News

Image by Michael F McElroy

Story by Hannah Luttrell and V. Michelle Bernard

Background

The Amish originated from the Anabaptists. The word “ana” is Greek for “again,” and the Anabaptists rejected the infant baptism that many of them had been subjected to, believing instead that the only valid baptism was one that was freely chosen after confessing belief in Jesus. Menno Simons was a former Catholic priest who embraced Anabaptism in the 1500s and became a prominent leader, with his followers becoming known as Mennonites rather than Anabaptists.

In 1693, there was a split after a prominent leader, Jakob Ammann, advocated greater separation from the world and stricter discipline with the shunning of disobedient members. His followers became known as the Amish. Later, schisms led to groups like the Old Order Amish and New Order Amish.

Candace Nurse hands Victor Zill, treasurer of the Mountain View Conference, a check.

Story by Celeste Ryan Blyden

Twenty years ago, the eight conferences within the Columbia Union Conference provided significant funds to help meet a new North American Division (NAD) policy that revolving funds across the division should maintain a minimum of 25 percent of their monies in capital reserves. Now that the Columbia Union Revolving Fund (CURF) has met and maintained that requirement for many years, the administration will return those funds to the conferences. The funds will total about $3.2 million, says Emmanuel Asiedu, union treasurer.

Members of the West Salem Mission of Seventh-day Adventists in Ohio. Photo by Michael F. McElroy

Story by Hannah Luttrell / Photos by Michael McElroy

I want to be excommunicated.” Delila Glick looked straight at her bishop, her steady voice belying the twinge of nervousness she felt inside. From the outside, Glick looked like any typical Amish woman, her waist-length hair neatly twisted up in a bun and tucked beneath a white prayer covering, and her long, full skirt lightly brushing the floor of the bishop’s house.

Photo by JamesLee on Pixabay

Poem by Megan L. Garcia

Twas three days before Christmas and all through the church
We gathered to celebrate our dear Savior’s birth
Though not on December 25th He did come,
Yet still our hearts honor this sweet blessed One

We put on our dresses, we put on our ties
The gals did their hair, and waited the guys
For soon they would finally get to retreat
Oh, the sound of the car leaving sounded so sweet

When out of the bathroom, there arose such a clatter
The husband jumped up to see what was the matter
“Just grabbing my perfume” the wife did reply
“I’ll be in the car,” said the man with a sigh

Artwork by Jolene Slifka for the Columbia Union Visitor.

Le calendrier de l’Union de Fédérations de Columbia 2019 contient des histoires bibliques illustrées par des œuvres artis- tiques d’enfants de l’Union. Pour obtenir des exemplaires gratuits supplémentaires, appelez le (443) 259-9578 ou envoyez un courrier électronique à srowley@ columbiaunion.net.

Emely Gonzalez, a member of the Oxon Hill Spanish church, created Esther for the 2019 Columbia Union Calendar.

Historia de V. Michelle Bernard

El Calendario de la Unión de Columbia 2019 presenta historias bíblicas representadas a través del trabajo artístico de niños en la Unión de Columbia.

Para obtener copias gratuitas adicionales, llame al (443) 259-9578 o envíe un correo electrónico a srowley@columbiaunion.net.

Story by Michele Joseph

The North American Division (NAD) Administrative Committee recently voted to adopt and endorse the Adventist Women Leaders initiative.

What started with a lunch for 15 women gathered in a conference room at the NAD Year-end Meeting in October 2017, has grown to more than 180 subscribers to an email newsletter published twice a month.

The goal is to create and foster a nurturing and supportive community for women who serve in leadership capacities of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, says Debra Brill, NAD vice president, who chairs the committee.