News

Looking for an event to celebrate Easter this weekend? Here are several special programs across the Columbia Union Conference you (and a friend!) can attend:

Friday, March 30

  • 7 p.m.: Experiencing the Sacrifice at the Williamsport church, 16421 Lappans Road, Williamsport, MD 21795
  • 7:30 p.m.: Good Friday Communion at the Hamilton church, 3570 Hamilton Middletown Rd, Hamilton, OH 45011
  • 7:30 p.m.: (Doors open at 7 p.m.): Easter: a Story of HOPE at New Hope church, 12350 Hall Shop Road, Fulton, MD 20759

Sabbath, March 31

SVA’s Rwandan refugee students meet members of the police department who raised funds for their education.

Story by Vicki Swetnam

When Police Officer Tom Thompson heard about the 26 Rwandan refugee students attending Spring Valley Academy (SVA), he determined to raise money to help provide them with lunches, tuition and other expenses. He encouraged fellow officers at the Grandview, Ohio, police department to join him in a “no-shave” fundraiser challenge. They proudly presented a $3,000 check for the Rwandan students to Principal Darren Wilkins at a pizza party held at the school.

Jared Briggman (left), pastor of the East Pea Ridge church, rejoices as Justin (middle) and Zachary White take their stand for Bible truth.

Story by Peggy Criddle

Zachary White and his teenage son, Justin, had been searching for Bible truth for several years. A long-time friend became a Seventh-day Adventist, but the beliefs his friend embraced were so different from White’s Baptist upbringing, that he didn’t believe they were true.

Groups from Beltsville and Washington Adventist University participate in Global Youth Day.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard / Photos by Ross Patterson and Mark Sigue

Distributing food and water to the less fortunate and refugees, visiting nursing homes and cleaning parks were just a few of the acts of service that Columbia Union Conference youth and young adults participated in last Sabbath’s Global Youth Day.

The Spencerville Adventist Academy (SAA) Drama department will present four performances of My Fair Lady, scheduled for April 18, 19, 21 and 22 in the SAA auditorium at 2502 Spencerville Road, Spencerville, Md., 20868.

Tickets will be available at the door or online at spaac.net.

Story by Ron Mills

Takoma Academy’s (TA) chorale and camerata are joining forces to participate in the Music for All National Choir Festival and the World Choir Games (WCG)—the largest choral competition in the world!

Via a recorded audition, a panel of renowned choral conductors selected the TA chorale as one of the charter groups that sang at the premiere of the Music for All National Choir Festival in Indianapolis, March 15-17, 2018.

The Music for All National Choir Festival is a noncompetitive experience for outstanding middle school, high school and youth choirs. The festival is a celebration of musical excellence, combining world class performance and evaluation opportunities, with an exhilarating atmosphere of camaraderie in music.

Members of the Fredericksburg Pathfinder Club participate in the Columbia Union Pathfinder Bible Experience

On Sabbath, 54 teams, comprised of at least 320 Pathfinders, gathered in Blue Mountain Academy’s gymnasium in Hamburg, Pa., to test their knowledge of the Bible during the Columbia Union Conference’s sixth Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE), a competition that tests participants Bible knowledge. So far it is the largest Columbia Union PBE event in the union.
 

Akron First Church, photo by Akron Adventist from Flickr

Story by Heidi Shoemaker

A series of regional town hall meetings are scheduled for delegates who will attend the 42nd Regular Constituency Meeting of the Ohio Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The purpose of these area meetings is to provide delegates an opportunity to hear and discuss reports on various aspects of conference operations and specific agenda items for the May 6 Constituency Meeting. All elected delegates are urged to attend at a location close to you. Email information@ohioadventist.org, or call (740) 397-4665 for more information. Additional information is available online at ohioadventist.org.

Photo by cuatrok77 from Flikr

Editorial by Gary Gibbs

Are you interested in Bible studies?” It was a bold question for a senior member of a local church. When a salesman knocked on her door, her first response was, “It’s the Sabbath; I’m not interested.” But that morning I had preached a sermon that challenged the congregation to be bold. God used that message to spark this church member to ask the salesman if he would be interested in Bible studies.

“Actually, I am,” the young man replied.

“Would you like to go to church?” Another bold question. Was she really doing this?

“Yes, I would. Can I go with you?” he seemed sincerely interested.