Coronavirus Pandemic | Seventh-day Adventist Church

The Path of Hope

Editorial by Terry Forde

Nearly 100 years ago, in 1921, Chinese essayist Lu Xun wrote, “Hope is like a path in the countryside. Originally, there is nothing –but as people walk this way again and again, a path appears.”

If you come across a path in a woods, or across a field, you may ask: “Where does this path lead?” or “Why is there a path here?”

Paths don’t just come out of nowhere. Sometimes they exist because people started walking there for a shortcut. Sometimes they exist because someone planned them out on a map and set about creating them. In either case, someone had to pave the way.

Takoma Academy Offers Expanded Learning Opportunities During Pandemic

Story by Salena Fitzgerald

Takoma Academy (TA) began the year in a virtual learning setting. Faculty and staff continue expanded opportunities for students to learn in a rigorous, yet accommodating structure. Teaching and learning in a remote environment, however, can pose challenges. TA recognizes these concerns and spent the summer bolstering their ability to offer effective virtual learning and additional supports for students academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally.

‘Jesus is the Answer!’

Editorial by Rick Remmers

We have finally arrived at the closing days of 2020. For so many unanticipated reasons, it has proven to be a watershed year. We know nearly everything in our lives has run into some measure of turbulence, and we don’t know when things will settle down or how different they will be in the years to come.

Maranatha French se Mantiene Fuerte en la Pandemia

Historia de Peggy Filossaint, pastora asociada de Marantha French

Al igual que muchas iglesias en todo el mundo, el coronavirus desafió a la Iglesia de Maranatha French en Newark a confiar en Dios, el liderazgo y la solidez de los miembros de su iglesia. Al presenciar las condiciones críticas y muertes de sus seres queridos debido al COVID-19, los asesinatos en todo el mundo y la muerte natural decidieron rodear los hogares en duelo con canciones, oraciones, pancartas de esperanza y aliento, tarjetas y flores.

New Jersey Churches Serve as COVID-19 Testing Sites

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

Three churches in New Jersey: First church in Teaneck; Metropolitan church in Plainfield; and Mt. Calvary church in Salem, recently served as hosting sites for COVID-19 and antibody testing. This was done in partnership with the initiative by Phil Murphy, New Jersey governor.

“We recognize the need for people of color to be tested, but there is a lot of fear in those communities. Churches are typically viewed as safe places, so we put the call out for churches, and they responded,” says Derrick Greene, senior advisor to the governor for diversity, faith, urban and regional growth.

Testing sites were set up in the parking lots of the churches where social distancing and masks were required. Testing was free and open to the public as long as they provided a photo ID and insurance card. Workers at First church administered COVID-19 and antibody testing to 75 people. “The testing was a great success,” says Robert Smith, pastor. “Our community was able to view us as an asset, and we saw it as a great witnessing opportunity.”