Banned large public gatherings have forced church communities and schools across the country to get creative in congregating the last two weeks. We’ve assembled a list of resources and ideas to help you better build community during this unprecedented time.
Need Technical Help With Technology?
The North American Division’s Big Data + Social Media Department and several other entities have created many resources to help churches move their services and community online.
Union de Columbia Décrète une Journée Spéciale de Prière
Sabbat, 28 mars 2020
Les dirigeants de la l’Union de Columbia et de ses huit Fédérations locales, réseaux de soins de santé et établissements d'enseignement supérieur demandent aux membres de participer à une journée spéciale de prière, le sabbat 28 mars prochain.
Cette initiative survient alors que la crise du coronavirus (COVID-19) s'intensifie, laissant les églises et les écoles fermées ; l’annulation de certains événements programmés comme de nombreux week-ends spéciaux, remises de diplômes, réunions de camp et camps d'été ; et de plus en plus de personnes tombent malades et meurent chaque jour.
Devotional by Terry Forde
One of the things I learned from my parents is how important it is to begin each day with prayer. Those prayers were simple – just a few words, but they were words that mattered. And I’ve made it a part of my life.
For some, prayer may be very formal–a ritual that fulfills an obligation. For some, it is barely spoken as they silence the alarm and hit the ground running. I know someone who says he prays in the shower each morning, and someone else who says she doesn’t say anything to anyone, including God, until she has her coffee cup in hand.
#ColumbiaUnionPrays
La Unión de Columbia designa un día especial de oración
Sábado 28 de marzo
Este sábado 28 de marzo, los líderes de la Unión de Columbia y sus ocho conferencias locales, los líderes de las redes de atención médica e instituciones de educación superior están pidiendo a los miembros que participen en un día especial de oración.
Esto debido a que la crisis del coronavirus (COVID-19) se intensifica, dejando cerradas iglesias y escuelas; numerosos fines de semana de ex alumnos, graduaciones, reuniones de campamento y campamentos de verano cancelados; y cada vez más personas que se enferman y mueren todos los días.
Editorial by Eli Rojas
The word intentional means that an action is taken on purpose. Interestingly, when it comes to the most important things in life, it often seems that few people treat them with an intentional mindset.
Maintaining a marriage, family life, career and even our spiritual walk with God is often driven by happenstance. Ellen White speaks on the benefits of living purposefully: “The soul that is indolent falls an easy prey to temptation; but in the life that has a noble aim, an absorbing purpose, evil finds little foothold” (Prophets and Kings, p. 660).
Story by Tracey Jackson
“Forging to the Future,” the theme of the 2019 National Pine Forge Academy’s (PFA) Alumni Weekend, welcomed past students to the campus. Class of 1983 alumnus Lafayette Trawick (pictured, below) issued a challenge to “Move that Needle,” in hopes of inspiring others to give back to their alma mater.
At the Alumni Awards ceremony, the Class of 1983 gifted the PFA Science Department with a $5,000 donation. As a result, the Science Department was able to purchase needed lab supplies for students, as well as the financial support to attend the annual SciFest at Andrews University (AU) in Berrien Springs, Mich.
Feature by Edwin Manuel Garcia
Therezinha Barbalho grew up in Brazil and wanted to be a pastor more than anything. But after graduating from the Adventist seminary, she faced difficulty finding pastoral employment beyond being a Bible worker, due to the region’s attitudes toward women in ministry.
She realized her dream career wasn’t going to happen, so she went back to school and became a lawyer.
Years later when Barbalho and her husband sought better medical care than Brazil could offer for their daughter who has autism, she sent her pastoral résumé to conferences in the United States. She was offered a job as a Bible worker at New Jersey Conference’s Luso-Brazilian church in Newark in 2004, then promptly became the associate pastor.
Story by Tamyra Horst
“What’s the difference between the old church and the new church?” a member who hadn’t attended the Pottsville church for 15 years asked Pastor Alex DuBee while visiting during an evangelistic meeting.
“We are now doing the mission of God,” DuBee replied.
“I’ll never leave the church again,” she responded.
The Pottsville church now not only has a newly built facility, but a new focus. Members voted to be a part of the Faith for Family (F4F) initiative in 2018. Lisa Arosarena was assigned as their Bible instructor, fol- lowing up interests generated by a mailing the church sent to the community, while also building relationships within the community and with members who were no longer attending services.
Story by Janel Ware
The Shenandoah Valley Academy (SVA) Alumni Association Board is developing a database of alumni and parent professionals interested in sharing their education and career journeys with students: “It’s wonderful that many alumni specially desire to inform, inspire and encourage today’s students by returning to share their career experiences. We’ve been thrilled with the response and hope for more!” says Kelli (Fluharty) Hanon (’88), alumni president.
Story by LaTasha Hewitt
The Haitian Youth Federation of Allegheny East Conference (AEC) recently held its first annual young adult retreat at Sandy Cove Ministries (Md). Close to 70 young adults between the ages of 18 and 40, including staff, attended the weekend retreat.
The Haitian Federation intentionally reached out to the 18- to 35-year-olds—the sometimes disengaged and forgotten demographic. “Our mission was to help our young adults connect with God and each other in order to be transformed into the image of Christ through His Word, His creation and our community,” shares Nadege Duvernay, AEC Haitian Federation president.