NewsPoints On The Air

Ep. 13: The Equality Act and Fairness for All Act feat. Todd McFarland and Melissa Reid

The subject on the table for this episode is extremely complex and delicate, and some may say controversial. We’re here to talk about the Equality Act and the Fairness for All Act.

The Equality Act, if adopted into law, will expand protections found in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to matters related to gender identity and sexual orientation. It would be a landmark piece of civil rights legislation.

Here’s the thing, due to religious liberty concerns, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is in opposition to the act and has instead backed the Fairness for All Act or FFA. Supporters of FFA say its advocate for the rights of LGBTQAI citizens in the secular space, while maintaining the ability to make decisions related to core religious beliefs.

Melissa Reid, associate director of NAD PARL, and Todd McFarland, associate general counsel of GC and NAD are here to walk us through the Church’s position with the two acts.

Ep. 13: (VIDEO) The Equality Act and Fairness for All Act feat. Todd McFarland and Melissa Reid

The subject on the table for this episode is extremely complex and delicate, and some may say controversial. We’re here to talk about the Equality Act and the Fairness for All Act.

The Equality Act, if adopted into law, will expand protections found in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to matters related to gender identity and sexual orientation. It would be a landmark piece of civil rights legislation.

Here’s the thing, due to religious liberty concerns, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is in opposition to the act and has instead backed the Fairness for All Act or FFA. Supporters of FFA say its advocate for the rights of LGBTQAI citizens in the secular space, while maintaining the ability to make decisions related to core religious beliefs.

Melissa Reid, associate director of NAD PARL, and Todd McFarland, associate general counsel of GC and NAD are here to walk us through the Church’s position with the two acts.

Episode 12: Building Bridges between Adventists and Muslims

Gabriela DePhillips or “Gaby” is the director of Adventist-Muslim relations for the North American Division. Over the past 26 years, she has found creative ways of building relationships between two faith communities that lead to deeper experiences with God.

She has practical advice on how to reach our Muslim brothers and sisters in our communities. She says we can seek common ground in order to reach higher ground together.

Episode 12: (VIDEO) Building Bridges between Adventists and Muslims

Gabriela DePhillips or “Gaby” is the director of Adventist-Muslim relations for the North American Division. Over the past 26 years, she has found creative ways of building relationships between two faith communities that lead to deeper experiences with God.

She has practical advice on how to reach our Muslim brothers and sisters in our communities. She says we can seek common ground in order to reach higher ground together.

Episode 11: Remembering John and Lillian Lewis feat. Rocky Twyman

Rockefeller Twyman aka “Rocky” was fortunate and blessed to have a close relationship with civil rights legend, and people’s champion John Lewis and his esteemed wife, Lillian. In honor of the late congressman’s birthday, Rocky shared some of his fond memories of the couple and unpacked the profound effect they had on his life.

 

This is the second of a two-part feature on the life of Rockefeller Twyman aka Rocky. If you haven’t listened part one, do yourself a favor and get to known Rocky through our previous episode.

BONUS EPISODE: Studying Abuse in Adventism feat. René Drumm

This is the time of year where love is heavily emphasized in commercials, social media posts, and even sermons. It’s everywhere. Love is beautiful, but sometimes it is manipulated to bring harm. This is what we’re here to talk about today. We’re echoing the mantra of NAD’s enditnow by saying LOVE SHOULDN’T HURT. This episode continues the conversation we began in December about abuse within Adventism.

 

The guest for this bonus episode is Rene Drumm, Professor of Social Work at The University of Southern Mississippi. She led a study on the effects of intimate partner violence among Seventh-Day Adventist church attendees. The study has made her one of the top experts on this topic within the denomination in North America. One of the main findings from the study was the prevalence of emotional abuse. Rene is here to define abuse and walk us through her study.

Episode 10: A Lifetime of Activism and Service feat. Rocky Twyman

*This episode is only available in audio*

Our guest for this episode is Rockefeller Twyman, but everyone who knows him calls him “Rocky.” And anyone who knows Rocky knows he’s had a fascinating life. In fact, his life is so rich of experiences and amazing stories, we decided to feature him in two back-to-back episodes.

 

Inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and molded by Adventist education, Rocky has led a life of service for decades. In addition, he is also a classically trained musician and prayer warrior. Rocky’s “can-do” attitude has sustained the 72-year-old’s drive to do all he can to help others.

 

Rocky currently resides in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and has made quite a name for himself within the world of public service. He has amassed an extensive and impressive network that ranges from major media networks and government leaders, who have also acknowledged him for the numerous bone marrow donation drives he’s organized over the years.

 

Here is a glimpse into the life of Rocky, someone who is truly one a kind. 

 

 

Episode 09: Taking the COVID-19 Vaccine feat. Dr. Steven Smith

We’re taking some time to discuss the COVID-19 vaccines with Dr. Steven Smith, senior vice president and chief scientific officer of AdventHealth. Dr. Smith is also the principal investigator of the Janssen Pharmaceuticals COVID-19 vaccine clinic trial on Orlando, Florida.

AdventHealth is one of five Adventist health care institutions within the NAD territory. It is also is one of the largest healthcare institutions in the U.S., with 80,000 employees operating on nearly 50 hospitals campuses in nine states. 

In this episode, Dr. Smith walks us through vaccine development 101 and the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. And plainly answers whether the COVID-19 vaccines should be trusted. Spoiler alert: Yes…they can definitely be trusted.

Episode 09: (VIDEO) Taking the COVID-19 Vaccine feat. Dr. Steven Smith

We’re taking some time to discuss the COVID-19 vaccines with Dr. Steven Smith, senior vice president and chief scientific officer of AdventHealth. Dr. Smith is also the principal investigator of the Janssen Pharmaceuticals COVID-19 vaccine clinic trial on Orlando, Florida.

AdventHealth is one of five Adventist health care institutions within the NAD territory. It is also is one of the largest healthcare institutions in the U.S., with 80,000 employees operating on nearly 50 hospitals campuses in nine states. 

In this episode, Dr. Smith walks us through vaccine development 101 and the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. And plainly answers whether the COVID-19 vaccines should be trusted. Spoiler alert: Yes…they can definitely be trusted.

Episode 08: Better Together in 2021 feat. Vandeon Griffin

Have you made your New Year’s resolution yet? Do you intend to make one? Or do you skip the practice all together?

Regardless if you’ve made a list or have already given up on some items on that list, many are reflecting on 2020, crafting goals, and setting priorities for the new year.

We’re taking some time to do that now for an important part of the church’s mission. Our guest, Vandeon Griffin, associate director of NAD Youth and Young Adult Ministries participated in the exercise by sharing a new year’s resolution on how make church a better place for young people in 2021.