned, would have serious implications for religion as a whole."
"The growing concern by many about the Home Secretary's intended legislation to curb the speech and actions of certain religious groups is the restricting of the civil and religious rights of all," Perry added. "With such legislation in place, the government could, at least in theory, exercise the right to curb all religious practices, whether or not they endanger the public good and threaten law and order."
--British Union Conference News
ACN Satellite TV Transitions to West Coast
Adventist Communication Network (ACN) is now headquartered at the Adventist Media Center in Simi Valley, California. For the past several years ACN operated from Maryland and developed satellite programs such as the early North American Division NET evangelism series. As of July 1, 2004, the satellite TV function of ACN transitioned to the West Coast. The current ACN staff, however, will remain at North American Division Headquarters and continue to develop DVD church resource materials, with Jere Wallack serving as director.
Former OC Church Pastor Eric Calvin Ward Dies
Eric Calvin Ward, who served as pastor of the Oakwood College Seventh-day Adventist Church in Hunstville, Alabama, for 21 years, died at the age of 79 on April 29, 2004.
Under Ward's leadership, the first Oakwood College Church sanctuary since the school's inception in 1896 was built. At its completion, it was the largest Black Adventist church in the United States. During Ward's pastorate, church membership increased from 348 members to more than 2,000.
Before coming to Oakwood, Ward pastored in the San Diego and Los Angeles areas for 11 years, and served as secretary of the Southern California Conference in Glendale, California.
News Notes
In early March, 29 evangelists, five pastors, and 24 lay persons held evangelistic meetings in Romania. The series of meetings was not advertised, but attendance grew from 200 to 600, with more than 200 making decisions for baptism.
Betty Juarros, associate superintendent of education for the Northern California Conference, received the "Award of Excellence," the second highest award conferred by the General Conference Office of Education.
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