Georgia
To protect churches and other businesses from claims and lawsuits related to COVID-19, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 359, the “Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act,” into law effective Aug. 5. In order for an entity, defined by the bill to include “religious and educational organizations,” to not be liable, the entity must follow detailed actions outlined by the state, The Christian Index reported.
Florida
Nancy Hinson Sullivan, wife of John Sullivan, retired executive director-treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention, died Aug. 12. The 83-year-old was known for her love for ministers’ wives, and in 1992, she set up an endowment fund, now called the Nancy Sullivan Endowment Fund, to underwrite costs related to the luncheon held for ministers’ wives at the SBC annual meeting, the Florida Baptist Witness reported.
Louisiana
On Aug. 17, Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., wrote to Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, asking that he rescind the capacity cap currently on places of worship and extend the same Phase 2 capacity rules guiding protesters and “essential businesses,” according to a Baptist Message article. Places of worship should be exempt from mandatory capacity limits and their pastors and leaders entrusted to choose the best course of action for their congregations, Kennedy stated in his letter.
Mississippi
As college campuses begin fall semester 2020, leaders in college ministries are glad the students are coming their way. “I have come to learn that BSU (Baptist Student Union) is not a building or a place but a people united around a common love for the Savior and for each other, and there is always room for one more!” stated Jordan Curry, a senior at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, in The Baptist Record.
Tennessee
Celebrating its 185th anniversary this year, Tennessee’s Baptist and Reflector is one of the longest continuously published newspapers (both secular and religious) in the country. The paper, in both print and digital form, “belongs to the thousands upon thousands of loyal readers over the past 185 years who wanted to read about what God is doing in our state and around the world,” wrote editor Lonnie Wilkey, adding, “Our desire is to continue to provide a quality print publication for as long as possible in addition to our stories on the website.”
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