Welcome to 2021, and what we in the Columbia Union are calling “The Year of the Bible”. For Seventh-day Adventists, the Bible is EVERYTHING, and remains our only creed.

So 2021 seemed like a great time, as a Columbia union family, to spend a little extra time in our bibles. To facilitate this special initiative, we published a devotional book, are producing videos (like this one!), promoting this project in our annual calendar, and creating opportunities to engage with each other through social media.

Follow us on youtube.com/columbiaunion to see our videos throughout the year.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

Ten months into the pandemic, many churches and schools are still meeting virtually. The Visitor staff asked leaders around the union what they’ve learned about online ministry during this time, and gleaned tips on how local leaders can make the most of these important communication tools—no matter how long the pandemic continues.

Building on a Strong Foundation

Want More Copies?

For those interested in ordering additional Year of the Bible Words of Life devotional books, call (800) 447-7377, and ask for the “Columbia Union Devotional.” Each book costs US $5, plus shipping, while supplies last. Take advantage of this 50 percent discount, through January 31!

For those wanting more copies of the 2021 Columbia Union Calendar, call (800) 447-7377, and ask for the “Columbia Union 2021 Calendar.” Extra calendars are free, with only the cost of shipping.

Didn’t Get Your Book or Calendar?

Story by Valerie Morikone

On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, Mountain View Conference (MVC) constituents and friends were saddened to receive the news that Larry Boggess passed to his rest. Boggess retired as MVC president in 2017. He and his wife, Jo’an, then moved to their country home in Ohio to live near family.

Boggess arrived to MVC in 1989 to pastor the Beckley (W.Va.) church, and pastored several churches for more than a decade. In 2002, Boggess was elected to the office of executive secretary, and, in 2006, became MVC president, a position he held for almost 12 years, also adding the title of superintendent of education for several years.

In a year filled with natural disasters, a pandemic and sadness over racial injustice, Columbia Union Conference members and others who visited columbiaunionvisitor.com clung to hope, at least in their article selections.

Here are the top 10 most read 2020 news stories on columbiaunionvisitor.com in 2020:

10. Pottinger Retires, Celebrates 50 Years of MinistryLeonel Pottinger, the ministerial director for the New Jersey Conference (NJC), recently retired after nearly 50 years of selfless ministry.