June 3, 2020

By: Leslie Pollard, Oakwood University

On May 31, 2020, Oakwood University president Leslie Pollard wrote the following letter to the schools community following the death of George Floyd. Oakwood University is an historically Black Seventh-day Adventist school in Huntsville, Alabama, United States.Editors

Since I first shared my feelings about recent eventsin our nationon last Thursday morning [May 28, 2020] during the InsideOakwood radio segment,Ihavecontinued toreflect on the tragic circumstances that led to the death of Mr. George Floyd.The only words and emotions that come to mindareanger, outrage, andexhaustion.Exhaustion because we can only wonder how longwe will asBlackpeople have to grapple with the incessant devaluation ofBlack lives.

Anger, because on a personal note I am angry at the relentless psychological and physical assaults upon people of color. Yes, I am angry the one emotion that is usedby society to stereotypically dismiss the voices of angry black men and angry black women.I am angry about Mr. Floyds murder.And Im outraged when Ifeelforever doomed to wonder whether black young men will survive a routine traffic stop.Im outraged,wondering whetheryoung Blackwomen willbe safe in their own homes or strolling through Central Park.It is almost impossibletobean African -American andnothave, or to not know someone who has had negative encounters involving race everything from being followed in stores, tobeing pulled over while driving a luxury car, or driving in a certain area, tobeingignored indepartmentstoresbecause you dont fit thewealthprofile of otherpatrons...and the list goes on.

But in the wake of Mr. Floyds unnecessary andsenselessdeath, I am also determined.I am determined that the Oakwood community will continue to be a center of empowerment and witness to the lives and work of a generation of student standard bearers. Students who will, in the words of Jesus love theleast of these (Mat. 25:40). I am determined that the faith that has guided OakwoodUniversitysince 1896, and the cultural legacy handed to us as a Historically Black College and University, will continueto produce generations of Black attorneys,physicians,social workers,dentists,teachers, mediaand business professionals thatcombatthe ills ofour people perpetuatedby systems of oppression.Amidgreatturmoilwe must remainfocusedonour continued intellectual and moral development. I am determined that the least of these will be able to financially accessan Oakwoodeducation, so that from the blood-soaked sod of this former slave plantation, a new generation of moral activists will be launched.Greatthinkers will leaveOakwoodssacred groundstonot simply make a dollar,but to make a difference. Mr. Floyd, and all of the Mr. Floyds of the past 400 years, deserve this commitment from our institution. Moral passivityis notan option!

The Oakwood University community extendsour sympathiesto the family of Mr. George Floyd, and all of the other families who have been touched by the tragedy of unexpected and unnecessary death.We further call upon the thousands of devoted law-enforcement officers, who everyday serve and protect communities, to decry andjoin efforts toroot out this violence perpetrated by bad actors in blue from the police forces across our land.And to the parents who entrust their treasure to Oakwood University, be assured that our impactful work with your young people has only just begun. To the administrators, faculty, staff, and alumni of Oakwood University, we commend you for standing strong on behalf of the ministry of justice on our campusevery day.

Finally, to the students of Oakwood University, be it resolved, that youare thegeneration who will pick up the torch handed to you by the pioneers of civil justice, and we who lead and serve at Oakwood will facilitate your indispensable work and witness. This is your moment!Let no one tell you that the work of standing for the right, though the heavens fall is incompatible with the life of faith! Those voices, however sincere, are misguided, because He has [already] shown you, O man, what is good.And what does the Lord require of thee,but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?(Mic. 6:6-8). May God bless you, and may God bless the transformative work and mission of Oakwood University!

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'I am determined Oakwood will continue to be a center of empowerment and witness.' - Adventist Review

NEW DELHI: Education across levels is the best form of empowerment that can be extended to women to positively impact the state of their being, their status and position in the society and build a solid foundation for their holistic growth and development. With an aim to create an ecosystem that empowers women and equips them with knowledge, skills and self-confidence, UPES has declared 2020 as the Year of Womens Empowerment and has launched Shakti.

Despite constituting 48 per cent of Indias population, women are often underrepresented in institutions of higher learning, particularly in STEM courses. Lack of financial resources is one of the major reasons that prevents girl students from pursuing quality higher education and fulfilling their dreams. To equip girls with quality education and training to boost their participation across levels, the University has, among other key initiatives, also announced an unconditional 25% scholarship on tuition fees of complete program duration to all female students applying for all under-graduate and postgraduate courses starting with the session of 2020.

Students also benefit from a cutting-edge learning management system, Engineering+, Coursera, advanced labs, learned faculty, international exposure, and top-notch recruiters. With over 150 specialisations taught in the eight schools of UPES, students can easily opt for the course of their choice.

Beyond the scholarship, UPES has also been working towards empowering women of all age groups through its CSR wing. It has undertaken several initiatives that help women focus on their development through formal education, skill training, and personality grooming. The Shakti program part of the Shakti initiative trains women in adaptive skills, business and professional communication, emotional intelligence, and team management. Five modules, each meticulously designed for holistic development, cover areas of personal assessment, leadership training, and personal branding.

Having declared 2020 as the Year of Women Empowerment, UPES is committed to providing world-class, industry-ready education and an inclusive social and academic environment that inspires girls to strive for their ambitions, lead by example, and break the glass ceiling.

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UPES has given more Shakti to all girl students with 25 percent scholarship - Careers360

Sponsored content: Thank You for the Rain, a film about a Kenyan farmers struggle, has helped to catalyse change nationally and internationally

A documentary, which follows a struggling family fighting the impacts of climate change, has become a case study for how a films impact can bring about a global movement and a real change within communities.

Released in 2017, Thank You for the Rain is the personal story of a Kenyan farmers journey from hardship to empowerment in the rapidly changing climate of his home.

When documentary filmmaker Julia Dahr approached Kisilu Musya to see if he would be interested in telling his story, he agreed, but with one condition; he wanted to shoot parts of the film himself in video-diary format.

In one scene, Kisilu examines the damage done to his land after a bad storm and the camera lingers on him; the other season we were crying, no rain now we are talking of flood. Everything is being contradicted.

With interjections like this, Kisilu becomes a compelling narrator throughout the film. This gives the documentary a far more personal touch than most climate change films and inspires audiences by linking climate action to powerful human themes of community and family.

With time and after training I learnt that there was something I could do to adapt and contribute to a better planet, which is what inspired me to start planting trees and reach out to my community members, said Kisilu.

I agreed to be filmed because I understood that that was how my story and the work I am doing could reach everyone around the world and inspire future generations, he added.

Kisilus farm, where he grows mango trees and crops like cassava, relies on increasingly unpredictable weather for irrigation. The rest of his community has been facing similar climate-induced challenges, but it was Kisilu who helped them understand the problem and explore solutions.

Kisilu began mobilizing his community through small group conversations and training sessions on climate-smart agriculture. These progressed slowly at first, but with the help of the film, he has since turned these local activities into a national movement across Kenya. The film has been screened in hundreds of secondary schools, at many community gatherings, and in several national government ministries.

Having received a $325,000 grant from the Climate Justice Resilience Fund, Docubox, the East African Documentary Film Fund, has been working to expand the documentarys impact and social change strategy, using it as a springboard for action, both on policy advocacy and grassroots initiatives.

The films story tackles one of the biggest global human threats of our time, which is also an injustice, said Emily Wanja, Thank You for the Rains impact producer, who has worked to implement and run the advocacy campaign based on the film.

Our campaign goal has been to sustainably manage climate change and achieve climate justice, as those who have done the least in contributing to the effects of climate change suffer the most she added.

The campaign has aimed to build on Kisilus initial work in his community and bring grassroot climate resilience to the national and global climate agenda. In addition to screenings by Docubox in Kenya and nearby Tanzania, the film has been screened in over 50 countries.

Kisilu has spoken at both Cop21 and Cop23 two UN annual climate change summits as well as at TED in 2018. In Stockholm, he gave a presentation at the EAT Forum, a global platform for food system transformation, where he was able to talk about his work as a farmer battling climate change.

Members of Kisilus Kyavonda CBO (Community Based Organisation) work on climate resilience and adaptation activities (Photo: Julie Lunde Lillester)

The personal story that Kisilu tells has helped international governments and stakeholders realise the need to include voices of those most impacted by climate change in decision and policymaking conversations.

Docuboxs campaign also worked to engage local leaders in implementing resilient farming methods such as water harvesting and drought resistant crop and seed variations. Community group discussions have been key for making these changes, using the film as a conversation starter.

In Kitui county, Docuboxs campaign led to the first ever meeting between Kisilus local community group and the county leadership. The community was able to discuss specific ideas for county interventions that would reach the communities in the region hardest hit by both drought and flooding.

Perhaps the most tangible impact the films campaign has had, has been the construction of an earth dam in Mutomo, Kisilus village. Once complete, the earth dam will be a stable source of water for the roughly 1,750 people who live locally.

Although its been three years since the films release, Thank You for the Rain continues to be shown all around the world as a tool to create awareness on the climate crisis and the injustice it brings with it.

The film is important because it tells a story about a proactive man and community leader in Kenya, but also in the way it is created through collaboration with Kisilu and with a focus on his intimate video diary footage, said Dahr.

It strips away the layers between the family and the audience and allows his point of view and inner reflections to be at the centre, she added.

Thank You for the Rain provides an example of how a personal climate story grounded in unique experience can engage audiences and inspire action.

Moreover, by actively building a campaign around the film, Kisilu, Dahr, and Wanja have magnified the power of a social change documentary to bring about important conversations, strong relationships, and concrete actions.

This post was sponsored by theClimate Justice Resilience Fund.See oureditorial guidelinesfor what this means.

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How a Kenyan climate change documentary inspired the world - Climate Home

May 28, 2020 08:00 ET | Source: TransUnion

CHICAGO, May 28, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global COVID-19 pandemic has hit small and mid-sized businesses hard, with 31% closed in the last three months and 62% citing government or health authority orders as the cause.i

As states around the country begin to lift shelter-in-place orders, small business has an enormous sense of urgency to re-open and play their important role in helping some of the 20.5 million newly unemployed consumers get a paycheck.ii Thats why TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) today announced its plans to support the hiring ecosystem by offering small businesses and their prospective employees free access to certain of its ShareAble for Hires employment screening tool packages, now through the end of July 2020.

By implementing TransUnions web-based ShareAble for Hires small businesses can safely and securely conduct background checks on prospective employees within minutes vs. days. The solution is completely transparent and provides job applicants with a copy of reports obtained.

Small businesses and those previously employed by them are among the groups facing the greatest financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Steve Chaouki, President of U.S. Markets at TransUnion. TransUnion is offering ShareAble for Hires for free to small businesses so they can get back up and running quickly, and help people get back to work fast. Thats the power of Information for Good.

Small businesses and their employees facing greatest challenges

While many Americans are facing financial challenges, small businesses have been among the groups most negatively impacted by the pandemic. TransUnion research found that the volume of employment screening for small businesses with 50 or fewer employees declined by 65% in mid-April compared to average volumes observed in prior months during 2020. This is a reflection of small businesses hiring at a lower rate than what was observed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of early May, employment screening has only recovered to a 55% to 60% decline. Comparatively, TransUnion found that large businesses experienced a 35% decline at the apex in mid-April and have, as of early May, recovered to levels that are 20% below what was observed earlier this year.

As small businesses face challenges, so do the people who work for them. A recent TransUnion survey in May found that 70% of consumers working for a small business (with under 50 employees) said their household income was negatively impacted by COVID-19.

Of this group, 17% said they have lost their job as a result of the pandemic. Additionally, 69% of those persons who stated their income was negatively impacted, said they are concerned about paying their current bills or loans. In fact, 86% of impacted small business employees state that they will not have money to pay their bills within three months.

Small businesses are resilient and once they come back, we anticipate so will jobs, said Jason Norton, vice president of emerging global solutions at TransUnion. Last year, alone, 44% of hires in the U.S. were performed by businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Our intent is to help this major employment engine run once again by providing this important screening tool at no cost.

ShareAble for Hires allows small businesses to hire immediately

ShareAble for Hires is unique in that it is the only such online background check tool that 100% of small businesses can use with no waiting period or setup fees while delivering reports within minutes. Transunions Basic and Plus packages, which normally cost between $35 and $50, will be free of charge through July 2020.

Information about the packages can found here. Small businesses interested in using ShareAble for Hires will simply need to click on the following link and conduct a three-step process.

First, the hiring manager at the small business creates a free account and sends a screening request to the prospective applicant. There is no waiting or membership process. Then the applicant receives the request to fill out their personal information, consents to share their reports with the employer and their identity is authenticated. Finally, reports are delivered within minutes to both the small business and applicant.

We are confident in all of our ShareAble for Hires offerings and the types of screening small businesses choose to use is completely dependent on their individual situations. Whats most important is that small businesses are able to make timely hiring decisions with employees they can trust to help them succeed, said Norton.

More information about ShareAble for Hires and this special offer can be found here. Businesses interested in learning how to navigate the impacts of COVID-19 can gain insights from TransUnion webinars, blogs and more here. Additional resources for consumers looking to protect their credit during the COVID-19 pandemic can be found attransunion.com/covid-19.

About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) TransUnion is a global information and insights company that makes trust possible in the modern economy. We do this by providing a comprehensive picture of each person so they can be reliably and safely represented in the marketplace. As a result, businesses and consumers can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good.

A leading presence in more than 30 countries across five continents, TransUnion provides solutions that help create economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for hundreds of millions of people.

http://www.transunion.com/business

iState of Small Business Report, Facebook, May 2020

iiDepartment of Labor Report, May 8, 2020

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Free Access to Employment Screening Helps Small Businesses and the Unemployed Get Back to Work More Quickly - GlobeNewswire

When I originally set out to write this column, I wanted to share the unexpected benefits of cutting back on my online shopping habit.

At the beginning of the year, I set a personal challenge to reduce my online orders from several times a week (insert embarrassed emoji) to a few times a month. As time passed, I realized I had fewer deliveries to track and more money left in my bank account at the end of the month.

But then Covid-19 happened. And now eliminating online shopping is more than a fad or a New Year's resolution. For millions, cutting things out of the budget is an absolute necessity.

If you're having to scale back on discretionary spending, whether that's shopping, travel or something else entirely, here's how to give up that financial habit without feeling deprived. SEE THE SILVER LINING The news is filled with fear, worry and sadness. But it helps to see the silver lining, says Denise Downey, a certified financial planner and owner of Financial Trex LLC, based in Spokane, Washington.

Depending on where you live, you may be forced to stop some spending on travel, sporting events, haircuts, entertainment and more. This involuntary saving can help you make changes you wouldn't have otherwise made on your own.

``Those decisions are being made for us right now,'' Downey says. ``It's not a matter of, `Do I cut the vacation this year or not?' It's cut. There's no decision to be made with that.''

iStock

It's all about perspective. So, if you can, focus on the benefits. For instance, you may find you're feeling a positive boost as you watch your bank account grow and your credit card bill stop climbing.

So sure, my deliveries of clothing, makeup and the newest scented candles aren't as frequent. But much like the thrill of getting a delivery, I'm finding that not spending is also appealing. GET YOUR POWER BACK It's probably obvious that placing fewer online orders equates to saving more money, as long as you don't substitute an expensive activity in its place. The same goes for other types of spending. Cutting back any spending habit can lead to savings.

It can also give you a sense of empowerment, says Drew Harris, CFP, senior financial advisor at Greenway Wealth Advisors LLC, based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

``It's a good way to gain back some control by taking ownership of our spending,'' Harris says.

Cutting back means you're giving something up. But you're also gaining freedom from the financial stress that discretionary spending can cause, as well as the buyer's remorse that so often accompanies spending.

This sense of empowerment can help you feel better. L. Kevin Chapman, a licensed clinical psychologist, says you may ``adopt a sense of mastery when eliminating something that has led to financial strain.''

Basically, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment, which allows you to feel positive (rather than negative) about the changes you're making.

LEARN A NEW HABIT Don't get discouraged. Your decreased spending won't have to last forever.

But then again, you may find you don't necessarily want to return to your pre-pandemic spending habits. And that's OK, too.

iStock

Take this time to learn some new habits in place of your old costly ones. Harris suggests going for a walk, talking with family and friends or finding some other inexpensive activity you enjoy doing.

Another example? Downey says her children were constantly busy with extracurricular activities _ activities that cost money. But since the family has been home, she's noticed they're happy and entertained, even with a not-so-busy schedule. That has led her to rethink enrolling them in quite as many activities in the future.

Regardless of the specific substitutions you make, the changes you're implementing during these unprecedented times will help boost your savings and emergency fund. Best case scenario, when life returns to some degree of normalcy one day, hopefully that fund is more than you ended up needing, Downey says.

In that case, you can reward yourself by buying something you're putting off right now, and paying for it in cash.

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No buyer's remorse, increased bank balance, more control: The many perks of cutting back on spending in a post-Covid world - Economic Times

ATTLEBORO, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--If you spend time every day checking email, multiple online trackers, and several different collaboration and communication apps because every client or project collaborator uses a different way to share documents, status updates, and communicate then you need LifeStarr, the worlds first Life Empowerment Technology.

Staying on task is more important than ever before, as many remote workers continue to work from home offices and kitchen tables due to the aftermath of COVID-19. This new normal is straining usual methods for staying organized and communicating effectively about both work and personal tasks, and in fact, sheds light on the need for a more effective solution.

LifeStarr is a new and free task management app in which all details, responsibilities, deadlines, documents, and communication are securely maintained. Clients, colleagues, or other collaborators can be easily invited into all or part of a project, with notifications and daily reports to keep everyone on task. There is no fee or subscription required just start using by creating tasks, assigning responsibility, and inviting people to join.

LifeStarr Founder Joe Rando, a Boston area tech entrepreneur, had his team accelerate the development of the platform to make it available for people and teams as many companies extend work-from-home policies indefinitely. He explains in this video how the app drastically reduces stress to the user for any task, big or small easily and at no cost.

The need for remote work tools and training in great. HubSpot Academy is now offering free remote leadership training, How to Manage a Remote Team a 40 minute on-demand resource in which Rando offers best practices.

Kodi Traver, an investment advisor for Marcus & Millichap in New York City, has tried other project management tools like SharePoint and Microsoft Project, but felt they lacked the ability to track if he and others were accomplishing the right tasks at the right time something that impacts productivity. Thats what I love about LifeStarr. You can specify what needs to be done, when, and by whom, and its easy, he said. We need tools to streamline how we communicate, and this is where LifeStarr excels. Its the only tool that allows you to work with anyone, whether they are within the company or not.

Remote workers, small businesses, freelancers, and independent consultants can benefit from LifeStarr to make sure projects are completed on deadline without time wasted pulling together information from different sources. All communications, files and notes are contained in the task automatically. The platform is intuitive, easy to use, secure, and most of all, time saving, eliminating the frustration that comes with juggling multiple assignments. Its as easy as signing up.

Investors in LifeStarr include West Coast angel investor Shawn Fanning, founder of Helium and Napster, as well as several New York and Boston-based entrepreneurs, including real estate developer Peter Bassett.

About LifeStarr

LifeStarr is the only system that lets you work with anyone, anywhere, on anything for free. The platform makes it possible for users to focus on "doing" rather than "organizing". LifeStarr puts professional and personal tasks and communication where they belong, automatically, saving valuable time so attention can be put toward being strategic, creative and productive. The LifeStarr app is free and always will be. For more information, visit https://www.lifestarr.com/. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/LifeStarrApp and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/lifestarr/.

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The Only Task Management Platform You Need Launched to Help Remote Workers, Freelancers, Small Business - Business Wire

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mothers womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Did you know God already knows your sins, pains, and struggles? In other words, you are not going to surprise Him or catch Him off guard. He already knows. Why then does it seem like so many of us need to hide our deepest emotions and temptations in personal, private prayer?

If you are struggling, facing challenges, fighting temptation, frustrated, weary, and anxious it is always the best policy to just open up to God. It is freeing to live in the place where the psalmist lives, because nothing in our life is going to catch God off guard, and no matter what you are facing, His love for you is the same. Talk to God, no matter what. He can handle it, and will receive it with mercy and love.

It is this kind of open and honest conversation with God that leads us into deep spiritual self-reflection through the empowerment of His Holy Spirit. Its in these kinds of prayers that the Holy Spirit often leads us to the wonderful confession, realization, and plea of the concluding verses of Psalm 139:23-24, Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my thoughts. And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

In some translations this word anxious is included in verse 23 and is translated to say, know my anxious thoughts. It is here God will meet us in prayer. I often find in this meeting, God asking me a simple yet profound question. Why? Why are your thoughts so anxious?

Im reminded that it is because of me and my sinful nature, not God or my circumstances. He meets me there in my doubt, in my fear, and in my anxiety. Lovingly, He is reminding me of the hope I am given by Him, the council I find in Him, and despite my many failures and sins, the forgiveness I have in Him.

This process of open, honest prayer leads us to great peace, and your burdens will become lighter because you will remember you do not carry them alone.

Brandon Zoll is pastor of the Church of God of Exeter. He may be reached by calling 559-592-2631.

Prays Together is a rotating column between the pastors of the First Presbyterian Church of Exeter, Church of Christ of Exeter, Nazarene Church of Exeter, Church of God of Exeter, the New Life Assembly of God and Rocky Hill Community Church as well as the Lemon Cove Presbyterian Church.

This column is not a news article but the opinion of the writer and does not reflect the views of The Sun-Gazette newspaper.

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Prays Together: Honesty in Prayer - Foothills Sun Gazette

Services and studies

Asbury United Methodist Church The church has suspended in-person worship and will have an online service each Sunday morning. You may view the weekly video at http://www.asburycolumbus.org/latest-worship

A new Asbury Kids video is available each Wednesday. Follow the link: http://www.asbury columbus.org/latest-asbury-kids

Look for our Asbury Kids Facebook page for fun and fellowship for kids of all ages! Follow the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/699946243533189/

The church is located at 1751 27th St., Columbus.

Cornerstone Outreach Ministries A nondenominational ministry at 1229 California St., Columbus. Sunday worship services are at 10 a.m.

Bible study is on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

For more information, call 812-375-4502.

Dayspring Church Apostolic Worship begins at 11:15 a.m. at the church, 2127 Doctors Park Drive, Columbus. Every visitor will receive a free gift.

The Sunday Education Session starts at 10 a.m.

Bible Study is Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and is a group session sponsored by Heart Changers International, LLC on Depression, Perfection and Anger with hand out questions. These help build our Personal Empowerment and walk.

Our Prayer of Power starts at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and is preceded with requests and instructions on prayer.

Ignite is the Youth Growth Session that happens every third Friday.

For more information, call 812-372-9336, or email dayspringchurch@att.net.

East Columbus United Methodist East Columbus United Methodist Church in-person services and Bible studies are canceled due to the pandemic.

East Columbus United Methodist will only be offering on-line services until further notice.

Fairlawn Presbyterian Weekly worship service on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom (links and numbers below or folks can check fairlawnpc.net or visit our Facebook page for login and phone information).

Please use Zoom to call in by phone and/or login online.

Join the Online Zoom Meeting at https://zoom.us/j/431070245 with the Meeting ID of 431 070 245.

Dial in using landline or cell phone: +1 253 215 8782 US; +1 301 715 8592 US; Meeting ID: 431 070 245.

For more information, visit Fairlawns Facebook page or website (fairlawnpc.net), email office@fairlawnpc.net or call 812-372-3882.

All are welcome! Please call or email the church office for most up to date information at 812-372-3882 or office@fairlawnpc.net

The church is located at 2611 Fairlawn Drive, Columbus.

Faith Lutheran The church has suspended all in-person activities until further notice. Wednesday and Sunday worship services are streaming live on Facebook: Faith Lutheran Church Columbus, as well as times for prayer each day at 9 a.m., 6:30 p.m., and 9 p.m.

More information is at Faithontheweb.org or call 812-342-3587.

The church is located at 6000 W. State Road 46, Columbus.

First Christian Church The church will only be having an online service at 10:30 a.m. on Facebook (www.facebook.com/FCCOC) and at http://www.fccoc.org/sunday/watch-now.

Details at http://www.fccoc.org

First Baptist Columbus will not be holding public worship gatherings at present. The church does offer a live stream worship connection at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays.

First Presbyterian First Presbyterian Church has canceled all in-person gatherings, including worship and committee meetings, and the office is closed until further notice. If you need to be in touch, please call 812-372-3783 and leave a message, and the church will be back in touch with you as soon as possible.

Streaming of worship services is available here https://www.facebook.com/groups/56933406910/ each Sunday, until the church is meeting back in person. Join the church as we worship together through technology!

Please know that we are praying for our church, our community and the world in this time of crisis, and we encourage you to join us in prayer. God bless you.

Information: fpccolumbus.org

First United Methodist Until further notice, First United Methodist Church will continue to live stream worship services instead of congregating in person. On Sunday, May 31, Rev. Howard Boles will deliver the message Ministry Without Borders. The scripture will be Acts 2:1-21.

The service will be live streamed at 10 a.m. on the church Facebook page. Services and sermons will be available on our website as well http://www.fumccolumbus.org

Information: 812-372-2851 or fumccolumbus.org

Flintwood Wesleyan The church is located at 5300 E. 25th St.

In response to the current Covid-19 (coronavirus) situation, Flintwood Wesleyan Church is canceling all midweek services and activities.

Sunday worship services resumed with the implementation of the recommended in-person worship guidelines.

Please remember to check our various communication spaces Facebook, Website, Mobile App for updates. Your Flintwood staff will be doing everything possible to keep our congregation encouraged. We need to do all we can to keep our staff encouraged. Above all pray!

For further information about services or our ministries, please call 812.379.4287 or email flintwoodoffice@gmail.com. Church office hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Our website is http://www.flintwood.org.

Garden City Church of Christ Garden City Church of Christ will continue to honor the Indiana stay-at-home order and has suspended all in-person gatherings including Sunday services, Bible studies, youth & childrens activities, and meetings. Please visit our website or Facebook page for updates.

Weekly sermons can be viewed at http://www.garden citychurch.com/media/ listen-to-sermons by 10 a.m. each Sunday. Weekly packets go out to families with grade school age children that include a family devotion, video, and activities. The Youth Group and the College and Career group are meeting via video chat.

In absence of our weekly gatherings, you are encouraged to continue giving your tithes and offerings through the website and the GivePlus app.

Garden City Church of Christ is located at 3245 Jonesville Road, Columbus.

For more information or to get connected, email us at gccc@gardencitychurch.com or call 812-372-1766.

Grace Lutheran Worship is at 9 a.m. and can be livestreamed at http://www.gracecolumbus.org/livestream.

All services will be live streamed but if you miss it, they are all available as recordings at the same location.

The church is located at 3201 Central Ave., Columbus.

North Christian Church Gather with the church for virtual worship! Services are regularly uploaded to our YouTube channel on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. YouTube: North Christian Church Columbus, IN

Find supplemental worship materials and resources at http://www.northchristianchurch.com. Follow them on Facebook for updates.

The staff continues to work remotely. No building access is available at this time. The church will continue to monitor this ever-changing situation, and update their response as appropriate.

Information: 812-372-1531

The church is located at 850 Tipton Lane, Columbus.

Old Union United Church of Christ Scriptures for the 10 a.m. Sunday service with social distancing will include Acts 2:1-21,1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, and John 20:19-23. The message will be The Fire Within Us.

We will apply the social distancing guidelines, which include: No one permitted without a face covering(face masks will be provided for those who need one), space two arm-widths apart for non-relatives seating, seating every other pew, no fellowship in the basement, no passing of the peace, no handshaking or hugging.

The church is located at 12703 N. County Road 50W, Edinburgh.

Petersville United Methodist Church The church continues to post Pastor Stormy Scherer-Berrys sermons on Facebook each week; the title for Sunday, May 31 will be Open the Eyes of My Heart.

On separate posts, scriptures will be shared by Joe and Kathy Bush from Ephesians 1:17 and Luke 24:48-49, and Teresa Covert will give the childrens message.

In-person services at the church will not be held for a few more weeks.

Information: 812-546-4438; 574-780-2379.

Sandcreek Azalia Friends Meeting On Sunday, May 31, the church will have no Sunday School before the 10:30 a.m. service.

The church is located at 13275 S. County Road 350E, Elizabethtown.

Sandy Hook United Methodist Sandy Hook United Methodist Church has cancelled all public worship services and meetings. Weekly messages are available on our Facebook Page or the Pastor Stephen W. Austin Youtube channel.

The church is located at 1610 Taylor Road, Columbus.

St. Pauls Episcopal Church All in-person activities at the church are suspended until further notice. Sunday Eucharist is being hosted on ZOOM at 10:15 a.m. each Sunday morning.

The First Thursday Ladies Lunch will also be on ZOOM, May 7 at 11:30 a.m. (see website for ZOOM meeting ID).

St. Paul Lutheran In person communion worship services will be held Sunday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 6045 E. State St., at 8, 9:30 and 11 a.m. following all CDC guidelines for social distancing.

Pastor Jeff Pattersons message is entitled Living Water based on John 7:37-39.

The Spanish Worship service will be at 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Room conducted by Vicar Dan Fickenscher.

Christian Education classes will not meet. The Sunday worship services and the children and youth Sunday School lessons will be posted online Saturday morning, May 30 at http://www.stpaulcolumbus.org and at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnNwPk8yYCeX_bAnyMsXEsA

Radio Worship Service every Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on 1010 AM and 98.1 FM.

Open enrollment for the 2020-2021 pre-school class registrations continues for students who are 3 & 4 years old by Aug. 1. Information: 812-528-0168.

Information: 812-376-6504.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus At this time, the church has postponed in-person gatherings until further notice. Please join the church virtually! Follow the church on Facebook or visit uucci.org for more information.

The church is at 7850 W. Goeller Blvd., Columbus.

Information: 812-342-6230.

Westside Community WCC will be having drive-in church services on May 31 and June 7 in the parking lot at 10 a.m. The church is located at the corner of 46 West and Tipton Lakes Blvd.

Pastor Dennis continues to provide Points to Ponder, a daily devotional, which can be found on the church Facebook page or at wccsharejesus.com.

When able, WCC has plans to host a community-wide garage sale. Be on the lookout for more details in the upcoming weeks. If interested in participating, while you are stuck at home this might be a good time to clean out your basements, closets, garages, etc.

For more information on studies or small groups that meet throughout the week, contact the church office at 812-342-8464.

Events

Eckankar of Southern Indiana All Eckankar events in Indiana are suspended through May 31, 2020. This is to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes the monthly Eckankar Spiritual Discussion held the third Sunday of the month at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation building in Columbus, Indiana.

Check http://www.eck-indiana.org for the latest update on events in Indiana, and you are invited to browse the main Eckankar website for videos and reading material at http://www.Eckankar.org.

North Christian Church The church is temporarily suspending all church activities, effective immediately and for the foreseeable future due to caution concerning the coronavirus outbreak. The offices of the pastor and staff members will be closed as well. The church will reopen as soon as recommended by health officials.

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Religion news May 30 - The Republic

Melody Cooper/Facebook

Amy Cooper was not afraid. In the now-infamous Ramble video, we can clearly see her entitlement and rage.We see her losing control because her privilege to exercise unfettered autonomy was challenged by Christian Cooper, a birder who requested that she respect leash-law rules. Christians video revealed the falsehood of Amys call to the police, in which she assumes a distressed voice and begs them to help her because an African American man was threatening her.

Once exposed, Amy apologized via media interview for her behavior and insisted she is not a racist. She further noted that she, in retrospect wrongly, regarded the police as a cost-free protection agency but that she now understood that there are so many people in this country that dont have that luxury.

But Amy didnt call the cops because she was scared of Christian the birder. That much is obvious from the video. She called them to prevail in a power struggle with a black man who dared to challenge her authority to do as she wished in public. She knew that in the contest with Christian, who used cellphone video to advance his effort to get her to leash her dog, she had an ace in the holethe ability to activate a presumptively racist police force against an African American man. And what an advantage that is. A Minneapolis police officers horrific execution of George Floyd is just the latest in a mountain of evidence that such a call can equal a death sentence.

For decades, conservative and liberal women alike have been taught that the key to empowerment against men who pose a threat, real or imagined, is to call the police. As high as the stakes were for Christian, they were nonexistent for Amy. For upper- and middle-class white women, the demographic least likely to be arrested or face state violence, a call to the police appears to be a no-lose proposition.

The modern alliance between police and white women formed in the late 1970s, in the wake of an intrafeminist debate over how to best combat domestic violence.Feminists who harbored skepticism toward the warmongering police at first worried about calling in the cops, but soon their desire to activate police protection for the abused wherever possible trumped fears over the extension of discretionary powers of arrest so open to abuse, particularly against Third World and low-income people, as one early activist put it.As Donna Coker, an expert on the dynamics of domestic violence, has noted, white women are seldom aware of the degree to which white privilege protects them from police suspicion and surveillance. As one black feminist activist observed, I think White women talked more as if the courts belonged to us [all women] and therefore should work for us where we [women of color] always saw it as belonging to someone else and talked more about how to keep it from hurting us.

But white womens ability to accrue power against men, especially black men, via police enforcement has a long history. The infamous Scottsboro Boys case illustrates this.Two working-class white women, Victoria Price and Ruby Bates, had been on a train where several black boys were hoboing. They subsequently fabricated that the boys gang raped them, inciting a lynch mob, to protect themselves from potential prostitution charges.

Such a ready invocation of police protection is not necessarily feminist. In fact, gendered police protection was historically rooted in notions of women as mens property that could be violated or stolen by other men. In 1977, thenACLU lawyer Ruth Bader Ginsburg filed an amicus brief inCoker v. Georgia, the case that stuck down capital punishment for rape of a woman.Ginsburg submitted the brief on behalf of a large segment of the womens legal community who oppose the death penalty for rape as a vestige of an ancient, patriarchal view of women as the propertyof men. It argued, Rape of white women by black men threatened the white mans status by decreasing the value of his sexual possession, and by jeopardizing the purity of his race, and it was therefore necessary to take extreme measures to prevent this result. Lynching was one such measure; and the death penalty for rapeparticularly when perpetrated by blackswas another.

In short, white women have become accustomed to asserting power over men, especially black men, through policing.Thats why Amys decision to call the police, even though it was she who broke the park rules, was sadly unsurprising. Her entitlement is all too familiar. The media has been saturated with images of similar entitlement and rage in recent weeks, as throngs of predominantly white Americans protest COVID-19 business closures and demand their states resume business as usual, knowing that black lives disproportionately hang in the balance. These white protesters, who know they have the privilege to be armed and intimidating without facing police violence, are rejecting a shared responsibility for safe public spaces. Christian Coopers offense was to insist that Amy Cooper, too, had a responsibility to protect a shared public space. Amys response demonstrated that public safety is not shared by all.

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Why Amy Cooper Felt the Police Were Her Personal Protection Agency - Slate

Sexual Harassment By: Mannette Morgan | 12 hours ago

Covid-19 has changed everyones livesespecially those who find themselves living in an abusive situation. On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. That statistic could be on the increase since this pandemic has elevated the fear of the unknown and generated extraordinary stress and anxiety within families, households, and relationships. Furthermore, I fear fewer victims are seeking help since safer-at-home orders require people to hunker down together at home, sharing space with abusers.

Most individuals are consumed with worrying thoughts that I call the what ifs:

These worrying thoughts can raise stress levels and increase anxiety for anyone but can especially be a trigger for those prone to abusive behaviors. Some individuals who feel they are losing control of their own lives may become more controlling of those closest to them. Stressful situations like the pandemic can cause a rise in unhealthy copying skills such as alcohol and drug abuse. Abusive individuals my find themselves more frustrated, angry, or even rageful. These types of behaviors, fears, and emotions create a ticking time bomb that can devastate a family.

With a rise in domestic abuse and violence, families are more vulnerable than ever. The safety of victims and their children should be a chief concern for our society and prompt us to become more aware and offer support to those in need.

If you, your children, or someone you know is in in a dangerous life-threating situation, take the initiative and call 911. For those not in a life-threatening situation yet dealing with controlling, manipulative, degrading, or intolerable behaviors, it may be time to start planning for a new beginningone absent of abuse.

As a survivor and through my work with abuse victims over the last decade, I know all too well how hard it is to leave and start over, especially when children are involved. I personally felt trapped in my abusive relationship with my first husband. He controlled and manipulated my life. Not only was I fearful of losing his love, but I was financially dependent on him. He convinced me that no one would ever love me like he did; he told me I was stupid and incapable of do anything right. I lived in a cycle of emotional abuse for nearly ten years.

Abusive people can destroy a victims self-worth, manipulate their thoughts and beliefs. Abusers have a way of convincing a victim that they are to blame for the abusers poor behaviors. The victim can be manipulated into believing they are the uncaring and controlling person in the relationship. This is why I feel it is important to understand what emotional or psychological abuse looks, sounds, and feels like. Go to Helpguide.org to learn more about abuse.

Once a victim understands the abuse and decides to take action, they can transition from victim to survivor. The following steps offer effective ways to break free of an abusive situation:

Get Help First, it is vital to make a plan. Research options or find an organization for guidance and support. Rainn.org or National Domestic Violence Hotline Thehotline.org are organizations that can help survivors. Go to Mannettemorgan.com for more information and to find links to these organizations and other resources. Abuse survivors may need a support group, therapist, lawyer, resources, or a safe place to stay.

Get Out This just might be the hardest thing any survivor will ever do, but it can be done. I believe few relationships that involve abuse can be resolved. The only way to turn an unhealthy relationship into a healthy one requires behavioral modification by the abuser and the victim which involves awareness, reflection, work, learning, and growth as individuals and a unified pair. If both parties in the relationship arent willing to do the work, it might be time to move on.

Stop the Cycle of Abuse Once a survivor decides to face their challenges, it is time to become educated. A survivor must make a choice to invest in their own personal healing. They may need a therapist, guidance, or a self-help book like my book Finding Your Voice: A Path to Recovery for Survivors of Abuse. The best gift a survivor can give to themselves is to heal the pain of their past trauma. As a survivor heals, they can discover their self-worth and regain their self-empowerment. When a survivor gains these two self-beliefs, they will obtain what is needed to break the cycle of abuse in their own lives and have an opportunity for happiness, joy, and healthier relationships.

As a society we can make a difference. In order to stop the cycle of abuse in our society, we must become aware, educated, vocal, and supportive. We must empower victims to become survivors. I believe each individual survivors strength and empowerment is the answer to breaking the cycle of abuse.

About the author: Mannette Morgan is an inspirational speaker, author, and abuse survivor whois on a mission to stop the cycle of abuse in our society. After 30 years of intense self-work, she overcame her past trauma of emotional, sexual, and physical abuse along with powering through the limitations of her learning disability, dyslexia. A life coach certified through the Academy of Solution Focus Training and the American University of NLP,she has emerged as a leading voice among abuse survivors and today inspires others to rise above adversity and strive for a better life. Her incredible story of survival and recovery is documented in the bookFinding Your Voice. https://mannettemorgan.com

Read more here:
Abuse During the Pandemic: What You Need to Know and Do - Women's eNews