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The A.M.E. Zion Church Adopts New Common Measurement for the Health of its Churches and Congregations

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Announcement is the first from a major U.S. denomination, leveraging Gloo technology and research from Barna and Harvard

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The African Methodist Episcopal Zion (A.M.E. Zion) Church denomination announced the broad adoption of the State of Your Church metrics for all of its 1,600 churches in the United States. The A.M.E. Zion Church will now have a common way to track the health of its congregations, along with the holistic well-being of its 1.5 million congregants.

“Our churches have always tracked traditional things such as church membership growth and decline, attendance and monetary giving,” said Rev. Dr. J. Elvin Sadler, General-Secretary Auditor of the A.M.E. Zion Church. “Until now, we’ve lacked the insight to understand how church culture, people and congregations are truly doing. The State of Your Church dashboards will give us a better sense of the spirit and language of the culture (ethos), and powerful new tools to put in the hands of every pastor.”

Formed through the work of The Barna Group and Gloo, the State of Your Church includes an open-sourced framework designed to give every church, denomination, and Christian organization a common way to measure what matters in ministry. Composed of the seven dimensions of flourishing people and the 15 dimensions of church thriving, the metrics are the foundation of a kit available to every church.

Churches measure their people along the seven flourishing dimensions, and also track the thriving of their churches along 15 dimensions grouped into the categories of nurturing, sending and leading. The complete set of metrics is gathered through a free assessment, the Barna ChurchPulse. It can be deployed and used by any church, for free, using Gloo.

“We are encouraging every one of our U.S. churches to better understand and interpret the condition of their congregations and communities,” said Rev. Dr. Eleazar Merriweather, Director of the Department of Church Growth and Development. “Having this information will allow our pastors and leaders to better know and care for their people. It will also give District and Annual Conferences the data needed to better equip each church.”

Bishop Darryl B. Starnes Sr., Senior Bishop of The A.M.E. Zion Church and Administrative Board Chair of the Department of Church Growth and Development said, “The world is changing. How we did church in the 20th century and even the last 10 years of this century has shifted dramatically. Serving and meeting the needs of an ever-changing culture can only happen with having the proper tools and resources to impact our communities. The A.M.E. Zion Church fully supports the 15 dimensions of thriving congregations and seven dimensions of human flourishing and looks forward to partnering with Gloo and Barna to positively and effectively impact our churches and communities.”

Gloo provides tools to enable the new measures, as part of a State of Your Church kit. The kit leverages free texting tools, online assessment technology, promotional materials, and dashboards so that church leaders can give every congregation member a personal report on how they are flourishing. Each congregant has the option to share their results back to the church in an identified or anonymized form. Church leaders then get a church-wide report to better see the overall levels of flourishing in their people and the thriving scores for their church, which helps them to better serve their congregation as a whole.

“Church leaders realize that something has changed when it comes to growing their attendance, giving, and other conventional measures,” said Brad Hill, chief solutions officer at Gloo. “We’re thrilled that A.M.E. Zion will be equipping all of its pastors with tools to navigate ministry in today’s world. The State of Your Church was built to help pastors not only know their people better but also to more effectively disciple them with the resources and next steps so that every person can grow.”

The A.M.E. Zion Church Department of Church Growth and Development will be promoting the State of Your Church kit throughout its various denominational conferences and events in 2025.

Gloo is the platform company for the Christian ecosystem. As a leading technology innovator, Gloo connects ministry leaders to resources, people, data and insights and funding so their people and communities flourish and their organizations thrive. Gloo is based in Boulder, Colorado.

The A.M.E. Zion Church, founded in 1796, has more than 1.5 million members, providing education through one of the largest school systems in partnership with the Nation of Ghana, as well as through colleges and seminaries, in addition to hospitals and other outreach and humanitarian activities in many areas around the world. Known as “The Freedom Church,” with such notable figures as its founding Bishop James Varick, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Paul Robeson, and Coretta Scott King, the denomination has 6,000+ churches in 27 countries and five continents around the world.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-ame-zion-church-adopts-new-common-measurement-for-the-health-of-its-churches-and-congregations-302323075.html

SOURCE Gloo

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Xinhua Silk Road: Middle school in E. China’s Shanxian County promotes exchanges of root carving art between China, Russia

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BEIJING, Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — More than 20 middle school students from various cities in Russia recently attended a public online lecture on root carving, as an activity under the “Online Chinese Classroom for Russian Youth Program” of the Chinese, Russian middle school association.

The online lecture was delivered by Gao Xuedong, a root carving craftsman, upon invitation from a middle school in Shanxian County of Heze City, east China’s Shandong Province.

By showcasing artworks, giving explanations through pictures and texts, and demonstrating carving skills, Gao introduced in detail the origin, evolution, raw materials, tools and techniques of root carving, which is a traditional handicraft in China and has been continuously evolving with the changes in people’s aesthetic taste.

Gao showed a series of hairpin works featuring peony flowers, introducing that the series was inspired by the blooming season of a peony garden in Heze around mid-April every year.

During the online lecture, Gao carved a hairpin on spot, demonstrating the skills and techniques through the processes from design and drafting to carving, polishing and so on. Since the traditional root-carving techniques cannot be replicated, each hairpin is a unique work of art, said Gao.

The Russian students attending the online activity were deeply attracted by the lecture and amazed by the inheritance of traditional Chinese culture. Gao also hoped that one day he could teach the students in person, letting them further experience the charm of carving art. 

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/343430.html

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/xinhua-silk-road-middle-school-in-e-chinas-shanxian-county-promotes-exchanges-of-root-carving-art-between-china-russia-302323339.html

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Optoma Unveils Hyve Collaboration Hub

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A Unified Management Solution for All Display Devices

TAIPEI, Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Optoma, a global leader in display solutions, today announced the launch of its latest innovation – the Optoma Hyve Collaboration Hub. This groundbreaking smart hardware device enables seamless integration and unified management of both legacy and multi-brand display devices within a single network domain, facilitating an unprecedented transformation in display management.

The launch of the Hyve Collaboration Hub represents a major milestone for Optoma in display devices and remote management. Historically, users have faced limitations due to the requirement for brand-specific hardware and software, leading to increased setup complexity, restricted cross-brand collaboration, and higher replacement costs during upgrades. Designed to surmount these obstacles, the Hyve Collaboration Hub centralizes the control of various display devices, regardless of brand or model. From outdated models lacking smart capabilities to existing displays from multiple brands, the Hyve Collaboration Hub transforms them into a cohesive, fully interactive display ecosystem.

Unified Management, Effortless Control

The Hyve Collaboration Hub stands out with its cross-brand and cross-model compatibility. Leveraging Optoma’s proprietary OMS (Optoma Management System) software, these display devices can be centrally managed and configured for scheduled messaging, enabling users to update and manage content seamlessly from any location at any time. This significantly boosts operational efficiency and helps businesses reduce labor costs, achieving intelligent, automated display management.

Moreover, OMS tailors display device performance and status to the usage environment. Whether in shopping malls, conference rooms, or classrooms, users can fine-tune settings with precision. By analyzing device usage data, OMS predicts potential issues in advance, preventing losses due to equipment failures and enhancing device stability and lifespan.

The Power Behind the Innovation

Optoma remains steadfast in its commitment to display technology research and development. The launch of the Hyve Collaboration Hub marks a strategic expansion into display management and smart services. Leveraging deep technical expertise, Optoma has enhanced display device capabilities, excelling in performance enhancement, energy efficiency, and remote monitoring and maintenance. This milestone is driven by Optoma’s emphasis on seamless software-hardware integration, utilizing extensive data collection and intelligent analysis to maximize the effectiveness of every display device.

Expanding Markets, Elevating Display Experiences

The Hyve Collaboration Hub introduces a revolutionary display management experience, offering versatile and efficient solutions for digital signage, smart classrooms, business meetings, and various industry applications. With the Hyve Collaboration Hub’s widespread adoption, Optoma will continue to spearhead innovations in display technology and intelligent management, providing smarter, more convenient experiences for global users.

Gordon Wu, General Manager of Optoma Asia Pacific, said, “As display devices become more prevalent and application scenarios diversify, corporate demands for display management are on the rise. The Hyve Collaboration Hub transcends brand and model limitations, enabling cross-brand collaboration and smart management to optimize device performance and lead the way in digital transformations. Additionally, minimizing the need for device replacements aligns with our commitment to environmental protection.”

About Optoma

Optoma, a global leader in display solutions, is committed to delivering efficient and innovative technologies across industries. With a range of products from projectors to monitors and smart display systems, Optoma adheres to the core principle of “constant innovation,” driving advancements and applications in display technology to offer clients exceptional visual experiences and streamlined management.

See more >> Hyve Collaboration Hub:https://www.optomaeurope.com/product/och100

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SOURCE Optoma APAC

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Cambridge CARES continues decade-long collaboration with Singapore universities with two decarbonisation projects

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The University of Cambridge’s first overseas research centre (CARES) hosted Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Research Foundation (NRF) to view the centre’s technical capabilities for decarbonisation research.Local and international partners will advance research on non-fossil fuel-based pathways for Singapore industries.

SINGAPORE, Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education in Singapore (CARES) is hosting two projects under the newly launched CREATE Thematic Programme in Decarbonisation supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF). The two projects will investigate non-fossil fuel-based pathways for Singapore’s chemical manufacturing industry and energy systems. The projects will advance new technology and ideas from existing work at CARES and aid in Singapore’s business transition away from petrochemicals towards a net-zero emissions target by 2050.

Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the NRF, Mr Heng Swee Keat toured the first of three laboratories for the programme to view the technical capabilities required for the various project teams, including CARES’ projects on the Sustainable Manufacture of Molecules and Materials in Singapore (SM3), and Hydrogen and Ammonia Combustion in Singapore (HYCOMBS).

As part of the lab demonstrations on decarbonisation, CARES showcased an additional ongoing activity with City Energy investigating hydrogen-rich town gas for residential and commercial cooking stoves.

Prof. Alexei Lapkin (CARES), Prof. Chiba Shunsuke (NTU Singapore), Prof. Ning Yan (NUS), Assoc Prof. Ming Joo Koh (NUS), Dr. Philippe Schwaller (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, EPFL), and Prof. Matthew Gaunt (University of Cambridge), Principal Investigators for SM3, share a joint statement:

SM3 will provide a path to a net-zero, high-value chemical manufacturing industry in Singapore. Its core goal is to address the dependency of the producers of performance chemicals on starting materials that typically come from fossil-based carbon sources. The SM3 team will develop effective synthetic methods that best convert cheap and abundant fossil-free raw materials into high-value molecules. SM3 will transform the production of functional molecules, such as medicines and agrochemicals, creating a new value chain for the sustainable chemical industry.

Prof. Epaminondas Mastorakos (CARES), Prof. Fei Duan (NTU Singapore), Prof. Kaoru Maruta (Tohoku University), Dr Nabiha Chaumeix (CNRS France), Asst Prof Zhang Huangwei (NUS), Principal Investigators for HYCOMBS, share a joint statement:

In the near future, Singapore may adopt hydrogen or ammonia as a possible carbon-free fuel for decarbonisation; however, this requires the development of new gas turbines and internal combustion engines. In project HYCOMBS, universities from Singapore, UK, Japan, France and Norway will work together to investigate the underlying combustion process of hydrogen and ammonia to minimise pollutants and accelerate industry innovation. We are grateful for the opportunity to work on this project that can transform how these zero-carbon fuels are utilised, benefiting Singaporeans and global environmental advancement.

Since 2013, CARES has been involved in research programmes with NTU and NUS as the University of Cambridge’s first overseas centre. One of its early flagship programmes, the Centre for Carbon Reduction in Chemical Technologies (C4T), has investigated areas from sustainable reaction engineering, electrochemistry, and maritime decarbonisation, to digitalisation.

By building on this foundation and leveraging the local talent pool, CARES has attracted new partners from international universities and institutes for SM3 and HYCOMBS. This includes EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, which will provide skills in the domain AI for chemistry. CNRS, the French National Centre for Scientific Research, from France, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, and Tohoku University from Japan will contribute technical equipment and key talent in hydrogen and ammonia combustion. The connection with CNRS will be further strengthened through the presence in Singapore of CNRS@CREATE – its only subsidiary abroad – which is part of the same CREATE research programme that CARES participates in.

Singapore’s compact, interconnected infrastructure, along with strong governmental support and initiatives such as the “Singapore Green Plan 2030” will provide an ideal base for rapid testing and knowledge transfer to industry. The international scope of SM3 and HYCOMBS positions Singapore as a central hub for sustainable technology development for the global economy.

View the media release by NRF on the launch of the SGD$90m Decarbonisation programme for more information on the nine projects under CREATE’s Decarbonisation Programme.

Annex A: Full list of PIs and their affiliated universities and/or institutions

About CARES

The Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education (CARES) was established in 2013 as the University of Cambridge’s first overseas research centre, bringing together researchers from Cambridge, Nanyang Technological University, and the National University of Singapore as part of the CREATE (Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise) programme. The flagship programme at CARES is the Centre for Carbon Reduction in Chemical Technology (C4T) programme which focused on decarbonising Singapore’s chemical industry and expanded in recent years to include additional themes such as digital transformation, and sectors such as the maritime industry.

A further large programme began in October 2020 called the Centre for Lifelong Learning and Individualised Cognition (CLIC). CLIC brings together researchers from the University of Cambridge and NTU to focus on the science of learning. CARES is also a research partner in the Pharmaceutical Innovation Programme Singapore (PIPS), a public-private consortium that aims to develop full process automation in a laboratory to support R&D and manufacturing.

www.cares.cam.ac.uk    LinkedIn: Cambridge CARES

About CREATE (Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise)

CREATE is an international collaboratory housing research centres set up by top universities. At CREATE, researchers from diverse disciplines and backgrounds work closely together to perform cutting-edge research in strategic areas of interest, for translation into practical applications leading to positive economic and societal outcomes for Singapore. The interdisciplinary research centres at CREATE focus on four areas of interdisciplinary thematic areas of research, namely human systems, energy systems, environmental systems and urban systems.

More information on the CREATE programme can be obtained from www.create.edu.sg.

Annex A: Full list of PIs and their affiliated universities and/or institutions

Sustainable Manufacture of Molecules and Materials in Singapore (SM3)

Prof. Alexei LAPKIN (University of Cambridge), Prof. Shunsuke CHIBA (Nanyang
Technological University, Singapore), Prof. Ning YAN (National University of Singapore),
and Assoc Prof. Ming Joo KOH (National University of Singapore) are the Programme
Leads.

All other Principal Investigators are listed in alphabetical order with their universities and/or
institutions:

•         Asst Prof. Tej Salil CHOKSI (Nanyang Technological University)

•         Prof. Matthew GAUNT (University of Cambridge)

•         Prof. Saif KHAN (National University of Singapore)

•         Dr. Ewa MAREK (University of Cambridge)

•         Asst Prof. Philippe SCHWALLER (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne)

Webpage: https://www.cares.cam.ac.uk/research/sm3/

 

Hydrogen and Ammonia Combustion in Singapore (HYCOMBS)

Prof. Epaminondas MASTORAKOS (University of Cambridge), Assoc Prof. Fei DUAN
(Nanyang Technological University, Singapore), and Prof. Kaoru MARUTA (Tohoku
University) are the Programme Leads.

All other Principal Investigators are listed in alphabetical order with their universities and/or
institutions:

•         Prof. Siew Hwa CHAN (Nanyang Technological University)

•         Dr. Nabiha CHAUMEIX (Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique)

•         Dr. Sebastian DUCRUIX (Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique)

•         Assoc Prof. Akihiro HAYAKAWA (Tohoku University)

•         Prof. Nicholas MINESI (Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique)

•         Asst Prof. Youhi MORII (Tohoku University)

•         Prof. Hisashi NAKAMURA (Tohoku University)

•         Prof. Christine ROUSSELLE (Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique)

•         Prof. Nedunchezhian SWAMINATHAN (University of Cambridge)

•         Prof. Nicholas WORTH (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

•         Asst Prof. Huangwei ZHANG (National University of Singapore)

 

Webpage: https://www.cares.cam.ac.uk/research/hycombs/ 

 

 

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SOURCE Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education in Singapore

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