Florida Focus, Autumn 2007
The 2007 third-quarter issue of Florida Focus is now available for download in Adobe Acrobat format.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Adventists Affected by California Fires
October, 2007, Vol 2 Number 2-A
SPECIAL EDITION – THE CALIFORNIA FIRES
REPORT #1
This special edition of Disaster Response News is to give you some information about our church members in Southern California. As you would expect, communications are strained, given the massive evacuations and the loss of telephone service.
The information we have so far is not extensive, and some is not confirmed. More information should be coming in a few days.
The Pacific Union Adventist Community Services Disaster Response (ACS DR) Director (Coordinator), a volunteer like most conferences and unions, is coordinating the Seventh-day Adventist activities in the fire area.
Our North American Division (NAD) ACS DR Director is staying in contact with our people, as well as contact persons of other national disaster response organizations and government agencies.
The brief report we do have from Southern California indicates many of our members have had to evacuate, right along with all the citizens of their communities.
As of Monday, October 22, approximately 12 members have lost their homes, many others didn’t know the status of theirs. A number of our churches and schools in “safe zones” are serving as shelters. Others are on alert to open as needed.
Several of our schools have closed, due to the smoke. About 50 per cent of the buildings of the San Pasqual Academy have burned.
The constant reports and pictures on the news can become oversaturating to us, and we can become dulled or blind to the repeated images of fires and evacuees. However, we must always remember that these are still individuals and families. Thank God there have been so few deaths and injuries, so far.
The weather forecast indicates that by the time you receive this newsletter, the winds may have turned, maybe even reversed, and thereby help the fire fighters do their job.
While our ACS DR leaders are working with local, state, and federal officials to decide exactly what donations management role we will have, there are two things you can do:
1) Pray for all the citizens of Southern California, especially the leaders and responders, as they do what they can to take control of this seemingly uncontrollable situation.
2) Make financial donations to our own ACS DR program by sending donations directly to our national office, NAD ACS Disaster Response, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904, or marking your local church offering envelope for NAD ACS DR.
Monday, October 1, 2007
10th Annual Breast Cancer Seminar, Fashion Show and Dinner
Thursday, October 18, 2007, 6:00 p.m.
Stetson Baptist Church Life Center
1025 W. Minnesota Ave., DeLand
For the tenth consecutive year, Florida Hospital DeLand’s Women’s HealthCare Center has brought together breast cancer survivors and the community in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event begins with a fashion show consisting of breast cancer survivors who model the season’s latest fashions. Cost for the event is $20 and can be purchased until Friday October 12 at Florida Hospital DeLand’s Women’s HealthCare Center.
