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.

North American Division Position on Requests for Religious Exemptions to Vaccine Requirements

Voted recommendations to NAD Administration regarding requests for religious exemptions to vaccine requirements:

The North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists (NAD) is committed to sharing hope and wholeness through the healing ministry of Christ by promoting the Church’s historic health message. This includes caring for our own bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19,20) and ministering to the health of others within our community (Isaiah 58).

In line with this commitment, the NAD fully supports the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s statement encouraging “responsible immunization/vaccination,” and as such has “no religious or faith-based reason not to encourage [its] adherents to responsibly participate in protective and preventive immunization programs.”

While the Church’s statement recognizes it is “not the conscience of the individual church member, and recognize[s] individual choices,” the choice not to be vaccinated is not based on Seventh-day Adventist Church teachings or doctrine. For this reason, the Adventist church in North America does not provide Church-endorsed vaccine exemption request letters.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church respects convictions of conscience. While the NAD cannot endorse that vaccine refusal represents Adventist teachings, your local Union Public Affairs and Religious Liberty ministry is available to advise you in writing your own letter if you choose to pursue an individual vaccine exemption.

NAD COVID-19 Taskforce

Report presented to the 2021 North American Division Year-End Meeting on November 2 (below).

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

Southern Adventist University Welcomes New Senior Advisor to the President on Diversity and Strategic Planning

Kathy Goodridge-Purnell, Ph.D., joins Southern Adventist University as the new senior advisor to the president on diversity and strategic planning. Originally from England with roots in the Caribbean, Purnell is a gifted communicator and leader, bringing decades of relevant experience to the Collegedale campus.

Support, Fellowship, and Recharge!

“The CALLED convention was such a spiritually uplifting experience for me, especially the ministry spouses’ seminars. Being in the presence of so many ministry families brought a sense of camaraderie and joy!” exclaimed Heidi Martin, ministerial spouse guest panelist at the 2022 CALLED Pastors’ Family Convention and “Wake up With Hope” co-host.

ADRA Calls Attention to the Hunger Crisis and Ramps Up Aid to Save Thousands of Families in the Horn of Africa

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is scaling up emergency operations to deliver food assistance and water to vulnerable communities on the verge of starvation within the Horn of Africa, including Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Uganda.

Kevin Wilson to Lead Social Media at Andrews University

Andrews University welcomes Kevin Wilson as the new digital and social media coordinator in the Office of University Communication. Beginning in September 2022, Wilson will oversee the University’s social media platforms, developing and implementing strategy and overseeing the creation of content.

Escape from Home: A PUC Graduate and His Family Flee Ukraine

In January, as news reports about an impending Russian invasion mounted, Andrey Gulko, a Pacific Union College graduate, readied his team in Ukraine for the “worst-case scenario.” Have extra fuel on hand. Keep your car’s gas tank full. Gather together important documents. Pack a suitcase with bare necessities. Be ready for an emergency. They all did it. But nobody believed it. “I myself didn’t believe it,” Gulko said. “I didn’t think it could happen.” The Gulko family, along with millions of other Ukrainians, suddenly found themselves at the center of a crisis that had been escalating for years.