Spartan Newsroom (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/category/worship/)
In this special episode of Focal Point News, we take a look at some of the cool things Spartan students, facility, staff and alumni are doing. From crazy sports to serious studies to interesting inventions, learn more about the work being done here at Michigan State and all around the country by those who bleed green.
Runners gather for a pre-race prayer by Pastor Mark Rutherford. Photo by Eli Atzenhoffer. On a chilly morning on Oct. 12, participants in the Pace the Priest 5k gathered for a pre-race prayer before setting off on their run. As runners took their place at the starting line, a group of children lined the sidewalk cheering for friends and family members embarking on a scenic journey through Williamston.
Native water protectors walked 310 miles from the Mackinac Bridge to the State Capitol to protest Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline under the Straits of Mackinac. The group concluded its walk on March 30. People of Three Fires, the Anishinaabe alliance of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi indigenous tribes, gathered at Adado Riverfront Park on Saturday afternoon. They marched to the Capitol yelling, “Shut Down Line 5” and “Water is Life.”
“Water is a precious thing for life,” said Dennis Durfee of Lansing. “Every part of Earth is dependant on that water for its survival.
Indigenous group marched 300 miles in 30 days to the Capitol to protest Line 5 Shutdown. Gov. Whitmer signed executive orders to stop work on the pipeline project.
After the deadly mosque shootings in New Zealand last week, Michigan State students gathered to honor the victims and their families. The vigil, put on by the MSU Muslim Student Association, was a time for prayer and reflection. Organizers say even though it was an emotional event, their goal was to unite everyone in love and solidarity. Speakers included representatives from different student organizations, community leaders, professors and religious leaders. “It was just like complete horror and frustration that nothing seems to be getting better,” said attendee Margot Valles. “And in particular in New Zealand, which is known for its safety, that it would happen there is just like…it just shows how much work we have to do.”
On this edition of Focal Point, get an overview of a CMU sexual assault going to trial, campus robberies continue in a dorm and in the Eppley Center, and a Michigan native wins an Oscar. In sports, MSU men’s basketball won against Michigan and a high school wrestler shows what true sportsmanship is like. Those stories and more this week on Focal Point.
On the last show of the semester, Interim President John Engler has put a halt to a fund dedicated to help Larry Nassar survivors. Plus, a easy way to get money in Michigan could soon not be possible. Also, a student is trying to get more American flags installed on campus, but he’s being met with complications. In sports, the MSU football team is going west for their bowl game against Oregon. This week in entertainment, Kevin Hart gives up his Oscar-hosting gig after old homophobic slurs resurface.
On this week’s Focal Point News, the synagogue attack brought people all across the country together, including here in East Lansing. Plus, Bill Schuette and Gretchen Whitmer go head-to-head in the Governor’s race. Past government officials came to Michigan to try and bring home votes to their party. A big change coming to MSU fraternities with hopes of a better future. Also, some students raised hundred of dollars for a charity through a haunted house.
On the first Sunday of October every year, thousands of individuals throughout the U.S. support millions of babies that are aborted with an hour of prayer. This year, they were on Grand River and Hagadorn holding up signs to protest, talking about how adoption is an underused option as an alternative to abortion. Members of the moment explained that a classroom of children get aborted everyday. Many believe that this is a problem in the United States, stating that its something worth fighting for. “A whole elementary school full of children are aborted every single week in Michigan, multiply that across the whole country, I think that is something that needs to change,” Life Chain member, Ed Rivet, said.
“It’s something that started out as a hobby and ended up as a business,” said owner of Lansing Athletics, Al Salas. Thirty years later and Lansing Athletics still hasn’t gone out of style. “Well, we have seen a couple of changes within the past ten years, and one of them has been online shopping,” said Salas. Salas probably prays that he can keep his store open in a mall these days. “Here in the Lansing mall, we probably have about 25 percent vacancy,” said Salas.
On this week’s episode of Focal Point News, some things you may do while tailgating that could get you in trouble with the law. Also, a new church opened, but in an unusual location. Plus, an over 40-year-old service offered on campus is stopping for good. Homecoming is this week, we’ll take a look at some events that happened on campus and speak with the grand marshal of the parade. In sports, we recap the game against CMU and what to expect against Northwestern.