Apology Needed
Your March 2015 Gleaner issue features several advertisements for GleanerWeekly that I found to be both insensitive and offensive. The ads attempt to use Maddy Baird's recent passing as an implicit rationale for using your news service. How might her family and (many) friends receive such marketing materials? The loss of Maddy has been incredibly painful here in Walla Walla. In fact, it is still a very raw wound today only a couple weeks after her memorial service. I trust this was an unfortunate oversight by editorial staff.
Gleaner responds:
We blew it. These ads are typically updated with the most current news story available just before press time. In this case, the unfortunate timing unintentionally combined Maddy’s image with promotional language that appeared as a callous, insensitive attempt to capitalize on tragedy. We were privileged to help rally prayer support and keep Northwest members informed immediately following Maddy's tragic accident. We are sorry that subsequent Gleaner content caused hurt instead of healing. We offer our heartfelt apology to Maddy's family and all who knew and loved her.
Don't Stop!
In response to one or two recent letter writers who disagreed with the content in your Perspective columns, I want to say, "We love Seth Pierce, Martin Weber and Steve Vistaunet’s editorials. Do not stop letting them express their thoughts please!" I usually read all three before reading anything else. Just keep being who you are, and know there are many people who love these editorials.
Don't Forget the Wife
In ["Montana Welcomes New Employees," February 2015 Gleaner] only two of the three new employees were pictured with their wives. The wife of Victor Infante, Hispanic Bible worker, was not even mentioned. He is married to a wonderful lady named Carmen. She is very well known and loved by the Hispanic community in the Washington Conference, as a leader in the women, prayer, and evangelism ministries.
Agreement With the Memo
Thank you for publishing the article "A Memo to Protesters" by Martin Weber [February 2015 Gleaner]. There are many Adventists that have been called to be police officers by God, and it can be hard to listen to the harsh media at times. As each day goes by, there seems to be less and less God in the lives and homes of Americans. I pray that God will bless and guide those who work to protect the weak and labor for justice while on this earth.
Jesus With Skin On
I so appreciated Seth Pierce’s article on mingling ["Go Therefore and Mingle," February 2015]. We find it so easy to put up our billboards, send our flyers and even believe we are the true church, but forget to meet people face to face, side by side. Are we afraid something might rub off on us if we rub shoulders with those outside the church — caring for their needs and serving our communities, either as individuals or by joining a worthy cause? Just like Seth’s daughter cried from the top of the stairs, people are crying from all walks of life and hardship. Let’s be Jesus with skin on and serve as He served.
Another Look at the Memo
I read with interest the article in the recent Gleaner by Mr. Martin Weber concerning the New York and Ferguson incidents involving the killing of two young black men. … I certainly do not condone the violent killing of two New York police offices as retribution for the killing of Eric Garner. But, in this case, I submit that this death did not have to occur. The concept of “shoot (in this case, suffocate) now, ask questions later” seems unacceptable to me. Garner was said to be “resisting arrest,” but how does one distinguish between fighting to breathe and resisting arrest? The grand jury did not indict the officers involved, but that was a legal determination, not a moral or ethical determination. There was no determination of whether the officers acted appropriately. When it is evident that individuals are physically or mentally challenged, are there alternatives to shouting commands at them and killing them if they can’t/don’t follow the commands? Unfortunately, killings of such individuals have also occurred in other parts of the country when they have not responded to police commands. How are we, as a society, going to deal with these challenges from a public health perspective? Shall we just hang our hats on Rom. 13:1–4 and because the police are “divinely appointed” fail to hold them accountable for their actions or fail to recognize and train them in better ways to deal with these challenging situations? In the days of the civil rights, certainly, there were people who prayed, including Dr. King. But, there was also killing (including Dr. King), rioting and similar activities in areas where there were disputes over segregation. What are the actions that Mr. Weber thinks we need to take to be among the “overcomers” in these situations?
Good Job, Photographers!
I love the photos that you selected as winners this year, even if they do make me jealous of the photographer who took several of them. I want to be able to photograph the cougar in the wild! I have many photos from many of these places and was thrilled to see the familiar, favorite spots as well as some more common, but stunning scenics, such as the canola fields. God's creative power shows His love to us in spectacular spreads of grandeur and the tiniest hidden gems. "Good job" to each photographer and to the Gleaner team that had the difficult job of selecting a specified number of photos.
