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

Adventist Church in North America Releases New Short Film “Those Were the Good Days”

The North American Division and Sonscreen Film Festival have announced the release of a new short film entitled Those Were the Good Days. Produced by Sonscreen Films and Pacific Union College, the film explores themes of joy and parenting as it follows a father and daughter on a trip to the park.

Medical Mission Takes Off Again

Before the pandemic, the last mission trip by a medical team of the Guam Seventh-day Adventist Clinic was in November 2019. They traveled to Yap in the Federated States of Micronesia to provide primary care. The return to missions began in November 2022 when the clinic’s eye care team went to the Republic of Palau, followed by a medical and dental trip to Rota in the U.S. territory of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) in January 2023.

NASCAR’s Corey Lajoie and Jessie Rees Foundation Bring “Joy” to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Ahead of Auto Club Race

NASCAR driver Corey Lajoie and Irvine-based nonprofit Jessie Rees Foundation partnered to gift 100 "JoyJars" filled with toys, games, and activities to patients at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Where Do I Belong? Collegiates Discuss Finding Their Place in the Church

On Wednesday, January 25, 2023, an engaged group of 27 undergraduate and graduate student leaders, union-level youth directors, and NAD leaders met via Zoom to discuss what young people need to feel part of church life and leadership and how the NAD can better support them. This meeting had an open agenda, which was intentional.

John Wesley Taylor V Elected as Seventh President of Andrews University

On March 7, 2023, the executive session of the Andrews University Board of Trustees elected John Wesley Taylor V to serve as the seventh president of Andrews University (and 25th president overall since Andrews University first began as Battle Creek College in 1874). Taylor will serve as the next Andrews University president and will continue to fulfill the "Legacy of Leadership" that is a hallmark of the university and is the inscription on the J.N. Andrews sculpture in front of Pioneer Memorial Church on the Berrien Springs campus.