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Underscore: Combating Bullying: How Can We Help the Helpless?

Story by Danielle Tyler

The dictionary defines the term “bully” as someone who uses strength or power to intimidate those who are weaker. Quarrelsome, overbearing and oppressor are common synonyms of a word that describes a systemic epidemic in our communities. In 2015 one out of every four children reported being bullied during the school year.

Physical, verbal, social and cyber bullying isn’t just found in the public school systems. This disease knows no creed, race, age or gender and to stop it from spreading, we must admit there is a problem, educate ourselves and be proactive in enforcing change.

WAU Enactus Team Shares Christ Through Service

Ross Patterson photographed Enactus member Levi Soares and owner Nok Kim in the Rainbow Coin Laundry in Silver Spring, Md.,

Story by Mark Tyler

How do you help a struggling local business quickly become more competitive? Step 1: Change the name. Step 2: Upgrade the appearance.

Washington Adventist University (WAU) students are helping a Takoma Park, Md., laundry owner accomplish both steps through the school’s award-winning Enactus team.

Pennsylvania Conference Hispanic Coordinator Passes Away

Pastor Gabriel Montalvo, Hispanic coordinator for the Pennsylvania Conference unexpectedly passed away October 1. The Pennsylvania Conference issued the following statement.

Dear PA Conference Family:

It is with deep sorrow and personal sadness that I share with you the news that Pastor Gabriel Montalvo has unexpectedly passed away to his rest in Jesus early this Sabbath morning.

Brief conversations with his son this morning gave me these early details. He had been at home recovering from double knee replacement surgery these last few weeks. He suffered a heart attack at home and was transported to a local Philadelphia hospital. Once at the hospital, he suffered another heart attack in the Emergency room of the hospital, and the medical staff were not able to revive him.

Book Release: "The Power of Encouragement" Determinations That Define Your Destiny

Former Councilwoman Deborah A. Hill recently published "The Power of Encouragement" Determinations That Define Your Destiny.

Her book shares encouragement and how your dreams with God's help can take you from your history into your destiny. Hill is an Elder at The Southeast Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Cleveland, Ohio. The book can be purchased onlulu.com, amazon.com, and barnes & noble.com. Visit her website at www.deborahahill.com.

Kettering College Sees Enrollment Increase

Story by Jessica Beans

With a total of 759 students enrolled for fall semester, Kettering College in Dayton, Ohio, has increased its opening enrollment for the 2016 school year by 3.8 percent.

This increase in enrollment reverses a three-year trend of declining enrollment as well as reversing a five-year decline in total credit hours taken by full time students. The number of full time enrolled students is the highest it has been since fall of 2013.

 According to the school’s final opening report, 452 full-time and 307 part-time (three-quarter time or less) students had registered for fall classes, for an overall count that was 27 more than fall 2015.

Prayer Helps Open New School in Sheffield Lake

Story by Heidi Shoemaker

Members of seven churches in northeastern Ohio, along with the Ohio Conference, have been on a journey of faith this year. The July/August 2016 issue of the Visitor shared how educational evangelism grew a rural school in Clarksfield. In the last few months, they have outgrown their building. Thus, a united body—including students, parents, teachers, pastors, members and conference leaders—prayed earnestly for a new school.

"Hacksaw Ridge," New Film on Desmond Doss, Offers Adventists Unique, Unprecendented Opportunity

Desmond T. Doss in Okinawa, Japan. Photo courtesy of the Desmond Doss CouncilStory by John Bradshaw

More than 70 years ago an unlikely hero saved the lives of dozens of American soldiers during one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. Now his story is about to explode onto movie screens all over the world (U.S. release scheduled for Nov. 4); and the international press are already hailing “Hacksaw Ridge” as a potential Oscar winner.

The film tells the story of Corporal Desmond Doss, a Seventh-day Adventist combat medic who single-handedly rescued 75 soldiers during the battle of Okinawa, in the midst of a hail of enemy gunfire. As a result of his bravery, Desmond Doss was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the United States’ highest military honor.

While Doss’ story has been told many times, Hacksaw Ridge is the first feature film to recount his remarkable heroism. The movie is directed by Hollywood heavyweight Mel Gibson, who having fallen foul of Hollywood and the media on numerous occasions, may finally have found redemption, according to critics. David Rooney of the Hollywood Reporter has called the film a “forceful comeback.” Hacksaw Ridge received a 10-minute standing ovation following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

Former Columbia Union Publishing Director Passes Away

Sherwood (Woody) D. Pangborn, Columbia Union Conference publishing director from 1979 to 1991, passed away August 4 in Lansing, Mich.

Pangborn attended Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Md., and was then drafted into the U.S. Army in 1956. He started his denominational career canvassing for the Potomac Conference, and in 1962 became assistant publishing director. From 1964 to 1978 he worked in several publishing positions across Asia and the United States, including one with the Pennsylvania conference.

In 1978 he accepted a call to the Columbia Union, where he served as associate publishing director. In 1979 he became publishing director. After retiring in 1991, he served as a pastor at the Chesapeake Conference’s Providence (Md.) church for seven years.

Pangborn is survived by his wife of 60 years, Pam Pangborn, and his children: Sherwood (Judy) Pangborn, Jr., Jim (fiancé Linda Collins) Pangborn and Ethel (Viki Lorraine) Pangborn.

A celebration honoring his life will be held at Chesapeake Conference's New Hope church at 12350 Hall Shop Road in Fulton, Md, Saturday, October 1 at 4 p.m. A reception will follow.