Themed “Safeguarding Peace,” the North American Division’s (NAD) enditnow Summit on Abuse, held from November 12-13, 2023, at Andrews University, featured an abuse survivor's video testimony and follow-up discussions; thought-provoking devotionals; and presentations from advocates, church leaders, and educators. It ended with hands-on training on responding appropriately to abuse disclosures and creating a resource list for abuse survivors. More than 100 church leaders, educators, seminary students, professional advocates, and volunteers across North America and Europe registered for the event, indicating their commitment to combatting abuse. The two-day initiative concluded with an enditnow certification ceremony for attendees who demonstrated the ability to support abuse survivors through a skills assessment.

What does your church parking lot look like during the week? For many, the answer is “empty,” but for two Adventist Community Services (ACS) ministries in the Houston, Texas, area, the answer is “full of cars.” The Fondren Seventh-day Adventist Church ACS moved their food distribution into the parking lot in 2020 to abide by COVID-19 recommendations and they haven’t moved back inside. Rain or shine, Fondren ACS volunteers distribute boxes of food to their community every Wednesday.

The third stop of the Young Adult LIFE Tour landed in the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists at Spring Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church in Central Florida. With more than 200 registrants and 1,000-plus in attendance, the weekend was filled with meaningful connections, inspiration, and relevant training on growing together.

On October 19, 2023, students at Pacific Union College had the opportunity to partner with community agencies to give back to the local neighborhoods. During service day, students volunteer at service locations to assist residents with various community needs. This campus program implements service learning, where students can get involved in the food pantry, homeless and hospital ministries, and other service-learning activities at the college. Service day is just one dimension of PUC’s commitment to community involvement.