Randa Mae Phillips Hall
Condolences may be sent to the Hall family at www.doddreedfh.com Dodd & Reed Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Hall family.
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New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
How Do I Tell My Religious Friend to Stop Inviting Us to Church?
I've recently become friends with a woman who is an evangelical Christian. I am not religious myself but have studied Buddhism for a time and hold firmly that one should not overtly try to convert others into believing the same things I do. My friend and I both have daughters the same age, as well as younger sons. Our kids enjoy spending time together and benefit from one another's companionship. My dilemma is that this friend often socially extends invitations to us that are religious in nature. For example, she recently invited my daughter to join her daughter for Bible study. She has sent invites for us to send our kids to the Christian camps where her children attend camp. Although I see these invites as well-meaning, they make me deeply uncomfortable, especially because I don't understand the intention. I have mentioned to her casually that we don't attend religious services or church. Yet despite this, we still receive invites to their church events. Given that I have a strong personal feeling against trying to convert others to any belief, should I say something to her? — Name Withheld From the Ethicist: Christianity became a world religion by spreading the Gospel — a word that comes from Old English for 'good news.' The term 'evangelical' itself goes back to the Greek for 'bringing a good message.' So your friend, in wanting to share her faith, is following a tradition that's central to Christian history and belief. Still, in a tolerant, pluralistic society, people will inevitably disagree about what counts as good news. And she knows you're not a churchgoer. Part of what keeps the peace is recognizing that convictions about the ultimate questions don't have to be shared and that not everyone wishes to participate in religious life. Your discomfort is reasonable. You have no interest in converting anyone, and it's fair to expect the same restraint from others. If the invitations keep coming, you're within bounds to be direct. You can tell her that you respect how important her faith is to her, and appreciate how well meant her invitations are, but that you and your family simply approach these things differently and aren't interested in church activities. Reassure her that this isn't about valuing her friendship or your children's any less and that it doesn't reflect any lack of enthusiasm for spending time together. And if conversation drifts toward what you each believe — in a spirit of openness and curiosity — that's fine too. At its best, friendship can absorb these differences and even grow stronger by having them out in the open, handled with candor and care. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Hawaii Red Hill Water Contamination Lawsuit Expands
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Federal court filings in Honolulu showed that attorneys representing people who said they were sickened by the November 2021 Red Hill jet fuel spill had added more than 6,000 additional plaintiffs to a consolidated lawsuit against the United States, the amended complaint stated. The expansion came after years of litigation and research into health effects tied to the U.S. Navy fuel release that contaminated drinking water systems serving homes on and near Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. The amended complaint cited recent studies and sought to press the government toward settlement for thousands of additional claimants. Why It Matters The Red Hill facility sits above an aquifer that supplies water to large parts of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. The November 20, 2021, release of jet fuel into the Navy water system affected residents in military housing and raised broader concerns about the island's drinking water security. Stock image of a scientist testing water for contamination. Stock image of a scientist testing water for contamination. Getty Images What To Know The amended complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Honolulu added more than 6,000 plaintiffs and said the two lead law firms now represent roughly 7,000 claimants who alleged injury from fuel-tainted tap water. Separately, previously filed consolidated litigation listed 17 "bellwether" plaintiffs who went to trial and were viewed as representatives for thousands of pending claims; the Associated Press reported in April 2024 that those plaintiffs represented "a cross-selection of relatives of military members representing more than 7,500 others, including service members." The U.S. government filed court documents that admitted the November 20, 2021, spill at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility "caused a nuisance," the AP reported, and breached a duty of care, though it disputed that exposure levels were high enough to cause the specific long-term health effects alleged by plaintiffs. The awards in Feindt v. United States list each bellwether plaintiff's damages. The court awarded general damages (pain/suffering), plus $1,000 hedonic damages to each plaintiff, and limited special damages (future medical expenses for four plaintiffs; a small economic loss for one): General damages (each): Aubart $37,500; Dietz $37,500; B.D. $37,500; V.D. $25,000; Feindt $37,500; P.G.F. $10,000; T.F. $5,000; Freeman $75,000; D.F. $10,000; K.F. $50,000; N.F. $50,000; Jessup $37,500; B.B.J. $75,000; B.J.J. $75,000; D.J. $5,000; N.J. $10,000; Witt $37,500. (Plus $1,000 hedonic damages to each plaintiff.) Special damages (future medical): Dietz $7,322.71; P.G.F. $4,953.36; Freeman $28,876.01; Jessup $6,962.41. Special damages (economic): Feindt $2,144. The amended complaint also cited recent health studies that plaintiffs said strengthened their claims, including a Defense Department study that reported a higher incidence of new migraines and esophageal inflammation among those exposed and a University of Hawaii survey that found roughly 80 percent of affected residents reported new or worsened symptoms after the spill. What People Are Saying Kristina Baehr, an attorney with Just Well Law, in a news release: "These families prevailed against all odds against the Government in court, and they helped prove to the world what truly happened when the Navy poisoned the water supply near Pearl Harbor and sickened so many." Richelle Dietz, a mother of two and wife of a Naval officer, told the Associated Press: "I hope that one day I can not think about water all the time. But right now it's a constant." What Happens Next The plaintiffs' legal teams said they were negotiating with government attorneys about a potential settlement for the larger pool of claimants using the bellwether awards as a baseline. If lawyers for the plaintiffs and the government did not reach a settlement, additional phases of litigation and further bellwether trials would likely determine the scope of recoverable damages for the remaining claimants, legal experts said in prior coverage of the consolidated cases. The Red Hill site remained in the process of defueling, and a long-term closure plan was underway; local officials and water authorities have continued efforts to protect Oahu's aquifer and municipal supplies from further contamination, HawaiiNewsNow reported.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
New plans for church which closed more than 10 years ago
A church which has been lying empty for over a decade could be brought back as a Christian place of worship. St James' Church in New Bury, Farnworth, has been closed to worshippers since 2012 – but soon a new congregation could return the building to its original use. The Church of England posted the new draft proposal on the building's entrance, with assurances that the churchyard would remain public and graves would not be disturbed. A public consultation is underway, but the diocese said they are looking forward to seeing the historic building be once again used for Christian worship. Christ Apostolic Church Dominion Outreach, a church which was started over a hundred years ago in Nigeria, is in the process of buying the building. A spokesperson for the Church of England's Diocese of Manchester said: 'We are pleased that St James' Church in Farnworth may soon be brought back into use as a place of Christian worship, following its closure in 2012. 'The church has been empty for some time, and we welcome the opportunity for it to once again serve the local community in this way. 'Subject to the outcome of the public consultation and the necessary arrangements being put in place, we look forward to seeing Christian worship return to this historic building through the ministry of Christ Apostolic Church.' Have a story? Get in touch at Ezekiel Oladele, senior pastor at Christ Apostolic Church, said that they are pleased to be able to revive the church for its original purpose. He said: 'We're a Christian organisation and we're going to use the property for what it was meant to be used as. 'It was built as a place of worship, and it's also good that we can get a property that's been formerly used as a place of worship. READ MORE: Pub regulars proudly fund potentially life-saving kit outside their local READ MORE: Memory of much loved man who died by suicide honoured with opening of beautiful space READ MORE: Farnworth: St James' Church up for sale for £100,000 'We have enough members who are dedicated and ready to make sure that the property is well attended. 'If you are there you will not be happy what has happened to the building – all the facilities have been vandalised – all the windows and all the doors have been destroyed. 'The community will be happy that it will be put to use again.' The church had been up for sale for £100,000. In early 2022, a draft scheme published by Church of England commissioners under the church buildings disposal scheme, gave details of proposals to create an art gallery, exhibition space and an artist's studio at the building. There are a large number of graves, including Commonwealth war graves in the churchyard, which was closed for burials in 2011. The graveyard is maintained by the council and public access to graves continues.
