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Celeste Ryan Blyden Elected to Serve as Next Columbia Union Executive Secretary

Story by Visitor Staff

On November 11, members of the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee elected Celeste Ryan Blyden as the new executive secretary, effective January 2022. She will be the first woman to fill the role in the union's 114-year history.

Blyden has served in her current role as vice president for Strategic Communication and Public Relations since 2014, when she made history as the first female vice president for the Columbia Union. She was re-elected at constituency sessions in 2016, and again in May 2021.

Columbia Union Executive Committee Appoints Four Staff Members to New Roles

Story by Visitor Staff

On November 11, members of the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee voted to promote four Columbia Union employees to new roles: two in the Information Technology (IT) Services Department and two in the Communication Department.

Greg Iverson, associate director of IT, was voted to serve as director, following the retirement of Harold Greene, current IT director, in February 2022.

Iverson has worked at the union since 2001, serving as both an assistant and associate director, with a portfolio that includes network administrator/system administrator.

Columbia Union Conference President Shares Evangelism Report

Columbia Union Conference President, Dave Weigley, shared the following report about evangelism happening all around the union.

"As we emerge from the pandemic, we are more determined than ever to embrace traditional, creative and innovative evangelism opportunities. And we are inviting every member—men, women, boys and girls—to experience the mission of sharing our love for Jesus," says Weigley.

 

Social Mobility at Washington Adventist University Guides Students

Editorial by Weymouth Spence

Christ’s example and teachings directly contradict the world’s aspirations toward always looking for wealth. In Christ, we see a Diety lowering Himself to human form to reach the poor, sick and struggling. Instead, His path is a path of lifting the brokenhearted and guiding His children to better horizons, whether that is financial or spiritual.

He said, “Whoever wants to be first, must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35), and “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” These aren’t the words that would indicate the priority is to search for wealth and let the benefits of your wealth trickle down to the masses. Instead, this is a call to dive into the masses and find those you can lift, heal and exalt.

Dupont Park Organist Celebrates 50-Plus Years of Music Ministry

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

Earnest Hargrove, the organist at Allegheny East Conference's (AEC) Dupont Park church in Washington, D.C., was recently recognized for more than 50 years of service in music ministry.

Hargrove was first invited to Dupont Park by a close friend and member Esther Wroten. His musical involvement, however, began more than 50 years ago when Edward Jackson, minister of music at the time, recommended Hargrove as the organist for the church.

During his longtime service, Hargrove played the organ for Sabbath School, the Chancellor Choir, Male Chorus, Women’s Chorus and for special musical guests.

Universidad Adventista de Washington Cambia Nombre del Departamento de Religión

Weymouth Spence speaks at the event renaming Washington Adventist University's Religion Department to the Fordham Dept of Religion

Historia de Universidad Adventista de Washington

Los líderes de la Universidad Adventista de Washington (WAU) recientemente renombraron su Departamento de Religión como Departamento de Religión Henry y Sharon Fordham. Durante la ceremonia, WAU honró el legado del ministerio de los Fordham, con la esperanza de inspirar a los estudiantes a liderar con su ejemplo.

Mira la ceremonia aquí.

Las Academias Forjan una Asociación para un Mayor Acceso

Historia de Sadrail Saint-Ulysse

Con la aprobación de la División Norteamericana (NAD), la Unión de Columbia y la Asociación de Nueva Jersey, la Academia Adventista Lake Nelson (LNAA), una escuela de preescolar a 12º grado, se asoció recientemente con la Escuela Adventista de Waldwick, una escuela de preescolar a 10º grado, y la Escuela Adventista de Vine Haven, una escuela de preescolar a octavo grado, para ofrecer cursos de secundaria que conducirán a diplomas de secundaria de LNAA. Esta asociación permitirá a los estudiantes de Waldwick y Vine Haven recibir instrucción virtual y presencial de LNAA.

Flag Folding Ceremony Honors Departed Veteran

Veterans Day, Robert Littlejohn, Jr., Robert Littlejohn, Sr.

Story by Debra Anderson

The Fredericksburg (Va.) church is located just a few miles from Marine Corps Base Quantico. The base’s proximity to the church makes it convenient for active-duty personnel to worship there on Sabbaths.

November 7, 2021: Say ‘I Do’

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?’” (John 21:15, NIV).

There is a powerful truth that comes through this passage. For reasons not entirely clear, Peter had returned to fishing. In the days after the resurrection, he was an uncertain and insecure individual. What lay ahead, he didn’t know. In denial and cursing Jesus, Peter utterly failed when Jesus needed him most. He may have even thought that his sin and failure eliminated the possibility of ever being used by God again.

November 6, 2021: Leave It to God

Image from iStock

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for He grants sleep to those He loves” (Ps. 127:1–2, NIV).

It was my senior year. I was living in the dormitory at Mt. Vernon Academy. We had returned to our rooms after a Saturday evening program in the gymnasium. I no longer recall just what it was that was plaguing my mind. It could have been stress over a test or project in one of my classes. Perhaps there was turmoil with my girlfriend.