News | Seventh-day Adventist Church

Pennsylvania Conference Says Goodbye to Two Employees

Story by Tamyra Horst

Good-byes are usually sad--yet sometimes they are a celebration. This month the Pennsylvania Conference education team is saying good-bye as Toni Wlasniewski, a teacher at Reading Junior Academy, and Machelle Williams, head teacher for the Pocono Adventist Christian School, Stroudsburg, Pa., are both retiring from education and moving into the next adventure God has planned for them. The team surprised both educators during the end-of-year Zoom teachers meeting with flowers and cake delivered and words of gratitude shared by Jeremy Garlock, education superintendent.

Members Gather to Pray and Pursue Justice

Families gathered during the Community Prayer Vigil at Spencerville Adventist Academy | Photo by Dan Weber/NAD

Story by V. Michelle Bernard / Photos by Dan Weber/NAD Communication

Over the weekend, several groups in the Columbia Union met to pray, grieve and call for justice after the recent killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others at the hands of police.

Life Enrichment Clubs Enhance Campus Life at Pine Forge Academy

Shemiah Hoppie (’20), plans his next chess move.

Story by Pine Forge Academy Staff

Pine Forge Academy (PFA) has incorporated life enrichment clubs into their curriculum this year. Students have joined clubs, such as Coding, Genealogy, Media, Chess, Crotchet, Poetry, Art and Debate, that meet for 50 minutes twice a month.

Instructor Lisa Marshall has introduced members of the Art Club to several artistic mediums. The club’s latest work is a fluid art design known as the acrylic painting string technique. This format brings out the creative ingenuity of the students.

Members Eager to Reunite After Stay-at-Home Orders

Joshua Bandel, a member at Pennsylvania Conference's Washington church, installed the plexiglass shield on the pulpit.

Story by V. Michelle Bernard

After nine weeks of in-person closure due to coronavirus shelter-in-place orders, Pennsylvania Conference’s Washington church has now been open for several weeks.

Following government regulations, members installed a plexiglass shield around the podium, secured masks for members who may need them, and, in between services, thoroughly clean/disinfect the church.

New Takoma Academy Chaplain Makes Easy Transition

Chaplain B. Leah (left) and students Sherina Moses (’20), Valerie Ganta (’22) and Yannice Prather (’20) play a friendly game of ping-pong in the “The Living Room.”

Story by Salena Fitzgerald

One of Takoma Academy’s (TA) missions is to lead young people to Jesus by helping students maintain a strong spiritual life. While the faculty and staff make a team effort to provide spiritual guidance to the students, the role of a chaplain is to expand on it. This was no challenge for new hire Leah Burgess, affectionally known as “Chaplain B. Leah,” who was welcomed to the Tiger family late last year.

High School Student Turns Hobby Into Ministry

Story by Heidi Wetmore

Charis McRoy, a junior at Spencerville Adventist Academy (SAA), learned how to loom knit hats from a family friend. After making hats for each of her family members, McRoy wondered how she could use this newfound hobby to serve others. She needed a reason and purpose for what she was doing; that is how Kinder Knit was born.

After much thought, McRoy decided to make hats for infants in the NICU. This target group was near and dear to her heart, because 17 years ago, she herself was a newborn in the NICU. “To this day, I have handmade blankets that kind individuals gave me when I was in the NICU,” shares McRoy. “Now this is my chance to give back and serve others.”

Ohio Students Exhibit Creativity in Art Auction

Story by Heidi Shoemaker

The gymnasium was transformed into an art gallery. A pianist played live music while nearly 150 guests sipped sparkling juice and nibbled on hors d’oeuvres, served by upper grade students. Students of the Mayfair Christian School (MCS) in Uniontown created the art on display. Interspersed between the art exhibition and auction, seventh- and eighth-grade students shared a diverse selection of performances.

“MCS has always had an art auction where $200 to $300 were raised,” says Miriam Troup, MCS principal. “We decided to put a different spin on this event.”

William T. Cox Shares a Story of Racism From His Childhood

See the entire Columbia Union Conference Day of Prayer program here.

Columbia Union Day of Prayer: Mike Hewitt Prays

We realize that You created every single one of us … We were created equal, prayed Mike Hewitt, President of the Mountain View Conference during the Columbia Union Conference's recent Day of Prayer event.

Watch the full event here.

VIDEO: Columbia Union Conference Day of Prayer Event June 6

On Sabbath, June 6, at 4 p.m., President Dave Weigley and leaders from across the Columbia Union united to pray for justice, healing and peace. The program included personal testimonies, prayer and Scripture readings by union leaders and conference, healthcare and education presidents.