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Introducing the 2025 Columbia Union Calendar

Cover of the Columbia Union Conference 2025 Calendar

The 2025 Columbia Union Conference calendar emphasizes prayer, using inspiring Bible verses and quotes from Ellen White.  

“We hope the pages of the calendar will serve as a handbook—providing prompts and inspiration that will aid and guide through this collective commission to pray,” says Kelly Butler Coe, calendar and Visitor editor.   

Each month, the calendar will include a Columbia Union and Pentecost 2025 “Prayer Focus” in which members are invited to include in their prayer time. 

Order Extra 2025 Calendars 

Spring Valley Academy Music Department Sings to a New Tune

Donald Huff, band director, enters his 25th year of teaching band at Spring Valley Academy.

The 2024–25 school year is in full swing at Spring Valley Academy (SVA), and so is the busy Music Department concert and tour schedule. With another record enrollment year of 564 students, grades K–12, the music groups and classes are bigger than ever.

Seeds of Hope

Pixabay/Myriams-Fotos

Editorial by Matt Stroup

As I emerged from the water, I praised God for washing away my sins. I felt a sense of innocence that I hadn’t experienced since childhood. I felt reborn—this time through the waters of baptism.

After being baptized, I wanted to share my faith. When a friend who was moving into the area asked me for advice on where to live, I gave him some practical tips and then told him about my newfound faith. He was very interested to learn more, and I was excited to share, but didn’t know where to start. So, I asked him if he’d like to watch the Revelation Speaks Peace video series with me on Fridays after work. He agreed.

Church Leaders Receive Alive In Jesus Training

Local church Children Ministries leaders receive training in new Alive in Jesus curriculum. Photo by Jamal Franklyn

Story by Keisha Bone

Churches across the Allegheny West Conference gathered for the inaugural Alive in Jesus Sabbath School training Sept. 6–7. Sponsored by the conference’s Children’s Ministries Department, this event introduced the new curriculum, which will replace the Gracelink curriculum. Participants explored the curriculum’s core pillars: grace, character development, and mission. The Alive in Jesus curriculum aims to cultivate a faith-filled life, emphasizing the Bible as a trustworthy source.

Blue Mountain Academy Student Reflects Christ to Others

Lavinia Postiglione, a junior at Blue Mountain Academy, strives to be a positive role model to her peers.

Story by Silvia Lutick

Lavinia Postiglione, a student at Blue Mountain Academy (BMA), is an example of the Holy Spirit at work, say school staff. As a junior, she has made a difference in the lives of her peers and family.

Northeast Church Celebrates 21 Baptisms

Northeast Church Celebrates 21 Baptisms, Glen Samuels, West Jamaica Conference, “Together in Faith”, Chesapeake Conference, Northeast church

Story by Evan Knott

The Northeast church in Parkville, Md., recently celebrated the baptisms of 21 new members following a two-week evangelistic series led by wellknown Caribbean evangelist Glen Samuels, president of the West Jamaica Conference in the Inter-American Division. Four additional baptisms will take place before the end of the year.

Excelling at Excellence

Story by John Sackett

In healthcare, everything we do has profound significance. Often, there is just one chance to get something right with no opportunity for a redo. And it is no exaggeration to say that performing our work to the very highest safety and quality standards can mean the difference between life and death. So how do we ensure we excel in our work?

What Are the 2024–25 Columbia Union Enrollment Numbers?

Emmanuel Asiedu, Donovan Ross and Celeste Ryan Blyden at the 2024 Board of Education Meeting.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

At the Board of Education meeting held yesterday in Silver Spring, Md., Donovan Ross, vice president of Columbia Union Conference’s Office of Education, reported there are 7,524 students in Columbia Union’s 79 schools this year.