“To Protect and Serve” [February, 2003]
Thank you for the many interesting articles throughout the year. I especially have enjoyed the last one about the African Americans in our area in service jobs. So inspiring to know they are out there for the community. Thank you for sharing.
Judy Hays—Longview, Wash.
“A Long-ago Summer in Forks: The Power of One” [March, 2003]
The delightful feature story, “A Long-ago Summer in Forks” by Bruce Johnson hit a most nostalgic chord with me. I was 9 years old in 1951 when my sister, 13, and brother, 11, and I moved to Forks with our mother—a single parent suffering from advancing multiple sclerosis. We were affiliated with the Seventh-day Church of God at the time, but were rapidly befriended by the young Mrs. Cowles and others of that kind congregation.
My sister, Holly, went on to become the wife of Pastor Sid Nelson, serving many years in pastoring and missionary service until their tragic death July 1999.
My brother, Chet, also went on to serve this denomination with nearly 40 years of teaching, recently retiring as chair of the Industrial Education Department of Walla Walla College.
So while the practical godliness of Mrs. Cowles has served this denomination generously through her family, her influence along with others of the Forks church had some added benefits not lost to this denomination.
Herbert A. Blake—Puyallup, Wash.
What a wonderful read. Exciting! It [March issue] had a hint of storybook format, for it kept going on and on from the feature, “The Power of One.” The magazine was virtually impossible to put down until read in the entirety. Encouraging is an understatement!
Thank you for including the articles on two heavenly inspired outreach projects—“Grandma’s House” and “Cookie’s Retreat Center.” Both, though different in function, meet a felt need in the communities. Stars in the crowns for the staff and founders of each project!
Carol Martin—[e-mail]
I saw that someone submitted an article for Cookie’s Retreat Center in the March issue. We were thrilled to see it in there but found errors in both of the phone numbers listed! Our office number is (509) 624-6334. And our 24-hr. crisis hotline is (509) 624-6333. We also have a toll free crisis number (866) 625-6333.
Kim Bryan—President, Cookie’s Retreat Center
“In the Military and Lonely” [April 2003]
Should we put up an “honor roll” in the church for the men and women in the armed forces? I would say: NOT! These men and women have been trained to kill and to maim. Is that what we want to honor? If we have an honor roll it should have the names of conscientious objectors and medics in the armed forces. These risk their lives to save others and should be honored.
Dola Farag—Spokane, Wash.
I so appreciated the editorial by Jere Patzer on creating an honor roll in the church for our military personnel. I have sent a copy of it to our elders here at the Knoxville, Tenn., First Church where we have several members in service.
Dwight Lenhoff—LifeTalk Radio Network [e-mail]
“KEEPing Students in Christian Education” [May 2003]
Shelley Bacon is correct that Adventist kids in public schools don’t hear the name of Christ spoken openly with love and respect, and that they can’t share their prayer requests openly with their teachers or fellow students. But she also says “these children cannot feel the Savior’s touch through the hands of a God-loving teacher.”
That is very biased and unfair! That is saying that only Adventist teachers are God-loving, and that the Savior’s touch can only come through an Adventist teacher. We all know better than that!
My children attend a small, public, charter school and we love it!
Rebecca Sanders—[e-mail]
