Resources on COVID-19: Vaccination Information, Guidance on Immunization, and Additional NAD News and Information

March 30, 2021 | Columbia, Md. | North American Division

The North American Division has put together a series of links to offer guidance about vaccines from national and international health organizations, the General Conference, and healthcare experts. The COVID-19 vaccine is highlighted in particular. Also included here are practical articles, NAD statements, and more.

NEW SYMPOSIUM: "Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Trustworthy? A Biblical Conversation About Science"

On May 15, the North American Division broadcast this symposium on COVID-19 vaccines. Healthcare professionals, communication experts, and church theologians gathered to help make sure church members are well informed when deciding whether to take the vaccine. Read the news report by clicking HERE; watch the symposium below (presentation begins at 2:20).

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

NAD Webinar on Vaccines

The COVID-19 Vaccines: "Sorting Through Facts, Sharing Our Mission": https://nadhealth.org/ministry-goals-series/the-covid-19-vaccines/

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Link

"Coronavirus mRNA Vaccine Safety and Efficacy" [video]: https://youtu.be/OvPg6PMI-q0

NAD Links

STATEMENTS

NAD Administration Shares Information Regarding COVID-19 and Division Response: https://www.nadadventist.org/news/nad-administration-shares-information-regarding-covid-19-and-division-response
La administración de la División Norteamericana comparte información sobre COVID-19 y la respuesta de la División: https://www.nadadventist.org/news/la-administracion-de-la-division-norteamericana-comparte-informacion-sobre-covid-19-y-la
NAD Administration Provides Guidance for Church in North America During the COVID-19 Pandemic: https://www.nadadventist.org/news/nad-administration-provides-guidance-church-north-america-during-covid-19-pandemic
La administración de la NAD brinda una guía para la Iglesia en Norteamérica durante la pandemia COVID-19: https://www.nadadventist.org/news/la-administracion-de-la-nad-brinda-una-guia-para-la-iglesia-en-norteamerica-durante-la
NAD Leadership Announces Transition to Virtual Office in Response to COVID-19: https://www.nadadventist.org/news/nad-leadership-announces-transition-virtual-office-response-covid-19
Seventh-day Adventist Higher Education in North America Issues Statement During COVID-19 Pandemic Closures: https://www.nadadventist.org/news/seventh-day-adventist-higher-education-north-america-issues-statement-during-covid-19-pandemic

VACCINE SPECIFIC VIDEOS AND ARTICLES

COVID-19 Vaccines: Addressing Concerns, Offering Counsel: https://www.nadadventist.org/news/covid-19-vaccines-addressing-concerns-offering-counsel
Understanding the Safety and Efficacy of the COVID-19 Vaccine [interview with Dr. Steven Smith]: https://www.nadadventist.org/news/understanding-safety-and-efficacy-covid-19-vaccine
AdventHealth Interview With Dr. Alric Simmonds Addresses Hesitancy Toward Taking COVID-19 Vaccination [video]: https://www.nadadventist.org/news/adventhealth-interview-addresses-hesitancy-toward-taking-covid-19-vaccination
Getting Your Vaccine: An NAD Officer Goes to His Appointment [video]:https://www.nadadventist.org/news/getting-your-vaccine-nad-officer-goes-his-appointment

Stock photo of mental health counselor — *iStock Photography*

LIFESTYLE/PERSONALLY HELPFUL ARTICLES

"Is Quarantining Really Necessary?" NAD Health Ministries director weighs in: https://www.nadadventist.org/news/quarantining-really-necessary
"Before You Reopen Your House of Worship, Consider This" [thoughts/questions for churches]: https://www.nadadventist.org/news/you-reopen-your-house-worship-consider
"'Dear Coronavirus' Videos Circle the World": https://www.nadadventist.org/news/dear-coronavirus-videos-circle-world
"AdventHealth Chaplains, Leaders Meet Human Needs Amid Coronavirus Pandemic": https://www.nadadventist.org/news/adventhealth-chaplains-leaders-meet-human-needs-amid-coronavirus-pandemic

NAD FUNDING NEWS — COVID-19 RELATED

"NAD Leadership Provides Guidance on Government Funding Assistance Due to COVID-19 Crisis": https://www.nadadventist.org/news/nad-leadership-provides-guidance-government-funding-assistance-due-covid-19-crisis
"El Liderazgo de la NAD brinda orientación sobre la asistencia financiera del gobierno debido a la crisis de COVID-19": https://www.nadadventist.org/news/el-liderazgo-de-la-nad-brinda-orientacion-sobre-la-asistencia-financiera-del-gobierno-debido

NAD Leaders and Staff Honor Three Retiring Vice Presidents

The North American Division honored three retiring vice presidents through a virtual event that gave colleagues the opportunity to express their gratitude and share memories of the outgoing leaders. Alvin Kibble, former vice president for executive coaching, training, development, public affairs and religious liberty, literature ministries, and social media and big data; Paul Brantley, vice president for strategy and assessment; and Gordon Pifher, vice president for media ministries, received heart-felt spoken and written messages on May 12, 2021, from administration and staff about the legacy they’ll leave behind as they enter retirement.

Conference Event, Evangelism Impact 2021, Goes Virtual During COVID-19 Pandemic

Merely 12 months ago, the Carolina Conference Ministerial Department had hosted more than 1,000 attendees at the fourth annual Evangelism Impact at the Landmark Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In this uncertain year, the event went virtual, with a similar number of attendees joining online.

It Is Written Wins 10 Telly Awards

It Is Written has won 10 Telly Awards this year for five different programs: one gold, seven silver, and two bronze. Four awards, including the gold, were given to “The Trail of Tears,” the first It Is Written program examining the forced relocation of Native Americans. Additionally, "Every Word," the It Is Written one-minute daily devotional, was recognized for the first time.

Extended, “Gamified” Sonscreen Film Festival on Gather.Town Connects Students with Growing Filmmaking Network

The annual young adult film festival sponsored by the North American Division became an extended virtual experience through a six-session-long program on Gather.town, a customizable video-conferencing space that allowed for enhanced virtual interactivity among attendees. Sonscreen Film Festival 2021 took place every Friday, from April 2 to May 7, from 4-6 p.m. EDT, on the gamified platform that has been described as a combination of Zoom and the “Among US” video game.

Southwest Region Conference Elects Oakwood Alumnus Carlton P. Byrd as President

On Sunday, May 23, 2021, the executive committee of the Southwest Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists convened at the Dallas City Temple Seventh-day Adventist Church in Texas to elect a new president. The committee met and prayerfully considered several esteemed candidates. After being led by the Holy Spirit, they ultimately voted to elect Carlton P. Byrd as president.