Final notes on the New Beginnings adoption article:
At the Wednesday night reception at Harvey’s, a number of local leaders offered their welcome to the Nepali delegation.
Mississippi House Representatives member Brian Aldridge of Tupelo called Mississippi “the safest state in the nation for unborn children.” He said that Mississippi values and protects children in all stages of life and welcomed the Nepali delegation, adding that he hoped for a healthy and fruitful relationship between the Nepali government and New Beginnings.
Gayle Wicker also addressed the delegation on behalf of her husband, Senator Roger Wicker.
Tupelo Mayor Ed Neelly was effusive in his commendation of New Beginnings’ good work and extended his official welcome to the gentlemen from Nepal.
Projects that are on my agenda for the coming weeks:
I’m working on a feature about graduates, people of faith, leaving home and staying in touch with their religious roots in other areas. I’ve talked with a couple of kids from the local area who will be attending schools such as Mississippi State – even one going to Taiwan! Good, good kids. The best. Their parents are bursting with pride for them – as they should be. Congratulations to all graduates this year.
I’m also working on a piece about the death penalty. E. Castens and I have been discussing coverage of the approaching execution of Earl Wesley Berry. Both Castens and I have written on the story in past issues of the DJ and we don’t want to ignore the religious dimension of how people are feeling. I’ll be talking with local ministers in the coming days about thier opinions and church teachings.
If there was one (among many) stories that I “dropped” (should have localized) this week it was the 60th anniversary of Israel. I’m not sure how much mileage I could have gotten from it, but, I really should have included some comments from our friends at Temple B’Nai Israel. I hope they’ll excuse me.
Thanks for all your calls and emails, keeping me posted about goings-on among religious folk in the area. Nothing pleases me more than to hear from readers – even the ones that are critical. It all makes me better. God bless, my friends,
Galen
