Story by V. Michelle Bernard / Photos by Lilac Martinez
Sixteen Pathfinder Bible Experience (PBE) teams from the Columbia Union Conference will continue on to the North American Division finals in Chicago April 21-22.
Those sixteen teams from nine Pathfinder clubs placed first at the Columbia Union PBE event March 18 at Pennsylvania Conference’s Blue Mountain Academy in Hamburg, Pa.
Story by Karen Senecal
What does high school chemistry, summer camp high ropes course, community health fairs and a new boiler for a church heating system have in common? All of them benefit from Ohio Advance.
Ohio Advance (OA), a free-will offering to specifically reach the community and bring people to the Lord, is changing its allocations this year. In December the Ohio Conference Executive Committee voted to allocate funds to outreach and evangelism, secondary education, Camp Mohaven in Danville and church buildings and equipment.
Thirty percent of OA donations will be used for outreach and evangelism programs.
Story by Jessica Beans
Story by Elizabeth Long
The American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer has presented Kettering Adventist Health Care with the 2016 Outstanding Achievement Award for the network’s cancer services program. Award criteria were based on accreditations surveys conducted during the second half of 2016.
The award acknowledges cancer programs that achieve excellence in providing quality care to cancer patients. Kettering Health Network is one of only 42 U.S. health care facilities with accredited cancer programs to receive this national honor for surveys performed last year.
During the March 12 Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting in Hershey, Pa., committee members voted to approve the following:
Our Priorities
During the 2016-2021 quinquennium, the Columbia Union Conference seeks to further the work of the Seventh-day Adventist Church by prioritizing the following:
Spiritual Renewal – Promote healthy churches by uniting members through personal and corporate spiritual revival and active engagement in ministry
Evangelism – Support initiatives that impact our communities by revealing the love of Christ, inviting people to accept Christ as their Savior and sharing the distinct Seventh-day Adventist message of hope and wholeness
Story by V. Michelle Bernard
During the March 12 Columbia Union Conference Executive Committee meeting, Dave Weigley, union president, recognized Ray Hartwell’s 13 years on the committee and his 21 years serving in the Pennsylvania Conference.
“I just want to say you’ve been a great leader for Pennsylvania,” said Weigley. “You’ve been a leader in this union, in some of the very important discussions we’ve had. We pray God will bless you in your new position.”
Hartwell, and his wife, Jeanne, have moved to the Georgia-Cumberland Conference where he now serves as the Stewardship and Trust Services director and Association secretary.
Story by Walter Cardenas
On a Sabbath morning in July 2005, an Adventist Spanish-speaking gentleman walked through the doors of the Moorefield (W.Va.) church. Communicating with him was limited because of the language barrier, but that day the members of this small church “realiaized that we may have other brothers and sisters from Spanish-speaking countries that would want to join us,” says Phyllis Jeffers, Moore eld church treasurer. “The next week we ordered four Spanish Adult Sabbath School quarterlies.”
How does Blue Mountain Academy (BMA) make Jesus real to its students? While on a recent mission trip to Pittsburgh, the BMA seniors befriended a young homeless girl. Pastor John Kent, from the Carnegie Simple (Pa.) church, shared that the girl, Michelle “Shelby” Muyango, had been coming to church intermittently due to a difficult living environment. A bright and insightful young lady, Muyango struggled to be visible to the outside world. During the trip, BMA students took notice of her, and rather than shun her, talked with her, got to know her, ate with her and played volleyball with her.
Story by Samantha Young
Ophelia Barizo, vice president for advancement at Highland View Academy (HVA) and coordinator of Chesapeake Conference STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), was named 2017 Environmental Educator of the Year by the Chesapeake Bay Trust, a nonprofit grant-making organization that has funded environmental education at HVA since 1999.
“Being nominated was a total surprise,” says Barizo. She accepted her award at a banquet held at the Miller Senate Building in Annapolis, Md. With the award comes $2,500 for environmental projects at HVA.
Story by Celeste Ryan Blyden
We are deeply saddened to share that Goldie Louis passed away last evening from complications following a stroke she suffered on February 21.
Goldie, a cheerful, caring, dedicated Christian, served in the Columbia Union Conference office for 16 years. Prior to that she worked at ADRA and earlier for the Columbia Federal Credit Union.
“Goldie was one of the most friendly people – always interested in knowing how we are doing, always affirming, always initiating prayer for someone who was hurting or in need,” says Dave Weigley, Columbia Union president. “She will be terribly missed in our office family.”