Choir Goes Solo?

I just read and then read it again the article "Disneyland Selects Pleasant Hill Adventist Choir," (Dec. 2004, p. 13). This is a great honor indeed. Any group that is honored in this way sure must have a very good director. The principal is written up, students get some recognition which is all as it should be. How come the most important person, their director, is completely left out?

Lyle Hamel

Yucaipa, Calif.

Eds. Note: Thanks for pointing out our omission. The director, Michael Spencer, was the author of the article.

Beef with the Bottle

I enjoyed all the articles on health in your November issue. However, I would like to suggest that you should have used a different picture on page 14. Feeding babies formula has many, many immediate and long-term health risks, including a much higher mortality rate. As an organization that promotes good health, a picture of a breastfeeding baby would have been more appropriate. Let's show babies eating as God planned.

Judith Markham

Via e-mail

Not Wanted?

I have tried to write a letter three times now to convey my feelings about how it feels and what led up to my family and I being forgotten by our church. The hurt and pain could never be put words. I have read articles where our Pacific Union president wrote an appeal to the church to recognize what is happening, but I fear it will drop on dead ears. I was an head elder at one time. I even preached on several Sabbaths. My family and I were loved by all. When we moved, that all came to a stop 12 years ago.

Now I don’t want to see anybody. I just exist. My gift to love and serve other in the church is over. I continue to help in my community and my family. I am angered when I read of all the vain attempts the conference does to try to explain how there are hurting members out there when they don’t have the slightest idea of how it feels to be ... not wanted.

Robert Lindstrom

Via e-mail

Come Back

The letter from "missing" [Nov. 2004, pg. 3] got my attention, and I have felt compelled to respond. It saddens me that she quit participating to observe for whatever reason. However, several questions come to mind which only she can answer.

Did she stop attending the church of which she remains a nominal member because she felt unappreciated for the many ways she served; or did she become discouraged for other reasons? Has she also been missing from the body of Christ, and has her walk with Him suffered? Did she respond affirmatively to the pastor's call when he invited her to return to fellowship; or was her focus on his tardiness?

I want to encourage her to share her talents with others in her local church, as Jesus commands us to. There may be individuals she is uniquely prepared to reach waiting for her to find them before His soon appearing.

Hope Williams

Truckee, Calif.

Great Issue

Congratulations! Your November 2004 issue is beautiful ... beginning with that great cover photo of David Kimball! Then it just gets better from that point. I'm really happy to see your improvements. Keep up the good work.

Perry Campbell

Riverside, Calif.