News
Story by Kettering Adventist HealthCare
John Hutsell, a critical care specialist at Kettering Medical Center in Ohio, has been named the Ohio Society for Respiratory Care’s Practitioner of the Year for Adult Acute Care. He was chosen for this statewide recognition from among 8,000 therapists.
The award recognizes respiratory care practitioners who exhibit leadership and team-building skills, mentor others, have clinical experience, and are involved in their communities.
Story by Visitor Staff
The Columbia Union Conference is saying goodbye to Seth Bardu, who served as the union’s treasurer for nearly 12 years. “More than managing money and processing payroll, he promoted treasury as a resource center for ministry and mission,” said Dave Weigley, president, in a statement.
Bardu’s resignation is effective August 31. On September 14, Weigley will ask the union’s executive committee to select a search committee to begin the process of finding a new treasurer.
Bardu joined the union officer team in 2006 and previously worked in treasury positions at Northeastern Conference, South Union Conference, Adventist Health System and South Central Conference.
Story by V. Michelle Bernard / Photos Courtesy Hagerstown church
Ray Valenzuela, the associate pastor of Chesapeake Conference’s Hagerstown (Md.) church, was thinking about how the church could help families displaced by a fire in the nearby Woodbridge Apartments, when a representative from the Red Cross called to ask if they were willing to open up the church as a resource center.
Story by Celeste Ryan Blyden, Columbia Union Visitor; Photos by Brian Patrick Tagalog
Story by Celeste Ryan Blyden, Columbia Union Visitor
Today Nathaniel Drew, pastor of Allegheny West Conference’s Bethany church in Charlottesville, Va., and the Calvary church in Gordonsville, Va., attended the memorial service for Heather Heyer, the woman killed last Saturday when a car plowed into a crowd of counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville. As an active member of the local Clergy Collective, he and other spiritual leaders joined more than 1,000 people who came to support and comfort Heyer's family, friends and the community.
William T. Cox Sr., President of the Allegheny West Conference; William Miller, President of the Potomac Conference; and Dave Weigley, President of the Columbia Union Conference, release the following joint statement regarding the unrest in Charlottesville, Va.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Heather Heyer and Lieutenant H. Jay Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Berke M. M. Bates of the Virginia State Police, who lost their lives on Saturday, August 12, during the violent uprising in Charlottesville, Va. We’re also praying for healing for all who were injured and impacted.
The Chesapeake Conference Executive Committee recently named Janesta Walker (below) as superintendent of schools, and Michael Jakobsons (right) as associate superintendent. Walker fills the vacancy left by Jacqueline Messenger, who is now associate director for secondary education for the Columbia Union Conference. Mark Walker, the current interim superintendent, is set to retire August 1.
“We welcome both of these educators to the Chesapeake Conference. Their combined training and experience, in a variety of school settings, will prove to be a genuine benefit to our schools,” says Rick Remmers, conference president.
Story by Bryant Smith