News

Spring Valley Academy Stage Band

Story by Vicki Swetnam

Spring Valley Academy’s (SVA) Stage Band spent the last part of 2019 and the first part of 2020 preparing for their Benny Goodman fundraising concert. Then, the pandemic hit.

Months passed until Donald Huff, SVA band director, finally received clearance for the concert. Staff and students made proper preparations, brought in equipment and obtained professional videographers for a “live recording session.” Huff issued stern orders to the band: “Everyone, stay six feet apart, keep using hand sanitizer and stay heathy!” No one expected that he would be the one with the COVID-19 scare.

The Upset Podcast

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

The Allegheny East Conference (AEC) recently launched its first podcast, The UpSet. The goal of the podcast is to provide conversation about current topics from a Christian perspective, emphasizing the importance of respecting differing opinions. Topics range from politics and social networks to the stock market and church life.

Image from iStock

“The Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9, NKJV).

In 2017, I was living and working in Milan, Italy. I had a part-time job in a Chinese multinational company, lived downtown with my sister and did Bible work in my spare time. Life was comfortable and predictable. I was active in church and held a few offices. I enjoyed teaching Sabbath School and giving Bible studies, but I felt the need for a change.

Grant Leitma leads the faculty and staff at the beginning of the WAU Commencement Ceremony.

Story by Shannon Smith

Last weekend, leaders at Washington Adventist University (WAU) in Takoma Park, Md.,  celebrated the many achievements and successes of students during their graduation ceremonies. It was the first commencement since 1904 to be held on the campus commons.

“On this the 106th Commencement Weekend, 275 students will receive a variety of graduate, undergraduate, associate and certificates,” said Weymouth Spence, WAU president. “Washington Adventist University is certainly a place where we produce graduates who bring competence and moral leadership to their communities.”

The Gathering 2021 Chesapeake Conference Camp Meeting experience will be held virtually, June 15-19, featuring on-location broadcasts throughout the conference. To view a complete program schedule and access seminars, evening worships, children’s/youth/ young adult programs and resources, please visit ccosda.org/campmeeting.

Featured Speaker

Reina Zapata-Méndez, miembro de la iglesia hispana de Jersey City, no dejó que el virus le impidiera ser voluntaria en su iglesia y conferencia.

Historia de Anthony Baffi

Mientras atendía a su padre en el hospital, Reina Zapata-Méndez, miembro de la iglesia hispana de Jersey City y voluntaria de la Conferencia de Nueva Jersey como coordinadora estatal de Guías Maestras, escuchó la noticia de que un virus que se originaba en China había llegado a Estados Unidos. Zapata-Méndez, y el resto del mundo, no podían imaginar el torbellino que estaba por golpear en las próximas semanas.

Story by Visitor Staff

The Columbia Union Conference team focused on fulfilling the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church by addressing six priorities voted by the Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee:

1. PERSONAL SPIRITUAL RENEWAL

We prepared for and designated 2021 as the Year of the Bible, a time of special emphasis on reading, studying and contemplating how God’s Word transforms lives and draws us closer to Jesus.